ohio school shooting : 2nd victim dead

The toll in the Chardon High School shooting grew today as a shooting victim was proclaimed to be dead.

Russell King, Jr., 17, was pronounced brain dead at 12:42 a.m. at Ohio's MetroHealth Medical Center, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office. At 4:49 a.m., police were informed that King had "passed."

Another victim, identified by MetroHealth Hospital as Daniel Parmertor died from the wounds on Monday, hours after being shot.

As the Ohio town coped with the carnage, the focus turned to alleged shooter T.J. Lane who a fellow student and witness identified as the person who shot up his school cafeteria Monday. In addition to King and Parmertor, three other students remain hospitalized.

Lane, a juvenile, is expected to appear in court this afternoon.

Nate Mueller, a student who was sitting with three friends who were shot, described Lane to ABC News as "a quiet kid. Freshman year he got into a 'goth' phase and didn't talk to that many people anymore. He never egged anybody on. He just went about his business."

Some classmates described Lane as an outcast who'd been bullied. In late December, he posted a poem on his Facebook page that read: "He longed for only one thing, the world to bow at his feet," and ended ominously: "Die, all of you."

But other classmates say Lane had friends and wasn't bullied.

AP Photo/Ashtabula Star Beacon, Warren Dillaway/Facebook

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"He had friends. He was quiet," Chardon High School student Tyler Lillash said. "From what I heard he posted some pictures on Twitter of, like, some dude holding guns. But other than that I don't really know. I don't think he was bullied, though."

Lillash was a good friend of Parmertor, one of the teens who died, and said he "started crying uncontrollably" when he heard the news of his friend's death.

Another student, Lexi Joy, passed Lane in the hallway right before the shooting, saying they exchanged a smile and a nod, like usual.

"He didn't seem any different. He seemed just like he'd be on a normal day," Joy said. "He didn't show any expression on his face. He was just TJ."

Lane's family life had been disrupted by divorce and violence, ABC News affiliate WEWS reported. His parents divorced in 2002, and his father later served time in jail on assault and other charges, according to the station.

Attorney Robert N. Farinacci is representing Lane released a statement on behalf of the family Monday night, according to WEWS, calling the incident "something that could never have been predicted."

"The family is devastated by this recent event. They want to express their most heartfelt and sincere condolences to the family of the young man who passed and their continuing prayers are with all those who were injured," Farinacci wrote. "TJ's family has asked for some privacy while they try to understand how such a tragedy could have occurred and while they mourn this terrible loss for their community."

Lane allegedly opened fire with a handgun just before 8 a.m. in the school cafeteria where students were eating breakfast, authorities and witnesses said.

The shooter was chased out of the building by a teacher and was arrested half a mile away near his car.

The suspect is in custody at Geauga County Safety Center.

FAT Tuesday: mardi gras 2012, mardi gras, king cake, jambalaya, lint

Fat Tuesday celebrations in full swing in New Orleans

Revelers hit the streets today to celebrate Mardi Gras, lured to the French Quarter and stately oak-lined avenues by the chance to snag beads and baubles from seemingly endless parades in the final unfettered party before the somber season of Lent.

The French Quarter was full of costumed revelers. Wearing a bright orange wig, a purple mask and green shoes, New Orleans resident Charlotte Hamrick walked along Canal Street to meet friends.

"I'll be in the French Quarter all day," Hamrick said. "I don't even go to the parades. I love to take pictures of all the costumes and just be with my friends. It's so fun."

Along St. Charles, groups of people, many in costumes, breakfasted as children played in the street. Small marching groups were already on the move. The Skeleton Krewe, 25 people dressed in black skeleton outfits, were on their way to the St. Louis Cathedral.

Tom White, 46, clad in a pink tu-tu, bicycled down the avenue with his wife, Allison, on their way to the French Quarter. "I'm the pink fairy this year," said White. Allison White was not in costume. "He's disgraced the family enough," she said of her husband.

But Tom White was in the spirit of the day. "Costuming is the real fun of Mardi Gras. I'm not too creative but when you weigh 200 pounds and put on a tu-tu people still take your picture."

Ann Heisenfelt/The Associated PressRevelers grab for a strand of beads in a bag during the Rex Mardi Gras parade in this 2008 file photo. Fat Tuesday is today.

The stakeout for prime spots along the Mardi Gras parade route started Monday, with legions of Carnival die-hards jockeying for the best places to vie for beads thrown from floats on Fat Tuesday.

Stephanie Chapman and her family had set up in their usual spot on the St. Charles streetcar tracks. They'd arrive at 4 a.m. today and would be staying for the duration. "This is a beautiful day and we'll be here until it's over. It won't rain on my parade, But if it does I won't pay any attention," she said.

Across the Gulf Coast, Mardi Gras was getting into full swing. In the Cajun country of southwest Louisiana, masked riders were preparing to go from town to town, making merry along the way in the Courir du Mardi Gras. And parades were scheduled elsewhere around Louisiana and on the Mississippi and Alabama coasts. The celebration arrived in Louisiana in 1682 when the explorer LaSalle and his party stopped at a place they called Bayou Mardi Gras south of New Orleans to celebrate. The site is now lost to history.

Source: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/02/fat_tuesday_celebrations_in_fu.html

SINGER PHOEBE SNOW DIES, 60, & USA NEWS – 13.2.12

Phoebe Snow (born Phoebe Ann Laub; July 17, 1950 – April 26, 2011) was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known for her chart-topping 1975 hit "Poetry Man".

She was described by The New York Times as a "contralto grounded in a bluesy growl and capable of sweeping over four octaves."

American singer Phoebe Snow dies. Her iconic song Poetry Man was what I most remember about this artist’s twangy guitaring and distinctive voice. My favorite song of Snow’s is the one featured above. What a loss this week to the USA’s entertainment sector of female music artist legends.

CNN suspends Roland Martin for anti-gay tweets

CNN commentator and former Chicago radio host Roland Martin offended gays with a series of Twitter remarks during the Super Bowl on Sunday, and the news network suspended him Tuesday, calling his tweets "regrettable and offensive.” (Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images /February 12, 2009)

Days after the Super Bowl, Roland Martin has suffered a late hit.

The CNN commentator and former Chicago radio host offended gays with a series of Twitter remarks during Sunday's game, and the news network announced his suspension Wednesday.

"Roland Martin's tweets were regrettable and offensive," CNN said. "Language that demeans is inconsistent with the values and culture of our organization, and is not tolerated. We have been giving careful consideration to this matter, and Roland will not be appearing on our air for the time being."

Martin, former editor of the Chicago Defender newspaper and ex-host on Chicago's WVON-AM 1690, tweeted about British soccer player David Beckham's new underwear ad and about a New England Patriots player wearing a pink suit:

• "If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham's H&M underwear ad, smack the ish out of him! #superbowl"

• "Who the hell was that New England Patriot they just showed in a head to toe pink suit? Oh, he needs a visit from #teamwhipdatass"

The remarks provoked protests by the gay and lesbian activist group GLAAD, which said Martin was advocating violence against gays.

Reacting to the uproar Monday, Martin wrote: "My joking about smacking someone, whether it was in response to a commercial or food they prepare for a Super Bowl party or wearing an opposing team's jersey, was stated in jest. It was not meant literally, and in no way would I ever condone someone doing such a thing."

Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-talk-roland-martin-0209-20120209,0,1948710.story

36-foot-long whale shark carcass brought to KARACHI city harbour!!

The seven-tonne whale shark is being lifted with the help of two cranes on Tuesday morning. – Fahim Siddiqui / White Star

KARACHI, Feb 7: A 36-foot-long whale shark was on Tuesday morning brought to the Karachi Fish Harbour by local fishermen who claimed to have found it dead in the open sea though some experts believed that the shark might have been killed after it got entangled in a net.

The female fish weighs around 7,000 kilos, according to experts.

The whale shark was taken out of the channel with the help of two cranes amid rapturous applause by hundreds of onlookers.

“I have bought the fish, which usually has no significant commercial value, with the help of my friends just to appreciate the efforts of the fishermen who deserve some reward after spending an entire day in the open sea,” said Haji Qasim, who said he bought the fish for Rs200,000.

The authorities, he said, had allowed him to keep the fish at the harbour for at least three days for public viewing. “Then I will sell the meat to the people running poultry meal business,” he said.

The Sindh Wildlife Department did not intervene on the grounds that ‘the species wasn’t protected under the Pakistani law and the matter solely rested with the fisheries authorities.’

“Though the department team went there for observation, the matter doesn’t fall within our jurisdiction,” said Mansoor Ali Shah representing the SWD.

Known as the largest shark and the largest fish in the world and a highly docile and non-aggressive species, the whale shark is listed ‘vulnerable’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is included in the Appendix 2 of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).

“That means that the fishing of this species is banned under the CITES to which Pakistan is also a signatory and state permission is necessary to carry out such an activity,” said Mohammad Moazzam Khan, former director of the Marine Fisheries Department currently working as a consultant with Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).

According to Mr Khan, about 35 whale sharks have either been brought reported dead or caught mainly in the Karachi vicinity since 2006.

Over a year ago, the same species of whale shark had become entangled in a net and brought to the Hawkesbay beach.

The largest specimen so far recorded in the world was caught, off Baba Island, on Nov 11, 1947. It was 12.65 metres (41.50ft) long, weighed more than 21.5 tonnes and had a girth of seven metres, according to experts.

“The whale shark is caught as bycatch. Studies and observations show that the Arabian Sea is serving as a feeding, resting and breeding ground for the fish. Unlike other fish, sharks have no bones. It’s called a whale because of its huge size. The skeletons of sharks are made of cartilage,” Mr Khan said.

He added that about 64 types of sharks, including all the dangerous predator fish, except the most lethal great white shark, had so far been reported in Pakistani waters.

He said that the whale shark was usually not caught due to its poor quality meat. “If caught accidentally, fishermen take out its liver to extract oil which is then used to polish boats.

“The species, which is generally harmless, inhabits all tropical waters,” he said.

The fish, he said, was frequently caught in the pre-Independence period and a number of references to the species were found in old writings.

He highlighted the need for creating awareness about the conservation of whale sharks, which were referred to as ‘giant innocent fish’ with no commercial significance for fishermen.

Known to be a slow-moving plankton-eating shark, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest living fish species. The distinctly marked fish is the only member of its genus Rhincodon and its family of Rhincodontidae.

Source: http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/08/7000-kilo-36-foot-long-whale-shark-carcass-brought-to-city-harbour.html

Don Cornelius dies at 75; creator of 'Soul Train'

The groundbreaking show helped bring black music, dance, fashion and style to mainstream America.

Don Cornelius was the first to cater to the music tastes of black teens. He brought black music, fashion and culture to a mainstream audience with "Soul Train." (Chris Haston / Associated Press /November 7, 1994)

The idea was simple — but groundbreaking: Create a live showcase for black music, modeled on "American Bandstand."

Don Cornelius pulled $400 from his own pocket to launch the dance show on a local Chicago TV station in 1970. As host and executive producer of "Soul Train," he was soon at the throttle of a nationally syndicated television institution that was the first dance show to cater to the musical tastes of black teenagers and also helped bring black music, dance, fashion and style to mainstream America.

In the process of presenting the soul, funk and R&B of the day, the Afro-haired, dapper Cornelius became a TV icon, his sonorous baritone welcoming viewers to "the hippest trip in America."

Cornelius, 75, was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles Wednesday after a family member found him in his home in Encino with a gunshot wound to his head, according to law enforcement sources. The wound appeared to be self-inflicted, but the death was being investigated by police. Friends say he had been in poor health.

On Wednesday, those who knew Cornelius recalled his impact on American culture.

"Don was a visionary and giant in our business," producer and composer Quincy Jones said in a statement. "Before MTV there was 'Soul Train'; that will be the great legacy of Don Cornelius. His contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched."

Aretha Franklin said Cornelius "united the young adult community single-handedly and globally."

"With the inception of 'Soul Train,' a young, progressive brother set the pace and worldwide standard for young aspiring African American men and entrepreneurs in TV — out of Chicago," Franklin, who appeared on the show, said in a statement. "He transcended barriers among young adults. They became one."

"Soul Train," which moved to Los Angeles and entered national syndication in 1971, featured other legendary artists, including James Brown, Marvin Gaye, the Jackson 5 and Barry White.

With its catchy introduction featuring an animated, psychedelic smoke-spewing locomotive, "Soul Train" became destination TV for teenagers across America in the '70s.

Magic Johnson was one of them. "Every Saturday morning I looked forward to watching 'Soul Train,' as did millions of other people," Johnson, chairman of Soul Train Holdings, said in a statement. "'Soul Train' taught the world how to dance! Don's contribution to us all is immeasurable."

Beyond the music and the artists featured on "Soul Train," much of its popularity was attributed to the young dancers on the show.

Cornelius' teen dance party featured the talents of some of the best young dancers in the area, and one of the show's most popular features was the "Soul Train" line, with dancers going down the line and showing off their best moves.

Among those who went on to later fame are actress Rosie Perez, singer Jody Watley, rapper MC Hammer and Jeffrey Daniel, who taught Michael Jackson how to moonwalk.



Source:  http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-don-cornelius-20120202,0,5101594.story

susan g komen : planned parenthood, odd fellows, colbert super pac, joaquin phoenix, susan sarandon

Who Is Behind Susan G. Komen's Split From Planned Parenthood?

The leading breast-cancer charity has decided to end one longtime relationship ostensibly due to changing policies, but it's not that simple.

The nation's leading breast-cancer charity, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which has spent nearly $2 billion over the past 30 years for breast cancer education, health services, research, and advocacy, has announced that it will end its longtime partnership with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The announcement has sparked bitter debate among representatives from all concerned parties, highlighting the ongoing debate over abortion.

Planned Parenthood, currently the largest provider of reproductive health services in the United States, is widely known for helping women to obtain abortions and contraceptives. But those services, despite their high profile, account for only 38 percent (PDF) of the organization's work. And though Republicans often portray Planned Parenthood as strictly an abortion provider, using the phrase to incite anger among pro-life constituents and gain support for cuts to federal funding -- it comes largely through the Title X and Medicaid programs -- the fact is that the organization devotes most of its money and manpower to screening for breast, cervical, and testicular cancers; treating menopause; testing for sexually transmitted diseases; and more.

The money provided by Susan G. Komen for the Cure went to just a fraction -- about 19 according to one report -- of Planned Parenthood's more than 85 affiliates. And it was all -- roughly $680,000 last year and $580,000 the year before that -- used for breast-cancer screening and other breast-health services for low-income, uninsured, and under-insured women.

Source: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/02/who-is-behind-susan-g-komens-split-from-planned-parenthood/252327/