The Ravens have made an unnecessary mess out of this Colin Kaepernick situation

Story by USA Today
Written by Steven Ruiz
● Phone# by me: Baltimore Ravens 410.701.4000
Read more: https://theundefeated.com/features/locker-room-talk-nfl-blackballing-of-kaepernick-is-disgrace/

It has been apparent for a while now that Colin Kaepernick’s unemployment has little to do with his football ability. That did not stop many from remaining steadfast in their belief that it did.

That claim is pretty much impossible to make (let alone defend) now after the latest comments from the Baltimore Ravens’ brass regarding the team’s interest in the former 49ers quarterback.
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Twitter1:
Jeff Zrebiec ✔ @jeffzrebiecsun
Cass said team is reaching out to fans and sponsors about Kap decision.
5:44 PM - Jul 30, 2017
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That’s Ravens president Dick Cass pretty much confirming the team is interested in signing Kaepernick — because starter Joe Flacco is expected to miss the start of the season with a back injury — as long as the fans and sponsors are OK with his politics.

First things first: Kaepernick would help the Ravens. Every bit of statistical evidence we have suggests he’s a far more efficient quarterback than backup Ryan Mallett. In fact, he’s better in some areas than Flacco.

Yet owner Steve Bisciotti is still trying to make the “this is about football” claim while also admitting he wasn’t a fan of Kaepernick’s protest.
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Twitter2:
Jeff Zrebiec ✔ @jeffzrebiecsun
Bisciotti said he didn't like Kaepernicks anthem protest. Bisciotti said he's not sure Kap will help team win games.
5:42 PM - Jul 30, 2017
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The President and Owner seem to be on a different page. Or maybe they didn’t get their story straight before talking, because their statements are somewhat incongruous. If the team didn’t think Kaepernick could help win the team games, why would it even waste the time canvassing fans and sponsors about the potential move?

(It’s worth pointing out that the Ravens did not consult fans and sponsors before signing Donte Stallworth in 2010 after he served time for manslaughter after killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence. They didn’t take a public poll before building a statue for Ray Lewis, who pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice after being charged with two counts of murder. http://www.totalprosports.com/2017/06/21/ray-lewis-to-colin-kaepernick-do-you-want-to-play-football-or-do-you-want-to-be-an-activist-video/

They didn’t call the women who buy season tickets before deciding to keep Ray Rice on the team for seven months after a video of him 'dragging his unconscious wife out of an elevator' emerged. Kaepernick peacefully protested a legitimate problem in this country.)

The Ravens are trying to play both sides of the Kaepernick “debate,” and it’s ridiculously transparent.
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Twitter4:
Jeff Zrebiec ✔ @jeffzrebiecsun
Bisciotti on Kap reax: "We’re sensitive to it, we’re monitoring it, and we’re trying to figure out what’s the right tact. So pray for us.”
6:21 PM - Jul 30, 2017
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If this were truly about Kaepernick’s ability to help the team win games, there’d be nothing to “figure out,” except for the particulars of the contract. But that’s so clearly not the case. Not when the alternative is Mallett, who threw five interceptions in a single practice last week. Not when the team’s starting quarterback is 32 years old, already dealing with a bad back and less than a year-and-a-half removed from a major knee injury. Chances are the Ravens backup quarterback is going to play some games this season, and Baltimore would be in much better shape if that backup was Kaepernick. There’s no denying that.

● Baltimore Ravens 410.701.4000
Read more: https://theundefeated.com/features/locker-room-talk-nfl-blackballing-of-kaepernick-is-disgrace/

(Obviously there are salary cap implications, but without knowing what Kaepernick is demanding, speculating about his asking price and if the Ravens can afford it is a useless exercise. What we do know is that the Ravens could save $1 million by cutting Mallett if that’s the route they want to take to make room for Kaepernick.)

On the other hand, Baltimore is one of the spots where the “locker room distraction” argument — which Chip Kelly laid to rest last month — actually makes sense. Kaepernick would create a distraction. Not because of his protest, though; but because he would actually give Flacco some competition.

Statistically, Kaepernick has been better than the Ravens starter over the last two seasons despite playing with an equally anemic supporting cast. There’s an argument to be made that Kaepernick is the better quarterback. He’s definitely better than Mallett. Do the Ravens even care if that’s true? It doesn’t sound like it.
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● Baltimore Ravens number 410.701.4000
Read more: https://theundefeated.com/features/locker-room-talk-nfl-blackballing-of-kaepernick-is-disgrace/

President Donald J. Trump Removes Anthony Scaramucci From Communications Director Role

Anthony Scaramucci, center, with the news media in the Oval Office on Monday. Credit Doug Mills/The New York Times

Story by NY Times
Written by Maggie Haberman, Michael D. Shear, and Glenn Thrush

WASHINGTON — President Trump has decided to remove Anthony Scaramucci from his position as Communications Director, three people close to the decision said Monday, relieving him just days after Mr. Scaramucci unloaded a crude verbal tirade against other senior members of the President’s senior staff.

Mr. Scaramucci’s abrupt removal came just 10 days after the wealthy New York financier was brought on to the West Wing staff, a move that convulsed an already chaotic White House and led to the departures of Sean Spicer, the former press secretary, and Reince Priebus, the president’s first chief of staff.

The decision to remove Mr. Scaramucci, who had boasted about reporting directly to the president, not the chief of staff, John F. Kelly, came at Mr. Kelly’s request, the people said. Mr. Kelly made clear to members of the White House staff at a meeting Monday morning that he is in charge.

It was not clear whether Mr. Scaramucci will remain employed at the White House in another position or will leave altogether.

Read More:

Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/07/31/anthony-scaramucci-removed-as-white-house-communications-director/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_pp-scaramucci-300pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.b2231977db2e

Chicago Sun-Times: http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/report-scaramucci-is-out-as-trump-communications-chief/

The Hill: http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/344642-scaramucci-out-as-wh-communications-director

Politico: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/31/trump-ousts-scaramucci-as-communications-director-241172

Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/anthony-scaramucci-out-as-communications-director_us_597f78abe4b00bb8ff38849f?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

Yahoo News: https://www.yahoo.com/news/anthony-scaramucci-white-house-communications-director-11-days-reports-190158404.html

Ravens owner weighing signing Colin Kaepernick: 'Pray for us'

Story by Yahoo Sports
Written by Frank Schwab

Decisions on signing a free-agent quarterback in late July usually don’t include an NFL owner asking for prayers.

The Colin Kaepernick story has gotten out of control in many ways, but Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti took it a wee bit over the top as his team considers signing the quarterback.

“We’re sensitive to it, we’re monitoring it, and we’re trying to figure out what’s the right tact,” Bisciotti said, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. “So pray for us.”

Pray for us? Now deciding to sign a quarterback who threw for 16 touchdowns and four interceptions on a terrible San Francisco 49ers team last season requires prayers for clarity? Yeesh.

Also, Zrebiec reported that Bisciotti consulted former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis on whether to sign Kaepernick. So yeah, this is going off the rails a bit.

Kaepernick, if you’re unaware, took a knee for the national anthem last season to protest police brutality and social injustice. Bisciotti admitted to Zrebiec he didn’t like the protests. In a league that drafts and signs players with criminal records on a regular basis, Kaepernick has been unsigned all offseason. The Seattle Seahawks brought him in for a visit and passed. When Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco hurt his back, the Ravens started considering Kaepernick. It makes sense, especially considering Kaepernick played for Jim Harbaugh in San Francisco, and his brother John coaches the Ravens. Jim Harbaugh has had positive things to say about Kaepernick this offseason.

But it’s a decision that is apparently weighing heavily on Bisciotti’s mind, even though dozens of quarterbacks a lot worse than Kaepernick have been signed this offseason. But some Ravens fans have reportedly complained about the possibility of signing Kaepernick and this is apparently bothering Bisciotti. No word on whether he’ll consult fans before all future signings.

Just when you thought the Kaepernick story could get any stranger, it did. Now we’ll see if those prayers help Bisciotti make a decision.

President Donald J. Trump Bans Transgender People, Then His Draft Dodging Papers Get Leaked

Sports Insider Adam Schefter believes NFL Owners have ‘blocked teams’ from signing Colin Kaepernick

NFL Quarterback Colin Kaepernick with the San Francisco 49ers (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

ESPN’s Adam Schefter thinks Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed.

Story by AB Nation
Written by Adam Stites

Colin Kaepernick is likely being blackballed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. There have been plenty of other reasons and excuses provided by NFL teams to explain why the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback is still a free agent, but Kaepernick’s protests from the 2016 season loom large.

In a Thursday morning appearance on ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike, Adam Schefter said he believes that NFL owners have tried to keep coaches and front-office personnel from going after Kaepernick.

“Do I think that certain owners have blocked teams from visits or interest? I do, I do believe that,” Schefter said. “And I think that there has been more interest in him from the coaching and front office level than there has been at the ownership level. So it was always going to take a unique opportunity for him to be brought in, in the right place, at the right spot, at the right time.”

Many others believe NFL owners have halted general managers from signing Kaepernick, but Schefter is one of the most connected reporters in the league and one of the few to actually say that owners are likely the reason Kaepernick is still a free agent.

Schefter cited the Baltimore Ravens as a potential landing spot for Kaepernick after Joe Flacco suffered a back injury that could keep him out for as many as six weeks. With Flacco sidelined, the only other quarterbacks on the roster are Ryan Mallett and Dustin Vaughan. Couple the team’s need of another passer in training camp with a potential reunion with former 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman, and the pairing makes a lot of sense.

But ownership has been the biggest hurdle for Kaepernick to overcome and eyes will be on Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti. In May, New York Giants owner John Mara hinted that the fear of backlash is one of the reasons why teams have shied away from Kaepernick.

“All my years being in the league, I never received more emotional mail from people than I did about that issue,” Mara said, via The MMQB. “If any of your players ever do that, we are never coming to another Giants game. It wasn’t one or two letters. It was a lot ...

“It’s an emotional, emotional issue for a lot of people, more so than any other issue I’ve run into.”

Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt went a different route when asked about Kaepernick on Wednesday.

“Generally, I’m not going to tell our head coach or our GM not to bring in a player if they think that player can bring us some success on the field and make us better,” Hunt told NBC Sports Radio. “Now there are certain circumstances where guys get in trouble off the field and that is something as an organization and as a family we care about. We’re not going to bring those types of players in. In terms of a player like Colin, I would have no hesitation bringing him into the organization.”

But with Alex Smith ready to start in 2017 and the Chiefs grooming first-round rookie Patrick Mahomes II to be the eventual starter, there isn’t much of a need at quarterback. The Ravens can’t say the same.

In March, Ravens coach John Harbaugh was asked about Kaepernick and told Pro Football Weekly that he doesn’t believe the quarterback would be a distraction.

“It wouldn’t be a problem for us in our organization,” Harbaugh said. “We’ve been very clear over the years. Guys speak their minds in Baltimore.

“I think the players understand and everybody respects everybody else’s opinion on politics. It’s not going to impact how somebody plays. I’m not going to play better or worse because this person believes this or that.”

The question now is whether ownership in Baltimore would endorse the signing of Kaepernick.

Donald Trump’s “Massive” Middle Class Tax Cut is Pure Bunkum

Story by Huffington Post
Commentary by Dr. Earl Ofari Hutchinson

#45 Trump said it officially back in February in his address to Congress. And he’s said it again and again in assorted speeches and interviews since then. The “it” is that he’ll provide—his words- “massive” tax relief for the middle class. He didn’t spell out exactly what that “massive” cut would be. There’s a reason for his haziness. It’s pure bunkum. The Trump tax cut plan has been picked apart from every angle and it still comes up the same. The rich get richer, a fabulously lot richer. Their tax rates will be slashed practically to the bone. The extra added tax goodies from it will pile up from there. The investment income tax, and alternative minimum tax are eliminated. The estate tax will be virtually eliminated in all but name. The corporate tax will be hacked down to next to nothing.

The wealthy will pocket nearly $3 million of the estimated $6 trillion in tax cuts according to the Tax Policy Center. Surely, some of that must flow the middle class’s way. Well it depends on who’s labeled middle-class. If the income of a middle-class family lands somewhere just south of $150,000 and north of $50,000, they’ll rake in a little more than 10 percent of the Trump tax cut. Anyone making less than that their share of the Trump tax cut is a bare digit blip on the chart. The highest income middle class rollers will pocket the grand total of about $1,500 more a year in spending money. That’s less than one-tenth of the extra cash that the top income earners will rake in.

It’s not just dollars, percentages and who pays what and where the taxes they pay, are rather don’t pay go, that drives the Trump giveaways to himself and his wealthy and corporate cronies. The Trump tax plan peddles the same tired myth that the wealthy and corporations are ridiculously overburdened with crushing taxes. The mega corporations and banking entities have long had an endless storehouse of tax dodge schemes to pay zero or minimum taxes on their sales and investments. This is especially the case when they do business abroad and those tax avoidance gambits are perfectly legal.

Tax laws allow companies that do business outside the U.S. to park their profits — that’s cash — in offshore accounts, and they are exempt from taxing as long as they stay there. In a candid moment, a few years ago Apple CEO Tim Cook said as much when he explained how Apple made billions abroad and paid no taxes on the income. The fallback retort of corporate tax dodgers is that they pay billions in U.S. taxes on their operations here, so there’s no issue.

This is an absurd argument. These companies are American-owned and operated firms, and worse, they pay little or no taxes in the countries where they sell their products. A decade ago, the libertarian Cato Institute documented nearly $100 billion in direct and indirect subsidies that the banking industry and major corporations grabbed from the federal government. This figure doesn’t include the billions more in direct and indirect subsidies from state and local governments. This figure almost certainly is even higher today.

The federal agencies that shell out the corporate welfare largess are unchanged. The Tax Foundation in its annual reports estimate that corporations will receive more than a half trillion in government entitlements spread over the several years in the form of an array of tax breaks and loopholes. The partial checklist of those breaks includes: the Graduated Corporate Income Credit, Inventory Property Sales, Research and Experimentation Tax Credit, Deferred Taxes for Financial, Firms on Certain Income Earned Overseas, Alcohol Fuel Credit, Credit for Low-Income Housing Investments, Accelerated Depreciation of Machinery and Equipment, the Deduction for Domestic Manufacturing, Exclusion of Interest on State and Local Bonds and Deferral of Income from Controlled Foreign Corporations. Every major corporation and bank is and has been in on the subsidy grab for years.

The billions doled out in corporate welfare annually dwarf the amount the federal government pays out to the states for welfare, food stamps, child nutrition programs and other support programs for the poor and needy. However, these are the programs that are in Trump’s bullseye to be cut or eliminated. They are convenient, popular and emotionally rousing programs that stir the ire of millions and routinely ignite rants against welfare queens, leeches and the entitlement chiselers. To brand a corporate or banking head that receives millions in direct or indirect government handouts lazy and slothful is unthinkable.

Trump has appropriated the stereotype of a “government leech” into the perennial political attack point that the government is too big, wasteful and intrusive. And that those who appear to benefit most from government should pay the most for it.

This is the kind of argument that’s always stirred middle-income earners into a tizzy. Trump has crudely played on that anger to sell them on the notion that he’ll do something about their tax burden. The figures say otherwise.
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Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. He is an associate editor of New America Media. His forthcoming book, The Trump Challenge to Black America (Middle Passage Press) will be released in August. He is a weekly co-host of the Al Sharpton Show on Radio One.

U.S. Senator Corey Booker Statement on GOP’s Failed Effort to Repeal Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) issued the below statement following today’s vote on President Trump and Senate Republicans’ latest bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act:

“Tonight is a victory for the millions of Americans who will not lose health coverage because Senate Republicans failed to pass their latest disgraceful attempt at a health repeal bill.”

“This is also a victory for the thousands upon thousands of Americans across the country who rallied, marched, and called their Senator to demand the right to affordable, quality health care. Your voices were heard. Tonight’s failed vote is a testament to your power – the power of the people, which we all know is greater than the people in power.”

“In the United States, it shouldn’t matter how much money you make or where you live – you should have access to quality, affordable health care, because health care is a human right.”

“The fight isn’t over. Republicans in both chambers have made it clear they’ll stop at nothing to enact their dangerous agenda. If we don’t stop them, they'll strip health coverage from millions of Americans, raise premiums, and gut protections for people with pre-existing conditions. We must remain vigilant and continue speaking up and out against those who would prefer to play politics with the nation’s health care system rather than earnestly work to improve it.”

Quincy Jones Wins $9.4 Million From Michael Jackson's Estate

Story by NPR
Written by Andrew Flanagan

Quincy Jones has prevailed in a case he launched nearly four years ago against MJJ Productions, the record label founded by Michael Jackson, and Sony Music, over the "disguising" of royalties and breach of his contracts with Michael Jackson. In yesterday's decision, a jury in Los Angeles Superior Court awarded Jones $9.4 million.

Jones' lawsuit charged that MJJ Productions, now administered by Jackson's estate, and Sony Music began to capitalize on Jackson's work after his death, reissuing music that was remixed or edited without Jones' approval. According to Jones' contracts with Jackson and Sony Music, which go back to 1978, Jones would have first crack at this type of work.

The work that MJJ productions and Sony Music released after Jackson's death included a 2012 re-release of Bad, the concert film This Is It and its accompanying soundtrack album and two Cirque du Soleil productions.

Jones' complaint also accused Jackson's estate of "disguising" royalties made from the various productions, films and albums by classifying them as profits, which prevented Jones' royalties from being accurately calculated. Jones asked for $30.3 million; the estate countered that Jones was owed less than $400,000 due to accounting errors on their part.

Jones first met Jackson while working on The Wiz, the highly regarded adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, in 1978. The pair "were excited to work together," according to Jones' initial complaint in the case. They would go on to create Jackson's albums Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad — the latter two became some of the highest-selling records of all time.

Jackson's estate "intends to pursue post-trial motions and appeal the verdict which we believe was erroneous," Howard Weitzman, the defending attorney in the case, wrote in an email to NPR.

A request for comment from Quincy's attorney's was not returned at press time.

In testimony last week, defending attorney Howard Weitzman asked Jones whether he realized that he was effectively suing his late friiend. "I'm not suing Michael," Jones replied, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "I'm suing y'all."

Why Jay Z’s Tidal War Is Heating Up With Jimmy Iovine’s Apple Music

Story by Moguldom.com
Written by Moguldom staff

There has always been a problem with music industry executives exploiting artists, specifically Black artists.

Throughout Jay Z’s new “4:44” album, released on Thursday, the Brooklyn rapper talks about personal things — his marriage, his daughter, and his views on how capitalism and entrepreneurship can help Black people.

Jay Z calls out the names of dozens of people on the album, including Jimmy Iovine, an executive at Apple Music streaming service. In 2016, Apple was reportedly in negotiations to buy Jay Z’s Tidal music streaming business. Iovine later denied this.

Iovine teamed with Dr. Dre — now considered the world’s richest rapper — in 2006 to found Beats Electronics. Apple bought the company for $3 billion in 2014 and hired Iovine to create Apple Music, the electronics giant’s foray into streaming music.

Jay Z released “4:44” as a digital exclusive on his Tidal streaming service, which he bought in 2015. Here are some of the lyrics from “Smile”:

F@#k a slice of the 'Apple' pie, want my own cake
Chargin’ my own fate
Respect Jimmy Iovine
But he gotta respect the Elohim as a whole new regime
And nig@#s playin’ for power, huh
So our music is ours
— lyrics from Jay Z’s “Smile” track on “4:44.”

Before Jay Z took lyrical shots at Apple Music executive Iovine on “4:44”, he pulled most of his music from rival streaming services including Apple’s music streaming platform, Beats Music. The friction between Tidal and Apple seems to have taken a turn for the worse commercially and is now getting personal.



In a statement, Jay Z described the release strategy for “4:44” as a “perfect storm of sharing music with fans.”

Music streaming is dominated by Apple Music and Spotify. Tidal “has relied largely on splashy exclusives from its artist partners to encourage sign-ups, making itself the first — and, in some cases, only — place to hear new music from Kanye West, Rihanna and Beyoncé, whose ‘Lemonade’ has remained a Tidal exclusive since its release in April 2016, New York Times reported.

In the “4:44” song “Smile,” Jay Z reminds us that he owns the music service on which the album premiered. “Respect Jimmy Iovine,” he says, “But he gotta respect the Elohim/It’s a whole different regime.”

It’s a call for his fans to support black entrepreneurship — the same idea that led Prince to give exclusive streaming rights to Tidal before he died, Rolling Stone reported.

Jay-Z suggested in a 2015 Billboard interview that Iovine was not supporting him and other artists who were trying to take it to the next level:

Jay Z: “My thing with Jimmy is, ‘Listen, Jimmy; you’re Jimmy Iovine, and you’re Apple, and truthfully, you’re great. You guys are going to do great things with Beats, but … you know, I don’t have to lose in order for you guys to win, and let’s just remember that … I actually told him, ‘Yo, you should be helping me. This is for the artist. These are people that you supported your whole life. You know, this is good.”

Have you heard the rumor that he’s trying to lure people from your first-tier group by offering them more money upfront?



Jay Z: I think that’s just his competitive nature, and I don’t know if he’s looking at the bigger picture: That it’s not about me and it’s not about him; it’s about the future of the music business.

A lot of Jay Z’s references to Iovine have to do with two things: Apple’s successful efforts to get Kanye West to break his exclusivity with Tidal on “The Life of Pablo” album, and Apple leaving Jay Z at the altar and not buying Tidal after kicking the tires.

Beyond the racial and culture-vulture overtones of Jay-Z’s lyrics, these executives are natural competitors playing for high stakes.

* Iovine partnered with Deathrow Records where Suge Knight owned the masters was largely independent until its collapse. Deathrow, by any music industry standards, received a good deal at the time with a major record label.
* Iovine partnered with Dr. Dre on Beats and together they produced an extraordinary exit by any measure. Dr. Dre reportedly received $400 million from the sale, increasing his net worth to $700 million.
* When Dr. Dre signed Eminem and profited nicely from Eminem’s work, it was Iovine who was Dre’s partner on that deal.
* Iovine’s Apple Music secured an exclusive deal with Drake for a reported $19 million.

Jay Z’s efforts to unite Black artists under equity ownership and a more fruitful contract structure within the declining music industry should be applauded. However, if he is going to be preaching about culture vultures and calling out names, he should also speak out against the vultures that don’t directly impact his personal pockets.



The time to call out any exploitive behavior is not when a particular business deal goes sour, or when it is relevant only to your personal pocketbook and your individual commercial interests.

I’m going to stop short at saying Jay Z used the race card opportunistically here.

But if Jimmy Iovine is such a horrible and exploitive culture vulture, I think Dr. Dre — who is well on his way to becoming a billionaire — would be the one to ask.

There is no evidence to suggest that Jay Z would be saying anything about Apple right now if Jay Z had partnered with Iovine for a billion-dollar Tidal exit.



If Apple had bought Tidal without changing its business practices with Black artists, you probably wouldn’t have heard anything on “4:44.”

Black consumers should be careful not to be used as political and commercial pawns in chess-like disputes that are more about individual financial interests than them.

Ravens lineman from M.I.T. John Urschel, Mathmatics genius, retiring from football

Story by Yahoo Sports
Written by Frank Schwab

Usually, players don’t get to choose when they retire from the NFL. NFL teams decide when they’re done. But most other players don’t have a fallback plan like John Urschel.

Urschel, who played on the offensive line for three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, called it a career. Urschel went through the Ravens’ offseason program but didn’t report to the start of training camp Wednesday, the team’s site said. Coach John Harbaugh said Urschel informed him Thursday morning he has decided to retire.

Urschel had gained a level of fame for being an expert mathematician while also grinding away in the NFL trenches. He is a Ph.D. candidate in mathematics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and “gets straight A’s” at the acclaimed school according to the Ravens’ website. Go check out his MIT bio and you’ll see he has a gift that goes far beyond football.

From a football standpoint it’s not great news for a Ravens team that has already had a bit of bad news at the start of camp. Urschel was expected to compete for the starting center job, vacated when the team traded Jeremy Zuttah to the San Francisco 49ers. Urschel hasn’t said anything publicly about his retirement decision, but many other players have retired early because of concern for their health. Urschel is just 26 years old.

Urschel got to live a dream of playing in the NFL for a while, and now he gets to move on to perhaps even bigger and better things.

Harry Belafonte chairs Global 2017 Week of Non-Violence, Justice and Opportunities

BLACK WOMEN FOR POSITIVE CHANGE IN AFFILIATION WITH POSITIVE CHANGE FOUNDATION

Preserving and Strengthening the Middle/Working Class
"Changing the Culture of Violence in America"


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2017

CONTACT:
S. Myers, BW4PC Co-Chair
202-327-4301

HARRY BELAFONTE CHAIRS GLOBAL 2017 WEEK OF NON-VIOLENCE, JUSTICE AND OPPORTUNITIES

Harry Belafonte, esteemed Grammy, Emmy and Tony award winning songwriter, actor, Civil Rights Activist, and philanthropist, has agreed to serve as Honorary Chair of the 5th Annual Week of Non-Violence, Justice and Opportunities, October 15-23, 2017. This annual event is organized by Black Women for Positive Change, (BW4PC) an inter-faith network of Women and Good Brothers, from diverse backgrounds, races and religions. "We are honored to have Mr. Belafonte lend his name to this global effort to prevent violence," said BW4PC National Co-Chairs Virginia Delegate Daun S. Hester and Dr. Stephanie E. Myers. "Our theme is to 'Change the Culture of Violence in America, and the World," and we believe Mr. Belafonte's stature as a world leader will encourage people to organize violence prevention events, in their own cities."

In a statement, Mr. Harry Belafonte, Honorary Chair, of the 2017 Week of Non-Violence, Justice and Opportunities states, "In the midst of a struggle, the fabric of progression is kept together through the threads of non-violence. The Week of Non-Violence is essential to sanctify Trayvon Martin and other young people who have lost their lives to violence. We must take the teachings from these tragedies to continue the non-violent dialogue which Dr. King preached." Joining Honorary Chair Mr. Belafonte on the Honorary Committee, are Co-Chairs Kemba Smith, Criminal Justice Advocate and President, Kemba Smith Foundation; Michelle Bernard, MSNBC Anchor and President of the Bernard Center for Women; and Chris Daniels, Project Management and Conflict Resolution Expert.

BW4PC initiated the Week of Non-Violence in 2013, after the tragic shooting of Trayvon Martin, and other youth. The goal is to help young people, law enforcement and violence-prone adults to learn that violence can be prevented through anger management, conflict resolution, de-escalation, improved law enforcement/community relations and other evidence-based methods. The BW4PC Non-Violence initiative began in Washington, D.C. and has spread to 27 U.S. Cities, and the UK. Organizations, Faith Institutions, Youth groups, entertainers, athletes and others who are interested in organizing Non-Violence events in their own cities, can sign up at: www.2017weekofnonviolence.org.

Partners for the 2017 Week of Non-Violence are the Positive Change Foundation, National Black Nurses Association, Highmark, Inc., United Steelworkers Union, Holman United Methodist Church, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE) National Bar Association, Masjid Muhammad-the Nation's Mosque, Wednesday Clergy Fellowship, and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, D.C. For more information, contact Karen Carrington, 202-210-4005.

1220 L. Street, NW, #100-181, Washington, DC 20005; Fax 202-403-3743
Bkwomen4poschange@gmail.com; www.blackwomenforpositivechange.org

Indian Muslim teen kidnapped, raped and murdered in alleged 'honour killing' after starting relationship with Arab Muslim

Story by Yahoo News UK
Written by Andy Wells

An Indian Muslim teenager was kidnapped by two men in balaclavas before being raped and murdered after she began a relationship with an Arab Muslim, a court has heard.

The body of Celine Dookhran, 19, was found inside a £1.5million home after a woman in her 20s who had her throat slit alerted police from hospital, it is said.

Ms Dookhran was allegedly tasered and dragged from the shower before she was kidnapped with the other woman, bound and gagged and taken to an address in Kingston-upon-Thames where they were both raped and Ms Dookran was killed on July 19.

A post mortem gave the cause of death as an incised wound to the neck.

Mujahid Arshid, 33, appeared in court charged with the murder, rape and kidnap of Ms Dookhran.

He is further charged with the rape, attempted murder and kidnap of the second woman.


Celine Dookhran was kidnapped raped and murdered in an alleged honour killing (Twitter)

He appeared alongside his co-defendant, Vincent Tappu, 28, who is charged with the kidnap of both women.

Binita Roscoe, prosecuting, said: “The deceased was involved in a relationship with an Arab Muslim and the family members didn’t approve of this relationship because they are Indian Muslims.”

Two men in balaclavas entered the property on July 19, the prosecutor said.

She told the court: “Her face and mouth were covered in duct tape. Her hands were tied with cable ties and her feet were tied with rope.

“She believes a sock was placed in her mouth. She had heard the deceased who was in the shower screaming.

“The deceased was brought down tied up. They were bound in dust sheets and placed in a vehicle.”

Miss Dookhran, the eldest of three children, was born in Wandsworth in 1996 and was passionate about make-up.

Her Twitter feed is full of advice on using cosmetics and did the make-up for an A-level film made at sixth form.

Her last tweet, posted a week before her death, read: “Alhamdulilah for everything that’s all I can say.”

Bearded Arshid wore a grey prison-issue tracksuit, while his co-defendant wore a black suit and white shirt, with short black hair and a beard.

They were flanked by three dock officers.

A young man and a woman sat in the packed public gallery during the hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court.

A middle aged man and a woman, wearing a head scarf, sat in the well of the court, who Tappu nodded at.

District Judge James Henderson remanded Tappu, of Ealing, west London, and Arshid, who gave no fixed address, in custody.

Arshid will appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday 26 July, while both men are due to appear at the same court on August 21.
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Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4724802/Indian-Muslim-teenager-kidnapped-raped-murdered.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Rep. Al Green Statement on Introducing Legislation Preventing the President From Issuing a Self-Pardon

Monday, July 24, 2017

Kamau Marshall (Communications Director)
Cell Phone: 202-809-5602
Email: kamau.marshall@mail.house.gov

Camille Scott
Cell Phone: 832.563.6797
Email: camille@scottmediallc.com

1 of 1

Rep. Al Green Statement on Introducing Legislation Preventing the President From Issuing a Self-Pardon

Houston, TX – Congressman Al Green (D-TX09) released the following statement today, on introducing legislation to prevent the President from issuing a self-pardon:

“At the heart of American Jurisprudence is the fundamental premise that “No one is above the law.” This includes the President of the United States of America.
“The presidential power to pardon is the power to forgive for the smallest federal offense to the most egregious federal crime. If this is true, no President should be empowered to self-pardon (forgive himself or herself).

“To allow presidential self-pardons would allow a President guilty of the federal crime of treason against the United States of America to forgive/pardon himself. To allow such would not only place the President above the law, it would make the President his own final judge, jury, and prosecutor. The President would in fact become the law. The United States of America would become a country of laws for all but the President.

“To permit the President to self-pardon would place the President above the law and beyond justice. Love for my country compels me to file legislation to prevent the President from being above the law and beyond justice.”
# # #

48-year News4 Washington DC Anchor/Reporter Jim Vance Dies at 75

Story/Photo by NBC4

For 48 years at NBC4, Jim Vance’s smooth voice and calm presence made viewers feel that, no matter how bad the news was, it would be OK.

Vance died July 22 at age 75 after a brief battle with cancer.

Before becoming a journalist, Vance was a teacher in his hometown of Philadelphia. He started reporting at WRC-TV in Washington DC in 1969. He was an only child, but Vance always contended he never knew that. His grandparents had 16 kids, so there were always young people around Vance’s early life.

Vance made a name for himself covering stories all over the world, including Vietnam, El Salvador and South Africa. But he didn’t have to go far for some of his best work: reporting on the people in his beloved adopted home of Washington.

For almost 50 years, Vance told viewers about every big story that occurred in D.C. From the race riots on U Street and in Columbia Heights to the 14th Street Bridge plane crash to Watergate to the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan and 9/11, Jim Vance kept the people of the Washington area informed and comforted.

He covered the inaugurations of 12 Presidents and all seven of D.C.’s Mayors. In 1977, Vance was the person the Hanfi Muslims asked to speak to the night they seized three buildings, and he was the first journalist Marion Barry called after he got arrested.

His “Vance’s View” provided a dose of reality that could be refreshing, even for those who disagreed with him.

Read more:
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/News4-Anchor-Jim-Vance-Dies-at-75-436001373.html

Quincy Jones testifies against Michael Jackson Estates

Quincy Jones said he was “cheated out of a lot of money” in royalties from Michael Jackson’s estate. (DOUG PIZAC/AP)

Story by NY Daily Times
Written by Nancy Dillon

Quincy Jones' war with Michael Jackson's estate reached fever pitch Thursday, with the legendary producer telling jurors he got royally ripped off after the King of Pop's death.

"I was cheated out of a lot of money — a lot of money," Jones testified at the Los Angeles trial for his $30 million lawsuit claiming back royalties.

Jones, 84, arrived in a wheelchair but spent two hours on the witness stand describing and defending his behind-the-scenes production work on Jackson's iconic records "Off the Wall," "Bad," and "Thriller."

"It was the perfect marriage," he said of the collaboration.

Michael Jackson’s lawyers claim IRS’ witness perjured himself

"I believed in Michael like my own son," he told the jury. "I spent more time with him than his own family. They weren't in the studio."

Jones filed the underlying lawsuit in 2013, claiming the estate intentionally tried to freeze him out by remixing the treasure trove of songs he produced with Jackson and using the music in posthumous projects with no credit.

"One example is 'This is It,'" he said, referring to the highly profitable documentary that chronicled Jackson's final months. "My name is nowhere near that."

Quincy's camp claims he made less than $500,000 in royalties related to the film, while the estate pulled in $90 million.

"You understand the estate of Michael Jackson is comprised of his children, correct? His children are the beneficiaries," estate lawyer Howard Weitzman asked Jones under cross-examination.

"I'm not suing Michael. I'm suing y'all," Jones replied, referring to the lawyers working for the estate.

"I've got children too," he shot back when the topic of Jackson's kids Prince, Paris and Blanket came up again.

Jurors listened intently as the music legend reminisced about his time working with Jackson. One tapped her fingers to the beat as Weitzman played both the demo and album versions of Jackson's hit song "Billie Jean."

Quincy specifically named the “This Is It” movie, which he said earned him less than $500,000 in royalties while the estate pulled in $90 million. (DANNY MOLOSHOK/REUTERS)

Weitzman peppered Jones with questions about the two production contracts he signed with Jackson.

The estate maintains Jones signed away his rights to collect royalties for licensing agreements related to Jackson's work. They say the remixed versions in "This Is It" and two Cirque du Soleil shows are licensed works.

"You are not entitled, per the contracts, to receive any money for licensing of the masters of 'Thriller,' 'Off the Wall,' and 'Bad,'" Weitzman told Jones.

He said Jones has collected $18 million from the estate since Jackson died in 2009 and that licensing revenue previously paid to Jones was a "gift."

Jones bristled at the suggestion, asking if he was supposed to be "grateful" for money he contends he earned.

"If we made the record, we deserve to get paid. It's that simple," Jones said after a combative exchange.

One of Jones' lawyers said outside the hearing that the estate's interpretation of the contracts was flawed.

"The contracts expressly provide for licensing revenue," lawyer Henry Gradstein said. "The parties, for 35 years, have interpreted the contracts that way and paid on that basis. To say it was a 'gift,' that's just absurd."

Jones didn't speak with reporters as he left the courtroom Thursday.

Both sides rested after his testimony, and closing arguments were set for Monday.

Layoffs begin at Carrier plant that drew President Donald Trump's criticism

Story by AP

INDIANAPOLIS — More than 300 Carrier Corp. workers were being laid off Thursday from the company's Indianapolis factory as part of an outsourcing of jobs to Mexico that drew criticism last year from then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.

The nearly 340 workers clocked out after their final shifts at Carrier's gas furnace factory. Another wave of 290 workers will be let go by Dec. 22 under a timetable the company announced in late May.

Carrier announced in February 2016 that it would close the Indianapolis plant and cut about 1,400 production jobs in a move expected to save $65 million annually by moving furnace production to Mexico.

Trump repeatedly criticized Carrier's Mexico outsourcing plan. Weeks after Trump won the election, Carrier announced an agreement brokered by the president-elect to spare about 800 jobs in Indianapolis, where the company has pledged to keep nearly 1,100 jobs.

But some 600 jobs are still being eliminated by the outsourcing.

Although Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, the former Indiana governor, have been credited with saving Carrier's Indianapolis factory, employees don't have a sense of much job security, said Robert James, president of United Steel Workers Local 1999, which represents plant workers.

"They just don't have any faith in this plant staying in Indianapolis," he told The Indianapolis Star. "There's just too much uncertainty."

The Indiana Economic Development Board in March approved an incentive package that includes directing $7 million in state tax breaks and grants over 10 years to the company. As part of that deal, Carrier is investing $16 million for automation at the Indianapolis plant.

The company's CEO has said that will ultimately mean fewer jobs at the factory.

OJ Simpson granted Parole, will be freed from prison in October

After serving nine years of a 33-year sentence, O.J. Simpson was granted parole for a 2007 armed-robbery and kidnapping conviction. The former football star could be released as early as October. (Reuters)

Story by AP

LOVELOCK, Nev. — O.J. Simpson will be paroled after serving nine years in prison for a botched bid to retrieve sports memorabilia in Las Vegas.

A Nevada parole board decided Thursday that the 70-year-old former football, TV and movie star will be released in October after serving his minimum term for armed robbery and assault with a weapon.

Simpson responded emotionally, saying, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Four parole commissioners in Carson City questioned Simpson by video conference from the Lovelock Correctional Center in rural Nevada. He has been held there since he was convicted in 2008.

The conviction came 13 years to the day after he was acquitted of murder in 1995 in the deaths of his ex-wife and her friend in Los Angeles.


O.J. Simpson, right, at his parole hearing with the Malcolm LaVergne at Lovelock Correctional Centre in Lovelock, Nevada, on July 20. (Photo by Jason Bean/Reuters)


Read More:
ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/US/oj-simpson-granted-parole-las-vegas-robbery/story?id=48689499&cid=clicksource_4380645_1_takeover_2_column_live_headlines
NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/20/us/oj-simpson-parole.html?action=Click&contentCollection=BreakingNews&contentID=65598309&pgtype=article
Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/07/20/what-to-expect-from-the-o-j-simpson-parole-hearing/?utm_term=.3a36f313fe14
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2017/07/20/o-j-s-last-defender-f-lee-bailey-is-broke-disbarred-and-working-above-a-hair-salon/?utm_term=.79b6f8cb8ff4
CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/20/us/oj-simpson-parole-hearing-live/index.html
NBC: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/o-j-simpson-granted-parole-nevada-officials-after-nine-years-n784931
ESPN:
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/20105901/calculating-how-much-money-oj-simpson-made-nfl-pension-prison-nevada
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/20114132/parole-board-votes-release-oj-simpson-prison-october

Hear OJ Simpson's daughter's Arnelle Simpson emotional remarks

The eldest daughter of O.J. Simpson, Arnelle Simpson, gets emotional speaking at her father's parole hearing (Video: CNN)

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/20/us/oj-simpson-parole-hearing-live/index.html

BET's exit from Washington D.C. results in 55 layoffs

Story by Washington Business Journal
Written by Drew Hansen

Black Entertainment Television's exit from D.C. is resulting in the layoffs of 55 employees.

The company issued a WARN notice in the District on July 7, the day BET had planned to officially make its move to Viacom Inc.’s central offices in New York City.

The BET Networks, the parent company of the Black Entertainment Television network founded in D.C. in 1979, announced in May it was pulling up stakes on its 1235 W St. NE campus. Viacom purchased BET, founded by Sheila and Robert Johnson, in 2000.

"The closing of BET Network’s Washington, D.C., office has been an ongoing transition in line with our overall strategy to make New York BET’s new headquarters," a BET spokesperson said in a statement issued in May. "We are very proud that Washington, D.C., was the birthplace of BET Networks, the first network and the premier destination for African-American audiences for the past 37 years."

BET retained a real estate brokerage to explore options including selling the W Street property, the spokesperson said.

The move to New York comes after the network canceled its longtime BET Honors awards program, which was held in D.C., most recently at the Howard Theatre, after the 2016 show.

BET CEO Debra Lee put her Massachusetts Avenue Heights neighborhood home on the market in December. It remains listed by Washington Fine Properties LLC for $11.5 million.

The WARN notice says the effective layoff date for the impacted employees will be Sept. 7.

TODAY at 3PM: Ahead of First Trump Vote Commissions Meeting, CBC, Judiciary Democrats to hold forum on Voting Rights and Privacy Concerns

RSVP email: Shadawn.reddick-smith@mail.house.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY
July 18, 2017
Contact: Shadawn Reddick-Smith, Shadawn.Reddick-Smith@mail.house.gov (Judiciary)
Kamara Jones, Kamara.Jones@mail.house.gov (CBC)

TODAY at 3PM: AHEAD OF 1ST TRUMP VOTER COMMISSION MEETING, CBC, JUDICIARY DEMOCRATS TO HOLD FORUM ON VOTING RIGHTS & PRIVACY CONCERNS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of Trump’s voter commission’s first meeting, the Congressional Black Caucus and House Judiciary Committee Democrats will host a forum on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at 3 p.m. to examine voting rights and privacy concerns related to recent requests made by the commission’s co-chair, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach.

In June, the Department of Justice and Pence-Kobach commission sent letters to secretaries of state and election officials in all 50 states asking that they provide voter registration list maintenance procedures and detailed voter-roll information, including name, address, birth dates, political party affiliation, voting history, Social Security numbers, and military status. There has been bipartisan push back throughout the country in response to these requests.

The Congressional Black Caucus sent letters to the National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors raising concerns that these requests may lead to voter suppression and privacy violations. In their letters, the Members wrote, “The breadth of the information requested, including name, address, birth dates, political party affiliation, voting history, Social Security digits, and military status among other personal information is not only overwhelming but chilling from a civil rights and liberties perspective. In addition to being used to conduct further discriminatory voter purges, one shudders to think of the many ways this information could be misused.”

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus also sent a letter to the Secretaries of State to raise concerns.

Exacerbating concerns, the White House recently released sensitive information in public comments detailing frustration and concerns about the commission’s efforts and privacy protections. The commission is holding its first meeting on July 19th in Washington, DC.

WHO: Members of Congress

• House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI)
• Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
• Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
• Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Congressional Hispanic Caucus
• Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA)
• Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX)
• Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)
• Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)
• Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH)
• Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
• Rep. Al Green (D-TX)
• Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D-VI)
• Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD)
• Rep. Val Demings (D-FL)
• Additional Members of Congress

Panelists

• Secretary Alison Lundergan-Grimes, Secretary of State, Kentucky
• Secretary Denise Merrill, Secretary of State, Connecticut
• Wade Henderson, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
• Marc Rotenberg, Electronic Privacy Information Center
• Kristen Clarke, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
• Janai Nelson, NAACP Legal Defense Fund

WHAT: Forum on Voting Rights and Privacy under the Pence-Kobach Commission

WHEN: Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at 3:00p.m. EST

WHERE: 2247 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C.

RSVP: Media interested in attending should RSVP to Shadawn.reddick- smith@mail.house.gov.

Live Stream: The forum will also be streamed live on House Judiciary Democrats’ Facebook page.

###

RSVP: Shadawn.reddick-smith@mail.house.gov

Shadawn Reddick-Smith| Communications Director
House Judiciary Committee – Democratic Staff
202-225-6906 / @HouseJudDems

Congressman Elijah Cummings (Md.) Statement on McConnell’s “Repeal-and-Delay” Tactic After Failing to Pass TrumpCare

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 18, 2017

Contact: Fabion Seaton (202) 225-4741

Cummings Statement on Leader McConnell’s “Repeal-and-Delay” Tactic
After Failing to Pass TrumpCare, McConnell Now Wants to Repeal the ACA Without a Replacement

Washington, D.C. (July 18, 2017) — Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) issued the following statement after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that the Senate will vote on legislation to repeal the ACA without a replacement:
“Republicans call TrumpCare a healthcare bill, but the American people see it for what it is: a blistering attack on working families, the elderly, and the poor. As Speaker Ryan, Leader McConnell and President Trump have twisted arms and misrepresented facts to try to jam TrumpCare through Congress, we have learned that the American people want Democrats and Republicans in Washington to work together to build on the successes of the Affordable Care Act.

“Unfortunately, Leader McConnell has not learned that lesson. Instead, he has said that he intends to bring a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act—without a replacement—to the Senate Floor, leaving 32 million more Americans without insurance and causing premiums to double by 2026. The American people do not want to return to the days before the Affordable Care Act. They want insurance that covers them when they truly need it, without lifetime limits or exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

“The most recent version of TrumpCare failed because its goal was to unravel the safety net for those who need it most, and repealing the Affordable Care Act without even trying to replace it would be even more heartless. The American people have said loud and clear that they will not support an assault on working families – period.”

Now what for Washington Pro Football Team's Quarterback Kirk Cousins? 10 potential 2018 suitors

Kirk Cousins will play on the franchise tag for the second straight year, and he could be the most sought-after free agent in 2018. (Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports)

Story by ESPN
Written by Dan Graziano

It's not that Kirk Cousins doesn't want to play in Washington long term. And it's not that Washington doesn't want him to be its quarterback.

The reason Cousins didn't sign a long-term deal with Washington before Monday's franchise player deadline is rooted in simple economics. The team never offered him a deal that looks like what he expects to make on the open market next March.

Sources close to the situation have told ESPN that Washington was hoping to get a deal done with Cousins for something in the neighborhood of $22 million per year. But since Cousins is already guaranteed to earn nearly $24 million this year on the franchise tag, that number is obviously too low. Even if Washington came with a five-year, $125 million deal similar to the one Derek Carr just signed in Oakland, that wouldn't have moved the needle for Cousins.

This is because Cousins is poised to become the Loch Ness Monster of the NFL contract landscape. Since the franchise tag was established, no fully healthy franchise quarterback in his prime has hit the open market. Assuming he doesn't suffer some career-altering injury in 2017, Cousins will make history, and the market should react accordingly.

Simple economics: If supply is low and demand is high, prices go up. The NFL is starved for good starting quarterbacks. If one gets to free agency and multiple teams can bid on him, it's reasonable to assume the numbers could get astronomical. Given what Carr just got with only one team bidding, Cousins has every right to expect numbers in excess of $30 million per year with more than $70 million guaranteed.

The question now becomes: From which team?
_____________________________________________
Here are 10 teams that could make up a robust market for Cousins in 2018:

Washington

A year ago, sources say, things were sour between Cousins and Washington management. Not so now. Remember, this missed deadline isn't personal, Sonny, it's strictly business. There's no reason to think Cousins wouldn't sign with Washington if it were the highest bidder. If the season goes well -- and it absolutely could, as the schedule and other circumstances offer reasons to think the Cowboys and Giants could take steps back -- these two sides might just want to get married after all. And Washington, with something like $60 million in cap space, will be the only team allowed to negotiate with Cousins between the end of its season and the second week of March.

San Francisco 49ers

Kyle Shanahan is the Niners' coach and was Cousins' first offensive coordinator in Washington. The 49ers could have more than $70 million in salary cap space when the new league year opens, which would enable them to outbid everyone else for a quarterback who knows Shanahan's offense and has had success in it. Right now, only Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley and C.J. Beathard stand in the way of San Francisco needing a quarterback next spring. Hoyer knows the offense and could theoretically surprise, but his injury history makes him a tough long-term bet.

Cleveland Browns

Hey, maybe Brock Osweiler and Hue Jackson turn out to be a surprise perfect match. Maybe DeShone Kizer shows enough this season that the Browns are willing to turn over the offense to him in 2018. More likely, the Browns will wade into the market with something like $60 million in cap space and be a major factor in any big quarterback bidding wars that spring up.

New York Jets

The Jets have unloaded a ton of guys already and could be over $70 million in 2018 cap space. The assumption is that they'll have a high pick in a draft loaded with top quarterback talent, and that may well be the case. But that draft is still a whole college football season away, and there's no way to know for sure what the landscape will look like in April. The Jets could be in a position to have to bid on a veteran to resolve their never-ending quarterback search.

Los Angeles Rams

New Rams coach Sean McVay is another former Washington offensive coordinator who knows Cousins well and thinks highly of him. The question in L.A. is what McVay thinks of Jared Goff, who was the No. 1 overall pick in 2016 when Jeff Fisher was the coach. If the Rams get through this season and decide Goff isn't their long-term answer, it's perfectly reasonable to expect them to jump into the Cousins bidding. They're another team that could be looking at more than $60 million in cap space, depending on whether anything happens with an Aaron Donald contract by then.

Arizona Cardinals

If Carson Palmer retires after the season, Arizona's 2018 cap space will be in the mid-$40 million range and the team will have a clear need. The landscape here is difficult to predict, because coach Bruce Arians' future is uncertain as well. But the Cardinals didn't draft a quarterback and could be in the market.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are under new management, and Blake Bortles' 2018 option is guaranteed only for injury. If Bortles struggles the way he did in 2016, it's possible Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone will decide to move on. Dumping Bortles and cutting some Branden Albert/Chris Ivory-type veterans could get Jacksonville's 2018 cap room into the $40 million range.

Minnesota Vikings

It's a fluid and murky quarterback situation in Minnesota, where Teddy Bridgewater's health remains a mystery and Sam Bradford only has one year left on his contract. Odds are, one of those guys will be Minnesota's quarterback in 2018. But health and market factors could mess with the plans and leave the Vikings shopping for QB help. They would come to the table with more than $55 million in cap space.

Denver Broncos

Denver won't have the cap room that some of these other teams have, with so much money committed on defense and at wide receiver. But if Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch both falter, Denver will be in the market for a quarterback next spring, and general manager John Elway has a way of getting guys he wants.

Buffalo Bills

It would be tough economically, but not crippling, for the Bills to move on from Tyrod Taylor after this season. Doing so would increase Buffalo's 2018 cap space to around $43 million, and the Bills would obviously need to look at free-agent quarterbacks. This is a wild card, but Taylor is, too.

Trump administration weighs returning diplomatic compounds to Russia

Former President Barack Obama shut down two diplomatic Russian compounds in late December 2016 as punishment for interference in the presidential election. The Trump administration is now moving toward returning these compounds back to the Russians. (Elyse Samuels/The Washington Post)

Story by ABC
Written by Conor Finnegan

The U.S. and Russia will sit down together again for a high-level meeting to deal with "irritants" in the relationship, amid heightened tension over diplomatic compounds in the U.S. that belong to Russia.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov will meet with U.S. Under Secretary of State Tom Shannon in Washington Monday –- the highest level meeting since the two countries' presidents, Trump and Putin, met at the G-20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7.

The top issue on the table for Russia are those diplomatic compounds, or "dachas," in Maryland and New York. The Obama administration expelled 35 Russian diplomats and their families and cut off Russia’s access to the dachas in response to cyber-attacks on the 2016 election. But Russia has been losing its patience with the Trump administration, threatening to retaliate if the compounds are not returned soon.

"It appears that the Russian side has no choice, it is time to retaliate," the chairman of Russia's Federation Council's foreign affairs committee told Sputnik, a Russian state-owned news agency. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov took a slightly softer tone, telling reporters that Russia hopes the White House can still find the "political wisdom and political will" to return the dachas.

But the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said any action toward returning the dachas would be "a major affront to Congress." The Senate has passed new sanctions legislation that would codify existing sanctions, implement new ones and force the Trump administration to seek Congressional approval before it can change any sanctions -- including returning the compounds. The legislation is currently awaiting a vote in the House, where it is being held up.

Amid the threats from Russia and strong Congressional opposition, the Trump administration appears to be considering returning the dachas. As deputy assistant to the President, Sebastian Gorka said on CNN last Thursday, "We want to give collaboration, cooperation a chance."

The White House may ask for something in return. Sputnik reported that a senior White House official told the state-owned agency that the properties would be given back only if it receives something back from Moscow, which Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov blasted as "daytime robbery."

For the U.S., the set of grievances includes an end to Russian harassment of U.S. diplomats and a lift on the ban of Americans adopting Russian children.

Ryabkov canceled his last scheduled meeting with Shannon in June –- while Shannon was traveling in Europe on his way to St. Petersburg –- because the U.S. announced updated sanctions over Russian aggression in Ukraine a couple days prior. The two men met once before in New York in May as the Trump administration has sought better relations with Moscow.

Australian Woman in Minneapolis fatally shot by Police Officer

Story by CNN
Written by Emanuella Grinberg and Carma Hassan

Minnesota authorities are investigating the shooting death of an Australian woman who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer Saturday night.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it is providing consular assistance to her family. The agency declined to identify the woman citing privacy concerns.

The shooting occurred as two Minneapolis police officers were responding to a 911 call of a possible assault shortly before 11 p.m., Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges said.
At some point one of the officers fired a weapon, killing the woman. The officers were wearing body cameras but they were not turned on during the incident, the mayor said.

Venus Williams: "Wimbledon has sent me a message: I’m only a second class champion "

June 26, 2006

The time has come for it to do the right thing: pay men and women equal prize money

Commentary by Venus Williams
Story in London Times

HAVE YOU ever been let down by someone that you had long admired, respected and looked up to? Little in life is more disappointing, particularly when that person does something that goes against the very heart of what you believe is right and fair. 

When I was a little girl, and Serena and I played matches together, we often pretended that we were in the final of a famous tournament. More often than not we imagined we were playing on the Centre Court at Wimbledon. Those two young sisters from Compton, California, were “Wimbledon champions” many times, years before our dreams of playing there became reality. 

There is nothing like playing at Wimbledon; you can feel the footprints of the legends of the game — men and women — that have graced those courts. There isn’t a player who doesn’t dream of holding aloft the Wimbledon trophy. I have been fortunate to do so three times, including last year. That win was the highlight of my career to date, the culmination of so many years of work and determination, and at a time when most people didn’t consider me to be a contender. 

So the decision of the All England Lawn Tennis Club yet again to treat women as lesser players than men — undeserving of the same amount of prize money — has a particular sting. 

I’m disappointed not for myself but for all of my fellow women players who have struggled so hard to get here and who, just like the men, give their all on the courts of SW19. I’m disappointed for the great legends of the game, such as Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, who have never stopped fighting for equality. And disappointed that the home of tennis is sending a message to women across the world that we are inferior. 

With power and status comes responsibility. Well, Wimbledon has power and status. The time has come for it to do the right thing by paying men and women the same sums of prize money. The total prize pot for the men’s events is £5,197,440; for the women it is £4,446,490. The winner of the ladies’ singles receives £30,000 less than the men’s winner; the runner-up £15,000 less, and so on down to the first-round losers. 

How can it be that Wimbledon finds itself on the wrong side of history? How can the words Wimbledon and inequality be allowed to coexist? I’ve spent my life overcoming challenges and those who said certain things couldn’t be achieved for this or that reason. My parents taught me that dreams can come true if you put in the effort. Maybe that’s why I feel so strongly that Wimbledon’s stance devalues the principle of meritocracy and diminishes the years of hard work that women on the tour have put into becoming professional tennis players. 

I believe that athletes — especially female athletes in the world’s leading sport for women — should serve as role models. The message I like to convey to women and girls across the globe is that there is no glass ceiling. My fear is that Wimbledon is loudly and clearly sending the opposite message: 128 men and 128 women compete in the singles main draw at Wimbledon; the All England Club is saying that the accomplishments of the 128 women are worth less than those of the 128 men. It diminishes the stature and credibility of such a great event in the eyes of all women.

The funny thing is that Wimbledon treats men and women the same in so many other respects; winners receive the same trophy and honorary membership. And as you enter Centre Court, the two photographs of last year’s men’s and women’s champions are hung side by side, proudly and equally. 

So why does Wimbledon choose to place a lesser value on my championship trophy than that of the 2005 men’s winner Roger Federer? The All England Club is familiar with my views on the subject; at Wimbledon last year, the day before the final, I presented my views to it and its French Open counterparts. Both clearly gave their response: they are firmly in the inequality for women camp. 

Wimbledon has argued that women’s tennis is worth less for a variety of reasons; it says, for example, that because men play a best of five sets game they work harder for their prize money. 

This argument just doesn’t make sense; first of all, women players would be happy to play five sets matches in grand slam tournaments. Tim Phillips, the chairman of the All England Club, knows this and even acknowledged that women players are physically capable of this. 

Secondly, tennis is unique in the world of professional sports. No other sport has men and women competing for a grand slam championship on the same stage, at the same time. So in the eyes of the general public the men’s and women’s games have the same value. 

Third, athletes are also entertainers; we enjoy huge and equal celebrity and are paid for the value we deliver to broadcasters and spectators, not the amount of time we spend on the stage. And, for the record, the ladies’ final at Wimbledon in 2005 lasted 45 minutes longer than the men’s. No extra charge. 

Let’s not forget that the US Open, for 33 years, and the Australian Open already award equal prize money. No male player has complained — why would they? 

Wimbledon has justified treating women as second class because we do more for the tournament. The argument goes that the top women — who are more likely also to play doubles matches than their male peers — earn more than the top men if you count singles, doubles and mixed doubles prize money. So the more we support the tournament, the more unequally we should be treated! But doubles and mixed doubles are separate events from the singles competition. Is Wimbledon suggesting that, if the top women withdrew from the doubles events, that then we would deserve equal prize money in singles? And how then does the All England Club explain why the pot of women’s doubles prize money is nearly £130,000 smaller than the men’s doubles prize money? 

Equality is too important a principle to give up on for the sake of less than 2 per cent of the profit that the All England Club will make at this year’s tournament. Profit that men and women will contribute to equally through sold-out sessions, TV ratings or attraction to sponsors. Of course, one can never distinguish the exact value brought by each sex in a combined men’s and women’s championship, so any attempt to place a lesser value on the women’s contribution is an exercise in pure subjectivity. 

Let’s put it another way, the difference between men and women’s prize money in 2005 was £456,000 — less than was spent on ice cream and strawberries in the first week. So the refusal of the All England Club, which declared a profit of £25 million from last year’s tournament, to pay equal prize money can’t be about cash. It can only be trying to make a social and political point, one that is out of step with modern society. 

I intend to keep doing everything I can until Billie Jean’s original dream of equality is made real. It’s a shame that the name of the greatest tournament in tennis, an event that should be a positive symbol for the sport, is tarnished

Dr. Umar Johnson talks about the Black Family; Why the Black Agenda is never addressed; Superficial Pride; Systematic Empowerment; Lack of Mega-Church Community Investments; De-Industrializing High Schools; Identity Crisis; and more...

Dr. Umar Johnson on the Breakfast Club radio program in New York talks about the importance of the Black Family, De-Industrializing High Schools, Lack of Mega-Church Community Investments, Identity Crisis, and more...


Dr. Umar Johnson speaks Politics, Black Family, Divorce Rate highest amongst Black Women, Systematic Empowerment, Ineffective Systemic Policies etc...on TVOne's News One Now

Venus Williams to face Garbine Muguruza in Wimbledon final

Story by ESPN/AP

LONDON -- Winning never gets old for Venus Williams.

The 37-year-old American ended the hopes of Britain's Johanna Konta in the women's semifinals with a 6-4, 6-2 win on Centre Court on Thursday.

Williams will be seeking a sixth Wimbledon singles title Saturday against Garbine Muguruza, who advanced to the final at the All England Club by beating Magdalena Rybarikova 6-1, 6-1.

If Williams wins Saturday, she would be the oldest women's Grand Slam champion in the Open era (since 1968). She's the oldest women's finalist in any Grand Slam since Martina Navratilova reached the Wimbledon final in 1994.

"I've played in a lot of finals here," Williams said. "It's been a blessing. I couldn't have asked for more, but I'll ask for a little more. One more win would be amazing.

"It won't be a given, but I'm going to give it my all."
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Read More: http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/19987334/wimbledon-women-semifinal-results

Policeman pulls over Black woman and quickly discovers she is the State Attorney of Florida's 9th Judicial Circuit

Story by the Independent
Written by Emily Shugerman

A pair of police officers caught themselves on camera, struggling to explain why they had pulled over Florida’s first and only black state attorney.

Aramis Ayala, who serves as State Attorney in the Sunshine State's 9th Judicial Circuit, was pulled over on 19 June.

As the officer approaches her window, she can be seen grabbing her licence from her wallet, which she then hands over to him.

When he asks what agency she works for, she responds: “I’m the State Attorney”.

The officer immediately launches into an explanation for the stop, explaining that he ran the tags on her car and received no result.

Ms Ayala asked: “What was the tag run for?”

The officer then begins to stumble, saying: “Oh we run tags through all the time, whether it's a traffic light and that sort of stuff; That's how we figure out if cars are stolen and that sort of thing.”

He added: “Also, the windows are really dark. I don't have a tint measure but that's another reason for the stop.”

The State Attorney, visibly annoyed, asks for the officers’ cards. Neither have them available, so they write their contact information on a piece of paper.

Orlando police department said that it "allows the running of tags for official business only, and this is done routinely on patrol".

"In regards to the video, which was released by the Orlando Police Department last month, the officers stated the tag did not come back as registered to any vehicle. As you can see in the video, the window tint was dark, and officers would not have been able to tell who, or how many people, were in the vehicle," a statement said.

No complaint has been filed over the stop, police said.

Ms Ayala, a career public defender, ran for state attorney on a platform of transparency and a promise to bridge gaps with communities of colour.

In a statement to The Independent, Ms Ayala said she has "violated no laws".

"The license plate, while confidential was and remains properly registered... The tint was in no way a violation of Florida law... Although the traffic stop appears to be consistent with Florida law," the statement said.

"My goal is to have a constructive and mutually respectful relationship between law enforcement and the community, Ms Ayala added. "I look forward to sitting down to have an open dialogue with the Chief of Orlando Police Department regarding how this incident impacts that goal".

Ms Ayala recently made headlines for refusing to pursue the death penalty in the murder trial of Markeith Loyd, who is accused of killing Orlando Police Lieutenant Debra Clayton and his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon.

Florida Governor Rick Scott removed her from the case for what he called her refusal to “fight for justice”.

Ms Ayala has asked the state Supreme Court to block Mr Scott’s decision.

In April, the State Attorney’s office reported she had received a noose in the mail, accompanied by a disturbing letter. The office said Ms Ayala frequently receives hate mail, often expressing racist sentiments.

Why DeAngelo Williams refuses to play football for the Dallas Cowboys

Story by Yahoo Sports
Written by Jay Busbee

You’ve got to love a guy with principles.

DeAngelo Williams, a multidimensional, utilitarian running back who totaled 343 yards on 98 carries in nine games for Pittsburgh last year, is looking for a job. And while backs of his age and skill set don’t necessarily have the pick of teams from which to play, they can’t always afford to be choosy, either … which makes his staunch refusal to play for four specific teams a bit fun to consider.

Speaking to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Williams ran down the list of reasons for why a team might get stricken from his play-for list. First up, Carolina, Williams’ home for the first nine years of his career. Williams’ time in Carolina ended ugly, and so he won’t be going back.

“I had no problems with getting fired, but there are things that went on there that I didn’t like—and I still don’t like to this day,” Williams said. “There’s no point in me going back there. You’re an ex for a reason, right? You don’t go back to exes, and that’s just where I’m at there.”

Next, Cleveland. That’s just simple numbers. “They don’t have a history of winning,” he said. “I’m not sure about all of the championships they won before the Super Bowl was the Super Bowl, but in my lifetime, I haven’t seen them have a winning season.” (Fact check: Cleveland went 10-7 in 2007, and we assume Williams is older than nine years old. But the point stands.)

With the Browns, it wasn’t personal. But with Jacksonville, the next team on Williams’ no-play list, it got personal in a hurry: “I can’t think of anything positive about that organization outside of the fact that they have pools in the stadium.”

But it’s Williams’ takedown of the Cowboys that’s the most fun. A child of the ’80s and a fan of the 49ers, Williams said he couldn’t see himself wearing the Dallas star … primarily because of the Dallas fans.

“The Cowboys, they win. They just don’t ever show up during the playoffs,” he said. “They always disappear in the playoffs. I’ve got a great depiction of the Cowboys’ fan base. During the regular season last year, they were on Cloud Nine. You couldn’t tell them anything because they were going to win the ‘ship—that’s all they said. Fans just got extremely super annoying. Then, the minute they lose, they either got cheated, somebody was hurt—the excuses start flowing. It’s just amazing to me. That fan base just in general can’t handle defeat.”

Man, that’s simply awesome. We hope Williams catches on somewhere if only to listen to the Dallas fans show their appreciation. And if not, he’s always got wrestling to fall back on.

GOP Drops Tax Cuts for Big Earners in Revised Health Bill, Sources Say

Story by Bloomberg
Written by Laura Litvan and Steven T. Dennis

Senate Republican leaders dropped provisions that would repeal two taxes on high earners in a revised draft of their health-care bill sent to the Congressional Budget Office, according to GOP senators.

Republican leaders are now planning to retain Obamacare’s 3.8 percent tax on net investment income for people who earn more than $200,000 and couples with incomes over $250,000, as well as a 0.9 percent Medicare surtax on the same incomes.

Those two tax increases generate nearly $231 billion in revenue over a decade, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation. Leaving them in place could create a way to cover the costs of expanded Medicaid coverage for the poor or other programs demanded by holdout moderate Republicans.

“Obviously that’s a direction I think that a lot of our members want to move, to keep some of those in place and use the revenues to put into other places in the bill where it can make a difference,” John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 3 Senate Republican, said Tuesday. The decision to explore changes was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

The reversal on tax cuts, aimed at winning over moderate holdouts, comes amid an announcement Tuesday by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that he is delaying a planned summer recess by two weeks, giving Republicans more time to pass a health-care bill.

McConnell told reporters that he plans to release his revised bill on Thursday, with a new CBO estimate and an important procedural vote coming next week.

But Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said Tuesday that he plans to release contours of an alternative health bill this week and that he is seeking the support of governors and senators of both parties.

“I want to do the best I can, and I think the best we can is not on the table right now,” Graham said.

A number of moderate Republicans had recoiled from the bill after the CBO estimated that 22 million fewer people would have insurance in a decade, and that premiums and deductibles for millions of low-income people would soar.

Closed-Door Talks

McConnell has been negotiating with his Republican colleagues over revisions after more than a half-dozen of them objected to a plan last month that combines tax cuts with deep reductions in health spending.

Although Republican leaders decided to retain two of the Obamacare taxes, others would still be repealed in their revised bill.

"The taxes that will be repealed are all the taxes that have been driving up the cost of insurance," said Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, the No. 4 Senate Republican.

Other changes under consideration include revising Medicaid cuts and adding more spending to stabilize premium costs in the individual insurance market, according to a GOP aide who requested anonymity.

Republicans are waiting to hear back from the CBO before deciding whether to include an amendment proposed by Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.

Cruz wants to allow insurers to offer cheap, bare-bones plans alongside those that meet the more comprehensive coverage requirements of Obamacare. Critics in both parties say the proposal would essentially put people with pre-existing conditions in the Obamacare insurance pool and allow young, healthy people to buy cheaper plans in a separate pool.

“It’s important to a number of our conservative members who want to see that in a final product,” Thune said. “We have other members who have a different point of view.” He added, “It’s something we want to explore” to potentially give consumers more choices.

Republican leaders have said they want to hold a vote before the recess, which has now been pushed into mid-August, and are prepared to move on to other issues, including a tax-code rewrite, if they can’t develop consensus around a proposed replacement to the 2010 Affordable Care Act.

Asked if GOP leadership will move forward with the vote even if they lack the 50 senators needed to secure passage of the legislation, Barrasso said, "I’m convinced that there’ll be a vote next week to move to get on the bill."

If there were an imminent vote in the Senate, House Republican leadership would keep their chamber in session into the beginning of August, according to a GOP aide familiar with the plans. However, if the Senate works further into August and manages to pass a health-care bill, there would be intense pressure from the Trump administration to bring House members back to Washington for another vote, according to the aide.

For the bill to pass, and Republicans to live up to their promise to eliminate President Barack Obama’s signature domestic accomplishment, they can lose no more than two GOP votes from their 52-48 majority amid unanimous Democratic opposition.

Skeptical Republicans

A number of Republicans have been pessimistic about the prospects in recent days.

Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who opposes McConnell’s earlier bill, said in an interview Monday that she was heartened at the majority leader’s suggestion last week that Republicans will have to work with Democrats on a scaled-back measure shoring up Obamacare’s insurance exchanges if the GOP bill dies. She said she’s concerned about the impact of proposed cuts to Medicaid under the broader plan.

"I believe we should not repeat the mistake that President Obama made in passing major legislation with no support from the other party," Collins said.

Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said on “Fox News Sunday” that McConnell’s original plan is dead and that what happens with the rewritten version remains to be seen. He put the odds of passing a bill in July at “50-50.”

While moderates are balking at deep cuts to Medicaid and to subsidies for individual market consumers, conservatives are seeking looser regulations for such policies that are sold on Obamacare’s exchanges.