Here’s a little more serious news than usual.

It seems that the War in Iraq is slowly drawing to a close as President Obama confirms the planned pullout of Iraq. He says that by the end of August not only will their be a shift in focus from combat to training, but will also mark the start of pulling our troops out–with a goal of our troops being completely out of Iraq by the end of 2011. With a war that has lasted for years with several lives sacrificed, I’m glad we are finally starting to see its end.

[Source]

Cj..

We all know the magnitude of the events currently happening in Haiti. It’s like a horrible flashback to 2004′s Tsunami or 2005′s Hurricane Katrina (which effected me personally). The sad reality of the matter is that the state of Haiti is ravaged by not only the natural disaster but also by previous decades of poverty. UNDRCRWN has made a T-Shirt to benefit the relief efforts. The shirts only cost $20.00 and all proceeds go to Wyclef’s organization YELE Haiti. With everyone receiving refund checks and such, I think it would be cool to spend just $20 bucks helping someone else in need. I most likely will be purchasing one myself.

Purchase the shirt [Here].

Do what you can. If you can’t donate monetarily, shoot up positive vibes and your prayers to the people of Haiti. Cherish each moment you have and value each blessing that is bestowed upon you. Here’s to you Haiti.

Cj..

Time to be informed. President Obama’s speech on healthcare.

Cj

Who: Howard University Students and some faculty

What: Protest against the Administration

When: Friday, September 4, 2009

Where: Howard University Campus, Administration Building, Washington D.C.

Why:

1969. 1989. 2009

Like clockwork, every 20 years, Howard Students have found themselves protesting against administration. The most notable being the Administration Building sit in of 1969 which resulted in the implementation of African American studies courses at HU.

That was then, this is now.

So many people say that “us kids today” don’t posses the fighting spirit of our predecessors.

That “us kids today” are devoid of the ability to organize, protest, and stand for what we believe in.

That “us kids today” have no visible direction.

Wrong.

Yesterday, Howard students came together to protest the many ills that have been committed against us by our administration. The lack of 24 hour  accessible libraries, our technological ineptitude, faulty handicap facilities, and the fact that nearly 60% of the student body is not financially validated are just some of the reasons why we decided as a body to organize and protest.

We spoke, and a lot of people heard us. CNN, ABC, BET, TMZ,  a large media contingent was hearing our story [with the imperative help of former HU student Diddy via twitter]. And while many Bison wish we would have kept our protest under wraps, wish that we did not “air out our dirty laundry,” for the world to see, I feel to the contrary.

This is a prime example that our generation is not the lazy, careless group that so many people so consistently accuse us of being. This is our EDGE. We may not do a lot of things like our elders, but never question if we care.

We care when we are faced with injustice.

We care when we are thought of as inept and ignorant.

We care when we feel as though our voice is not being heard and respected.

We CARE!

This isn’t me trying to start something. This isn’t MESH. pointing fingers. But, this is a message to all those who believe this generation is a failed one.

You are wrong. Change is coming, Revolution is coming.

And this one just might be televised.

Don’t wanna hear it? Change the channel.

AR.

Read the Rolling Stone article [here].

Great read.

But, how do YOU think Obama has done so far?

Cj

According to CNN it was apparently Steve McNair’s mistress who murdered him.

(CNN) — Twenty-year-old Sahel Kazemi shot Steve McNair while he was sleeping on the sofa in his Nashville condo, before shooting herself in the head, police said Wednesday.

Kazemi shot McNair in the head, then fired twice into his chest before shooting him again in the head, police said.

Authorities said in the days leading up to the shooting, Kazemi told a friend her life was “messed up” and she wanted to end it. Kazemi also believed her relationship with McNair — a married father of four — was unraveling and that he was involved with another woman.

Horrible .

Aisha

MESH. just wants to send our condolences and prayers out to all those involved with the D.C. Metro train crash that took place today. The District is our home and with the recent events that have been taking place, we can all lend our prayers toward the Nation’s Capitol. [full story here]

We encourage our friends to stay safe and always cherish life. 

MESH.

Down the street (literally) in Downtown Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum near the National Mall, a man opened fire and shot a policemen. Believed to be a white supremacist, a near by vehicle also tested positive for explosives. Read the full story (here).

Also, because I and a lot of my friends live here. I encourage everyone to be safe and keep God close. Craziness.

Cj

A plane flying from Brazil to Paris with 228 people on board never arrived at it’s destination in France today and authorities say it has disappeared off of the radar completely.

“Brazilian air force planes are searching the Atlantic for an Air France plane that vanished from radar screens as it flew to Paris today with 228 people on board.

Flight AF447, an Airbus A330-200, left Rio de Janeiro at 7pm local time (2300 BST) yesterday. It had been expected to arrived in Paris at 11.15am.

An Air France source was quoted as saying that there was “no hope” for those on board.

“Air France regrets to announce that it is without news from Air France flight 447, flying from Rio to Paris,” Brigitte Barrand, a spokeswoman for the airline, said.

The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, expressed his “extreme worry” and sent the junior minister for transport, Dominique Bussereau, and the environment minister, Jean-Louis Borloo, to Charles de Gaulle airport to monitor the situation.

The plane was carrying 216 passengers and 12 crew. The French authorities have set up a crisis centre at Charles de Gaulle airport.” [source]

 UPDATE: 

“An airplane seat, a fuel slick and pieces of white debris scattered over three miles of open ocean marked the site in the mid-Atlantic Tuesday where Air France Flight 447 plunged to its doom, Brazil’s defense minister said.

Brazilian military pilots spotted the wreckage, sad reminders bobbing on waves, in the ocean 400 miles northeast of these islands off Brazil’s coast. The plane carrying 228 people vanished Sunday about four hours into its flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris.

“I can confirm that the five kilometers of debris are those of the Air France plane,” Defense Minister Nelson Jobim told reporters at a hushed press conference in Rio. He said no bodies had been found and there was no sign of life.” [source]

- Aisha