Canadian Government Grants White South African, Brandon Carl Huntley, Refugee Status after He Claims He Suffered Persecution Because of His Race

Brandon Carl Huntley, a white man from South Africa, was given refuge status in Canada after claiming persecution in his native country. This has undoubtedly angered many in South Africa where race remains a sensitive issue. The Immigration and Refugee Board issued its ruling late last week in Huntley's favor. I am sure this is the first time a white South African has been granted refugee status in Canada after claiming persecution by black South Africans. Funny, the tables have turned after years of apartheid and continuing economic and social woes in South Africa.

Huntley argued that whites are targeted by black criminals in South Africa and that the government does nothing to protect them. He claimed he was attacked seven times during attempted robberies and muggings. His attorney Russell Kaplan, a South African native who moved to Canada 20 years, said in an interview that tribunal panel chair William Davis ruled that Huntley would stand out like a "sore thumb" due to his color in any part of South Africa and that Kaplan's fears of persecution are justified based on the evidence he submitted.

In his its written decision, Davis said "I find that the claimant was a victim because of his race (white South African) rather than a victim of criminality." It also said that Huntley "has presented clear and convincing proof of the state's inability or unwillingness to protect him."

Sorry, but given the history of South Africa, I find it very hard to believe that this man was picked on repeatedly due to the color of his skin without any police intervention. I hope that the Canadian government will grant blacks from South Africa seeking refugee status the same consideration. We all know that South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world, as well as one of the highest unemployment rates, so to claim he's being persecuted because he is white is sensational, at best. It's ironic that Huntley made a refugee claim in 2008 after staying in Canada illegally for a year with a work permit.

Mayor Bud Norris of Vernon, WA, to Give Right Wing Talk-show Host Glenn Beck Key to the City, Says This isn't About Friendship with Beck's Parents

Bud Norris, the mayor of Mount Vernon, WA., has decided to present right wing talk show host Glenn Beck the keys to the city in a ceremony on September 26th. Norris said Beck will deliver a short talk (0r rant) that night and become the first person to receive a key to the city in the six years Norris has been mayor. Wow, so I guess Mayor Norris has set the standard so low that anyone who "makes it big" from his city will be awarded with a key. I thought this was reserved for people who have led by example and have tirelessly supported worthy causes. Not someone who is a hatemonger.

According to KOMO News, protesters from the Skagit County Young Democrats walked outside city hall Tuesday with protest signs, one reading "Change the locks!"They called it "totally inappropriate" to give a man who called President Barack Obama a racist during one of his television rants, a key to the city. Norris told KOMO News the key does not represent city approval of every comment that Beck may make, but recognizes a local boy who made it big. Really? I thought you present the keys to the city to someone who has led an exemplary life and have given back to society. Clearly contrary to anything Glenn Beck has ever done.

Norris says he knew Beck when the talk show host was just 12 years old. He said he remembers the tyke carrying a sandwich board saying "Vote for Norris for county commissioner" up and down Mount Vernon's First Street. He said he and Beck's parents were friends, but said this is not a political payback for campaigning decades ago. He said this is merely a recognition of someone who is from Mount Vernon. Seems to me that this is a favor for his "friends." I wonder why Mayor Norris felt he had to interject that this isn't about his friendship with the family? Sorry, that is exactly what this is about.

Roman Catholic Church Issues Prayer for Faithful Married Couples To Say Before Sex

If you are a Roman Catholic couple, you are being encouraged to pray together before you have sex. A book, entitled "Prayer Before Making Love," was published by London-based Catholic Truth Society. According to the UK Daily Mail, the book is aimed at "purifying their intentions" so that the act is not about selfishness or hedonism. The prayer appears in the Prayer Book of Spouses and implores God to 'to place within us love that truly gives, tenderness that truly unites, self-offering that tells the truth and does not deceive, forgiveness that truly receives, loving physical union that welcomes.'

It adds: 'Open our hearts to you, to each other and to the goodness of your will. 'Cover our poverty in the richness of your mercy and forgiveness. Clothe us in true dignity and take to yourself our shared aspirations, for your glory, forever and ever.'

Well, I am sure that offering a prayer while one is in the throes of passion will certainly ignite more fireworks in the bedroom. Of course, I am being sarcastic.

Oprah Winfrey Gets Approval from City of Chicago to Close Magnificent Mile for Taping, Mayor Daley Comes Under Fire

Oprah Winfrey has shown how far her influence reaches in Chicago. Some folks are up in arms over the Mayor Richard Daley and the city of Chicago have agreed to allow the talk-show queen to shut down a significant stretch of the Magnificent Mile next week for the kickoff of her 24th season. According to the Chicago Sun Times, plans call for Michigan Avenue to be closed to vehicular traffic from Wacker Drive to Ohio Street for more than two days -- from 12:01 a.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Wednesday. The hourlong show will be taped at 5 p.m. Tuesday at a temporary stage to be built near the Michigan Avenue Bridge. The taping is free and open to the public.

Some shoppers and businesses only the Mag Mile are upset that Ms. Winfrey was allowed to close off the famous strip for so long. I find it hard to believe that this won't be good for the city. Oprah Winfrey has more than star power. For example, there is a Gap clothing store nearby. I am sure that they will get some more business from all those people coming to the taping. The only problem I expect would be for drivers and public transit riders. The Chicago Transit Authority is telling commuters to use alternative routes.

Mayor Daley said any inconvenience is worth it and that motorists and commuters will understand. He said Winfrey's taping great publicity for the city and an event that will create jobs. At least this isn't a free meal as in the case of the Michael Jackson memorial service. The show will reimburse Chicago for any costs incurred. Well, almost everything -- sanitation isn't included. Of course, you can't please everyone. There are many who have taken offense to what Ms. Winfrey is doing, for all the wrong reasons.

Whitney Houston's Voice Cracks During Central Park Comeback Show to Air on "Good Morning America," She Blames Oprah

Whitney Houston has proven once again that she is a diva (not in a good way) when she tried to blame being on the Oprah Winfrey Show, which she taped on Monday to air September 14th, for her horrible first public singing performance in Central Park, New York earlier today. She reportedly told the crowd at Rumsey Playfield, where she was singing as part of a segment to run on tomorrow's "Good Morning America" show. She wasn't woman or adult enough to admit her own shortcomings.

Ms. Houston needs to admit the truth about her disgraceful performance -- the years of drug abuse. She sang four songs, including her oldie "My Love is Your Love" and her new single "Million Dollar Bill."Anyone listening could tell that this woman was having serious problems staying on key. Her voice cracked repeatedly. As the New York Daily News puts it, "Houston treated the highest notes the same way drivers with new cars treat pot holes." She couldn't even sing the choruses of her songs. She left that up to her back-up singers and the audience. Sorry, but if this is any indication of what is to come from Ms. Houston, then I am sad to say that she has lost her mojo. I remember back in the day when her voice soared through the stratosphere in her prime. Patti Labelle is 65 years old and yes, she can still hold a note.

Sorry Whitney, I guess I won't "I Look To You" for a phenomenal return after a long hiatus. I give her credit for releasing a new album, but I can't say I am looking forward to another horrible performance.

Photo credit: Whitney Houston, NY Daily News (Kambouris/WireImage)

Michele Bachmann (R-MN) Tells Activists: Slit Our Wrists And Become Blood Brothers Against Obama's Health Care

I tried my best to avoid writing about Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) since the last time she put her foot in her mouth, but I couldn't resist this time. The woman is a complete imbecile.  According to the Colorado Independent, she spoke yesterday to the right-wing Independence Institute and she called on conservatives to really come together in the fight against President Obama on health care. Why people come out to listen to this woman is beyond me.

"What we have to do today is make a covenant, to slit our wrists, be blood brothers on this thing," said Bachmann. "This will not pass. We will do whatever it takes to make sure this doesn't pass."

The sanguinary rhetoric continued. "Right now, we are looking at reaching down the throat and ripping the guts out of freedom," she said. "And we may never be able to restore it if we don't man up and take this one on." Bachmann also denounced a system under which some Americans pay half their income in taxes: "It's nothing more than slavery." Source: Talking Point Memo

Talking about slitting one's wrist and slavery in the same speech is abhorrent, given America's history where slavery is concerned, not to mention the obvious dig against people who have tried to commit suicide by slitting their wrists. It was insensitive and just plain wrong. I am amazed that people actually vote for this woman. But judging from the dirty tactics by both the Republicans and the Democrats, why am I surprised?

Robert McDonnell, Virginia GOP Candidate in Governor's Race, Under Fire for Anti-Gay, Sexist Graduate Thesis

Another hypocrite has been outed in the GOP. The Virginia's governor's race was on fire yesterday over Republican Robert F. McDonnell's graduate thesis, submitted in 1989 for a master of arts in public policy and juris doctorate in law from Regent University, in which he wrote about working women, homosexuals and fornicators. McDonnell tried to explain his views to anyone who would listen. The news of the thesis was  first reported Sunday in the Washington Post on Sunday, but the sh** hit the fan yesterday. McDonnell's opponent, Democrat R. Creigh Deeds, may have received an early Christmas present. According to the Washington Post, in the thesis, "The Republican Party's Vision for the Family: The Compelling Issue of The Decade," McDonnell described working women as "detrimental" to the traditional family. He criticized a U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing contraception for unmarried couples and decried the "purging" of religion from schools. He advocated character education programs in public schools to teach "traditional Judeo-Christian values," and he criticized federal tax credits for child care expenditures because they encouraged women to enter the workforce. Remember President Obama's science czar Paul Holdren, who once floated the idea of "forced abortions" and "compulsory sterilizations?" The right wing literally scoffed at his comments.

McDonnell has reportedly spoken by telephone to reporters for nearly 90 minutes, saying that his views have changed on many of the issues he explored as a graduate student. He also released a list of women who support his campaign. So, why are the Republicans acting as though no Democrats can change their views on positions held 20 years or more ago? Shouldn't we all be held to the same standard? It gets better. He said that on some issues he agrees with Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), the state's first Catholic governor, as well as with President Obama. He says he no longer agrees with what he wrote about women in the workforce and that regardless of his personal views, he "would follow the law," as he did as attorney general.

The only thing that may save him and his lead in the polls over Deeds and other Democrats is the state of the economy and the continued fallout from the health care reform plan, which seems to be dying a slow death. His opponents aren't sitting by idly and allowing this "gift" to go unused. The Deeds campaign sent out a fundraising appeal with the thesis as its main focus. According to the Washington Post, the state Democratic Party produced a video, "Bob McDonnell's Secret Blueprint for Virginia," setting a news report about the document to driving, apocalyptic classical music.

I have many conservative views, but this man is an ultra conservative, who is trying to distance himself from his own positions on issues such as gay rights, abortions and even school prayer, so as not to offend moderate voters, who play an integral role in deciding statewide elections. Amazingly, he has disavowed his earlier flawed views on working woman and the traditional family, but has said very little on abortion and gay marriage. Mr. McDonnell, you can't have it both ways, much as your party has done to malign President Barack Obama and others. Some fellow Republicans call this latest dust-up a hatchet job, but if the shoe was on the other foot, would they have reacted differently? I suspect not, so Mr. McDonnell ought to deal with this and move on. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing. Like many in the Republican Party, and yes, let me add, Rep. Charlie Rangel (D.-NY), who should be kicked off the House Ways and Means Committee for being a liar. That's another commentary.