We can do this family. But only in an effort of solidarity. Teach your children that no group is worth an ass kicking. And no one shows love with violence, verbal abuse and senseless disrespect.

I encourage all parents and students to start to step up and start active conversation about resolutions to end this traditional crisis.

Stay Sucka-FREE!

Jermyn Shannon-El

BCN – Mobile Global Media

Share on Facebook

”Bonding is one of the ways we’ve avoided facing the consequences of mass incarceration in our state,”  said April Young, the Collins Center’s Vice President for Justice Initiatives, “but we simply cannot afford this.”

Florida’s prison population has increased significantly over the past three decades.  The number of inmates grew from just under 20,000 in 1980 to more than 102,000 in 2010.  This growth was accompanied by a spike in public spending on prisons.  In 1980, the Corrections budget was $169 million. In FY2010-11, it jumped to nearly $2.4 billion.

To fund the cost of prison construction while meeting the constitutional requirement to balance the state budget, Florida – like many states – resorted to a complicated system of borrowing through the issuing of lease revenue bonds – a type of certificate of debt issued by government or other public entities to raise money. Lease revenue bonding has become a common means to achieve a balanced state budget. However, it is not well understood by the general public even as it obligates them to considerable debt well into the future.

“Florida’s taxpayers owe more than $1 billion, or about $200 per household, to pay for recently built state prisons,” said Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch.  “Borrowing to build more prisons is not the way Florida should be addressing public safety.  Florida needs to enact comprehensive smart justice reforms that keep us safe while saving us money.”

Among the findings detailed in the report:

Ø  There is currently $721.7 million in prison bonding debt outstanding requiring future payments of approximately $1 billion when debt service and interest payments are included.

Ø  The exponential increase in the prison population in recent years cannot be explained by increasing crime rates, since crime rates have steadily declined in the past 20 years.

Ø  Florida leads the nation in incarceration rates and stringency in law and sentencing, making its criminal justice system among the most punitive of the 50 states as measured by more than 40 variables, including average prison sentences, life imprisonment, and prison conditions.

Ø  43 percent of the total cost of prison construction and expansion between 2006 and 2010 was paid for by issuing lease revenue bonds.

The report outlines some of the policy choices in Florida that have led to the increases in the prison population.  It describes the wide range of criminal justice reforms undertaken in other states that are successfully reducing prison populations and saving significant money without endangering public safety. It recommends:

Ø   A moratorium on any new bonding to build prisons until the Governor and Legislature fully disclose to the public the all costs created by the use of prison bonding and give citizens voice in determining whether they want to pay for criminal justice policies that result in the growth of the prison system without increasing public safety.

Ø  Florida legislators seriously review the criminal justice policies and practices which have contributed to the growth of the prison system over the past two decades and have financially strangled the state.

Ø  Florida join the growing number of states that are undertaking a broad range of criminal justice policy reforms led predominantly by conservatives who understand that highly punitive and incarceration-heavy penalties even for minor, non-violent crimes are unsustainable.

To read the report, visit www.CollinsCenter.org. Named after Florida Gov. LeRoy Collins, the nonprofit Collins Center is independent, nonpartisan and dedicated to advancing the understanding of important public policy issues.

Florida TaxWatch is a statewide non-partisan, non-profit research institute that over its 31 year history has become widely recognized as the watchdog of citizens’ hard-earned tax dollars.  Its mission is to provide the citizens of Florida and public officials with high quality, independent research and education on government revenues, expenditures, taxation, public policies and programs and to increase the productivity and accountability of Florida state and local government. Its support comes from homeowners and retirees, small and large businesses, philanthropic foundations, and professional associations. On the web atwww.FloridaTaxWatch.org.

# # #

Tracey Lowe

Tallahassee Communications Manager

Tallahassee Operations Manager

tlowe@collinscenter.org
www.CollinsCenter.org

2630 Centennial Place, Suite 2

Tallahassee, FL  32308
Office: 850-219-0082, ext. 1413
Fax: 850-219-0491

Share on Facebook

EXCLUSIVE OFFER BELOW:

Massage Intro rate for first time clients $ 40 relaxation massage for 1 hr…..contact # 904-412-6415

Gift certificates available just in time for Christmas….see website…www.amassagetrinity.com……

Mobile massage is available on the weekends…will come to client….starting price is $80 and up……

Don’t wait another minute. Get the quality treatment after a hards day work you deserve!

Share on Facebook

Plan ahead for the Central Florida NATURAL HAIR AND BEAUTY and make it a great ROAD TRIP!

Special $99 hotel rate available at the Crowne Plaza Hotel – Downtown, just a few miles from the event site. To book your room online visit www.naturalhairandbeautyexpo.com and select the Travelers link. To call and reserve your room, dial (407) 8438700 Ext: 7218 and use the discount code GROUP CFP.

Have you connected with us on facebook and twitter yet? If not, do so now and get up to date details on the expo.

www.facebook.com/naturalhairexpo www.twitter.com/OtownNatural.

NATURAL HAIR AND BEAUTY EXPO

Saturday, October 30, 2010               10:00 am till 7:00 pm

Central Florida Fairgrounds               Orlando FL 32808

$10 – Advance online purchase (age 15 and up)
$8 – Group rate (15 or more) contact nford@chasefordproductions.com to purchase group tickets

**Children 14 & under free w/ paying adult

Event to include:

v  Workshop Sessions

v  Vendor Showcase

v  Product Demonstrations

v  Henna Tattoos

v  Fashion Show

v  Live Entertainment

A portion of the proceeds to benefit the 501c3 non-profit organization SAKILE, to help fund The Peace & Beauty Project www.peaceandbeautyproject.org

Share on Facebook

· African-American race is among the risk factors for developing dangerous blood clots after receiving a drug-coated stent.

· Despite taking anti-clotting medications as directed, African-Americans had more than double the rate of clotting compared to other races.

DALLAS, August 30, 2010 — African-American race is a distinct risk factor for developing life-threatening blood clots after receiving a drug-coated stent, according to research reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

African-American race was the strongest predictor of clotting that occurs more than 30 days after implantation, researchers said.

For the study, researchers examined data on 7,236 patients who had stents, coated with clot-prevention drugs, implanted to prop open narrowing arteries. The drug-coated stents, also called drug-eluting stents, were implanted between mid-2003 and the end of 2008.

Even after considering other known risk factors — such as diabetes, hypertension and kidney problems — researchers found that African-Americans still experienced a higher rate of thrombosis or clotting.

“The bottom line is this is not just because this population is sicker or less compliant, but there is something else there that needs to be explored,” said Ron Waksman, M.D., the study’s lead author.

In the study, African-American patients were nearly three times as likely to experience clotting as non-African-American patients. African-Americans’ clotting rates compared to non-African Americans were:

1.71 percent vs. 0.59 percent after 30 days;

2.25 percent vs. 0.79 percent at one year;

2.78 percent vs. 1.09 percent at two years; and

3.67 percent vs. 1.25 percent at three years.

The rate of death from all causes at three years was also higher among African-Americans, 24.9 percent vs. 13.1 percent in other races.

“Physicians and patients need to know that African-Americans are at a higher risk of developing stent thrombosis, which is associated with heart attack or death,” said Waksman, associate director of the Division of Cardiology at Washington Hospital Center and professor of medicine and cardiology at Georgetown University.

In the study, African-Americans had increased rates of stent thrombosis even though they took post-surgery anti-clotting medication as prescribed at a higher rate than other races.

Further studies are needed to determine what should be done to reduce the blood clotting risks in African-Americans, Waksman said. Possible genetic differences in the way African-Americans’ bodies react to the anti-clotting medication clopidogrel may have an impact.

Clopidogrel, a common drug prescribed post-stent implantation, carries a black box warning on its label from the Food and Drug Administration because the drug loses its ability to keep blood clots from forming in some patients whose bodies have trouble converting clopidogrel to its active form.

In some studies, researchers found that this genetic difference occurs more often in African-Americans than in white patients. Blood tests or genetic testing determine if someone is a “poor metabolizer” of clopidogrel.

More African-American participants are needed in key clinical trials to determine if the treatment works before a drug is on the market, Waksman said. “We are committed to further exploring these disparities and how African-Americans can benefit from drug-eluting stents without increasing the risk of stent thrombosis.”

Co-authors are Sara D. Collins, M.D.; Rebecca Torguson, M.P.H.; Michael A. Gaglia Jr., M.D., M.Sc.; Gilles Lemesle, M.D.; Asmir I. Syed, M.D.; Itsik Ben-Dor, M.D.; Yanlin Li, M.D.; Gabriel Maluenda, M.D.; Kimberly Kaneshige, B.S.; Zhenyi Xue, M.S.; Kenneth M. Kent, M.D., Ph.D.; Augusto D. Pichard, M.D.; William O. Suddath, M.D.; and Lowell F. Satler, M.D.

Author disclosures and funding information are on the manuscript.

###

Statements and conclusions of study authors published in American Heart Association scientific journals are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the association’s policy or position. The association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at www.americanheart.org/corporatefunding.

Katie Seay

Communications Director Metro Jacksonville

American Heart/American Stroke Association

Greater Southeast Affiliate

5851 St. Augustine Road

Jacksonville, Fl 32207

Direct Dial: 904.256.5710

Cell: 904-235-2188

Fax: 904.739.0012

Katie.Seay@Heart.org

american heart.org

View our Facebook page: American Heart Association-First Coast Market

Follow us on Twitter: AHAFirstCoast

Share on Facebook

WE ARE ON THE MOVE AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!

At Greater Community Church, we believe that we have a responsibility to to do our part to help stop excessiveshooting, robbing and killing all communities throughout the United States, and particularly among each other in the black community.

To help spread the word, our church is raising funds to reach more citizens nationwide to become a part of this movement by visiting our website, a resource to promote unity and end violence.

Our Vision is to raise funds through the nationwide sale of our God-inspired “One Love Unity T-Shirts”. All proceeds are directed towards helping families in need and to put an immediate end to the black-on-black crime and overall violence devastating our communities. In addition, we will focus on creating new programs in our communities that will effectively help the local community collaborate and build from the grassroots. This is our commitment to working towards a nation of peace that was outlined in the agenda of our new President.

We sincerely appreciate your advance help and contributions to this effort. You can begin by sharing this notice to as many people as possible through Facebook, Twitter, Google Buzz and Digg.com. We ensure you that each click of a button will inspire hundreds to change the hearts of thousands, and thousands to millions. Please help us spread the word about www.onleloveunitytshirt.org and our Cause to “End All Violence”.

Inside details about the success of our efforts can be found here on www.blacksonville.com, coming soon.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact:

Pastor Ron Evans

Greater Community Church

301 Dorchester Ave.

Cincinnati, OH 45219

513-258-9511

Related articles by Zemanta

• Community Debate Forum – Jacksonville (dudl.org)

Share on Facebook

Another list of useful apps brought to you by Mashable.

This time we’ve come across a list of apps that center around health and fitness for Android phone users. The Android platform by Google is quickly rising to compete with Apple for it’s share of the smartphone market. Like prize fighters coming into their own and heading for a collision, this competitive rivalry may end up being one for the books.

Read full article»

clipped from mashable.com

Here are eight highly rated free and paid Android apps that will help you get and stay in shape. If you’ve got recommendations — particularly for apps that will help folks get outdoors while the weather’s nice — please let us know about them in the comments.

Related articles by Zemanta

• 8 Best Android Apps for Photo Editing (mashable.com)
• Top 10 BlackBerry Apps for Small Business (blacksonvillejacksonville.com)
• Determine Your Facebook Page’s Value (blacksonvillejacksonville.com)
• FCC’s Clyburn sees new opportunity for minority content creators in broadband (blacksonvillejacksonville.com)

Share on Facebook

Share on Facebook

Dear Friend:

The most important congressional debate of our lifetime is occurring right now on the floor of the US House of Representatives.  We must not assume that the votes to pass the House health care measure are on the side of justice and opportunity.  Your representative must hear from you right now.  Flood their phones and offices with demands.

Call 202.224.3121 now, give the operator your zip code, and they will connect you to your representative.  Tell them, “I support the House health care bill and you should too!”

On Sunday, the nation will take a monumental leap toward becoming a more humane society. When the House of Representatives passes a comprehensive health care bill, it will be widening the circle of opportunity and inclusion for millions of new Americans.

When the bill makes its way to the President’s desk, it will include provisions that add 32 million people to the ranks of those who will finally have the dignity afforded by health insurance.  It will make it illegal for health insurance companies to deny coverage for pre-existing illness to children and families.  And it will also mean that middle class families will be able to afford good, solid insurance without the fear of bankruptcy or financial ruin.

This bill is about affordability, insurability, and accountability.  It is intended to address the fact that 1 in 5 African Americans, 1 in 3 Hispanics, and 1 in 10 Whites do NOT have health insurance today.

While this bill does not contain everything we wanted or needed, it is a great step toward creating a better America.  This day has been a long time coming.  We must do everything right now to ensure that this bill passes the House. All the way back to President Teddy Roosevelt, our nation has been trying to create more health care fairness for its citizens.  Now, history and destiny intersect.  We must pass health care reform now.

But, we are not home yet.  There are still Tea Party obstructionists and special interests that seek to undermine final passage.  This weekend, you need to call your member of the House of Representatives in Washington to let them know that it is time to create a better America that supports families, hears the voices of common people, and wants the best for everyone.  Our community needs you to pass this message on to at least 5 other people who must call on Sunday also.

To reach your congressman or congresswoman, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and provide the operator with your home zip code. The operator will connect you with the offices of your representative. Tell them to “support health care reform now!”

The fight for health care is not over yet, please act today.  Call the Congress and let your voice be heard.

Act now–tomorrow’s vote is not promised!

Let’s roll!  We are empowered!

Sincerely,

Marc Morial

Share on Facebook