Four Reasons Bernie Sanders supporters need to overcome their "Hillary" issues

By George L. Cook III EMAIL

The #BernieOrBust movement is is full swing even though Sander's chances of winning the nomination are slim to none at this point. The Sanders supporters drone on about what they believe is Hillary's dishonesty, her ties to Wall Street, things she said as First Lady and anything else they can pull out their asses as reasons that they can not now or ever vote for her.

Well I have four very good reasons why Sanders supporters should get over their disdain for Hillary Clinton, go in the voting booth, hold their noses, and vote for her.

Those reasons are:

* The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia

* Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy is 79 years old.

* Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 83 years old.

* Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is 77 years old

While we know the next president will appoint one judge to replace Anton Scalia, we also have to realize that due to the ages mentioned above three other seats could open up due to retirements or death.

That means the next president would have the chance to shape the US Supreme Court for decades to come. Those judges will make rulings on a variety of issues that will affect us all. Decisions on matters such as:

* Citizens United

* Healthcare

* Women's reproductive rights

* Civil Rights

* Gun Control

* Voting Rights

Let me ask you angry Sanders supporters something. Do you want President Trump or Cruz making these appointments? Do you want what progress has been achieved to be overturned? Do you hate Hillary so much that you are willing to jeopardize all the rights mentioned above?

Please, put what you claim you stand for above what you feel toward Hillary. You will get over your hurt feelings being; the country may never get over a Supreme Court dominated by conservatives.

WGN America renews Underground for a second season

“Underground,” the critically acclaimed first-year drama about the Underground Railroad and the most-watched original scripted series ever for WGN America, has been renewed for a second season.

The network announced Monday that “Underground” will return for a 10-episode second season in 2017. Production will get under way this summer for the series, which hails from Sony Pictures Television and Tribune Studios.

“With enormous pride we are announcing a second season of ‘Underground,’ a series that has resonated with so many passionate fans across the country,” said Matt Cherniss, President and General Manager, WGN America and Tribune Studios. “We are deeply proud of the work that the talented cast, crew and production team have done to bring this story to life, led by our gifted creators Misha Green and Joe Pokaski and our partners at Sony Pictures Television.”

The cast includes Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Aldis Hodge, Christopher Meloni, Alano Miller, Jessica de Gouw, Marc Blucas, Adina Porter, Mykelti Williamson, Amirah Vann, Johnny Ray Gill, Chris Chalk, Reed Diamond, Theodus Crane, James Lafferty, Renwick Scott and Jussie Smollett.

“Underground” continues its first season this week, and WGN America will air a full-season marathon of the show on May 11 leading into its finale.

[SOURCE]

Savannah Brown from Elizabeth NJ is missing!

Savannah Brown, a 16 year old teenager from Elizabeth NJ has been missing since March 13, 2016.

Savannah is black, 5'10'' and 143 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about Savannah should call the Elizabeth Police Department at 908-558-2000 or the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at 800-709-7090.

Southern African American democratic leaders not happy with Bernie Sanders

Black democratic leaders in southern states are not happy with Bernie Sanders after his rather dismissive comment on why southern black voters went for Hillary Clinton.

Those leaders include South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison, Louisiana Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Carter Peterson, Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant, Democratic Party of Georgia Chairman DuBose Porter, Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Rickey Cole, former South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges, and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Don Fowler. These individuals penned the following letter to Bernie Sanders stating their displeasure with his remarks.

April 20, 2016

Senator Bernie Sanders

131 Church Street, 

Suite 300 

Burlington, Vermont

Dear Senator Sanders,

We commend you on running a spirited campaign that has energized and mobilized a new generation of voters, but we are concerned about the way you and your campaign have characterized the South.   

As you may recall in 2006, the Democratic National Committee chaired by former Vermont Governor

Howard Dean took two historic steps towards diversity and inclusion.  First, the DNC modified its Presidential Primary process and added South Carolina and Nevada (states with sizable minority populations) to join the historic early states of Iowa and New Hampshire.  Governor Dean stated at the time that he “strongly believed in the importance of broadening participation in the nomination process to better reflect the rich racial, regional and economic diversity of the Democratic Party.”   Second, Governor Dean initiated a 50-state strategy to strengthen the Democratic Party and amplify Democratic voices in all states and not just states traditionally dominated by Democrats.   

The greatest asset we have as a party is our diversity—a diversity of cultures, religions, ethnicities, experiences, and backgrounds. 

Yet over the course of this Democratic primary, you and your surrogates have sought to minimize

Secretary Hillary Clinton’s victories throughout the South as a symptom of a region that, as you put it, “distorts reality.”  You argue that the South is “the most conservative part” of America; implying states that traditionally vote Republican in a general election are not worth contesting in a Democratic Primary.  

There are several issues with these assertions.

First, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, “55% of the African American population lives in the South, and 105 Southern counties has a black population of 50 percent or higher.”  The African American community has been the most reliable and consistent vote for the Democratic Party for a generation, and in this year’s primaries, in the Southern states of South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and North Carolina, African Americans represented between 31-71% of the Democratic electorate.  To dismiss the importance of this region is to minimize the importance of the voices of a core constituency for our party.   

Second, the Democratic Primary vote in Southern States was a crucial component for Barack Obama’s ultimate success in 2008.  Wins in South Carolina, and other southern states during the Democratic presidential primaries laid the groundwork for President Obama to build a message and campaign organization that resonated in North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida.  Many of the non-battleground southern states even utilized these networks to assist with voter outreach efforts, mobilizing thousands of volunteers to make calls and engage in GOTV operations.

Third, several of the states that you have won like Oklahoma, Idaho, and Utah overall are far more conservative in their general election results than the states in the South.  Moreover, current polls show that the Democratic electorate across the South is consistently among the most liberal anywhere in the nation.  In fact, some of the most liberal members of Congress hail from majority-minority districts in these states.  Regardless, it is important that Democrats in red and blue states alike feel supported by the Party and our presidential candidates.   

Democrats ought to embrace the South and all regions to build an organization that can compete in all 50 states.  We must continue winning states like Virginia and North Carolina, and we can’t write off states like Tennessee and Georgia.  Even Texas could turn blue in less than a generation.  And beyond the presidential race, there are important statewide and other federal races happening every cycle.  Boosting Democrats’ chances in those seats is vital to enacting a progressive agenda at the local level and in General Assembles. This can only happen if we show up, speak to the region’s needs, and compete for every vote, even in the face of long odds.  That’s how change really happens. 

Southern Democrats already have to deal with Republicans refusing to expand Medicaid, deteriorating infrastructure, and the lack of adequate funding for our public schools. We need our national Democratic leaders to invest in our races and causes—to amplify our voices, not diminish them.

In contrast, Hillary Clinton has spent her entire career trying to help people all across the South.  She saw a region full of families and children of every color, and instead of diminishing them, she worked to build them up. She is committed to a long-term strategy of rebuilding our state Democratic parties, to assist candidates up and down the ballot, and to serve as a voice for the voiceless.  She has not dismissed the importance of states that you have won, because she realizes s that to be President of the United States you have to be a champion for all of the states. To be leader of the Party, you have to be with Democrats in all states as well. That includes the ones you won and yes, even the ones you lose.  

And that’s why we’re with her.

Respectfully,

Hon. Jim Hodges		Don Fowler
Fmr. Governor of South Carolina		Fmr. DNC Chairman
Allison Tant		Hon. DuBose Porter
Chair, Florida Democratic Party		Chair, Georgia Democratic Party
Sen. Karen Carter Peterson		Rickey Cole
Chair, Louisiana Democratic Party		Chair, Mississippi Democratic Party

Jaime Harrison

Chair, South Carolina Democratic Party  

Michelle Obama Gives Jackson State University Commencement Speech

The First Lady flew from London to Jackson, Miss. to give the address to Jackson State University's Class of 2016. Mrs. Obama spoke for nearly 30 minutes, covering topics from Mississippi "Religious Freedom Act," to gun violence and poverty, to Mississippi's Jim Crow past, but she also highlight how far Mississippi and the United States have come thus far.

We don't need another Prince movie!

There have been some funny memes about not letting Lifetime do a Prince movie. That's cute and all but we don't need another Prince movie. We already have the ultimate Prince movie and it's called Purple Rain!

‘Purple Rain’ Returning to U.S. Theaters This Weekend

AMC Theaters is teaming with Warner Brothers. to screen “Purple Rain” in 87 AMC locations this Saturday, April 22, through Thursday, April 27. Carmike Theaters will also screen the movie in 80 theaters. Here is a list of cities and theaters where Purple rain will be shown.

AMC THEATERS:

Atlanta
AMC North Dekalb Mall 16
AMC Phipps Plaza 14
AMC Sugarloaf Mills 18

Baltimore
AMC White Marsh 16

Baton Rouge
AMC Baton Rouge 16

Boston
AMC Loews Boston Common 19
AMC Liberty Tree Mall 20
AMC Methuen 20

Charlotte
AMC Carolina Pavilion 22

Chicago
AMC 600 North Michigan 9
AMC Naperville 16
AMC South Barrington 30
AMC Schererville 16

Cincinnati
AMC Newport on the Levee 20

Columbus
AMC Easton Town Center 30
AMC Lennox 24

Dallas
AMC Grapevine Mills 30
AMC Mesquite 30
AMC Stonebriar Mall 24
AMC Parks @ Arlington 18

Denver
AMC Highlands Ranch 24
AMC Westminster Promenade 24

Detroit
AMC Forum 30
AMC Great Lakes 25

Hartford
AMC Plainville 20

Houston
AMC Gulf Pointe 30
AMC Studio 30
AMC Willowbrook 24

Indianapolis
AMC Indianapolis 17

Jacksonville
AMC Regency 24

Kansas City
AMC Barrywoods 24
AMC Town Center 20

Los Angeles
AMC Atlantic Times Square 14
AMC Broadway 4
AMC Covina 17
AMC Norwalk 20
AMC Ontario Mills 30
AMC Orange 30 W/IMAX
AMC Promenade 16
AMC Rolling Hills 20

Miami
AMC Aventura Mall 24

Minneapolis
AMC Arbor Lakes 16
AMC Coon Rapids 16
AMC Eden Prairie Mall 18
AMC Inver Grove 16
AMC Rosedale 14
AMC Southdale Center 16

Montgomery
AMC Festival Plaza 16

New Orleans
AMC Elmwood Palace 20

New York
AMC 19th St East 6
AMC Empire 25
AMC Jersey Gardens 20
AMC Kips Bay 15
AMC New Brunswick 18
AMC Palisades 21 And Imax
AMC Stony Brook 17

Norfolk
AMC Hampton 24

Oklahoma City
AMC Quail Springs Mall 24

Omaha
AMC Oak View 24

Orlando
AMC Disney Springs 24
AMC Universal Cineplex 20

Philadelphia
AMC Cherry Hill 24
AMC Hamilton 24
AMC Neshaminy 24

Phoenix
AMC Ahwatukee 24
AMC Arizona Center 24
AMC Westgate 20

Pittsburgh
AMC Waterfront 22

Raleigh
AMC Southpoint 17

Salt Lake City
AMC West Jordan 12

San Diego
AMC Mission Valley 20

San Francisco
AMC Mercado 20
AMC Metreon 16

Seattle
AMC Alderwood 16
AMC Oak Tree 6
Southcenter 16
AMC Pacific Place 11

Spokane
AMC River Park Square 20

St. Louis
AMC Chesterfield 14
AMC West Olive 16

Tallahassee
AMC Tallahassee Mall 20

Tampa
AMC Veterans Expressway 24
AMC Woodlands Square 20

Tulsa
AMC Southroads 20

Washington D.C.
AMC Hoffman 22
AMC MJ Capital Center 12

West Palm
AMC Indian River 24

CARMIKE LOCATIONS:

Alabama:
Wynnsong 14 Auburn AL
Jubilee Square 12 Daphne AL
Carmike 12 Dothan AL
Patton Creek 15 Hoover AL
Valley Bend 18 Huntsville, AL
Wynnsong 16 Mobile, AL
Chantilly 13 Montgomery, AL
Wharf 15 Orange Beach, AL

Arizona:
Carmike 14 Fort Smith, AR
Central City 10 Hot Springs, AR

Colorado:
Carmike 7 Grand Junction, CO

Delaware
Carmike 14 Dover, DE

Florida:
Royal Palm 20 Bradenton, FL
Hialeah 12 Hialeah, FL
Avenue 16 Melbourne, FL
Carmike 10 Panama City, FL
Bayou 15 Pensacola, FL
Broward 18 Pompano Beach, FL
Lakeshore 8 Sebring, FL
Sundial 19 + IMAX St Petersburg, FL
Starlight 20 Tampa, FL
Parisian 20 West Palm Beach, FL

Georgia:
Wynnsong 16 Albany, GA
Ovation 12 Athens, GA
Movies ATL Atlanta, GA
Riverstone 15 Canton, GA
Carmike 12 Cartersville, GA
Carmike 15 Columbus, GA
Crossroads 16 Conyers, GA
Movies 400 Cumming, GA
Movie 278 Hiram, GA
Carmike 10 Newnan, GA
Wynnsong 11 Savannah, GA
Carmike 12 Snellville, GA

Iowa:
Wynnsong 12 Cedar Rapids, IA
Wynnsong 16 Des Moines, IA
Southern Hills 12 Sioux City, IA

Illinois:
Carmike 13 Champaign, IL
Grand Prairie 18 Peoria, IL
Rosemont 18 Rosemont, IL

Indiana:
Encore Park 14 Elkhart IN
Jefferson Pointe 18 Fort Wayne, IN
Carmike 18 Plainfield, IN

Kentucky:
Stonybrook 20 Louisville, KY

Michigan:
Fashion Square 10 Saginaw, MI
Cherry Blossom 14 IMAX Traverse City, MI

Minnesota:
Carmike 15 Apple Valley, MN
Cinema 6 Mankato, MN
Wynnsong 15 Mounds View, MN
Oakdale 20 Oakdale, MN

Montana:
Shiloh 14 Billings, MT

North Carolina:
Carmike 10 Asheville, NC
Wynnsong 15 Durham, NC
Marketfair 15 Fayetteville NC
Carmike 18 Greensboro, NC
Carmike 15 Hickory, NC
Carmike 16 Jacksonville, NC
Park Place 16 Morrisville, NC
Carmike 15 Raleigh, NC

New Jersey:
Ritz Center 16 Voorhees, NJ

Ohio:
Carmike 12 Findlay, OH
Solon 16 Solon, OH

Oregon:
Carmike 12 Corvallis, OR

Pennsylvania:
Carmike 16 Allentown, PA
Carmike 15 Greensburg, PA
Carmike 10 Pittsburg, PA

South Carolina:
James Island 8 Charleston, SC
Carmike 14 Columbia, SC
Broadway 16 Myrtle Beach, SC

Tennessee:
East Ridge 18 Chattanooga, TN
Bradley Sq. 12 Cleveland, TN
Thoroughbred 20 Franklin, TN
Carmike 14 Johnson City, TN
Wynnsong 16 Knoxville, TN
Wynnsong 16 Murfreesboro, TN

Texas:
Lufkin Mall 9 Lufkin, TX
Carmike 14 Tyler, TX
Sikes 10 Wichita Falls, TX

Virginia:
Apple Blossom 12 Winchester, VA

Washington:
Carmike 12 Kennewick, WA
Oakwood Mall 12 Eau Clair, WI

Cast of The Color Purple perform Purple Rain

Jennifer Hudson, Cynthia Erivo, and the cast of The Color Purple paid an amazing tribute to Prince at the end of Thursday Night's show. The cast performed an amazing version of "Purple Rain", a version so good that I believe it should be released as a single. Check it out below.

Morris Day statement on death of Prince

Morris Day, lead singer of The time released the following staement after the death of of his friend and mentor Prince.

What's your favorite Prince song?

By George L. Cook III

Prince Rogers Nelson passed away this morning stunning me and many of his long time fans. The man was one of the greatest songwriters, musicians, producers, and performers EVER! You could argue he was the ONE.

I've been playing every Prince song I have but there are my favorites that I have played several times. Some of you may know these songs but I'm sure many don't. My favorite songs are "Baby", "Free", "Let's pretend were married" and "If you were my girlfriend."

What is your favorite Prince song? Sorry but unlike me you only get to pick one. There is also an option to add a song if you don't see one you like.

President Obama's statement on passing of musical legend, Prince

President Obama released the following statement about the sudden death of musical icon, Prince.

Today, the world lost a creative icon. Michelle and I join millions of fans from around the world in mourning the sudden death of Prince. Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent. As one of the most gifted and prolific musicians of our time, Prince did it all. Funk. R&B. Rock and roll. He was a virtuoso instrumentalist, a brilliant bandleader, and an electrifying performer.

“A strong spirit transcends rules,” Prince once said -- and nobody's spirit was stronger, bolder, or more creative. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his band, and all who loved him.

Ben Carson doesn't think Harriet Tubman should be on the $20 bill

Today Treasury Secretary Jack Lew made the announcement announced that Harriet Tubman will be replacing on the front of the $20 instead of Andrew Jackson. Don't get too happy though. No time frame was given for when the change would actually happen although some speculate that it may happen by 2030.

That should be good news to most, but there's always one...

Ben Carson is determined to make sure he gets to play the role of house negro for as long as it's financially viable.

Ben Carson said Wednesday although he respects and admires Harriet Tubman, her likeness shouldn’t replace President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. Nope he feels Andrew Jackson, the slave owner should stay on because he balanaced the federal budget. I am not making this up. watch the video below.

Brandi Shakir is missing!

OAKWOOD VILLAGE, Ohio-- Oakwood Village police are searching for a missing 23-year-old woman.

Police said they believe Kyle Johnson, 25, abducted Brandi Shakir Monday morning. He is considered armed and dangerous. It's believed Johnson, who is Shakir's ex-boyfriend, set the house she was staying at on fire, then took her.

According to Oakwood Village police, Johnson assaulted Shakir last week, leaving her with two black eyes and a fractured eye socket. Police say Shakir had a protection order in place against Johnson following that attack.

Johnson was last seen leaving Oakwood Village at about 10:35 a.m. driving a 1999 black Acura with Ohio license plate EXV6585. It may have damage to the front passenger side.

Shakir was wearing green scrubs, a white T-shirt, a Pandora bracelet with purple charms.

Anyone with information should call 440-201-1008 or 911.

Maurice Ashley: Chess' 1st African-American Grandmaster Enters Hall of Fame

Maurice Ashley started playing chess at the age of 14, and by 33, he became the first African-American to achieve the title of Grandmaster. And now – he is the first African -American to be inducted into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame.

Pres. Obama & Steph Curry team up for mentoring PSA.

President Obama and NBA star Steph Curry teamed up in a new PSA encouraging others to mentor our youth. Check it out below.

#BringBackOurGirls: 219 still missing after two years in Nigeria

It’s been two years since the world was shaken by the mass-kidnapping of nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls by the terror group Boko Haram, taking them in as prisoners, sex slaves, and child soldiers and spawning the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls. But intervention from US drones and assistance from neighboring countries in support of the Nigerian military says that only 57 have been saved. Learn more on this story below.

7 stark findings on Chicago police treatment of blacks and Latinos

The report of a Chicago task force investigation into the culture and practices Chicago Police Department contains some disturbing revelations ( these are probably not revelations to the black and brown people of Chicago though.). The report states that the Chicago Police Department's "own data gives validity to the widely held belief the police have no regard for the sanctity of life when it comes to people of color."

Here are seven findings from the disturbing report:

ooooooooooooooo

1. Blacks are shot at alarming rates.

2. City has a sad history of false arrests and wrongful convictions.

3. Those sworn to protect instead often mistreat.

4. Many cops view people of color as perps.

5. Combating racial bias is not a department priority.

6. There is no accountability.

7. Police stops make matters worse.

Read more about this disturbing report here: 'No regard': 7 stark findings on Chicago police treatment of blacks and Latinos

The Birth of a Nation (Nat Turner Movie): Official Trailer

Set against the antebellum South, THE BIRTH OF A NATION follows Nat Turner (Nate Parker), a literate slave and preacher, whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner (Armie Hammer), accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. As he witnesses countless atrocities - against himself and his fellow slaves - Nat orchestrates an uprising in the hopes of leading his people to freedom. Birth of a Nation is directed, written, and co-produced by Nate Parker and has a release date of October 7, 2016

Essence Magazines 50 best colleges for African Americans list

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions Black students will make in their lifetime. ESSENCE partnered with MoneyMagazine to create a definitive list of the schools that serve African Americans most. The following factors were used when making the list. Representation (African-Americans had to make up at least 5 percent of each college’s student body.)  , affordability, and Postgrad earnings.

Here are the top 50 colleges and universities in the country: 

1. Princeton University 

2. Harvard University

3. Duke University 

4. Cornell University

5. Florida A&M University 

6. Spelman College

7. University of Pennsylvania

8. Yale University

9. North Carolina A&T State University 

10. University of Maryland, College Park

11. Columbia University 

12. Georgia Institute of Technology

13. Georgetown University 

14. University of Florida

15. Hampton University 

16. Bowie State University 

17. Wellesley College

18. Berea College 

19. Amherst College

20. Virginia State University 

21. Xavier University of Louisiana 

22. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

23. Rice University 

24. Vanderbilt University 

25. Brown University

26. University of Richmond

27. Dartmouth College

28 Howard University 

29. University of Virginia 

30. Davidson College

31. The College of William and Mary 

32. Alcorn State University 

33. Williams College

34. Trinity Washington University

35. Jackson State University

36. Johns Hopkins University 

37. Elizabeth City State University 

38. Prairie View A&M University 

39. Pomona College

40. Northwestern University 

41. Binghamton University 

42. Emory University

43. North Carolina Central University 

44. Tennessee State University 

45. Towson University 

46. Stony Brook University 

47. Barnard College

48. Winston-Salem State University 

49. Talladega College

50. Rutgers University-Newark

Full Speech: Bernie Sanders National Action Network

Here is the full speech from Bernie Sanders speaking at the National Action Network's convention on 04/14/2016.