Minority voters growing force in NY State elections

[ SOURCE ] African-Americans, Latinos and Asians accounted for 29 percent of votes cast during the 2010 elections in New York state. That number is expected to increase to 30 or 31 percent in this year's election.

That's the prediction of Bruce Gyory, a political consultant and adjunct professor of political science at the University at Albany.

During the 2010 election, exit polling showed Gov. Andrew Cuomo took 93 percent of the African-American vote and 81 percent of the Hispanic vote. The minority vote could be crucial to the campaigns of both Cuomo and any challenger.

Republican Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino began his campaign for governor in the Bronx on Thursday. Census data show the Bronx is 36 percent African-American and 53 percent Latino.

Dr. Ben Carson speech at 2014 CPAC Convention

Here is video of the entire speech by Dr. Ben Carson at the 2014 CPAC Convention. Presented without comment because my grandma taught me that if you can't say anything nice keep your mouth shut.

11 year old Kareem Granton of Brooklyn NY is missing!

GREAT NEWS KAREEM GRANTON FOUND ALIVE!

[ SOURCE ] Police are searching for an 11-year old Brooklyn boy who has been missing since Wednesday.

Kareem Granton was last seen at his apartment building in East New York.

Investigators believe he got home from school, then went to visit a neighbor in the building a couple of hours later, and has not been heard from since.

The boy's mother, 26-year old Precious Granton, is joining with community leaders Sunday to call for an expanded search for Kareem.

Community members, friends and others have been searching for the boy in and around the neighborhood.

"It is just weird that this child vanished into thin air with no trace or evidence of him ever leaving his building once he got in from school that day," said community advocate Tony Herbert. "We will stand with this family and pray for Kareem's safe and immediate return."

Should Condolezza Rice be allowed to speak at Rutgers's commencement ceremony?

Condolezza Rice has been picked to give the commencement speech at Rutgers's University this year. She is scheduled to receive $35,000 and an honorary doctorate for her speech. A Faculty group at Rutgers opposes her being chosen as the speaker.

Last month, Rutgers' New Brunswick Faculty Council passed a resolution calling on the university’s board of governors to rescind its invitation to Rice. The faculty resolution said Rutgers should not honor Rice because of her role in the war in Iraq and the Bush administration's adoption of waterboarding and other controversial interrogation techniques.

"Condoleezza Rice ... played a prominent role in the administration’s effort to mislead the American people about the presence of weapons of mass destruction," the resolution said.

Do you agree with the faculty group or do Condolezza Rice's accomplishments as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State warrant her speaking at the commencement ceremony?

Isaiah Washington returning to Grey's Anatomy

[ SOURCE ] Dr. Burke is checking back in to Grey’s Anatomy.

EW (Entertainment Weekly) has learned that Isaiah Washington is set to reprise his role as the heart surgeon/former flame of Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) in an episode airing in May. This marks Washington’s first appearance on the ABC medical drama since season 3, when his character left Cristina at the altar and the actor was let go from the series.

Creator Shonda Rhimes said in a statement that the character’s return is an integral part of providing closure to Cristina Yang, whose portrayer Oh is set to leave the series at the end of this season. ”It’s important to me that Cristina’s journey unfolds exactly as it should,” Rhimes said. “Burke is vital to that journey — he gives her story that full-circle moment we need to properly say goodbye to our beloved Cristina Yang.”

Since leaving Grey’s Anatomy, Washington has appeared in bit parts on TV shows like Single Ladies and Law & Order: LA and will next appear in the CW’s 100, premiering this month.