Sean Bell’s Family Meets With Feds

Filed under: , ,

Sean Bell's Family Meets With FedsSean Bell's family met with Federal prosecutors on Tuesday, one week before the second anniversary of Bell's death. According to NY1:
The family of police shooting victim Sean Bell called on the Department of Justice Tuesday to bring federal civil rights charges against the detectives involved in his death.

The family's attorney met with federal prosecutors to get an update on the investigation.

Detectives Michael Oliver, Gescard Isnora, and Marc Cooper were acquitted of criminal charges back in April.

Bell was shot and killed after leaving a Queens nightclub in November 2006.

Bell's family expressed cautious optimism when asked about the meetings.

var swfSettings = new Object(); swfSettings.outletClient = ((navigator.userAgent.toLowerCase().indexOf('aol') > -1) ? 'in' : 'out'); var uid = new Date().getTime(); var flashProxy = new FlashProxy(uid, 'http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/modtools/kit_swfpublisher_javascriptflashgateway.swf'); var oTag = new FlashTag('http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf', 456, 650, '8,0,0,0'); try { oTag.setId('outlet') } catch (Exc) { }; try { oTag.setWmode('opaque') } catch (Exc) { }; try { oTag.setMenu('true') } catch (Exc) { }; try { oTag.setQuality('high') } catch (Exc) { }; try { oTag.setAllowScriptAccess('always') } catch (Exc) { }; try { oTag.addFlashVar('lcId',uid) } catch (Exc) { }; try { oTag.addFlashVar('outlet_w',456) } catch (Exc) { }; try { oTag.addFlashVar('outlet_h',650) } catch (Exc) { }; try { oTag.addFlashVar('targetDivId','bv-50000948') } catch (Exc) { }; try { oTag.addFlashVar('targetAds', 'bv-50000948') } catch (Exc) { }; try { oTag.addFlashVar('omniture_tracker', '0') } catch (Exc) { }; try { oTag.addFlashVar('adrefresh_wrapper', '1') } catch (Exc) { } try { oTag.addFlashVar('messenger_wrapper', '1') } catch (Exc) { }; try { oKe.addFlashVar('appswfURL', 'http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=232321&pid=232320&uts=1207148024') } catch (Exc) { } try { oKe.addQueryStrAsFlashVars() } catch (Exc) { }; if (typeof(screen_name) != 'undefined') { try { oTag.addFlashVar('userName', screen_name) } catch (Exc) { }; } oTag.write(document);
swfPub_flace('bv-50000948', '456', '650'); top.exd_space.refresher.mmx('bv-50000948', 'http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/channels/ke_blank.html', '');

"Everything that they've told us today was very encouraging just knowing that, you know, there will be an investigation going on. We're just praying for the best, hoping," said Nicole Paultre-Bell, the victim's fiancee.

"They're really looking into it. And it makes you feel alive a little bit, you know, because next week is a bad day for us, really," said William Bell, the victim's father. "That was a human being taken away from us in the saddest way."

Meanwhile, Rev. Al Sharpton is calling for the new Attorney General in the upcoming Obama administration to investigate the Sean Bell case:
"The minute we get a new attorney general, we must go to that attorney general and deal with the issue of police misconduct," Sharpton said in a fiery address at his Harlem headquarters.

"We must bring the case of Sean Bell and other cases that haven't been handled well in the states to the federal level."

But according to the New York Daily News, federal charges may not be forthcoming:

Sources said the agency appears unlikely to bring federal charges.

"The review by this office has not been completed," said Robert Nardoza, a spokesman for the Brooklyn U.S. attorney's office. He would not discuss the meeting.
"Sources" are often wrong and public pressure may have a role in how the case proceeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments


SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Posted under Featured News by carhub on Friday 21 November 2008 at 1:00 pm

Would You Hire Hillary? Open Thread

Filed under: , , , , ,

Would You Hire Hillary?
Word is, President-Elect Barack Obama will make a formal offer to Hillary Clinton to be our next Secretary of State.

According to AP, the nomination's going to come after Thanksgiving. Friday afternoon, the New York Times reported that Clinton plans to quit her Senate seat and accept the cabinet position, according to unnamed sources.

More in BV News

What do you think? Vote and comment below.

Discussion Boards



 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments


SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Posted under Featured News by carhub on Friday 21 November 2008 at 8:00 am

Power Outtage: Celebs Who Have Lost “It”

Filed under: ,

From former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to media mogul Damon Dash, a host of celebrities, athletes and politicians have found themselves knocked down from the height of fame and fortune to the poverty and obscurity in their fields over the last two years of economic decline.

What is the cause of their mighty fall? Many different things, but their career downturns have created a media frenzy for stories about celebrities who are now penniless.

BV takes a look the once rich and famous who are now almost poor and shameless.
COMMUNITY: Talk About Kwame Kilpatrick

soKe.flace('bv-news-sports-power_outtage_popup', '476', '600'); var uid = new Date().getTime(); var flashProxy = new FlashProxy(uid, 'http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/modtools/kit_swfpublisher_javascriptflashgateway.swf'); var flashvars = {}; try { flashvars.lcId = uid; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.outlet_w = '476'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.outlet_h = '600'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.targetDivId = 'bv-news-sports-power_outtage_popup'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.targetAds = 'bv-news-sports-power_outtage_popup'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.omniture_tracker = '0'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.adrefresh_wrapper = '1'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.appswfURL = soKe.fv('http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=420469&pid=420468&uts=1227222024'); } catch (Exc) { }; if (typeof(screen_name) != 'undefined') try { flashvars.userName = screen_name; } catch (Exc) { }; var params = {}; try { params.wmode = 'opaque'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { params.quality = 'best'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { params.allowscriptaccess = 'always'; } catch (Exc) { }; var attributes = {}; try { attributes.id = 'outlet'; } catch (Exc) { }; top.exd_space.refresher.ads2Refresh(new Array( 'bv-news-sports-power_outtage_popup', new Array('93247588', '300', '250', '0') )); top.exd_space.refresher.iFrm2Refresh(new Array( 'bv-news-sports-power_outtage_popup', new Array('Placement_ID', '1368494'), new Array('Domain_ID', '1017772') )); top.exd_space.refresher.mmx('bv-news-sports-power_outtage_popup', 'http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/channels/ke_blank.html', ''); swfobject.embedSWF('http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf', 'bv-news-sports-power_outtage_popup-swf', '476', '600', '8.0.0', 'http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/swfobject/expressinstall.swf', flashvars, params, attributes); top.exd_space.refresher.launcher( 'bv-news-sports-power_outtage_popup',{ dynamicSlide:[''], size:['456s'], photoNumber:['0'], title:['Power Outtage'], numimages:['14'], baseImageURL:['http://cdn.compuserve.com/'], imageurl:['http://www.aolcdn.com/photogalleryassets/bv-news-sports/294081/Damon-Dash-450a111908.jpg'], credit:['Stuart Wilson, Getty Images'], source:['Henry Diltz, Corbis'], caption:['Many celebrities, athletes and politicians have seen their fortunes dim over the past two years of economic decline.'], dims:['http://o.aolcdn.com/dims/PGMC/5/225/197/70/'], showDisclaimerText:[''], disclaimerText:['BlackVoices.com'], CSS_Title:[''], CSS_Caption:[''], CSS_Disclaimer:[''], CSS_Container:[''], CSS_Border:[''], CSS_PhotoWell:[''], CSS_photoHolder:[''], CSS_Buttons:['#3c6db9'], CSS_BtnOver:[''], CSS_Scroll:[''], topMargin:['6,0,225,197,238,196,0,0'] } );

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments


SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Posted under Featured News by carhub on Friday 21 November 2008 at 5:30 am

Proposition 8 or Proposition “H8″? - Open Discussion

Filed under: , , ,

Since election night a few weeks ago, the passing of Proposition 8 in California--legislation that bans gay marriage--has become a hot-button issue among blacks, whites, Hispanics, etc... The reason: many Americans believe that freedom for all means the ability to marriage whoever you love, regardless of the gender. Others disagree.

Where do you stand?

Simply put, Black Voices wants to know if you are for or against gay marriage.

Let us hear your voices. Please take the time to vote in our polls and then let your voice be heard in the comment box below or continue the discussion in our message boards.


soKe.flace('bv-news-sports-prop_8', '476', '600'); var uid = new Date().getTime(); var flashProxy = new FlashProxy(uid, 'http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/modtools/kit_swfpublisher_javascriptflashgateway.swf'); var flashvars = {}; try { flashvars.lcId = uid; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.outlet_w = '476'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.outlet_h = '600'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.targetDivId = 'bv-news-sports-prop_8'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.targetAds = 'bv-news-sports-prop_8'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.omniture_tracker = '0'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.adrefresh_wrapper = '1'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.appswfURL = soKe.fv('http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=415314&pid=415313&uts=1226684315'); } catch (Exc) { }; if (typeof(screen_name) != 'undefined') try { flashvars.userName = screen_name; } catch (Exc) { }; var params = {}; try { params.wmode = 'opaque'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { params.quality = 'best'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { params.allowscriptaccess = 'always'; } catch (Exc) { }; var attributes = {}; try { attributes.id = 'outlet'; } catch (Exc) { }; top.exd_space.refresher.ads2Refresh(new Array( 'bv-news-sports-prop_8', new Array('93247168', '300', '250', '0') )); top.exd_space.refresher.iFrm2Refresh(new Array( 'bv-news-sports-prop_8', new Array('Placement_ID', '1368494'), new Array('Domain_ID', '1017772') )); top.exd_space.refresher.mmx('bv-news-sports-prop_8', 'http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/channels/ke_blank.html', ''); swfobject.embedSWF('http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf', 'bv-news-sports-prop_8-swf', '476', '600', '8.0.0', 'http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/swfobject/expressinstall.swf', flashvars, params, attributes); top.exd_space.refresher.launcher( 'bv-news-sports-prop_8',{ dynamicSlide:[''], size:['456s'], photoNumber:['17'], title:['Proposition 8 Protests'], numimages:['488'], baseImageURL:['http://o.aolcdn.com/feedgallery//'], imageurl:['fotosrch/0/20081112NYMA101.jpg'], credit:['AP'], source:['AP'], caption:['Whoopi Goldberg, center, is surrounded by reporters as she joins a demonstration in front of the Mormon Temple in New York to speak out against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for its role in the passage of California's anti-gay Proposition 8.'], dims:['http://o.aolcdn.com/dims/PGMC/5/301/201/70/'], showDisclaimerText:[''], disclaimerText:['BlackVoices.com'], CSS_Title:[''], CSS_Caption:[''], CSS_Disclaimer:[''], CSS_Container:[''], CSS_Border:[''], CSS_PhotoWell:[''], CSS_photoHolder:[''], CSS_Buttons:[''], CSS_BtnOver:[''], CSS_Scroll:[''], topMargin:['0,0,301,201,238,196,0,0'] } );


 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments


SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Posted under Featured News by carhub on Tuesday 18 November 2008 at 4:26 pm

Obama Won’t Tip-Toe Into The White House

Filed under: , , ,

I get the feeling most Americans would like to say an early good bye to the current White House resident and get an early start with President-elect Obama. And it's no surprise - given how vacant the White House has been the past year as the nation has tumbled into a financial ditch.

I think President-elect Obama feels the same way.

For a nation crying out for leadership and change, just having a president-elect who seems fully engaged for the difficult tasks ahead is a breath of fresh air and will should provide a needed psychological boost for us all during these dreary times. ...

soKe.flace('bv-news-sports-election_obama_cabinet', '476', '600'); var uid = new Date().getTime(); var flashProxy = new FlashProxy(uid, 'http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/modtools/kit_swfpublisher_javascriptflashgateway.swf'); var flashvars = {}; try { flashvars.lcId = uid; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.outlet_w = '476'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.outlet_h = '600'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.targetDivId = 'bv-news-sports-election_obama_cabinet'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.targetAds = 'bv-news-sports-election_obama_cabinet'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.omniture_tracker = '0'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.adrefresh_wrapper = '1'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.appswfURL = soKe.fv('http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=408300&pid=408299&uts=1226668347'); } catch (Exc) { }; if (typeof(screen_name) != 'undefined') try { flashvars.userName = screen_name; } catch (Exc) { }; var params = {}; try { params.wmode = 'opaque'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { params.quality = 'best'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { params.allowscriptaccess = 'always'; } catch (Exc) { }; var attributes = {}; try { attributes.id = 'outlet'; } catch (Exc) { }; top.exd_space.refresher.ads2Refresh(new Array( 'bv-news-sports-election_obama_cabinet', new Array('93223078', '300', '250', '0') )); top.exd_space.refresher.iFrm2Refresh(new Array( 'bv-news-sports-election_obama_cabinet', new Array('Placement_ID', '1368494'), new Array('Domain_ID', '1017772') )); top.exd_space.refresher.mmx('bv-news-sports-election_obama_cabinet', 'http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/channels/ke_blank.html', ''); swfobject.embedSWF('http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf', 'bv-news-sports-election_obama_cabinet-swf', '476', '600', '8.0.0', 'http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/swfobject/expressinstall.swf', flashvars, params, attributes); top.exd_space.refresher.launcher( 'bv-news-sports-election_obama_cabinet',{ dynamicSlide:[''], size:['456t'], photoNumber:['9'], title:['Who Will Form Obama's Team?'], numimages:['42'], baseImageURL:['http://cdn.compuserve.com/'], imageurl:['http://o.aolcdn.com/photo-hub/news_gallery/5/8/586394/1226628486307.JPEG'], credit:['AP'], source:['AP'], caption:['Sen. Hillary Clinton
Position: Secretary of state
Status: Speculative'], dims:['http://o.aolcdn.com/dims/PGMC/5/415/277/70/'], showDisclaimerText:[''], disclaimerText:['BlackVoices.com'], CSS_Title:[''], CSS_Caption:[''], CSS_Disclaimer:[''], CSS_Container:[''], CSS_Border:[''], CSS_PhotoWell:[''], CSS_photoHolder:[''], CSS_Buttons:['#3c6db9'], CSS_BtnOver:[''], CSS_Scroll:[''], topMargin:['0,0,415,277,408,269,0,0'] } );


I heard a conservative radio talk show host earlier this week say that Obama's ego is what led him to pay an early call on President Bush at the White House to begin serious talks about the transition of power.
Nothing could be further from the truth.

The sense of urgency displayed by Obama is driven less by ego and more by need because the current economic crisis is threatening to swallow this country whole.

Obama will likely enjoy a shorter honeymoon period than other recent presidents because the challenges he faces are so serious and so great in number. So why not hit the ground running?

You would need a crystal ball to tell the ultimate look of Obama's cabinet and appointees but viewing the highest official he has placed to date, the president-elect has sent the clear message that he wants to get the job done and isn't worried if a few egos are bruised along the way.

Illinois Congressman and Chief of Staff designee Rahm Emanuel is a hard charger who is well versed from his days in the Clinton White House in how to pass out sugar or lashes to get his agenda passed.
It seems a lot of Americans want to sign on to help.

Obama's transition team website, Change.gov, has already received more than 150,000 applications from job seekers, according to published reports.

A couple of websites offer some interesting perspectives on the Obama transition.

The first is which offers policy recommendations from progressive non-profits in the areas of health care, economy, education, energy and the environment and foreign policy.

Another is from the New York Times that allows readers to pick Obama's cabinet nominees for defense secretary (Robert Gates is the current leader), secretary of state (Bill Richardson) , homeland security chief (Richard Clarke) , attorney general (Janet Napolitano) , and treasury secretary (Paul A. Volker).

+ Hillary Clinton Eyed as Secretary of State

_________________
Paul Shepard blogs the Democrat side of politics for BlackVoices. He has been a journalist for 16 years; on the national urban/minority affairs beat for The Cleveland Plain Dealer and for The AP in Washington, D.C.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments


SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Posted under Featured News by carhub on Monday 17 November 2008 at 11:00 am

Haiti Needs Your Help - It’s That Simple

Filed under: , ,

For we in the Pan-African diaspora, the election of a black President of the United States has been something for us all to celebrate. But there are those who, despite our apparent victory, still don't have much to be happy about.

It's not new news to you that the tiny nation of Haiti is, and for years has been, in desparate trouble. The only reason it has survived is because of the fortitude of its people over the past two centuries. But things keep going from bad to worse for the nation, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic.

Ravaged with poverty, hunger, and constantly beset by hurricanes, the latest tragedy is the collapse of a school there that killed 94 children because of the poor building construction allowed by lax enforcement of standards and a poor national infrastructure.

Now there's news of a second school collapsed in Haiti this week. ...

soKe.flace('bv-news-sports-haiti_school_popup', '476', '600'); var uid = new Date().getTime(); var flashProxy = new FlashProxy(uid, 'http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/modtools/kit_swfpublisher_javascriptflashgateway.swf'); var flashvars = {}; try { flashvars.lcId = uid; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.outlet_w = '476'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.outlet_h = '600'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.targetDivId = 'bv-news-sports-haiti_school_popup'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.targetAds = 'bv-news-sports-haiti_school_popup'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.omniture_tracker = '0'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.adrefresh_wrapper = '1'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.appswfURL = soKe.fv('http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=413198&pid=413197&uts=1226525020'); } catch (Exc) { }; if (typeof(screen_name) != 'undefined') try { flashvars.userName = screen_name; } catch (Exc) { }; var params = {}; try { params.wmode = 'opaque'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { params.quality = 'best'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { params.allowscriptaccess = 'always'; } catch (Exc) { }; var attributes = {}; try { attributes.id = 'outlet'; } catch (Exc) { }; top.exd_space.refresher.ads2Refresh(new Array( 'bv-news-sports-haiti_school_popup', new Array('93223078', '300', '250', '0') )); top.exd_space.refresher.iFrm2Refresh(new Array( 'bv-news-sports-haiti_school_popup', new Array('Placement_ID', '1368494'), new Array('Domain_ID', '1017772') )); top.exd_space.refresher.mmx('bv-news-sports-haiti_school_popup', 'http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/channels/ke_blank.html', ''); swfobject.embedSWF('http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf', 'bv-news-sports-haiti_school_popup-swf', '476', '600', '8.0.0', 'http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/swfobject/expressinstall.swf', flashvars, params, attributes); top.exd_space.refresher.launcher( 'bv-news-sports-haiti_school_popup',{ dynamicSlide:[''], size:['456t'], photoNumber:['57'], title:['Haiti School Collapse'], numimages:['175'], baseImageURL:['http://o.aolcdn.com/feedgallery//'], imageurl:['fotosrch/0/20081110KEZ33_RTR.jpg'], credit:['Reuters'], source:['Reuters'], caption:['A rescue team from the U.S. try to remove debris from a school that collapsed on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince November 10, 2008. Rescuers at the collapsed are ending the hunt for survivors and will soon demolish the remains of the building, where at least 87 people were killed. REUTERS/ Eduardo Munoz (HAITI)'], dims:['http://o.aolcdn.com/dims/PGMC/5/410/274/70/'], showDisclaimerText:[''], disclaimerText:['BlackVoices.com'], CSS_Title:[''], CSS_Caption:[''], CSS_Disclaimer:[''], CSS_Container:[''], CSS_Border:[''], CSS_PhotoWell:[''], CSS_photoHolder:[''], CSS_Buttons:[''], CSS_BtnOver:[''], CSS_Scroll:[''], topMargin:['0,0,410,274,408,269,0,0'] } );


It's time we black folk started adopting a global view and started looking at ourselves as citizens of an Africus Mundi and reach out to places that need help in becoming self-sufficient. Haiti is one of the poorest nations in the world because for so long it has been mired in internal strife, poverty, disease and hunger, much more so than its neighbors in the Caribbean.

The solution for any country to get out of poverty is to creat