New Condoleezza Rice Memoir: No Higher Honor

CONDOLEEZZA RICE’S NO HIGHER HONOR: A MEMOIR OF MY YEARS IN WASHINGTON, TO BE PUBLISHED ON NOVEMBER 1, 2011 BY CROWN


New York, NY (August 25, 2011) — No Higher Honor by Condoleezza Rice will be published on November 1, 2011, by Crown Publishers. The No Higher Honor memoir is a vivid and forthright account of Rice’s experiences as U.S. National Security Advisor and Secretary of State during the administration of President George W. Bush.

The book will be released simultaneously in the U.S. and Canada in hardcover, e-book, and audio formats. No Higher Honor will also be issued in the United Kingdom by Simon & Schuster UK.

From 2001 through 2004, Rice served as the nation’s first female National Security Advisor, a role that deepened her bond with President Bush and ultimately made her one of his closest confidantes. In 2005, she was confirmed as the 66th U.S. Secretary of State and entrusted with shaping and carrying forward the President’s foreign policy. As America’s chief diplomat, Rice traveled almost continuously around the globe seeking common ground among friends, allies and sometimes bitter enemies, forging international agreements on divisive issues, and compiling a remarkable record of achievement.

Music Playlist: Songs For New York City Hurricane

Songs you can play while trying to survive this deadly hurricane. Stay safe NYC!!



Music Playlist: Songs For Hurricanes #NP Judy Henske (1963) – Wade in the Water http://youtu.be/q_LkPVyORec 

Music Playlist: Songs For Hurricanes #NP The Doors – Riders on the Storm (original album version) –  http://youtu.be/5qRJIBtbc2c

Music Playlist: Songs For Hurricanes #NP The Alarm – Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke? http://youtu.be/UcEJfCjAuGA

Music Playlist: Songs For Hurricanes #NP Storm Warning Bonnie Raitt http://youtu.be/qAGXPKNPK_M

Music Playlist: Songs For Hurricanes #NP U2 – ELECTRICAL STORM http://youtu.be/CbsTMkttmWM

Music Playlist: Songs For Hurricanes #NP Bryan Ferry/ Roxy Music – - ” Like A Hurricane ” http://youtu.be/CbsTMkttmWM

Music Playlist: Songs For Hurricanes #NP Bob Dylan – A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall http://youtu.be/jHrK6L91BgA

Music Playlist: Songs For Hurricanes #NP Scorpions – Rock You Like A Hurricane http://youtu.be/9Me_tXyq_t4

Music Playlist: Songs For Hurricanes #NP Bad Moon Rising Creedence Clearwater Revival http://youtu.be/UYnySGM9dQA

NYC Hurricane Irene: Evacuation Information

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has ordered the mandatory evacuation of people in ZONE A of NYC and all of the Rockaways. Shelters will be open by 4 p.m. Friday. Evacuations were underway as early as Friday morning in other locations of the tristate.

Updated: Friday, 26 Aug 2011, 1:58 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 26 Aug 2011, 9:13 AM EDT



New Yorkers: Use Twitter to follow Hurricane Updates @NYCMayorsOffice @NotifyNYC and @311NYC #NYC #Hurricane #Irene

Hurricane Irene: NYC Evacuation Map http://www.docstoc.com/docs/91979612/?ct=40&utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=46&utm_content=587&alt=c70120da-acf7-41e4-8782-a67fd0d6993a

Evacuation routes and shelter information for the New York City area—> http://bit.ly/nVQZ8k

Animal Shelter - RUFF HOUSE RESCUE (QUEENS): Anyone who can take a dog or transport one to the bronx pls call Vicky at 516 557 5915 we are evacuating today.

 Hurricane Irene: Evacuation Information http://tinyurl.com/3kr849s
 
MYFOXNY.COM – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has ordered the mandatory evacuation of people in ZONE A of NYC and all of the Rockaways. Shelters will be open by 4 p.m. Friday. Evacuations were underway as early as Friday morning in other locations of the tristate.

Here you will find information on who is being evacuated, evacuation routes and what to bring if you’re being evacuated. Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered a Mandatory Evacuation in all of Zone A in New York CIty and The Rockaways (Zone A and Zone B.)

Read more: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/hurricane-irene-evacuation-information-20110826-KC#ixzz1W9zqAmCz

Zora Neal Hurston Quote

I am not tragically colored. There is no great sorrow dammed up in my soul, nor lurking behind my eyes. I do not mind at all. I do not belong to that sobbing school of Negrohood who hold that nature somehow has given them a lowdown dirty deal. Even in the helter-skelter skirmish that is my life, I have seen that the world is to the strong regardless of a little pigmentation more or less. No, I do not weep at the world — I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.  ~ Zora Neale Hurston

HHR Music Video: Maroon 5 - "Moves Like Jagger" ft. Christina Aguilera

#NP Maroon 5 - "Moves Like Jagger" ft. Christina Aguilera http://t.co/E8I6mKK Catchy, catchy, Ol' "Mick" Jagger certainly knew how to move.

Charles K. Djou: I’m Running for Congress!

A year ago I had the great privilege of serving the people of Hawai‘i as their representative in Congress. While there, I worked with Republicans and Democrats alike to achieve the common goal of making life better for the people of Hawai‘i and this great nation.

As I watched the partisan squabbling over the debt ceiling, I expected our congressional representatives to come forward with proposed solutions, some plan or at least an explanation of what the debate meant and how it affected Hawai‘i. My expectations were met with silence. I heard no solutions, saw no plans and heard precious few updates.

As we look to our future, we cannot afford passive representation. The budget debate matters as our nation’s debt has been downgraded for the first time in history. At stake is nothing less than whether we will continue to be a great nation or whether we will slide into obsolescence. At stake is whether our children will find good jobs, whether our families will be able to stay in Hawai‘i, whether we will have the resources to protect our environment and provide the social services we pledged to provide.

Fred Siegel: Who Lost the Middle Class?

Forty years from now, politicians, writers, and historians may struggle to understand how America, once the quintessential middle-class society, became as socially stratified as Europe or even Brazil.

Should that dark scenario come to pass, they would do well to turn their attention first to New York City and New York State, which have been in the vanguard of middle-class decline.

It was in mid-1960s New York—under the leadership of a Barack Obama precursor, Hollywood-handsome John Lindsay—that the country’s first top-bottom political coalition emerged. In 1965, Gotham had more manufacturing jobs than any other city in the country.

But the city’s political elites used eminent domain to push manufacturing aside in favor of business services; they also expanded social programs to help African-Americans and Puerto Ricans. The service sector proved rough going for the less educated, and the social programs failed. New York City responded by inflating its unionized public-sector workforce to incorporate minority workers.

Higher taxes to pay for bigger government joined higher crime to produce a massive exodus of manufacturing and middle-class jobs. Over the last 45 years, New York has led the country in outmigration. A recent study by E. J. McMahon and Robert Scardamalia of the Empire…

Read More: http://www.city-journal.org/2011/eon0811fs.html

The Police - King of Pain

#nowplaying "King of Pain" by The Police ♫ http://t.co/UskDxL9 A classic for all ages...





The Police were an English rock trio, from London, England, formed originally in 1977. The trio consisted of Gordon Sumner, widely known by his stage name of Sting (lead vocals, bass guitar), Andy Summers (guitar, vocals) and Stewart Copeland (drums, vocals, percussion).

The band became globally popular in the late 1970s and are generally regarded as one of the first New Wave groups to achieve mainstream success, playing a style of rock that was influenced by jazz, punk and reggae music.

Their 1983 album, Synchronicity, was number one in the UK and the US and sold over 8,000,000 copies in the US. The band broke up in 1984, but reunited in early 2007 for a one-off world tour lasting until August 2008, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of their hit single "Roxanne" and also, to a lesser extent, that of their formation as a group. The Police have sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, and became the world's highest-earning musicians in 2008, thanks to their reunion tour.

Robert Turner: “The Help” — A Review

By Robert Turner

Set in and around Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960s, at the start of the civil rights movement, The Help offers up a powerful statement of selflessness, tenacity, and strength among southern black women who work in the homes of southern white women.

They cook, clean, take care of the little white babies, and just about everything else around the house. I couldn’t help but initially wonder if this was going to be a black version of Steel Magnolias. It was not!

The stellar cast of Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, and Viola Davis, along with smaller but great performances from Cicely Tyson, Allison Janney, Sissy Spacek, and True Blood’s Nelsan Ellis all add to the excellent writing of Tate Taylor (screenplay) and Kathryn Stockett (novel).

While the movie definitely shows the ugliness of the day, it instead focuses on the optimism of those who are considered the help.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune said it best, “But as filled with contradictions as it is — genteel but prejudiced, mannered but mean, home to the most civilized brand of cruelty you ever did see — it’s built on tradition.”

It is human story that will make you laugh out loud and break your heart. But it’s a story that is brought from a different perspective. It touches on domestic violence, racism (“There are real racists in this town!”), social status, the failed desires to start a family, and ‘an imaginative sympathy that gets beneath the skin of its characters and into their hearts,’ to paraphrase the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Thompson Ayodele: U.S., copy Nigeria: Boost oil output

     

The United States routinely faces accusations that its addiction to oil is the cornerstone of its interventionist foreign policy. From Kuwait in 1991 to Iraq in 2003 to Libya today, many believe that the United States is primarily concerned with protecting its oil interests.

These accusations have gained currency because America consumes huge amounts of imported oil. The real problem, however, lies in dependence on foreign oil and continued refusal to ease restrictions on domestic production. While America relies on foreign oil, it remains hesitant to tap into its own bounties of oil along the Gulf of Mexico and the West Coast into Alaska. This unwillingness impairs economic growth and job creation. It also encourages the argument that U.S. involvement in the Middle East is solely for the sake of oil.

As a Nigerian, I have seen firsthand just how much potential the oil and natural-gas industries hold for economic growth. Nigeria is now the largest producer of oil in Africa, with crude oil accounting for 40 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

By making the most of this natural resource, Nigeria saw 7.6 percent average annual economic growth from 2003 to 2010. Loosening restrictions on domestic oil exploration and development offers economic stimulus in job creation and increased government revenue.

A study by the American Petroleum Institute says that increasing access to U.S. oil could create 530,000 American jobs badly needed in the aftermath of the global economic meltdown and consequently deliver $150 billion more in revenue to the government by 2025. Estimates of oilfield potential are now far more accurate, and many places previously deemed unworthy of exploration are proving to be rich in resources. Older technology was used to estimate that Alaska’s Prudhoe Bay oilfield contained a total of 9 billion barrels. It has already produced over 15 billion.

"Hip Hop & Libertarians"

Public Enemy – Can’t Do Nuttin’ For Ya Man (The best #libertarian rap song ever)…you want 6$ for what??




It is true, the twin libertarian ideals of wealth and individualism are promoted passionately in rap music. In fact, both themes are so important that they, more often than not, comprise the entire subject matter of most rap songs. The time rappers don’t spend enumerating their lavish purchases (rare), they spend tirelessly promoting themselves as the greatest poet, musician, jewelry model, venture capitalist, gangsta, etc., among their peers. This competition, as Mr. Hartfield noted, is textbook rugged individualism. Indeed, J.P. Morgan couldn’t have scripted it any better.

This is the type of confident self-assertion detested by socialists. The only thing they hate more than confident individualism is materialistic desire, and rap provides both in spades. 50 Cent, for example, rose from the adversity of nine bullet holes in his flesh to acquire great fame and wealth. That type of capitalistic work ethic makes Jack Welsh look like a lazy slob.

Amy Winehouse - Back To Black

Amy Winehouse's 'Back to Black' amazing song Re-enters Top 10 on Billboard Chart | Amy, Rest In Peace :(

Amy Winehouse's legacy is not only her music!

                                                    
Dying at such a young age is always very sad and tragic. And although, Winehouse’s death – which could have been caused by an overdose – was a great shock it unfortunately was not a surprise. Her short life although troubled was full and rich – with her music she reached and touched millions all over the world.

Her vivid lyrics and powerful unique voice will stay the test of time but her true legacy is her troubled soul and addictive self destructive personality. It will be a waste to talk about one without the other – because Amy’s story is a reminder to all that drugs and alcohol are lethal weapons, their excessive use and dependency should be treated seriously.