Health Insurance Consumer Protections

The Security You Get From health Insurance Reform:

• No Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions - Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.

• No Exorbitant Out-of-Pokect Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays - Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.

• No Cost-Sharing for Preventiave Care - Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mamograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.

• No Dropping of Coverage for Seriously ILL - Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.

• No Gender Discrinmination - Isurace companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.

• No Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage - Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverate you receive.

• Extended Covrge for Young Adults - Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.

• Guaranteed Insurance Renewal - Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the ploicyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.
  
  

Open Bar at Current

ASSI - A friend and I had the pleasure of attending a Happy Hour at Current where there was an open bar from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Current is located at 1215 Connecticut Avenue, NW. We had an enjoyable time, the DJ was really good; however, it was our first time. According to Current's site it is, Washington's newest sushi/lounge that combines a new intricately designed with traditional and modern Japanese cuisine. Current was developed with modern luxury yacht details in mind. Hardwood floors cover the "deck" and long glass bar tops glow to accent the wavy metal pieces below. Water tanks of moving colorful waves are set in the ceiling, enhancing the nautical theme.

Guest can sit at the open interactive sushi bar and watch as their chefs create innovative had rolls that showcase a modern twist to sushi. Traditional items such as miso soup, California and Dragon rolls are made to order. Seasonal fish and produce are brought in fresh from the finest global and local markets. A variety of fusion style hot dishes are also available. An extensive offering of sake, wine, beer , and signature cocktails complements, the menu.

Diners can continue their experience by traveling up the floating staircase to the upscale lounge area where a DJ spins Thursday through Saturday after 10 p.m. For those who want to see and be seen, you can reserved tables for bottle service.

Bipolar Disorder is a disease thought to be caused by changes in the chemistry of the brain. The symptoms and severity of the condition can vary, but with the proper treatment, Bipolar Disorder symptoms can be managed,

People experience different moods throughout their lives. Happiness, anger, and depression are moods most people experience at one time or another. There is a difference between the various moods most people experience and the episodes of “severe mood swings” experienced by people with Bipolar Disorder.

Among the more than five million adults in America who have Bipolar Disorder, these “mood swings” can be extreme or frequent. These changes in mood aren’t as simple as transitioning from “happy” to “sad.” With Bipolar Disorder, symptoms can include both a lowering of mood (depression) and an exaggerated elevation of mood (mania). These changes occur in cycles and are referred to as “episodes.” People with Bipolar Disorder experience extreme mood swings that can take three different forms: manic, depressive, and mixed episodes.

While the causes of Bipolar Disorder are still unknown, the symptoms are thought to be triggered by an imbalance of some key chemicals in the brain. The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells that move a constant stream of information from one cell to another. To keep the information flowing, these cells release chemicals known as “neurotransmitters” that are needed for brain function. Many scientists believe that when the levels of these neurotransmitters are too high or too low, this may result in symptoms of Bipolar Disorder, such as extreme happiness, irritability, sadness, or a lack of energy.

There is nothing specifically that someone does to “get” Bipolar Disorder, nor is it anyone’s fault. Bipolar Disorder is a disease like other diseases that may simply occur in certain people.

Schizophrenia (pronounced /ˌskɪtsɵˈfrɛniə/ or /ˌskɪtsɵˈfriːniə/), from the Greek roots skhizein (σχίζειν, "to split") and phrēn, phren- (φρήν, φρεν-; "mind") is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a mental disorder characterized by abnormalities in the perception or expression of reality. Distortions in perception may affect all five senses, including sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch, but most commonly manifest as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking with significant social or occupational dysfunction. Onset of symptoms typically occurs in young adulthood. Diagnosis is based on the patient's self-reported experiences and observed behavior. No laboratory test for schizophrenia currently exists.
Studies suggest that genetics, early environment, neurobiology, psychological and social processes are important contributory factors; some recreational and prescription drugs appear to cause or worsen symptoms. Current psychiatric research is focused on the role of neurobiology, but no single organic cause has been found. Due to the many possible combinations of symptoms, there is debate about whether the diagnosis represents a single disorder or a number of discrete syndromes. For this reason, Eugen Bleuler (pictured above) termed the disease the schizophrenias (plural) when he coined the name. Despite its etymology, schizophrenia is not the same as dissociative identity disorder, previously known as multiple personality disorder or split personality, with which it has been erroneously confused. Increased dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway of the brain is consistently found in schizophrenic individuals. The mainstay of treatment is antipsychotic medication; this type of drug primarily works by suppressing dopamine activity. Dosages of antipsychotics are generally lower than in the early decades of their use. Psychotherapy, and vocational and social rehabilitation are also important. In more serious cases—where there is risk to self and others—involuntary hospitalization may be necessary, although hospital stays are less frequent and for shorter periods than they were in previous times. The disorder is thought to mainly affect cognition, but it also usually contributes to chronic problems with behavior and emotion. People with schizophrenia are likely to have additional (comorbid) conditions, including major depression and anxiety disorders; the lifetime occurrence of substance abuse is around 40%. Social problems, such as long-term unemployment, poverty and homelessness, are common. Furthermore, the average life expectancy of people with the disorder is 10 to 12 years less than those without, due to increased physical health problems and a higher suicide rate.

Tips for Women (What To Wear and Not Wear to Work)

Showing too much cleavage at work is #1 on the list. Studies show that women who dress in sexy attire in a professional environment are more often passed over for promotions than women who dress more conservatively.

Wearing a micro-mini may send the message that you're trying to compensate for skills you lack in other areas. People's attention will be drawn downward when they approach you, instead of toward your face where it should be. Save your minis for after office hours and, while it doesn't need to be knee length, put on a skirt that you can sit down in without showing too much thigh.

Summer materials such as organza and liquid jersey look and feel cool and pretty, but in the light of a staff meeting, they can reveal the outlines of your legs — and much more. The best solution is to check out your ensemble in a bright, naturally lit room before leaving for work. Always wear transparent blouses over camis or under jackets; transparent dresses and skirts should be layered over a slip or leggings. Buying clothes with lining — especially white pants and skirts — is always a safe choice.

When it comes to accessories in the workplace: Less is more. Costume jewelry, when worn in bulk, tends to look tacky. The real thing, on the other hand, can come off as gaudy. A boardroom-ready look includes one show stopper plus subtle accessories.

Nothing makes you look less professional than coming to the office like you're dressed for the beach. Having a cover-up like a pashmina, neutral blazer or cardigan on hand will always make an outfit look more professional.

Maxwell's Black Summers Night debuts at #1 on the Billboards Charts

AHSI......Maxwell's new CD Black Summer's night is definitely the album to have or add to you collection. The soulful ballads paint the pictures of love that we have all felt or should feel during our lives. The up tempo song Help Somebody puts you in a positive mood enabling you to respect the fact that it is better to give than receive. The love ballads Stop the World and Fistful of Tears will make you want to be with your significant other and enjoy a night or nights of romance. The only bad thing about Black Summer's Night is that it only has nine tracks and the ninth track is an instrumental. I would suggest to everyone to purchase this album. I give this LP 4 eyeballs.

Deceptive Practices at U-Save

ASSI - We rented a car from U-Save Car Rental in Tampa, Florida, and I truly believe that we were the victim of deceptive practices. We arrived at U-Save Car Rental on June 18, 2009, the shuttle picked us at from the airport, and we received a Toyota Corolla that wasn't in the best condition. There were smeared ashes in the center console between the driver and the passenger seats and ashes under the radio where you could place tapes or coins. There was also Black splashes all over the passenger floor, it look like something spilled or exploded on the floor. The vehicle was inexpensive to rent, half the price of the other car rental companies; therefore, we attribute the condition of the car to the price. Similar to the vehicles that rent-a-wreck provides for a nominal cost.

We make it a practice to read the contract prior to leaving any car rental company, primarily because the representative quickly covers key areas of the contract where the customer initials and signs, and to be certain we fully understand what is expected of us we reread the contract. Upon returning the car, we were assessed a $50.00 fee for smoking in "Smoke Free Vehicle," which was a first but I asked the representative on what basis was the fee assessed. He stated that there were smeared ashes in the vehicle. I explained to the representative that the smears were there when we received the car and the only reason it was not pointed out to you when we took possession of the vehicle was due to the fact that we didn't see anything in the contract that stated the car was a "Smoke Free Vehicle."

The Representative took out the contract and at the top of the merchant's copy there is a small blue stamp "Smoke Free Vehicle" with $50.00 printed even smaller under it. I asked the representative why that was not covered prior to me signing and initialing the contract. The Representative stated that I should have read the contract. I stated that I had read the copy of the contract that I was provided. It is clearly not printed on my copy nor did I initial that I was aware that I would be responsible if the vehicle had any evidence of smoking, which would have prevented me from taking possession of that car.

I phoned the corporate office to address this as a deceptive practice, the regional manager stated that he needed to speak to the owner of the Tampa location, Ms. Lisa Sissler. Ms. Sissler, phoned the manager and stated that she was unwilling to remove the charge, Mr. Foster apologized for her unwillingness to credit us, and provided her direct number so that I could personally speak with her. I left a detail voicemail for Ms. Sissler, but to no avail. Therefore, as I see it, it does not pay to go the less expensive route with a smaller establishment, due to the quality of the vehicles and lack of customer service. It is worth it to spend more up front to avoid additional charges on the back end for uncovered conditions that can be assessed to the customer.

It appears that U-Save car rental wrongly assessed charges to customers as a means to make additional money. If it is an enforced in fraction why isn't covered? I had to initial the decline of insurance, the odometer reading, that the car would not be taken out of Florida, and I had to provide my insurance information. This is why I believe that the "Smoke Free" stamp that is only on the merchant's copy that lacks a place for an initial and isn't cover is deceptive.

Jury Duty for Donna Brazil

ASSI - When I walked into the courthouse and saw Donna Brazil standing in line. I felt like a groupie, I was excited at the possibility of having a face-to-face conversation with her, and I really wanted to know what kind of reading material she had in her tote bag. She is one of the most influential political pundits affiliated with the democratic party, my love for politics, especially when she is on tv captures and keeps my attention. When she walked into the Jurors lounge, I said good morning Donna and she said hello, and I immediately got goose bumps. I had a OMG moment. Then I pondered if it would be a good idea to seat near her to pick her brain. After pondering this thought for several seconds, I mustered the courage to go and sit in the same row with her, and I asked "can I bother you?" Poor choice of words but hey that's what came out at the moment. She matter of factually said, "I am tired!" with that said, I continued to sit near her and read my paper, book, and watch the selected G movie provided for potential jurors. Ms. Brazil was very understated no make-up, finger combed hair, Black pants with a linen lime green long sleeved cover, a White cotton tank underneath, and Black New Balance sneakers, which made me smile. Due to issues that I have with my feet, I have to wear orthodox and New Balances are the preferred sneakers. Donna busied herself with the paper, checking and sending emails, and she also listened to the Confirmation Hearing for Judge Sonya Sotomayor. Perhaps Ms. Brazil did not want to bring any attention to herself; therefore, she remained seated in the same spot with the exception of when one of the clerks asked to speak with her. During the lunch break she moved up one row so that she could stay plugged into her work. She is definitely one of my Sheros and it was truly my pleasure seeing her and sitting next to her; even though, I was unable to have conversation with her.

FORBES’ HIP-HOP CASH KINGS 2009

1. Jay-Z :: $35 Million
2. Sean “Diddy” Combs :: $30 Million
3. Kanye West :: $25 Million
4. 50 Cent & Akon :: $20 Million each
6. Lil Wayne :: $18 Million
7. Timbaland :: $17 Million
8. Pharell Williams :: $16 Million
9. T-Pain :: $15 Million
10. Eminem :: $14 Million
11. Dr. Dre :: $13 Million
12. Snoop Dogg :: $11 Million
13. Ludacris :: $10 Million
14. Common, will.i.am, T.I., & Swizz Beatz :: $8 Million each
18. Andre 3000 & Big Boi :: $7 Million each
20. Flo Rida, Rick Ross, The Game, & Young Jeezy :: $6 Million

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (often called TB) is an infectious disease that usually attacks the lungs, but can attack almost any part of the body. Tuberculosis is spread from person to person through the air.
When people with TB in their lungs or throat cough, laugh, sneeze, sing, or even talk, the germs that cause TB may spread throughout the air. If another person breathes in these germs there is a chance that they will become infected with tuberculosis. Repeated contact is usually required for infection.
It is important to understand that there is a difference between being infected with TB and having TB disease. Someone who is infected with TB has the TB germs, or bacteria, in their body. The body's defenses are protecting them from the germs and they are not sick. This is referred to as latent TBI.
Someone with TB disease is sick and can spread the disease to other people. A person with TB disease needs to see a doctor as soon as possible. This is referred to as active TBII.
It is not easy to become infected with tuberculosis. Usually a person has to be close to someone with TB disease for a long period of time. TB is usually spread between family members, close friends, and people who work or live together. TB is spread most easily in closed spaces over a long period of time. However, transmission in an airplane, although rare, has been documented.
Even if someone becomes infected with tuberculosis, that does not mean they will get TB disease. Most people who become infected do not develop TB disease because their body's defenses protect them. Most active cases of TB disease result from activating old infection in people with impaired immune systems.
Someone in the world is newly infected with TB bacilli every second and one-third of the world’s population is currently infected with TB.1 Only about 10 percent of these people will develop TB disease in their lifetime. The other 90 percent will never get sick from the TB germs or be able to spread them to other people.2
TB is an increasing and major world wide problem, especially in Africa where the spread has been facilitated by AIDS. It is estimated that nearly 1 billion people will become newly infected, over 150 million will become sick, and 36 million will die worldwide between now and 2020 – if control is not strengthened further. Each year there are more than 8.8 million cases and close to 1.6 million deaths attributed to TB.3
Anyone can get TB. However, some groups are at higher risk to get active TB disease. The groups that are at high risk include:
People with HIV infection (the AIDS virus)
People in close contact with those known to be infectious with TB
People with medical conditions that make the body less able to protect itself from disease (for example: diabetes, the dust disease silicosis, or people undergoing treatment with drugs that can suppress the immune system, such as long-term use of corticosteroids)
Foreign-born people from countries with high TB rates
People who work in or are residents of long-term care facilities (nursing homes, prisons, some hospitals)
Health care workers and others such as prison guards
People who are malnourished
Alcoholics, IV drug users and people who are homeless
A person with TB infection will have no symptoms. A person with active TB disease may have any, all or none of the following symptoms:
A persistent cough
Constant fatigue
Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Fever
Coughing up blood
Night sweats
These symptoms can also occur with other diseases so it is important to see a doctor and to let the doctor determine if you have TB.
It is also important to remember that a person with TB disease may feel perfectly healthy or may only have a cough from time to time. If you think you have been exposed to TB, get a TB skin test.
There are two possible ways a person can become sick with TB disease:
The first applies to a person who may have been infected with TB for years and has been perfectly healthy. The time may come when this person suffers a change in health. The cause of this change may be due to a variety of reasons such as another disease like AIDS or diabetes, drug or alcohol abuse, lack of access to health care and homelessness.
Whatever the cause may be, when the body's ability to protect itself is compromised, TB infection can become active TB disease. In this way, a person may become sick with TB disease months or even years after they first breathed in the TB germs.
The other way TB disease develops happens much more quickly. Sometimes when a person first breathes in the TB germs the body is unable to protect itself against the disease. The germs then develop into active TB disease within weeks.
The TB skin test is a way to find out if a person has TB infection. Although there is more than one TB skin test, the preferred method of testing is to use the Mantoux test.4For this test, a small amount of testing material is placed just below the top layers of skin, usually on the arm. Two to three days later a health care worker checks the arm to see if a bump has developed and measures the size of the bump. The significance of the size of the bump is determined in conjunction with risk factors for TB.Once the doctor knows that a person has TB infection he or she will want to determine if the person has TB disease. This is done by using several other tests including a chest X-ray and a test of a person's mucus (the material that is sometimes coughed up from the lungs).
Treatment for TB depends on whether a person has active TB disease or only TB infection.5
A person who has become infected with TB, but does not have active TB disease, may be given preventive therapy. Preventive therapy aims to kill germs that are not doing any damage right now, but could so do.
If a doctor decides a person should receive preventive therapy, the usual prescription is a daily dose of isoniazid (also called "INH"); an inexpensive TB medicine. The person takes INH for nine months (up to a year for some patients), with periodic checkups to make sure the medicine is being taken as prescribed.
Years ago a patient with TB disease was placed in a special hospital for months, maybe even years, and would often have surgery. Today, TB can be treated with very effective drugs.
Often the patient will only have to stay a short time in the hospital and can then continue taking medication at home. Sometimes the patient will not have to stay in the hospital at all. After a few weeks a person can probably even return to normal activities and not have to worry about infecting others.
The patient usually gets a combination of several drugs (most frequently INH plus two to three others including rifampin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol). The patient will probably begin to feel better only a few weeks after starting to take the drugs.
It is very important, however, that the patient continue to take the medicine correctly for the full length of treatment. If the medicine is taken incorrectly or stopped the patient may become sick again and will be able to infect others with TB. As a result, public health authorities recommend Directly Observed Therapy (DOT), in which a health care worker insures that the patient takes his/her medicine.
If the medicine is taken incorrectly and the patient becomes sick with TB a second time, the TB may be harder to treat because it has become drug resistant. This means that the TB germs in the body are unaffected by some drugs used to treat TB. Multi-drug resistant TB is very dangerous, so patients should be sure that they take all of their medicine correctly.
Regular checkups are needed to see how treatment is progressing. Sometimes the drugs used to treat TB can cause side effects. It is important both for people undergoing preventive therapy and people being treated for TB disease to immediately let a doctor know if they begin having any unusual symptoms.
Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (called MDR-TB for short) is a very dangerous form of tuberculosis. Some TB germs become resistant to the effects of some TB drugs. This happens when TB disease is not properly treated.
These resistant germs can then cause TB disease. The TB disease they cause is much harder to treat because the drugs do not kill the germs. MDR-TB can be spread to others, just like regular TB.
It is important that patients with TB disease follow their doctor's instructions for taking their TB medicine so that they will not develop MDR-TB.
Once treatment begins, a patient ordinarily quickly becomes noninfectious; that is, they cannot spread the disease to others.
There is little danger from the TB patient who is being treated, is taking his or her medication continuously, and is responding well. The drugs usually make the patient noninfectious within weeks.
TB is spread by germs in the air, germs put there by coughing or sneezing. Handling a patient’s bed sheets, books, furniture, or eating utensils does not spread infection.
Brief exposure to a source of TB rarely infects a person. It's day-after-day close contact that usually does it.
A negative reaction usually means that you are not infected and no treatment is needed. However, if you have TB symptoms your doctor must continue to look for the cause. Sometimes, when a person has only recently been infected, or when his or her immune system isn't working properly, the test may be falsely negative.

Occipital Cervical Fusion

The purpose of this information is to enhance your neurosurgical education so that you and your family understand your problem and how surgery will relieve your symptoms.

In order to fully comprehend your surgical procedure, it’s helpful to have background knowledge of a normal healthy spine. The neck is the upper portion of the spine and is part of a long flexible column known as the spinal column. Twenty-four connected bones (vertebrae) make up this column. The seven bones in your neck are referred to as the cervical spine. These vertebrae look similar to building blocks, since each is stacked atop of each other. Every vertebra is separated by a cushion, which is called an intervertebral disk (also spelled disc).
The outer, thick ring on the edges of the disk is the annulus; the spongy center is the nucleus. The annulus serves as a gasket with a goal to keep the nucleus moist. Because of the soft, gelatin-like centers, the intervertebral disks serve as shock absorbing pads in your neck and prevent the rubbing of one bone against another. Also, these cushions provide the flexibility of your cervical spine, allowing you to turn your head freely.
Attached to the back of these vertebral bodies is a bone arch that provides an open space, the spinal canal, down the spine. This space houses the spinal cord and nerve bundles. The spinal cord itself is bathed in cerebrospinal fluid (fluid that circulates through your spine and brain) and is covered by several protective membranes. At each vertebral level, i.e., each building block of bone, a pair of spinal nerves exit, one to the left and one to the right, off the spinal cord through a small opening called a foramen. These nerves provide the relay of messages to and from the brain, allowing us to move our body and to feel sensation. Nerves that exit through the cervical spine affect the neck, shoulder, arms, and hands. Additionally, muscles and ligaments are attached to the vertebrae and support the spinal cord and nerves.
Numerous cervical spine disorders require surgery for relief of painful symptoms. One of the basic underlying factors associated with most spine disorders is the dehydration of the disks. As we age (starting around 30), the gelatin-like centers dry out and become flattened, causing the vertebrae to lose height and its healthy resilience. With this degeneration, the vertebrae get closer together and cause nerve irritation, which usually stems from a ruptured disc, bone spurs, or stenosis.
Herniated Disk-Herniated cervical disk is a common neck pain diagnosis. You may have heard some interchangeable terminology: ruptured disk, slipped disc, and herniated nucleus pulposus are the same disorder. With this condition, the center of the nucleus bulges through the annulus and presses on a nerve, resulting in neck or arm pain, or weakness in the arm. Some herniated cervical disks occur from injuries or sudden movements: most (80%) arise spontaneously and often occur at night while sleeping
Bone Spurs & Spinal Stenosis-With the aging wear and tear of the spine, some patients develop bony outgrowths. These growths are bone spurs, also known as osteophytes. Bone spurs are the body’s natural response to the inflammation that results from the aging spine. The collection of calcium that turns into the bone spur is a type of natural fusion. However, as they grow and extend, the vertebral openings become narrow. Either the spinal canal and/or the foramen, the opening for nerve passageways, become smaller. This narrowing is stenosis, and results in a pinching (compression) of the spinal or cord or the spinal nerve root. Symptoms include pain, weakness, numbness and loss of coordination in the neck or upper extremities.
Anterior Cervical FusionNeck movement (vertebral motion) causes the chronic pain. This neurosurgical procedure is performed to relieve the pressure on one or more nerve roots, or on the spinal cord. It involves the stabilization of two or more vertebrae by locking them together (fusing them). The fusion stops the vertebral motion and as a result, the pain is also stopped.
Anterior refers to the front; meaning that the surgeon reaches the cervical spine through a small incision in the front of the neck, usually within a skin fold line under the chin. After retracting neck muscles, the neurosurgeon uses an operating microscope and removes the affected intervertebral disk, which takes the pressure off the nerves or spinal cord. This is called decompression. He then replaces it with a bone graft that will fuse the vertebrae together over time.
A bone graft is a plug of bone that allows the fusion of bone to happen. It is obtained from a bone bank, which collects, treats, and stores bone. The bone comes from human donors who are recently deceased. This type of graft is referred to as allograft bone. The preformed bone plug is safe and will not be rejected by your body. It is acellular, meaning it contains no blood cells.
In some cases, the neurosurgeon may use instrumentation. This terminology refers to metal plates or pins that may be necessary to provide extra pressure and support to the neck and to make sure that the bones fuse adequately.
A cervical fusion procedure takes between 2 and 6 hours. The length of time depends upon the number of vertebrae involved, whether instrumentation is indicated, and other factors.

Both Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgeons are fully versed and trained in the performance of these types of procedures. An Anterior Cervical Microdiscectomy and Fusion is one of the most straightforward procedures performed by these surgeons. The success rate is high, and it is a type of procedure that would not typically require a "spine specialist". Fellowship training subsequent to Orthopaedic or Neurosurgical sub-specialty training leads to sub-specialization within that given area. But, as was stated previously this type of procedure is the simplest type of cervical spine procedure performed.

The King of Pop Memorialized

ASSI - Michael Jackson was laid to rest today. A Memorial was held at the Staple Center in Los Angeles, CA in his honor. I am hopeful that his artistry will be remembered for centuries to come and that his music will be in constant rotation on every Pop, R & B, and Hip Hop radio station around the globe. However, as a man, many people have fault with his alleged child molestation and infatuation with children, such as Peter King, a Congressman from Long Island, NY latched out at the media regarding the amount of coverage that Michael Jackson received after his passing. Clearly Mr. King lacks the understanding of what an Iconic figure Michael Jackson was, not only musically, but his humanitarian efforts speaks volumes for the kind of Philanthropist he was and is, he has provision in his Will that leaves money to a couple of charities. I was moved when his daughter, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson said a few words in memory of her father. Although there were good performances by Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Jermaine Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and a few others the mood was somber and not as celebratory as the BET Awards. Michael is gone and the world will move on but I am truly hopeful that we continue to dance, shout, and shake our bodies down to the ground.

Steve McNair's Tragic Death

ASSI - Steve McNair died tragically on July 4, 2009. Steve is a former football quarterback for the Ravens where he played for two seasons and the Oilers/Titans for I believe 11 years. The rumor that surrounded his death was surprising to me. He was shot four times at close range twice to the body and the head, there was a twenty year old woman's body (Sahel Kazemi) found next to him in a condo that McNair owned with Wayne Neeley a sporting goods dealer, the Ford Explorer that Kazemi was driving the night that she was arrested for Drinking Under the Influence of alcohol was supposedly in both their names (he was permitted to leave the scene in a taxi), and that the young woman purchased a gun two days prior to their deaths. Many thoughts ran through my head, did she have a boyfriend that caught them together, did his wife catch them together, or was it a robbery gone wrong. When I learned it was a murder suicide, I was truly in disbelief...what transpired to cause this young woman to murder him and commit suicide? According to several stories that I have read, Sahel was from Iran, raised by an aunt in Florida after her parents died in Iran, she moved to Nashville with a former boyfriend where she met McNair at a local Dave and Busters, she was a waitress, and truly believed that McNair was going to leave his wife for her. When will we learn that cheating is not the answer? My prayers are with his family, wife, and children. May they have the strength needed to mourn the loss of a son, father, and husband.