Woman stabbed to death

CRIME & JUSTICE "Fatal Stabbing A woman was fatally stabbed yesterday morning in Northwest Washington, D.C. police said.Gloria Banks, 49, of the 1700 block of H Street NE was found about 4:45 a.m. in the 1900 block of 14th Street NW, police said. She had been stabbed several times and was taken to Washington Hospital Center, where she was pronounced dead.Anyone with information is urged to call police at 202-727-9099."

Man stabbed to death in NE

"One man was killed and another was critically injured when they were stabbed during an argument in Northeast Washington early yesterday, police said.Investigators are searching for a suspect, said police spokesman Sgt. Joe Gentile.The altercation began around 1 a.m. in the 4800 block of Fort Totten Drive Northeast, then spilled into the 5000 block, at which point the suspect stabbed the men before fleeing.One of the victims ran into an apartment building in the 4800 block and was later taken by emergency personnel to a hospital. Gentile declined to identify the hospital because the victim is a possible witness.The other man showed no signs of life when investigators found him on the street. He was later pronounced dead. Police have not released his name." WP

Long & Foster Discrimination

"The Alexandria Commission on Human Rights issued a unanimous ruling on Aug. 22 declaring that the Long & Foster Real Estate Company engaged in housing discrimination by denying the sale of an Alexandria house to a gay man."Washington Blade Online

Fenty Kick-Off Rally Sept. 10

At 11am on September 10th at the African American Civil War Memorial (10th and U Streets NW), we will hold a rally to kick off our campaign’s efforts with almost exactly one year until Election Day. The rally on U St. will include music, exciting giveaways, and a rousing speech from Adrian Fenty.

Simply put, it’s an event any Fenty supporter won’t want to miss.

The initial months of the campaign have been tremendous: Nearly 1,500 yard signs are already up. Over $215,000 has been raised. And we have a campaign, a message, and a candidate that are clearly resonating with residents across the city.

Now's the time to rally, and to kick off our campaign with a bang.

So, bring your family, bring your friends, and bring your neighbors: September 10th will be a day to remember for the Adrian Fenty campaign for Mayor!

Cropp to announce Sept. 7

"D.C. Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp said yesterday evening that she will officially declare her candidacy for mayor Sept. 7.

In a phone interview, Cropp (D) declined to answer questions about her candidacy, deferring inquiries until next month. Reporters first received word of her intentions in a one-sentence e-mail. She had already given clear signs of her plans, saying last month that 'it looks fairly strong that I would run.'" WP

Tens years to close Walter Reed

Don't look to buy a condo there yet

"One reason Ms. Smith said she isn't panicking is because employees were told in a staff meeting earlier this summer that it will take at least a decade to close down Walter Reed.

'By that time, everybody at Walter Reed now will either be retired or dead,' said Ms. Smith, who is slated to retire in seven years.
" - WT

18-yr-old shot dead in NE

"Man Slain An 18-year-old man was fatally shot in Northeast Washington early yesterday, D.C. police said.Brian Thomas was found dead by officers about 2:15 a.m. in the 700 block of Oglethorpe Street NE, police said. Thomas, who lived in that block, had been shot several times, police said. CRIME & JUSTICE

Life after Walter Reed

The big question on Walter Reed is what the Feds will do with the property. If they hand it over to D.C. there are some great possiblities for it. But if they they keep it as some closed off office area, then nothing much will changeee in that area.

"By the same token, one could imagine a more favorable outcome:One in which Walter Reed becomes one of the most desirable, mixed-race neighborhoods in the city, finally spurring the retail development that has eluded Georgia Avenue for decades." Base Closings Are An Open Door

Two shot dead

"Fatal Shooting A 19-year-old man has died of injuries suffered in a shooting Tuesday night in Southeast Washington, D.C. police said.Devon Johnson of the 1200 block of North Capitol Street was shot in the back about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 1700 block of 16th Street SE, police said. Johnson died the next morning at Howard University Hospital, police said.Slaying in NW

A 41-year-old man was fatally shot yesterday in Northwest Washington, police said.James Richard Cousart Jr. was found about 1:30 a.m. in the 1400 block of First Street, police said. He had been shot several times. Cousart, of the 1800 block of Kendall Street NE, died at Washington Hospital Center, authorities said." CRIME & JUSTICE

D.C. housing market finally cools

The insane hoeing market in D.C. has finally taken a breather. Don't know if there will be decreases in prices, except in areas where it is mostly investors, and not actual homebuyers. If this means less 'luxury Condos' I won't complain. "The number of homes sold in the District dropped 18 percent in July from June and was lower than in the same month in the three previous years, according to statistics Kendrick compiles based on information from the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors. The inventory of available homes was 18 percent higher than it was one year earlier." July Home Sales Slip But Remain Strong

Raspberry on Roberts

A Bad Shift for the Court
"It isn't his conservatism, my friend said, but the too-smooth path by which Roberts has arrived at this juncture. Son of a wealthy steel executive, Roberts attended private schools, Harvard and Harvard Law School, then held a federal appeals court clerkship, followed a year later by a clerkship with Supreme Court Justice (now Chief Justice) William Rehnquist.

He then was named special assistant to the U.S. attorney general, and associate counsel to the president (at age 27) before joining one of Washington's top law firms. Then Roberts went to the office of the solicitor general of the United States and, for the past two years, a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

The point: Nothing in that glide path suggests exposure to anything that might temper his conservative philosophy with real-life exposure to the problems and concerns of ordinary men and women. Roberts is undeniably bright, said my friend, but his life has been one of quite extraordinary privilege.

And then it occurred to me: Roberts's life has been amazingly like that of the man who wants to put him on the court -- but with better grades."

Let's see whay you can do Mr. Orange

This seems to be a challenging situation - and very much of what the City will be facing for the next decade or more. How to balance the need to redevelop while respecting the long-time residents. Mr. Orange, if you want to be mayor, let's see your leadership abilities now.

"But D.C. Council member Vincent B. Orange Sr. (D-Ward 5), a candidate for mayor who represents the area north of New York Avenue, said he would like city planning officials to make a more convincing case for taking over a playground that was renovated just a few years ago.'We just put that park together for them after there was an outcry because there was no real recreation for that community,' Orange said. 'I'm certainly in favor of the New Communities concept. I'm in favor of making sure Sursum Corda survives and people are not displaced. But I need more detail on why the New York Avenue site is of such extreme importance right now.'" Residents Decry Plan To Replace NW Park

A good look at the problem with CAFTA

CAFTA, like NAFTA is all about who gets to write the rules.

"Unfortunately, with the proliferation of trade and investment agreements that hand foreign investors surprisingly broad rights, local governments are losing the power to protect their people, environment and economy. Investor protection clauses 'essentially restrict the ability of governments to impose public interest or environmental regulations on corporate operations,' says Keith Slack, an extractive industries expert for Oxfam America. And this hinders the very sort of development that would, in the long run, make poor countries not only better places for people to live, but far better places for American corporations to do business." A Toxic Trade-off

There are WMDs in Iraq now

The spokesman said the operation was new, not dating from before the U.S.-led invasion. The Bush administration used allegations that Hussein's government was manufacturing weapons of mass destruction as the main justification for the invasion. No such weapons or factories were found.

Suspected Chemical Weapons Plant Uncovered in Mosul
Military Believes Insurgents Intended to Use Dangerous Agents Against U.S., Iraqi Forces
By Ellen Knickmeyer
Washington Post Foreign Service
Saturday, August 13, 2005; 2:09 PM

Daily Kos: Coming Full Circle: Chemical Weapons Plant Found in Mosul

Mosaic Mural in Anacostia Needs Volunteers and Material Donations

Mosaic Mural in Anacostia Needs Volunteers and Material Donations

"We will be working on an exciting dc pride mural this saturday and sunday as
well as next saturday and sunday from 4-7pm. I am short on hands and
under a bit of a time crunch so please make it!

Also, I'd like to plan a trip to Anacostia metro, The Anacostia
Museum(which currently has an exhibition on murals),and Art on the
Block to see mosaics in action.

I got a huge shipment of flat glass today, which needs to be sorted on
the top floor of the gatepost on saturday. If you decide to come on
saturday, please knock on the door of the building if we are not
outside or call my cell at 202-320-3244 when you arrive.

Again, the mural is located at 1300 Good Hope Rd SE, at the corner of
13th and Good Hope Rd. I hope you can make it. It is walkable from the
Anacostia metro, and if you decide to drive, take 295 to MLK ave, make
you first right on Good Hope Rd, and you will see the mural catacorner
to you. Feel free to park behind my trooper. If you live in U st/Shaw,
call me, I can give you a lift at 3:30pm anyday.

Special thanks to Wendy Bailey for making an appearance last week!
Pass this on to anyone who might be interested.
Materila needed- colored flat glass, small bathroom tiles and grout. Tax write off reciepts are available."

great breakdown of how the Right abuses media

Dredge posts lie, other bloggers repeat, then Fox News "reports".


Cindy Sheehan "changed her story on Bush"? Trac ... [Media Matters]

Delay must be thankful of the Rove scandal

I nearly forgot about the shit Delay has been doing. Lucky for Delay the FEC, the "watchdog agency," is neutered dog with no teeth and one of those lampshades on its head so it can't see but what is right in front of it.

"The Federal Election Commission criticized a political fund chaired by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) for misstating accounts and failing to report debts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.The watchdog agency issued its findings after auditing DeLay's Americans for a Republican Majority PAC (ARMPAC) for 2001 and 2002. ARMPAC is one of a growing number of 'leadership' PACs, through which members of Congress provide financing and electoral assistance to other candidates for office."
FEC Faults Accounting at DeLay's PAC

The Onion on CAFTA

Why do I think Bush (and many who voted for him) would actually believe some of this?

another local blogger off to law school

first it was zoemitchell.com (now at Tres Chicas) and now DCSOB

sell outs.

no seriously, good luck. Why stay here, no law stuff happens in D.C.

Jack - Ass

Come on Evans, we don't need shit like this in the City.

Evans gets testy when asked about funding for his sports fandom. "What's important is, what we are doing is legal," Evans says. He refuses to list who has attended games with him or used his tickets. "That's none of your business," he says. "My responsibility is to report who contributes and report what we have spent, [and] that is exactly what we have done." Loose Lips . Washington City Paper:

UDC Law receives full ABA accreditation

As was noted earlier this year, the ABA recommended full accreditation for the U.D.C. David A Clarke School of Law. Monday the ABA made it official.

Dear Students, Alumni and Friends,

On Monday, August 8th, the American Bar Association's House of Delegates unanimously approved full accreditation for the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. The acheivement of full accreditation comes as a tribute to visionary leadership on the part of the UDC's administration and the District's elected officials, as well as the hard and effective work of staff, faculty and students in support of a law school uniquely dedicated to expanding legal educational opportunity to members of groups under-represented in the legal profession while providing high quality legal service to low-income Washingtonians.

Planning is currently underway for a major community celebration of this milestone later this year. I will keep you apprised and will look forward to seeing you then!

Shelley Broderick, Dean
UDC David A. Clarke School of Law


The mission of the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law (UDC-DCSL) is to recruit and enroll students from groups under-represented at the bar, provide a well-rounded theoretical and practical legal education that will enable students to be effective and ethical advocates, and to represent the legal needs of low-income residents through the school's legal clinics.

61% of students are members of minority groups;
57% of students are women;
All students provide 40 hours of community service to non-profit public interest groups, the judiciary or federal and local government in the first year of law school; and
All students perform a minimum of 700 hours of faculty-supervised representation of low-income District residents in the School's outstanding clinical programs.

The Army's hypocrisy

The post points out the absurdity of the fact that while no one related to the Abu Ghraib or Guantanamo abuses has been dismissed, a guy (a four star general guy) who has an affair is thrown out.

"From this incident, it is possible to draw only one conclusion: It's okay for officers to oversee units that torture civilians and thereby damage the reputation of the United States around the world, do terrible harm to the ideological war on terrorism and inspire more Iraqis to become insurgents. Having an affair with a civilian, on the other hand, is completely unacceptable and will end your career."
An Army Affair

'Fixture of Dupont Retail to Close'

Dupont continues to price the old stores out. Hopefully she can relocate in town, and stay for another 40yrs. It is easy to say that since she has ben there so long, she deserves to stay in that spot, but the market has little sympathy. If she does have loyal customers, they will stick with her; but in a popular spot like Dupont you need to aggressively grow your business, and not just do it to get by.

"Rosemary E. Reed Miller, who took a flair for the one-of-a kind and turned it into an institution, said she plans to close Toast and Strawberries, the boutique she opened nearly 40 years ago in Dupont Circle." Fixture of Dupont Retail to Close

Conservative Falls Church based group rejects Roberts

I am surprised these people feel safe enough to even enter the District. But I am sure they don't take the Metro - too much of a risk of being near gays.

"Public Advocate President Eugene Delgaudio will hold a news conference on Wednesday morning, August 10, 2005 at 11:00 AM in front of the Supreme Court announcing that Public Advocate of the United States, a Virginia based national pro-family group is withdrawing its support for Judge John Roberts' nomination to the Supreme Court. The move comes as a result of Roberts' support for the radical homosexual lobby in the 1996 Supreme Court case Romer v. Evans, which overturned a pro-family law passed by the citizens of Colorado in an appalling act of judicial activism." www.publicadvocateusa.org

UPDATE
Here is some more on this group. Where do I sign up? Antagonist of the Left Expresses Righteous Indignation About Roberts

Charter schools not much better

No one expected instant result from Charter schools, but I was hoping for better results than these. But some are doing well - let's learn from them.

"Only eight of 31 charter school campuses under the jurisdiction of the D.C. Public Charter School Board made adequate yearly progress as required by federal law, according to data to be released today. Although eight of the charter board's schools achieved adequate progress on the Stanford 9 achievement test this spring, as required by the No Child Left Behind Act, 10 schools failed. The other 13 campuses were not obligated under federal law to report adequate yearly progress because fewer than 40 students were tested in several categories.

Twelve of 31 charter school campuses -- including Friendship-Edison, Maya Angelou and Cesar Chavez Public Charter High School for Public Policy -- failed to meet academic benchmarks for two or three consecutive years. In comparison, 81 of the city's approximately 145 traditional public schools were in the same category." D.C. Charter School Data Show 8 Attain Benchmark

'Be All That You Can Be' ... except queer

"As a frontline artilleryman during two tours of duty in Iraq, Army Specialist Jeff Howe faced many dangers that could have ended his military career, if not his life. Instead he got tripped up by his online personal ad, which identified him as gay."
News & Politics

Worst Bill Ever?

The energy bill that Bush just signed is a disgrace. Below is who supported it. Too many Democrats on this list, it is sad to see.

But when you are an oil junkie, I guess you do what ever you can to get a fix. Of course the low is always worse than the high.

U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote

You know what ever Bush says, the opposite tends to be the result. I was thinking how in a few years some of these lawmakers would be backing away from this bill. But what does George say?

"I'm confident that one day Americans will look back on this bill as a vital step toward a more secure and more prosperous nation that is less dependent on foreign sources of energy,"

The Post article is fairly weak, concluding limply:

Analysts said the biggest step lawmakers could have taken to reduce foreign oil dependence would have been to increase vehicle mileage standards. But Congress rejected that approach, saying doing so would result in the loss of U.S. auto jobs and the production of vehicles that are unsafe -- arguments disputed by environmentalists and some analysts. Instead, lawmakers focused on fixes backed by powerful lobbies and influential constituencies. Ethanol, for instance, is a big winner under the new law because it is often produced from corn, a popular and plentiful crop in the Midwest, where many states are considered up for grabs in next year's election.
Bush Signs Energy Bill, Cheers Steps Toward Self-Sufficiency

Three Shot Dead

"WASHINGTON - Three people were shot and killed over the weekend in the District -- the latest deaths in a summer spike in crime.
A man was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the 3900 block of 7th Street Northeast early Sunday morning.

On Saturday, police say 21-year-old Anton Coffey of Northeast was found about 8:30 p.m. suffering from gunshot wounds on the 1400 block of 'S' Street Southeast.

And police also are continuing their search for suspects in a shooting early Saturday that left a man dead at Seventh and Girard streets, Northeast.

Statistics show July and August usually are among the deadliest months in D.C.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)"Spike in Summer Crime Continues Over the Weekend - WTOP Radio

So long, Mr. Jennings

He was the one I watched on Sept. 11 more than any. And it is the end of an era.

Peter Jennings, Urbane News Anchor, Dies at 67.

Williams admits to not wanting to run

DCist pointed out this story, but until they made a correction, it sounded like Williams was sticking with his old line of 'maybe' running. But as the article actually states, he admits to not wanting to run (or 'leaning that way'. Of course that is not a big surprise, but it is the first time in a while that he admits to it.

"``I believe I've gotten the city back on its feet,'' Williams, a 54-year-old Democrat, said. Still, he said, his frustration with the schools is contributing to his likely decision not to seek a third term next year. ``I am leaning that way, there's no question about it,'' he said."
Bloomberg

Does Ted Rall ride Metro buses?

Let's hope this deal is better than the MLB one

Considering how Williams gave away the farm to get baseball here, I worry about how much Deutsche Bank will walk away from the table. But what does Williams care, he does not seem to have any long term plans to stay in the City anyhow.

"D.C. Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) has approved the city entering a private financing deal with Deutsche Bank for a new baseball stadium, officials said yesterday.Under tentative terms the city would accept a $246 million payment from the bank in exchange for revenue from stadium concession taxes and an annual rent payment from the Washington Nationals.The payment would help cut taxes on city businesses from $14 million a year to about $8 million a year to help finance construction bonds. The deal could take several weeks to finalize, city officials said."WP

Man beaten to death

"Death Ruled Homicide The death last week of a District man has been ruled a homicide, D.C. police said yesterday.John K. Reid, 53, was found badly beaten in his apartment in the 1500 block of F Street NE about 8:30 a.m. July 25, police said. He died at Howard University Hospital the next day, police said. The D.C. medical examiner ruled Thursday that the death was caused by a severe blow to the head, police said." WP

Man shot dead in NW

"An unidentified man was fatally shot early yesterday in Northwest Washington, D.C. police said. The man, whose name was withheld by authorities pending notification of his relatives, was found shot inside a black Ford pickup about 12:30 in the 4000 block of Arkansas Avenue NW, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Anyone with information is urged to call police at 202-727-9099." WP

One shot dead in NE

"One man was killed and three others were seriously wounded in a shooting this morning in residential neighborhood in Northeast Washington, police said. Police said the victims were in a white box truck about 8:10 a.m. when they got into an altercation with another man in the 5700 block of 6th Street NE. The man pulled out an assault rifle and began to fire at two men sitting inside the cargo area of the truck. The gunman then fired on the truck's cab, where three other men were sitting, police said." (washingtonpost.com)

Apple Store - Washington, D.C. ?

Apple is opening a store in the Pentagon City Mall which makes it the latest Apple store just outside the City limits. For a company who says to 'Think Different' they are following the same suburban sprawl ways as other retailers.

I love my Mac but I wish I did not have to leave the City to shop at one of their stores.

ICE, baby

"The 'In Case of Emergency' Campaign, better known as 'ICE,' is now being encouraged by the Durham Fire Department for use in the City of Durham. 'Since we are a part of the emergency management community, we are joining other communities from across the country to urge people to program the acronym 'ICE' in their mobile phone address books, then enter the number of the person to contact in case of an emergency,' said Bruce T. Pagan, deputy fire chief for the Durham Fire Department. 'In an emergency situation, our responders will then be able to quickly contact next-of-kin.'

The ICE campaign, launched in May in Great Britain, has rapidly spread across the world due to the London bombings earlier this month and Pagan feels that ICE is quickly catching on in the United States. 'Emergency management officials in Florida, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and other states are publicly supporting the ICE concept,' said Pagan. 'Now, the City of Durham Fire Department is also supporting the ICE concept and we are encouraging our residents to use this simple identification method on their cell phones.'

According to Pagan, paramedic offices nationwide are now being advised to search for ICE on the cell phones of the people they're treating. 'The ICE acronym allows emergency responders to quickly access next-of-kin names from a cell phone's address book,' said Pagan. 'This identification may save valuable time, since many people identify family members only by name which can make finding next-of-kin difficult.' DFD officials have suggested that for residents that have more than one emergency contact name to type ICE1, ICE2, ICE3, and so forth." Durham, NC - City of Medicine

Willie Wilson is a Disgrace

Drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence and failing schools - just some of the real problems facing 'the Black family.'

The Rev. Willie F. Wilson, who last week apologized for using "intemperate" language in a sermon about homosexuality, writes in a new posting on his church Web site that he remains deeply concerned about an "epidemic" of lesbianism among young black girls, calling it a "severe crisis" that threatens "the very survival of the Black family."

"'Our girls, some as young as 10 and 11 years of age, are engaging in same sex relations,' Wilson writes, citing as evidence an incident in an unnamed 'local school' where girls were 'asked to report to the gymnasium' so school officials could 'decipher how many girls were involved in same sex relations.' Those who were, he writes, outnumbered those who had not been 'by a 10 to 1 count.'"
D.C. Pastor Again Assails Lesbianism

Williams admits he is clueless

"Williams acknowledged that his leadership has been lacking.
'I really haven't been a great leader on the smoking thing, I readily admit. I'm not even sure where I should be, so that shows the quality of leadership.'"

WTOP Radio

ah, to rule the world

Two Dead in NE

"Two NE Slayings D.C. police are investigating two unrelated killings that occurred early yesterday in Northeast Washington, authorities said.

The first slaying was reported about 3:55 a.m. when a shooting victim was brought to Washington Hospital Center by a friend, authorities said. Police said the victim, Launell Hall, 26, of no known address, had been shot in the 1600 block of Lyman Place NE. Three masked gunmen approached Hall, and one pulled out a handgun and opened fire, police said. The three men fled in a white vehicle, police said. Hall died at the hospital.

About 5:15 a.m., police found Rowena Ward-Bachelor, 37, in the hallway of her apartment building in the unit block of S Street NE. She had been shot several times, police said. Police urged anyone with information to call them at 202-727-9099. A reward of up to $25,000 is offered in homicides." WP

Two Killed

"A 28-year-old District man was shot to death Saturday night in the 2900 block of Mills Avenue NE. Police responded to the area at 11:10 p.m. after neighbors heard shots, and officers found James Mims of Hamlin Street suffering from gunshot wounds. Mims was taken to Howard University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A 35-year-old Southeast man was shot early yesterday in the 3500 block of B Street SE. Police were initially sent at 12:32 a.m. for a report of a man carrying a gun. When officers arrived, they found Robert Smith, a resident of the street, with bullet wounds. Smith was taken to the D.C. medical examiner's office, where he was pronounced dead."