Texas Southern University's Police Department suspends employee after MLK Building robbery

Texas Southern University's Police Department chief announced the resignation of one employee and the suspension of another, due to their "dereliction of duty" during Thursday's MLK building robbery.

Above: TSU Police Chief Roger Byars

The burglary, which is the THIRD such incident to occur in the MLK building in 3 months, has placed the school's police department under further scrutiny after its failure to prevent theft to both the MLK building and other buildings across the campus.

New Artist: Jaicko

Jaicko Lawrence: One of the few Barbadians to carve a path to the International music scene

I've witnessed Jaicko's passion for music, and I have to say that he really deserves the rewards he is getting for all his hard work so far. For YEARS, he has been working diligently at his skill, undergoing deliberate transformations over the years (all that without losing his hair). Congratulations to him for the record deal, and the first single. Watch the video for his single "Oh Yeah" below.

The first line of the second verse was funny. I was thinking to myself, "at least he noticed."

Miami Herald: Cuba faces toilet paper shortage

Precious commodity?

Who would've imagined this? With the global economy being the way it is, I thought that other things would become scarce, but Cuba has redefined bizarre, by being the first country to suffer from a toilet paper drought in recent years. (Honestly, I have a hunch that they're probably the first country to ever suffer such a plight.) This makes me wonder what is wrong with the food in Cuba. After all, why else would there be such a bizarre shortage in the country?

The Miami Herald reported:

There's good news and bad news in Cuba.

The bad news: There's a shortage of toilet paper, and officials in Havana say it will not ease until the end of the year.

The good news: Day-old copies of the Communist party's newspaper Granma, a traditional substitute, are available for less than a U.S. penny. And that's six to eight full, if rough, pages per day.

Just for laughs Part 3

This is hilarious (to me anyways), but it wouldn't be remotely amusing if experienced in real life. I'm warning you, it's sexually suggestive, but it is not in any way explicit. It is a legitimate commercial.

So I was doing my regular internet surfing, when I stumbled upon a topic which I thought was totally crazy, because the poster was questioning whether Google is racist. Sounds crazy right? I thought the same thing, but the screenshot photo he posted (see below) was funny.

Security officials' heads need to start rolling at TSU

For the umpteenth time, the security at Texas Southern University was breached when the School of Communications' Martin Luther King building was burgled late last night or early this morning. Not only were the building's HDTV monitors stolen for the second time in 3 months, but the dean's office was somehow hit by the theft spree.

What makes this latest incident ridiculous is the fact that there were alarms and cameras throughout the building which were fully functional, but the official(s) responsible for ensuring security on the campus reportedly took TWO hours to respond to the alarms.

After the Trae Day shooting at the campus during the summer, President Rudley issued a statement pledging an improvement and increase of the university's security personnel and facilities. In his statement, Rudley said:

During the past year, we have made the following improvements to our security systems:

• increased lighting across the campus, both the interior and the perimeter areas
  
• increased video surveillance cameras across campus, including new sites around the perimeter of the university
  
• increased police presence and patrols during peak hours
  
• increased foot patrols across the campus
  added bicycle patrols
  
• provided continuous inspection of the emergency call boxes to ensure functionality
  
• provided escort services for students, faculty, staff and visitors
  
• increased building access security measures
  
• increased specialized training for all police officers, including criminal investigation training, and training for police leadership through the FBI National Academy.

My honest opinion is that the University's Department of Safety needs to undergo a radical revamp, because it is inexplicable how often the security officials have failed to be proactive where violence on the campus is concerned. There is no point sugar-coating the incident and making it seem like an issue which can be easily rectified.

Beginning of the end?.... Mexico decriminalizes small-scale drug possession

The Associated Press - Mexico decriminalized small amounts of marijuana, cocaine and heroin on Friday — a move that prosecutors say makes sense even in the midst of the government's grueling battle against drug traffickers.

Despite the fact that there can only be grave repercussions, the Mexican government reportedly said that it makes sense!

I swear that some people have a lack of foresight. There is clearly a lack of logic in the development, and the Mexican officials have failed to foresee that the legalized "small amounts" will gradually and unofficially increase in size, and soon people will be trafficking this contraband across the border, and into the United States of America, starting with Texas. Thanks Mexico.... you have single-handedly conceded the World's defeat to drug cartels and pushers.

Oh what do we have here? It seems like Mexico is getting support from their American neighbors (or at least A neighbor). Former federal anti-drug agent Terry Nelson spoke about how legalizing and regulating all drugs can be used as a tactic to bankrupt violent drug cartels. Either this is wishful thinking, or he genuinely thinks that we're going to get suckered into believing that garbage. To put this into perspective, the Mexican government, and people like Nelson are essentially saying that if you can't beat them, join them. Way to go! Needless to say, I am being sarcastic, and I truly think that this is the dumbest piece of news I have heard in a while. Seth McFarlane (Family Guy) and the SNL writers must be teemed with ideas for spoofs of not just the situation, but videos like the one with the former current anti-turned-pro-drug agent Terry Nelson.

Usain Bolt.... the best ever.... breaks 200m World Record AGAIN!!

19.19.... Simply stunning....

Good grief!! Took me a little while to post this, because I HAD to cash in on the sales over at ROSS (no i ain't got no shame), but onto the matter at hand. USAIN BOLT!!!! My GOODNESS!!!! There is no way I can comment on this, so I'm just going to let the video speak for itself.

Barbados' Ryan Brathwaite wins 110 m hurdles at IAAF World Championships!!

Ryan Brathwaite, 110 metres World Champion

As a Barbadian, I am proud of this man's achievements. I am even more proud of his humility before the race (unlike the other athletes who were trying too hard to display comfort), and his restraint after finding out that he was in the top 3, was impressive.

After he found out that he was the confirmed winner, there wasn't anything inappropriate about his celebration either, and I truly commend him, because he worked extremely hard from age-group level to reach where he is right now. He is still young, and I hope he uses this as a spring board to achieve greater things - like an Olympic gold medal.

Watch the race below.

Let's have a round of applause for Barney Frank!!

Rep. Barney Frank: a true realist.

Huffington Post reported that a constituent asked Barney Frank at his town hall meeting, "Why are you supporting this Nazi policy?," referring to President Obama's health policy. Frank asked the woman "On what planet do you spend most of your time?" and then then aptly described her insinuation as "vile, contemptible nonsense."

Priceless quote of the day:

"Trying to have a conversation with you would be like trying to argue with a dining room table." - Barney Frank

Pure randomness....

Above: Mason Storm's lastest work, Supper at Emmaus, goes on exhibition at Gallery90. The painting, an adaptation of a classic 1601 Caravaggio masterpiece, shows Jesus and disciples feasting on McDonalds and Coca-Cola. (Taken from Telegraph Pics of the day)

I can't imagine what this guy was thinking when he did this. I'm still trying to decide whether or not this painting is blasphemous. If I had his artistic ability I'm not sure if I would use it to make a parody like this.

In all my years....

The sister on the far right is the only one here who seems to share my sentiments.... Her face is priceless.... She doesn't even seem interested

Meet Suman Khatun. I have no remorse for saying that this girl AND her parents need to be punished.

"Aww, but she is only 5 years old Ty, why would you punish her?" I will punish her because she knows what she is doing,

and she rebels (at FIVE-YEARS-OLD) in order to get food.

In just one week, she devours over 10 kilograms of rice, 24 eggs, six litres of milk and five kilos of potatoes.

There are times when you must bite the bullet and just do what is right - put "little" Suman on a treadmill and make her walk. Giving into the pressure which a FIVE-YEAR-OLD exerts, is damning and indicative of the parents' lack of competence.

Look at her go.... Her family (barring her sister) is shameless for letting this hit the media

The Telegraph reported that the girl's mother, Belly Bibi, said "When she is not fed she cries, shouts, screams and has even thrown rocks at us."

Oh dear.... I can't even comment on this one.... Oh wait, I can.... Who gets acne at FIVE-YEARS-OLD?

With all that is currently happening in the world.... why is THIS an issue?

Seems like a perfectly normal photo of the Obama family disembarking a plane to go on VACATION during the summer, right?.... Some people beg to differ.

I'm sorry but the people who sit down and work themselves up over topics like this, clearly have too much time on their hands, and live very boring lives. I watched the video below AFTER looking at the photo of Michelle Obama disembarking Air Force 1, and I could not believe that the focus of the video was on the First Lady's shorts.... Cynics, get a life.

Why is it that people are so conveniently conservative? I am sure that there is much more to be scoffed at in a land where pornography legally exists. In the Obama family, as far as their daily attire is concerned, I see a perfectly acceptable group of people who are representing the average person. With the temperatures as high as they are, why would anyone disapprove of her choice to wear shorts?!

It baffles me.

Michael Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray speaks out via YouTube

This guy has some nerve! Not only did Dr. Conrad Murray NOT apologize to the Jackson family for their loss, but in his Chris Brown-inspired public address, he thanked people for their support (....support?!) *LMAO*. He confidently said that he had "faith the truth will prevail," so only time will tell whether the "truth" will help clear his name, or pile on further embarrassment. TMZ says the video was arranged by Murray's publicist, so the doc might not be as dumb as people think after all, because he had the common sense to recognize that he is in over his head. Check out the address below.

Murray's financial woes before taking his $150,000 per month job (working for Jackson) have been highlighted by CNN,

raising more question marks about his motives, because Jackson would have been more help to him alive than dead. As it

turns out, Murray wasn't even working long enough to receive any payment from the singer before his untimely death.

With all things considered, it is no longer possible to predict how this case will go, so I'm just gonna wait and see

precisely what drug killed the singer, before pointing fingers at Houston's most famous doctor.

Usain Bolt.... the best ever!!

Usain Bolt.... A beast on the track

Asafa Powell is my personal favourite, but I have to give credit where it's due. Usain Bolt is without doubt the best sprinter in the world, and he has fast become the best to ever participate in the sport. At the Olympics, he ran 9.69 after slowing down to celebrate.... Here, he ran 9.58 running INTO the wind, after his customary slow start! I can't wait to see the day when he reaches his peak.

I've followed Bolt from his CARIFTA days, and it was no surprise to see him achieve these inexplicable speeds after he ironed out his technique for the highest level. He started out as a 200 and 400 meters runner, but has now evolved into a 100 meter dash sprinter who in my opinion, is still stronger at the aforementioned disciplines. Unless Bolt suffers injury or presses a self destruct button on his career *cough* steroids *cough*, none of these current sprinters will be able to rub shoulders with him (literally).

Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Mark McLeod.... Miley Cyrus' stalker

Above: Mark McLeod.... I'm still on the fence, unsure whether to laugh at this guy or be sickened by his bizzare obsession.

I'm not alone in saying that 53-year-old Mark McLeod is WRONG on every level for stalking Miley Cyrus, the 16-year-old Hannah Montana actress.

The BBC reported that McLeod, who claims to be secretly engaged to Cyrus, "was arrested after trying to contact the Hannah Montana actress on a film set near Savannah, Georgia."

According to the Telegraph, Tybee Island police chief Jim Price said "He (McLeod) was asking for Miley and going up and knocking on some doors" of beach homes near the set."

Price said "The security guards recognized him. In fact, he went up to the security guards and asked them 'Is Miley around?"'

The psycho apparently claimed he and Cyrus met 18 months earlier and that she had accepted his marriage proposal. He is said to have told police that Cyrus' father approved of their relationship and that Cyrus had sent him "secret messages" through her TV show. *crickets*

Barbadian singer Livvi Franc releases video for new single

Livvi Franc - Barbados' latest International female artist, and perhaps the most naturally gifted and versatile.

Jive Records' rising star Olivia Waithe, better known as Livvi Franc, recently released the video for her first single "I'm that B.I.T.C.H." featuring Reggaeton artist Pitbull. Check out the song, or watch the video below.

The lyrics of the song are not as vulgar as the risqué title suggests, although some might disagree with my description of the acronym, given the fact that it stands for "Being In Total Control of Herself". I'm no expert, but I think that she is going to have a hard time distinguishing herself with this type of song. It should get some spins, but as far as the longevity of her career is concerned, she will have to employ the level of versatility which I KNOW she possesses (check out her MySpace).

Cross your fingers that her album gets released this summer as reportedly planned, because time is running out.

This is what we call a blonde moment....

Small town girl turned BB Star: Jordan Lloyd

Meet Jordan Lloyd. She is a reality TV star due to her appearances on the show Big Brother, where her candid personality endears her to viewers of the show.

Below is an outtake of the show (it wasn't aired on TV.... Thank God) but it aired online via the 24-hour live feed which shows what goes on in the house. That explains how this piece of footage was acquired.

I can only surmise that Jordan is "cute" because of her obvious good looks, as well as her down-to-earthness and honesty about not being the most intelligent. I must say however, that I kinda feel for her. I was made to understand that she is extremely nice, but even with that in mind, it is my opinion that being this daft can only "cute" for so long.

I'M BACK

Above: A cross-section of one of 22 "bands" which participated at the Kadooment festival on Monday.... some bands consisted of hundreds of revellers.

Sorry for the hiatus. Here in Barbados, the local festival season recently concluded, but not before I was able to relax and take in some of the sights and sounds of some of the summer festivities. If you have never visited Barbados around this time of year, consider doing it next year!

This was taken from a cramped vantage point on one of the many streets which the parade passed through.... the parade goes through cramped streets like this one, and then proceeds onto the highway, where the event culminates as a street party.

I posted a few pics of the Crop Over street carnival known as Kadooment, which is pretty much an event which involves revelers parading in colorful costumes, on or behind music trucks adorned with vibrant livery. It's a load of fun to either witness or be a part of, and I encourage you to visit next summer.

Go here for additional coverage of the festival, and other Caribbean entertainment & news tidbits.

Once again, I am sorry for my brief absence. I hope to resume posting daily once again!