Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Woman Sues Federal Government For NOT Deporting her Husband

Mrs. Uzamere should've read the fine print.
In Uzamere v. Bush, et al., Cheryl D. Uzamere alleged that her "American" husband Ehigie Edobor a.k.a. "Goodwin" Uzamere was a ringleader in a green card scam marriage. After filing her complaint with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Office in 1980 Mrs. Uzamere pursued her allegations in the Federal Court system.

She claims that her husband, Mr. Uzamere tricked her into signing his immigration paperwork and ultimately abandoned her and their daughter. She claims that she had no idea his name was fictitious, that he was not a United States citizen and that he had obtained entrance into the United States illegally. She claims that Mr. Uzamere, a Nigerian Senator, and his immigration attorneys created this scheme to outsmart someone that had no knowledge of the law or his true origin.

I was beginning to feel sorry for the woman, but then the case took a unusual turn: The funny part of this case is that in addition to suing the husband and his attorneys she is also going after New York State (yes, the entire state) , New York State Grievance Committee for the 2nd and 11th Departments, City of New York (yes, the entire city), New York City Police Department, New York City Human Resources Administration / Department of Social Services, Google Corporation (yes, the entire Google) and YouTube Corporation (same here), Condoleeza Rice (what did she do?), Michael Chertoff, Julie Myers, The United States Of America (ok, wow), United States Department of State, United States Department of Homeland Security, United States Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Why? Because she thinks that they should have known that he was lying.  She believes that they should have discovered the fraud and uncovered the truth. See the remainder of the complaint here.

There is no surprise that Mrs. Uzamere's complaint was dismissed for not stating a claim as to the Federal government defendants and for having a frivolous cause. But it sure was entertaining!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Eat Your Heart Out Doogie Howser...Autum's Coming!


With all the stressful news these days about the plight of our youth and the downfall of education, it is nice to hear a wonder story.

Autum Ashante will walk onto the campus of the University of Connecticut. She will attend orientation, gather all her books from the bookstore and pour over her class schedule. She may have to ask for directions to lecture hall and she may even gain the "Freshman 15" (or in my case it was the "Freshman 25") from an overabundance of late-night pizza. As a matter of fact, the only difference between Autum and the other freshmen will be that she is ONLY 13.

The Pelham Parkway teen has been accepted at the University of Connecticut, where she plans to study medicine. "I know it's going to be hard, but I'm excited," she said. Autum will move to Norwalk, Conn., with her father, Batin Ashante, later this summer, to be close to UConn. "What she's doing is groundbreaking but this is not about vanity," he said. "It's about setting the tone for other black and Latino children who will come behind her. They're always being told they are underachievers. We want to show this can be done."

She could walk at 10 months old; she could read at age 2 and by the time she was 3, she was writing and performing poetry. By age 8, she reportedly had an IQ of 149 (the average college graduate has an IQ score of 115).

Ashante, a single father, chose to home-school his daughter and sought out retired teachers from the community to help tutor her. Autum, who speaks Arabic, Swahili and Spanish, has never set foot in a classroom, but that's all right with her.


"My dad always says 'the world is a classroom.' I got to go places and do different things, so it never really is boring," she said.

As a mother, I definitely feel the burn that society projects to make my kid a prodigy. We have everything from Your Baby Can Read to Baby Einstein in my house. Anything to get that edge over the other students when NuNu goes into grammer school. But I have to admit, I have learned a lot about life by my social environment. The jury is still out as to whether a completely home schooled book immersed education is the best for a productive well rounded person in society. Not to say I'm not proud of little Autum. I just wonder how she will perform socially when she enters University of Connecticut. I wish her the best.


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2011/06/21/2011-06-21_move_over_doogie_howser_13yearold_bronx_girl_heading_to_college_.html#ixzz1Q4eDdVZa

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Idiot Allegedly Kills Her Baby In Microwave

This lady does not deserve to have her picture shown
A Sacramento mother was arrested Tuesday for allegedly killing her 6-week-old baby by putting her in a microwave oven, police said.

The infant, Mirabelle Thao-Lo, was found dead March 17 after officers responded to the home, the Sacramento Police Department said.

A three-month investigation uncovered evidence that the child died from "extensive thermal injuries," the department said in a statement.

"Based on that research and the autopsy results," the statement said,  "detectives believe the injuries occurred as a result of the child being burned in a microwave oven."

On Tuesday morning, officers arrested the mother, Ka Yang, 29, at the home in the 800 block of Rood Avenue. Yang was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail and charged with homicide, police said.

Really lady. You suck.

[originally reported on Los Angeles Times Online]

Monday, June 20, 2011

It's Mine! Toddlers Give Our Lawmakers A Clear Definition for Possession

NuNu Having Won the War w/Some Poor Kid and a Ball
Legal Definition of Possession:

Most courts say that constructive possession, also sometimes called "possession in law," exists where a person has knowledge of an object plus the ability to control the object, even if the person has no physical contact with it (United States v. Derose, 74 F.3d 1177 [11th Cir. 1996]).

Toddler's Rules of Possession:

1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must NEVER appear to be yours in anyway.
6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically
becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Finding a Twin, Makes Me Feel Inspired


This is not Michelle Williams Court, but the picture goes with the point I'm making. LOL


















Totally obsessed with powerful and successful African American women. It is the ultimate high to see women that are making an exceptional spectacle of themselves in a world where men dominate. In law school, women represent 50% of the students. However, women are only 16-18% of the equity partners in law firms. The percentages are not inspirational for a woman that is interested in going into law. One can choose to look at the dirt or look at the roses growing from the dirt. I am not interested in dirt. Because it's, well, not as interesting as the roses.

While researching Loyola Law School, one of my choices for applications this year, I found the student blog section on their website. I figured this would be the best place to look in order to learn more about the opportunities available to the students within the school environment. A student liaison spoke about the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles. This is where I found, Michelle Williams Court. A fellow African American female attorney for Bet Tzedek who was named by Daily Journal as one of the Top Women Lawyers Under 40. This is a big deal because Michelle's story grabbed me as it paralleled my experiences growing up. As I did, she grew up in a poverty stricken neighborhood where she was bused into a more influential neighborhood for schooling. This is when she was first introduced to a "different" environment. Like Michelle, this is when I first realized what "different" meant.

The real life education about the disparity that exists in our society between the wealthy and the poor influenced her decision to become a lawyer. To become a lawmaker, a life changer, a people mover. This is also my reason. It feels good to see a woman that looks like me, having the same inspiration and following through. At her firm, Michelle started a receivership program where she helps turn slum properties into affordable housing. Making a step to correct what she saw as a little girl.

Along with our similar dreams, Michelle's personal life mirrors mine as well. She is a mother and a wife. She has only been an attorney for 12 years and is now 39 which means she started law school around the same time I will be. I am so excited I found this article. Just a bit of inspiration to round out the week. If you have a dream, seek out those that are like you that have already achieved it. It is a MAJOR motivator. I know it is for me. Happy Friday.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Go The F**k to Sleep

Guilty Mom Secret No. 345: I have said this to my child at some point. Ok, so maybe it was in my head, but I thought it and I said it, just not out loud.

I saw this book a while ago and instantly appreciated it's GENIUS! I am so glad that someone had the guts to write this on the title of a book, illustrate it AND get it published. Oh, joy of modern literature. We just have no filter anymore do we?

So, as time went on I forgot about this book. But now, to make this SOOOOO much better, it is being read. aloud. By the one and only Samuel L. Jackson. Who better? I mean really, who better?

Here it is.

California Budget Passed But Not Without a Fight, Literally.

Lawmakers of California finally pass a budget but not without getting a little rowdy.  Under the threat of loss pay if a budget wasn't passed, Democrats and Republicans reached a consensus, getting a budget that was described by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), as "Plan B" and simply, "worthy of the governor's signature."  Lawmakers were able to ignore enough bills to minimized the reductions on government spending.

Debate became heated as Republicans chastised the budget. Some calling it "unbalanced, gimmick-ridden and poor policy". Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (R-San Bernardino) ridiculed it as "the legislative paycheck protection program." A skirmish broke out briefly on the Assembly floor after Don Wagner (R-Irvine) likened a portion of Democrat representatives' budget to a "Tony Soprano" insurance scheme and subsequently offered a half-hearted apology "to any Italian Americans who are not in the Mafia and engaged in insurance scams." It took San Mateo, Menlo Park and Coachella to hold back Gardena from kicking Irvine's a@#.

Project Quary Family Home: Backyard Boogie - Week One


This border area in the yard, Hubby started on Sunday.

Will look like this...We hope.
The Family Quary has decided to remodel our backyard!

After 2 years of living here in our inherited 1929 Californian bungalow home, we have finally decided to do something about the boring lawn stretching from our backdoor to the back wall. At least 2000 sqft of lawn. Yes, we have our work cut out for us.

We currently have a swing set/playground out there and an orange tree. Yup, that's it. We would like to add plants, water features, veggie garden and a patio and barbecue pit. Hubby says he needs a deadline in order to commit to this project so it is currently set for July 23rd.

So piece by piece we will get it done. I got so excited by the small border that he dug up that I ran out to Home Goods and purchased a gardening tool belt, tools, a hose, watering can and other miscellaneous items. I can't wait to have this garden as a serene place to pour all my anxious energy into. This will be the perfect place to work on my personal statements and in the future, my law school papers. It will be fun for Nunu to help plant. It will also give Hubby something else to whine about doing but secretly love. I can't wait. This will definitely be my favorite of the home projects.





Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Why Is My Kid In A Cap and Gown?

Today was difficult for me. A friend texted a picture of the NuNu in a cap and gown holding a certificate. Now, to anyone that may not know any different this may seem innocent. My first thought and response to this picture was "OOOOOOKKKKK, why is my kid in a cap and gown?" Her response was that she was having a graduation ceremony at the local library. Cute. But why wasn't I there? Someone neglected to tell me about it.

The daycare that NuNu attends is at a woman's home. She has approximately 20 children and 5 helpers. She is a very sweet older lady with a stern hand. I love how NuNu has developed over the year she has been in attendance. She knows her letters, numbers, shapes and colors. She has great communication and social skills as well as incredible motor skills. She is all in all a relatively smart kid. The facility is clean and warm. Everyone that works there seems to genuinely enjoy the children. I have been pretty happy with her being there. Except for one thing... communication with the parents.

There are no calendars or newsletters that go out to us parents to make sure we know what is up and coming in our children's lives. It usually is no big deal. Or at least I tell my control freak-ness to stay at bay and PRETEND it is NO big DEAL. She tells us the day of the field trip if they are going on one. The most notice she has ever given us is maybe a day or two but that type of notice hasn't been often. But to miss an event like this, is NOT OK.

Not only did I not know that the graduation happened. I don't know WHERE it happened or WHAT it was for. I am not sure what she was thinking. Did she think I wouldn't think it was that big of a deal? That I wouldn't want to come? Did she think there wouldn't be enough room for all the parents? IDK But what I do know is that it was not her decision to think for me. What I also know is that the first time my baby had a graduation gown on with a hat and tassel, I missed it. I wasn't there. And call me a weirdo, it BROKE my heart. I cried and raged.

Needless to say, I will be talking to the daycare owner tomorrow about the situation. I am going to offer her my services as a member of the parents to assist with calendaring. If she doesn't have the staff and the time to do it, I will be there to help. But this can never happen again. In the meantime, I will be looking for a new preschool.

Monday, June 6, 2011

LSAT Here I Come! Well, The First Time Anyway...

So here I am. The night before the horrendous dreaded LSAT exam. All of my days, weekends and nights that I "should" have been studying are rushing back to me now. Playing in my head like bad film noir.
Joel Cairo: You always have a very smooth explanation...
Sam Spade: What do you want me to do, learn to stutter? - The Maltese Falcon
I have always despised standardized testing. (Check out this article, "How Standardized Testing Damages Education" but I digress) Since the PRE-SAT in high school, I have been punished with testing jim-jams. I was never one to perform poorly grade wise, but always seemed to flop in a room of wooded desks, number 2 pencils and nervous energy. This is my past experience but it does not have to determine my future.

The essence of my fear is without root. Going into this mess, I assured myself that I would go at this as a challenge. Only to see if it was possible. Only to see if I could excel at this exam and get into a reputable law school. I have a career. I have a current method of making money. (Which is ultimately what we all strive for I would think, especially in this economy.) I have dreams and other plans to implement in my life that would allow me to succeed without furthering my education beyond what I have already accomplished. This is all just for "fun". (emphasis on the quotations around fun)

To curb my anxiety further, I have convinced myself that I can always take this exam one more time. Although, I have read several publications alluding to the statistic, many that take the exam more than once gain nothing more but a point increase equal to or less than 5. 5 is better than nothing, besides I don't even know what my score will be to know if this will even be enough or needed to get me where I need to be. The idea to keep in mind above all is that I cannot be fearful or anxious about something that has YET to manifest itself. I owe myself the decency to try my best.

How it all will work out, the future will tell. But I know in the forefront of my being that I am very proud of myself. If anything for getting this far. I have studied for 6 months, while working full time, raising a child and being a wife. Just brushing my teeth in the morning is an accomplishment some days. Thanks for the support to whoever reads this thing. And until we meet again...

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

10 Laws of Power - You Know You Want Some

We all want to learn how to get the one thing that is more important than money but less important than spirituality. What is that? No, it's not Krispy Kremes, it's power. Robert Greene, author of books, "The Art of Seduction" and "The 50th Law" (with 50 cent) and Joost Elffers, author of "Teddy's World" and "How are you peeling?" collaborated on the laws which are a total of 48. I picked out some of my favorites for all of you.

Never Outshine the Master
In your desire to please or impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite – inspire fear and insecurity.

Win through your Actions, Never through Argument
Any momentary triumph you think gained through argument is really a Pyrrhic victory:  The resentment and ill will you stir up is stronger and lasts longer than any momentary change of opinion.  It is much more powerful to get others to agree with you through your actions, without saying a word.  Demonstrate, do not explicate.





Conceal your Intentions
Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions.  If they have no clue what you are up to, they cannot prepare a defense. 

Make other People come to you – use Bait if Necessary
When you force the other person to act, you are the one in control.  It is always better to make your opponent come to you, abandoning his own plans in the process.  Lure him with fabulous gains – then attack.  You hold the cards.

Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky
You can die from someone else’s misery – emotional states are as infectious as disease.  You may feel you are helping the drowning man but you are only precipitating your own disaster.  The unfortunate sometimes draw misfortune on themselves; they will also draw it on you.  Associate with the happy and fortunate instead.

When Asking for Help, Appeal to People’s Self-Interest, Never to their Mercy or Gratitude
If you need to turn to an ally for help, do not bother to remind him of your past assistance and good deeds.  He will find a way to ignore you.  Instead, uncover something in your request, or in your alliance with him, that will benefit him, and emphasize it out of all proportion.  He will respond enthusiastically when he sees something to be gained for himself.

Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor
Too much circulation makes the price go down:  The more you are seen and heard from, the more common you appear.  If you are already established in a group, temporary withdrawal from it will make you more talked about, even more admired.  You must learn when to leave.  Create value through scarcity.

Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker – Seem Dumber than your Mark
No one likes feeling stupider than the next persons.  The trick, is to make your victims feel smart – and not just smart, but smarter than you are.  Once convinced of this, they will never suspect that you may have ulterior motives.

Re-Create Yourself
Do not accept the roles that society foists on you.  Re-create yourself by forging a new identity, one that commands attention and never bores the audience.  Be the master of your own image rather than letting others define if for you.  Incorporate dramatic devices into your public gestures and actions – your power will be enhanced and your character will seem larger than life.

Be Royal in your Own Fashion:  Act like a King to be treated like one
And since this post had a lot of words I leave you with this song:

The way you carry yourself will often determine how you are treated; In the long run, appearing vulgar or common will make people disrespect you.  For a king respects himself and inspires the same sentiment in others.  By acting regally and confident of your powers, you make yourself seem destined to wear a crown.