Coretta Scott King: A Hero to America

Coretta Scott King, the wife of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., died Monday night at the age of 78, according to CNN. The iconic leader of the nation's first family of civil rights had been ill since August, when she was admitted to hospital in Atlanta after suffering a stroke and a heart attack.Following the assassination of her husband on a motel balcony in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, Scott King picked up his mantle and became the leading face of the civil rights movement in America, leading the push to have his birthday declared a national holiday and honoring his legacy through her work on issues ranging from the fight against gun violence to battling AIDS and speaking out against apartheid in South Africa. Like Jacqueline Kennedy, Scott King was the face of public grief following her husband's murder. With her legendarily stoic and regal bearing, she led a civil rights march through the streets of Memphis in the days that followed his death and took his place at the head of the Poor People's March in Washington, D.C., a month later.Born on April 27, 1927 near Marion, Alabama, Scott King was raised on her parents' farm, where early on she encountered examples of the divisive nature of race relations in America. As the family struggled in her early days, Scott King and her siblings picked cotton during the Depression to help them through the hard times.After her father's truck-farming business became successful in the 1940s, her family faced harassment from white neighbors and were the victims of a suspicious fire in 1942 that destroyed their home. Encouraged by her parents to seek educational opportunities, Scott King enrolled in Antioch College in Ohio in 1945 — where her older sister had become the first black student — and received a bachelor's degree in music and elementary education. While attending the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, she began dating Martin Luther King Jr., who was studying at Boston University's School of Theology.The couple married at the Scott home in Alabama on June 18, 1953. As her husband was ascending to his position as the iconic leader of the civil rights struggle in the United States, Scott King remained mostly behind the scenes, raising the couple's four children, Yolanda Denise, Martin Luther III, Dexter Scott and Bernice Albertine.Scott King was at her husband's side, however, during many of his most important speeches and actions. In 1960, she appealed to presidential candidate John F. Kennedy to help secure Dr. King's release from a Georgia prison after his arrest during a sit-in at a lunch counter in Atlanta protesting its refusal to serve blacks. Kennedy's action to gain King's release is credited with helping him win over the crucial African-American vote in the 1960 election.She was also on hand in Oslo, Norway, in 1964 when her husband was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and was active in "freedom concerts" during the mid-1960s in which music, poetry and lectures were used to paint a history of the civil rights movement. Following her husband's assassination, Scott King continued to espouse his philosophy of nonviolent resistance and led a march for sanitation workers in Memphis just weeks after his death. In May 1968, she was at the forefront of the Poor People's Campaign, a march on Washington, D.C., to highlight the issue of poverty. In 1969 she published her autobiography, My Life With Martin Luther King Jr..In an effort to keep Dr. King's legacy alive, Scott King helped found the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in 1969, which features an institute for Afro-American studies, a library with King's papers and a museum housed next to Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King had served as co-pastor with his father.Scott King continued to be a figurehead for the civil rights movement into the 1980s, leading a 20th anniversary march on Washington in 1983, during which half a million people celebrated the anniversary of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech. One of Scott King's most enduring actions was her long fight to establish a national holiday on January 15 honoring her late husband. — Gil Kaufman
Words cannot even describe the positive impact Coretta Scott King left on the world. She was by far one of the most underrated figures in the peak of the civil rights movement. She's looking down from heaven now, talking with her husband about how the world has changed, and what should be changed. RIP Coretta.

Royal Rumble Card

WWE Championship: Edge (c) vs. John Cena

World Championship: Kurt Angle (c) vs. Mark Henry

WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Kid Kash (c) to defend in Open Invitational match

The Boogeyman vs. John Bradshaw Layfield

Ashley vs. Micky James (Trish Stratus as referee)

WWE Royal Rumble Match: 15 RAW Superstars, 15 Smackdown! Superstars -- Winner recieves a title shot RAW: RVD, Big Show, Kane, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Chris Masters, Carlito, Trevor Murdoch, Shelton Benjamin, Viscera, Chavo Guerrero, Jonathan Coachman, Ric Flair (Two Spots Open) SmackDown: Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, Matt Hardy, Orlando Jordan, Lashley, Sylvan, Road Warrior Animal, Johnny Nitro, Joey Mercury, Simon Dean, Booker T, Psicosis, Super Crazy (one Spot Open)

Alright, right now, I'm a substandard 11-14 with WWE PPVs since Taboo Tuesday. Tonight, I guarentee to crack the .500 mark with my picks. Tonight's winners will be Edge, Kurt Angle, Kid Kash, Boogeyman, Ashley, and Shawn Michaels.

If You Could Give the Youth of America One Piece of Adivce, It Would Be...

Don't let a dog's tongue near your ear.

Or your mouth.

I'm at my friend's house for his party, laying on the floor, playing Madden 06. He's got these three dogs. One of them is very small and has this Westminster Dog Show style fur. So I'm trying to get Tom Brady to connect to Dion Branch, and the little guy jumps up on me from behind and starts licking my face. It was all good, and then he gives me a Wet Willie, only no claw was involved. I'm trying to get him off without trying to disrespect my friend when his dog starts licking my open mouth. Ugh. The distinct smell (and unfortunatley taste) of dog breath. As soon as I get home, I do something I never like doing. Taking a swig of mint-flavored mouthwash. I dispise mint with a passion, but I knew I needed it. Sad thing is, that's the most tongue I've gotten in a while. Talk about ringing in the Year of the Dog for the Chinese New Year.

Random Thoughts of the Week

Sorry I'm late. I was playing "Superheroes" with Drew Carey.

Ahh, free Internet webcams. Yummy.

Royal Rumble = Craziness. No, I don't have a winner yet.

C-S-S-A is still a little on the weird side. I think I'll wait to post there again until Victoria and Carnage fix things up.

Veronica Mars pushed back to tonight and I've got a party to go to. Thanks a lot, UPN 50. Couldn't you have let WB 20 carry the Michigan-Michigan State game now that you're all buddy buddies.

Anybody else craving Taco Bell right now?

So Hamas won the Palestinian elections. It's official. We're all screwed.

Hey at least I'm not a virgin. After all, life screws everbody over at least once.

OK, so technically, I am a virgin, but I promise to change that before the summer.

There are three things in life that are for certain. Me getting laid, the Red Wings winning the Stanley Cup in June, and the Pistons winning the NBA Championship this June.

Reese Witherspoon better win the Best Actress Oscar this year, or there will a rebellion on the Academy, so help me God.

Steelers fans, we welcome you into our city with open arms.

Seahawk fans, get your Starbucks-drinking, Microsoft-typing, rainy-day asses out of our city!

Gotta go, almost party time.

Just curious

What's been the craziest thing you've done when you've been drunk?

You like me! You really like me!

Well, I must say that lately, I've been shocked to see a couple of my friends link to my site. For example, Victor, thanks man. His comment: "Empathetically on Team Aniston (Smart Man)." I really need to discuss your membership to the Anarchists, my friend. And Butch, well, what he said IS funny. "This man would have soul eaten and raped by Samoa Joe." I won't dispute that, but we all Samoa Joe is nothing but a Mini-Me clone of Rikishi gone horribily wrong.

Sorry I didn't post this earlier...

Man I sucked last weekend. Only one for two in my NFL Playoff picks. Oh well, I've still been doing a good job anyways. I'm thinking, let's just get it out of the way right now. Steelers over Seahawks. Yes, the Steelers may the sentimental favorite here because 1.) Detroit and Pittsburgh are both blue-collar labor cities and 2.) Jerome Bettis, a product of Detroit Mackenzie, is returning home for a championship in what might be the last game of his Hall of Fame career. Personally, I'm going on talent. Ben Rothesburger (sp?) is going to rip through the Seahawk's pass defense, and the Steelers' defense will look something like the "Steel Curtain" of the '70's, bottling up Shaun Alexander and not leaving anyone open for Matt Hasselback.

Kevin Federline

Got a preview of his album. Not let's not be sterotypical, people. It doesn't suck. Mainly because I could hear after my ears started bleeding while I listened to it. Buy this album, and I will personally castrate you.

WWE releases

Alright, WWE has made 5 releases in recent weeks. A couple I understand. Tajiri is whipped like a racehorse. Christy Hemme was a whore, and unlike Lita, she wasn't that valuable and she went onto the wrong woman's territory. Now letting Christian go was beyond explanation. He was finally making his way toward that top and they blew him off. Now he's the only reason I watch Total Nonstop Assclowns. Juventud was establishing himself in the cruiserweight divison. The fans loved the guy, and was a bundle of talent. Bad decision. I know a lot of you don't think Heindenreich, but teaming him up with Road Warrior Animal was a good decision. Somebody who knows wrestling as well as Animal could show a struggling superstar a few tricks. As Heindenreich became a member of the new Legion of Doom, you could see him improving week after week. His release will definitley be a confusing one.

And now for some fun time.

Paents and sister out of the house. You know what that means. Masturbation, pizza, America's Most Wanted (the show, not the crappy wrestling team), more mastrubation, Law & Order: SVU episodes on USA, XBOX playing, and even more masturbation. Yep. Life is good when you're alone.

Random Thoughts of the Week

Got back from the North Anerican International Auto Show at Cobo Hall. Let's get one thing straight, people. This is Detroit. Even our golf carts got Hemis.

Two Michigan basketball games pushed this week's Veronica Mars to Sunday. Don't make me start rooting for Illinois, boys.

How on Earth is everyone else surviving a CSSA-less life?

Listening to Michelle Branch now. Ummmmmm. Miiiiiiiiilf. Ahhhhhhh.

Mark Henry main eventing the Royal Rumble. Should I be happy, or wishing Eddie Guerrero was still alive?

WWE's bringing the first taping of Saturday Night Main Events to Cobo Arena. You have to admit. Detroit is a city with a rich wrestling history.

Oddly, I'm not disgusted at the fact Jennifer Aniston banged with Kevin Costner in Rumor Has It... Is that normal?

OK, so maybe Mark Henry main eventing isn't necessarily a bad thing. I mean, you do things others can't, but Kurt Angle pulling the weight of the match is inevitable.

See ya later. Back to The Simpsons.

More sad entertainment news

Soul legend Wilson Pickett had a heart attack and died while seeking help at a hospital in Reston, Virginia, near his home in Ashburn on Thursday (January 19); he was 64 years old.Pickett, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, helped shape modern R&B with his stripped-down classics like "In the Midnight Hour" and "Mustang Sally." His gruff voice, raw sexuality and sweaty style earned him the nickname of "the Wicked Pickett."Pickett's 40-plus-year career started when he sang gospel in Southern Baptist churches in Pratville, Alabama. Later as a teen in Detroit, Pickett joined the vocal group the Violinaires and eventually the Falcons, who had a hit with "I Found a Love," which Pickett wrote.Going solo, he had hits with "If You Need Me" and "It's Too Late." After signing to Atlantic in 1964, producer Jerry Wexler took him to Stax Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, where Pickett recoreded with Booker T. and the MG's. Within a year, Pickett co-wrote his best-remembered song — and Stax's first breakout hit — "In the Midnight Hour," which introduced a deeper and more forceful style of soul music.Much of the flurry of songs that followed, most of which were recorded at Stax and at the Fame Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama — such as "Funky Broadway" and "Land of 1000 Dances" — were pop hits as well. He collaborated with Philadelphia producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff for his hits "Engine Number 9" and "Don't Let the Green Grass Bring You Down," which became part of the cornerstone of the emerging Philly sound. One Philadelphia DJ called his music "psychedelic soulization.""Wilson was a consummate entertainer," his longtime manager Margo Lewis said. "He truly loved to perform, and when he took the stage, he would give the audience every last bit of energy in his body. The unique sound and quality of his voice only got better with age, singing his hits in their original keys well into his 60s. He influenced generations of singers and musicians. No matter what your age is, his records will pull you out of your seat onto the dance floor. Soulful and intense, that was Pickett, the music and the man."Although he didn't actually appear in the "The Commitments," it helped introduce him to a new audience, since the hit film focused on the efforts of a fledgling Dublin soul band to meet and perform with Pickett, who was their idol. Pickett performed with the Commitments at the film's premieres in New York and Los Angeles.Pickett is survived by his fiancee, Gail Webb, his sons Lynderrick and Michael, his daughters Veda and Saphan, as well as several brothers and sisters. A viewing of his body is being arranged in Virginia for next week, and then he'll be interred with his mother, Lena, in Louisville, Kentucky. — Jennifer Vineyard
Another legend in music gone from us. I always enjoyed singing along to "In the Midnight Hour." Classic song. RIP Wilson.

Does this look normal to you?

Well, crazy story coming up. Parental discretion advised. Anyways, I might be off the swim team, but I decided to become a bottle blonde. Unfortantley, it came as a copper color. I swear to God, it looks like I got pennies in my hair. D'oh!

Blogging Liar

OK, I know I said I'd pick the teams going to the Super Bowl on Friday, but I changed my mind. How do guys feel about right now? Let's go with Pittsburgh over Denver and Carolina over Chicago. What do you think about that?

Yippie!

This guy just went 3 for 4 in his NFL picks last weekend.

Tom.

Who is InThe313?

Correct.

I am so smart. I am so smart. S-M-R-T. I mean, S-M-A-R-T.

OMFG! It's back!

For those of you who haven't seen the news on WWE.com, after three longs years, it's finally back. Tables, Ladders, and Chairs, possibily the most deadly match the WWE has ever created, has returned. Edge will be putting his WWE Championship on the line against Ric Flair. Believe me, this is something that should not be missed by anybody.

NFL picks

Ok here we go. I just wanna say things have not changed since I made my original NFL playoff picks. Colts over Steelers. Broncos over Patroits. Panthers over Bears. Seahawks over Redskins. You may begin the death threats.

Random Thoughts of the Week

Must... have... Celeb... Sex... Stories... Archives...

Lita naked. Me likey.

Lita naked with Edge. Me no likey.

Kurt Angle World Heavyweight Champion? Edge WWE Champion? I knew it would happen one day, but right now? God, I miss Eddie Guerrero.

When choosing between Tia Carrere and Stacy Keivler on Dancing with the Stars, don't overload your brain by drinking a Slurpee at the same time.

Congrats to our blogging sex goddess, Jen Orgenio (sp?) on getting in the Honors Program. Whether or not you want it, Jen, that's something many of us, especially those who got out of high school with a 3.1 GPA, would envy.

Started watching Ghost Whisper last week. Good plot. Decent acting and subplots. Most importantly, it's got Love.

I don't care what you guys say. Jennifer Love Hewitt and Aisha Tyler on the same show screams HLA. Somebody take the ball and run.

What's gonna get done first, the next chapter of I'll Be There For You or the next chapter of Harem?

Speaking of which, where the heck is KMB?

Well, back to my Simpsons DVD collection.

Where is it?

Alright, what's the deal with C-S-S-A? I need an escape from reality. If anybody knows anything as to C-S-S-A's failure to operate, please feel free to tell me.

Oh, and speaking of the pregnancy bug, sorry I forgot Mariska Hargaity, Evil. But you can throw another one in. This one's sort of blast from the past, but, does anyone remember Melissa Joan Hart? You got, Sabrina's gonna be a MILF.

This is 10X worse than bird flu.

Is it just me, or are a bunch of my favorite hotties being infected with the "pregnancy virus?" Let's look at the alarming evidence from the past year. Michelle Branch. Britney Spears. Jennifer Garner. Katie Holmes. Gwen Stefani. Now you can add Angelina Jolie to that list. The adopted mother of two is carrying Brad Pitt's love child. I'm sure there's a good reason, say, Brad got Angelina pregnant while she was eating out Jennifer Aniston as she took an ass-ramming from Vince Vaughn. Yeah, let's go with that. Also on the pregnancy news channel, Stephanie McMahon is expecting. God that's gonna suck. Having Triple H as a father. *shudder*

Holy Shaving Cream Robin!

Forget "RI-COLA!" How about "NIP-OLA!" Lita was at her alltime sultriest last night. Now if I were the WWE's writers, 1. No Edge. 2. Stop giving ideas for Matt Hardy to jump to Total Nonstop Asspacking, er, TNA. 3. Get Lita naked with another Diva, i.e. Trish and/or Mickie and/or Ashley and/or Candice and/or Maria and/or Victoria and/or Lillian and/or Torrie and/or Stacy and/or Kristal and/or Jillian and/or Melina. In the quote of the year from Jerry Lawler, "Coach, had me a Kleenex." Or was that Jonathan Coachman on Sunday? "Jerry Lawler has more Chins than a Hong Kong phone book."

Sports: Good. Wrestling: Bad.

OK, somewhere out there, God is enjoying his mind games with me. I didn't think I'd get 2 out of 4 NFL playoff games right this weekend. Instead, the Patriots, Steelers, Panthers, and Redskins win. Translation: I pitched a shutout. In your face, bia-tch! And Jen, seriously, why did you pick "Crybaby" Eli Manning to win a playoff game? Totally unexcusable.

Speaking of unexcusable, I'm gonna sound like such a hypocrite for slamming Jen's NFL picks. I only went three for three at my New Year's Resoultion picks. Good news: Ric Flair, Trish Stratus, and Ashley won. Bad news: Kane, Big Show, and Gregory Helms lost. Curse you, Vince. And by the way, who here saw that ending coming? Edge using the Money in the Bank contract to face off with John Cena after Cena was bloodied and battered in the Elimination Chamber? I'm not one who believes in karma, but Matt Hardy must seriously pissed off at this moment. Good news, we really don't see the WWE champion with a valet on his arm often, so maybe Lita will be leaving Edge finally. I don't care if it's by her accord or his, just get my favorite redhead away from that homewrecker please. And people, I ask of you nicely, STOP BOOING CENA, DUMBASSES!

Overall record at picking WWE PPV winners: 11-14. YUCK!

New Year's Revolution Card

-World Wrestling Entertainment Championship Elimination Chamber Match: John Cena (Champion) vs. "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle vs. Kane vs. Carlito vs. "The Masterpiece" Chris Masters (Note: Shawn Michaels will start off the match and Kane will be the last man released from his chamber)

-One-on-One Match: The Big Show vs. Triple H

-Intercontinental Championship: "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair (Champion) vs. Edge (with Lita)

-Women's Championship: Trish Stratus (Champion) vs. Mickie James

-One-on-One Match: Jerry "The King Lawler vs. Gregory Helms

-Bra & Panties Gauntlet Match: Ashley vs. Victoria vs. Torrie Wilson vs. Maria vs. Candice Michelle

Before I make picks, I can say, with a heavy heart I might add, that I hope Mickie James beats Trish Stratus tonight since Trish has held on to the title long enough. Trish, I love you and I think you rule, but it's time to give someone else a shot.

Tonight's projected winners: Kane, Big Show, Ric Flair, Trish Stratus, Gregory Helms, Ashley

Since Taboo Tuesday, I'm 8-11 at picking WWE PPV winners. Let's hope I can boost that record after tonight.

Random thoughts of the week

Thought I'd start something new as a tradition here at "DIU!"

Lita, you're absolutley right. Tigers DH Dmitri Young does look like Mark Henry.

If this is crap...

Seriously, why the hell are people booing John Cena? What has the guy done to get so much heat?

Will the boards be up anytime soon?

George Clooney and Lucy Liu are going out. I give it three months.

I feel as though I have betrayed Jen by picking the Colts to win the Super Bowl. Well, I hate to say it but to me, it's common sense.

You know, this whole spy on the country thing started long before the Bush admnistration, so stop your bitching, people.

...then Sun Belt Conference football refs would need a ladder to get this high.

I don't know if you all agree with his politics, but I seriously hope Ariel Sharon is able to pull through his current medicial situation. The last thing thebudding peace process in Israel and Palestine needs is another setback.

Since the C-S-S-A boards aren't working, better post it here

I was planning on starting a weekly tradition today with my blog, but due to certain circumstances, I think I'll push it back and pay some respects.

Singer and actor Lou Rawls died early Friday morning (January 6) at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to his publicist. The 72-year-old singer had lung cancer.The Chicago native, considered one soul music's classic voices, had a smooth baritone that won over R&B, jazz, gospel and pop audiences. Rawls first shot to fame in the 1960s and released a string of acclaimed albums through the '60s and 1970s, including 1976's All Things in Time, which featured his enduring hit "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine."Rawls nearly lost his life early on in his pursuit of a music career. In 1958, the singer was traveling with friend and former high school classmate, the legendary Sam Cooke, when they were involved in a car accident. While Cooke escaped virtually unscathed, Rawls was pronounced dead while being rushed to the hospital. He slipped into a coma for almost a week, suffered memory loss and didn't get back on track for almost a year.In the early 1960s, Rawls started recording jazz records and even incorporated some raps into his live performances. By the end of the decade he was recording soul music and earned his first of three Grammys. Rubbing shoulders with heavyweights such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin (Rawls co-hosted Martin's "Golddiggers" variety show), Rawls emerged as a major star in the 1970s. He achieved his greatest success signed to Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's trailblazing Philadelphia International Records.In 1980, Rawls showed his humanitarian side by starting the "Lou Rawls Parade of Stars," a telethon that continues to raise money for the United Negro College Fund. Artists from Ashanti to Stevie Wonder have appeared on the show through the years, raising hundreds of millions dollars for the cause.Rawls was also an actor, most notably appearing in the films "Leaving Las Vegas" and "Blues Brothers 2000." He guest starred on "Martin," "My Wife and Kids" and "Baywatch," and had a recurring role on "Baywatch Nights." Rawls' unforgettable voice proved to be sought after in acting as well in music, appealing to a new generation with voiceovers for cartoons including "The Proud Family," "Hey Arnold!," "Captain Planet and the Planeteers" and "Rugrats."Rawls, who waged a lengthy battle with cancer, reached out to fans through the press last month, asking them not to count him out.According to Rawls' spokesperson, funeral arrangements are still pending.[This story was originally published on 01.06.06 at 11:34 a.m. ET.] — Shaheem Reid

Quite sad, though I ironic. I saw him just today in his Liberty Medical Insurance commercial. His family should be recieving his benefits now, and I don't mean that in an insensative way. Lou, you've been one of music's finest voices, and you will surely be missed. RIP Lou.

Yay! Boo! Boo!

Horray! C-S-S-A.com is back up. Porn World citizens unite! How I've missed you, oh great Victatorship!

Boo! Texas beat USC. Let's see. Memphis beat Akron. Nebraska beat Michigan. Texas beat USC. Pretty crappy for me, since I picked all three of those winners to lose.

Boo! ESPN Classic is showing Instant Classics all weekend. They've got Ohio State vs. Notre Dame, West Virginia vs. Georgia, Penn State vs. Florida State, Texas vs. USC, Oklahoma vs. Oregon, and regrettably Nebraska vs. Michigan. A note to Sun Belt Conference football referees. Learn these words: "Instant Replay" and "Too Many Men on the Field."

Don't look no farther. Baby I'm back, yeah.

Sorry homies. I thought blogging would be a time constrant. Oops. Anyways, I'm sure I'll be sticking to blogging now. Thanks for the advice, Brandon (AKA, Evil). By the way, I have checked out XM, dude. And I do enjoy Fox News. It's perfect for us bast... I mean, Republicans. So, KMB, Evil, Butch, Victor, and Jen, C-S-S-A.com may be down, but I'm not. By the way, check back over the weekend. I've got picks for New Year's Revolution. As for now, how about these picks?

Tonight at the Rose Bowl, I've got USC 41, Texas 24.
Road to Super Bowl XL
First round: Pittsburgh over Cincinnati, New England over Jacksonville, Carolina over Giants, Washington over Tampa Bay
Second Round: Indianapolis over Pittsburgh, Denver over New England, Carolina over Chicago, Seattle over Washington
Conference Championships: Indianapolis over Denver, Seattle over Carolina
Super Bowl XL: Indianapolis over Seattle