Daily News Feed 7.31.08

Sharpton defends Jackson despite Obama comments
The Rev. Al Sharpton on Tuesday defended the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who has come under fire for his recent crude off-air criticism of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. “We have all made mistakes. We have all erred, and we ought not try to sugar coat when we err,” Sharpton told a gathering of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in this New Orleans suburb. “But we should not throw away everything when we err, and to say that Rev. Jackson made a mistake is correct, but to act like Rev. Jesse Jackson is not pivotal to our movement, our history … is wrong.” “Jesse Jackson,” he added, “is somebody.” Jackson had been scheduled to address the SCLC’s 50th anniversary convention Tuesday morning, but his press office said he was on vacation and a representative was sent in his place. (Continue Reading…)

New York Jewelry Company Sues Wyclef Jean
The company founded by the New York businessman known in the hip-hop world as “Jacob the Jeweler” has sued Wyclef Jean, claiming he owes money for watches and jewelry he bought. Jacob and Company Incorporated says in Manhattan court papers filed Tuesday that the hip-hop star bought several items between March 2002 and January 2006 for $765,100. The company says Jean still owes $319,680, despite “repeated demands for payment.” (Continue Reading…)

House formally apologizes for slavery and Jim Crow
The House on Tuesday issued an unprecedented apology to black Americans for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow segregation laws. “Today represents a milestone in our nation’s efforts to remedy the ills of our past,” said Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Mich., chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. The resolution, passed by voice vote, was the work of Tennessee Democrat Steve Cohen, the only white lawmaker to represent a majority black district. Cohen faces a formidable black challenger in a primary face-off next week. Congress has issued apologies before — to Japanese-Americans for their internment during World War II and to native Hawaiians for the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom in 1893. In 2005, the Senate apologized for failing to pass anti-lynching laws. (Continue Reading…)