No iPad. Obama has an iReggie

No need for iPad: Obama has human apps

By Shawna Shepherd, CNN White House Producer

November 13, 2010 11:26 a.m. EST

President Obama walks with personal aide Reggie Love to a fitness center in Washington in September.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Obama and other world leaders are in Japan for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit
• A pool reporter hears Obama and the Thai prime minister talk about iPads
• The Oval Office has a phone, but no computer

RELATED TOPICS

• Apple iPad
• Barack Obama

Follow the latest news and buzz from the White House at The 1600 Report.

Washington (CNN) -- Apparently President Barack Obama doesn't need an iPad; he's got an aide for that: iReggie.

At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' retreat in Yokohama, Japan, on Saturday, a print pool reporter was within earshot of a brief exchange between the president and an iPad owner, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

"So you like your iPad?" Obama asked.

The Thai leader nodded and asked Obama if he had one.

"These days mostly I have someone carrying my books. So that's my iPad," Obama said, referring to personal aide Reggie Love.

Obama said as much in a New York Times interview last month. "I have an iReggie, who has my books, my newspapers, my music all in one place," he told the newspaper.

Not everyone has an arsenal of human apps like the president's: a personal aide, several advisers, cabinet secretaries, a press shop and military leaders at his beck and call.

Obama may not have a personal iPad, but he's not too disconnected from Apple's latest technological craze. According to the pool reporter, Jonathan Weisman, the president told Abhisit that he recently bought an iPad for first lady Michelle Obama.

At a rally in Seattle last month, the president was approached by someone with an iPad that said, "Mr. President, sign my iPad." Obama penned his signature with the swipe of a finger instead of a pen.

Obama is the first president to carry a smartphone with Internet and e-mail access, but the public rarely sees him using his BlackBerry. He may be considered tech-savvy, but the Oval Office isn't.

The president's Resolute Desk, the large wooden partner's desk built from the timbers of the British exploration ship Resolute, has a telephone but conspicuously no computer. So what does the president do when he needs one? On at least one occasion, the president borrowed his personal secretary's computer.

The White House posted a photo of the president sitting at personal secretary Katie Johnson's desk. He was due to deliver remarks that day and made last-minute edits on her computer.

Maybe there's not an app for everything.

American Cancer Society, Actor Tim Reid Target Male Health Awareness

The American Cancer Society restated its call Oct. 30 for Black men to become more proactive about preventive health care. At the group’s fourth annual African American Male Health Forum gathering in Richmond, Va., the group had fresh support from actor-producer Tim Reid, a prostate cancer survivor

According to the Associated Press, Reid was the keynote speaker for the event and he revealed that a routine exam six years ago allowed doctors to spot and treat his cancer. Reid was the Honorary Chair for the event.

Among the guest speakers were Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones, Linwood L. Alfred, founder of the Open Door Resource Center, Pharmacist Leonard L. Edloe, and mobile health and wellness business owner Ricky Martin.

The five-hour African-American Men’s Health Forum included free health screenings, panel discussions, doctor consultations and expert advice on health issues. Virginia Urology, a Richmond-based medical care provider, also passed out vouchers for free prostate examinations. 

More than 600 men preregistered for the free event, according to a local newspaper.

A similar forum for African American women was held in downtown Richmond on Oct. 16. That sold-out event was hosted by broadcast journalist Clovia Lawrence and actress Daphne Maxwell Reid, Tim Reid’s wife.

African American Youth Most Impacted by Fast foods

At a time when young Americans need to consume less high-calorie food at fast food restaurants, a comprehensive study said that fast food restaurants are doing little to offer a better slate of nutritional meals.

Fast food sellers need to do more to “establish meaningful standards for child-targeted marketing,” the Yale University Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity said in the report released Nov. 8. The report noted that African-American children in particular, are being adversely affected with meals higher in calories and fat as well as sugar and sodium.

The comprehensive 208-page study of marketing among the 12 largest fast food chains also found that advertising is addressed to children –including those as young age 2 -- through TV commercials aired when parents may not be paying much attention.

African-American children for instance, see at least 50 percent more fast food ads than their White peers. In addition, the report indicated that McDonald’s and KFC specifically target African American youth with TV advertising, targeted Websites, and banner ads. The report researched more than 3,000 children’s meal combinations, some 2,800 menu items and took into consideration the more than $4.2 million spent last year by the fast food industry on advertising and marketing.

“Despite pledges to improve marketing their services, fast food companies seem to be stepping up their efforts to target kids,” Jennifer Harris, director of marketing initiatives at the Rudd Center, said. “Today, pre-schoolers see 21 percent more fast food ads on TV than they saw in 2003, and somewhat older children see 34 percent more.”

But a lot of people are not idly standing by as children suffer the effects of obesity and other conditions--including high blood pressure and diabetes, all linked to unhealthy diets.

Concerned about a growing number of children subjected to obesity, a group of San Francisco's officials recently voted to ban toys in any children's meals laden with sodium, fat and calories.

The new ordinance –which directly targets Burger King and McDonald’s franchises -- specifically bans restaurants from giving away a toy with a meal unless it meets low-fat, low-calorie food requirements.

“I’m not going to say the fast food meals are all that healthy –it just depends on how much of it the children eat and how often,” said Dechante Jackson, who patronized a Washington, D.C. McDonald’s this week with her children.

Jackson told the AFRO that she treats her children to McDonald’s food about once every other week. But she said she wasn’t worried about her children developing health issues from eating fast foods because, “I know better than to feed it to them frequently.” Said Jackson: “My daughter was just talking about fries being unhealthy but she also understands that if eaten in moderation, she’ll be fine.” 

The report is available at: http://www.myhomefront.tv/mr/rwjf/fastfoodfacts_reportsummary.pdf

Jack Johnson Hid $80k In Wife's Bra As FBI Listened In

BRIAN WITTE | 11/12/10 11:38 PM | 

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A married pair of top officials in a Maryland county is accused of tampering with evidence after FBI agents said they recorded the husband telling his wife to flush a $100,000 check from a real estate developer down the toilet and to stuff almost $80,000 in cash in her underwear.

Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson, whose second term expires next month, and his wife, Leslie, who was recently elected to the County Council, were charged with witness and evidence tampering and destruction, alteration and falsification of records in a federal investigation.

The charges grew out of a 5-year-old investigation into allegations of real estate developers in the county offering rewards to county officials in exchange for personal and business favors.

In an affidavit filed in federal court, FBI agents wrote that they recorded a mobile phone conversation between the Johnsons after agents went knocking on their door.

After Johnson told his wife, "Don't answer it," he instructed her over the phone to go upstairs to their bedroom and destroy the check, the affidavit said.

"Tear it up! That is the only thing you have to do," Johnson told his wife, according to the affidavit.

Leslie Johnson then could be heard asking her husband, "Do you want me to put it down the toilet?"

The county executive responded, "Yes, flush that," according to the affidavit, which noted that monitoring agents heard a flushing sound in the background.

Johnson then told his wife to put cash in her underwear, according to the affidavit. After FBI agents entered the home, they searched Leslie Johnson and recovered $79,600 from her underwear.

The Johnsons were arrested at home and released later on personal recognizance. Jack Johnson was placed on home detention with electronic monitoring. They both face a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Jack Johnson swore his innocence after being released: "To all the citizens of Prince George's County, you know me. I've served you long and I've served you well and most of you know me well. I cannot go into these allegations because my lawyers will kill me if I do. I'm innocent of these charges. I just can't wait for the facts to come out. When they come out, I am absolutely convinced that we will be vindicated."

Roland Patterson, Leslie Johnson's attorney, said she is asking for prayers and support "through the ordeal of fighting to disprove the allegations that are pending against her now."

U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein said authorities have tapped Jack Johnson's phone since January 2010. Prosecutors expect more charges to be filed and more people to be charged.

Jack Johnson, 61, has been county executive since 2002; his term ends in three weeks. The Democrat was the county state's attorney for eight years before that. Born in Charleston, S.C., Johnson attended Benedict College and got his law degree from Howard University, where his wife was also a law student.

Leslie Johnson, 58, worked for the District of Columbia government for nearly three decades before running for a seat on the council. She has been honored for her work in education and for a program she co-founded that provides support for women in jail. The couple has three children.

Prince George's County borders Washington D.C. and is the wealthiest county in the U.S. with an African-American majority.

___

Associated Press writers Sarah Brumfield in Greenbelt and Jessica Gresko in Washington contributed to this story.

Study: College Football Coaching Gains Diversity

Study finds major gains in number of minority head coaches at college football's highest level

ORLANDO, Fla. November 11, 2010 (AP)

Last month's game between Virginia and Eastern Michigan marked a milestone for diversity at college football's highest level.

It's believed to have been the first such matchup in which both coaches and athletic directors were African-Americans.

A study released Thursday found uneven progress toward more moments like it in the future. The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida reported major gains in the number of minority head coaches at college football's highest level but less movement in other leadership positions.

The research examined data from the 120 schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision. A record 15 coaches of color led FBS teams at the start of the 2010 season. But a lack of diversity remains in the sport's positions of power. The study found that all conference commissioners, 93 percent of school presidents and 88 percent of athletic directors at these colleges were white.

Six new African-American coaches were hired at FBS schools this past offseason, while Turner Gill moved up from Buffalo to BCS conference member Kansas.

From 1979-2002, a total of 19 full-time African-American head coaches were hired. Ten have been hired in just the last two years.

They include Virginia's Mike London, hired by AD Craig Littlepage, and Eastern Michigan's Ron English, hired by Derrick Gragg. Black Coaches and Administrators executive director Floyd Keith made sure to be on hand when the teams met Oct. 23, with the Cavaliers winning 48-21 at home.

"The biggest litmus test to this is where we end up a year from now," Keith said. "If the trend is continuing, then I think it's pointing to all the positives for all of us engaged in this struggle."

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Mississippi basketball coach accused of whipping players

Shocking video shows coach whipping teen

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Three high school students file lawsuit against coach
• Lawsuit: The beatings were for "failing to run basketball plays correctly"
• The coach says he was saving students from their "destruction of self"
• Marlon Dorsey is not teaching or coaching now

(CNN) -- A Jackson, Mississippi, high school basketball coach is accused of whipping students for "failing to run basketball plays correctly," according to a federal lawsuit filed this week by three students.

Coach Marlon Dorsey acknowledged he "paddled" students, but he defended it as a way to "save these young men from the destruction of self," the court filing said.

A school district spokeswoman would not confirm whether Dorsey has been suspended, but he has not shown up to teach or coach at Murrah High School in recent days, according to the students' lawyer. The suspension was apparently for 28 days without pay, attorney Lisa Ross said.

The students are still attending classes and are playing on the boy's varsity basketball team, Ross said.

One senior was whipped "daily and sometimes more than once daily by striking him three times across his buttocks each time" with a "five to ten pound weight belt," the suit said.

One beating was captured on video, the suit said.

RELATED TOPICS

• High School Basketball
• Mississippi

Jackson School Superintendent Lonnie Edwards, who viewed the video, said it "certainly shows a reflection of inappropriate behavior."

The three students were beaten for "no legitimate purpose whatsoever," but Dorsey accused them of "failing to run basketball plays correctly," the suit said.

"He told them they had the choice to accept the licks without complaining to anyone or forfeit the opportunity to play basketball for their high school team," it said.

The coach verbally abused basketball players, calling them "sissy," "bitch," "wimp," and "soft," it said.

Dorsey has not commented to CNN, but the lawsuit filing included a statement issued by the coach after the whipping allegations hit the news media.

"I paddled my students... today, some of (sic) students have lost pride in their school and in their (sic) selves. Students are disrespecting teachers, administrators and other students by stealing cell phones, leaving off campus without permission, disrupting classroom teaching time, late for class and not following dress codes by wearing the pants on their butts and house shoes to school and on-court behavior. I took it upon myself to save these young men from the destruction of self and what society has accepted and become silent to the issues our students are facing on a daily basis."

Principal Freddrick Murray is also named as a defendant. The suit claims that students and parents told him about the whippings, but he failed to investigate or stop them.

The school district's website says corporal punishment is prohibited.

CNN's Aaron Cooper contributed to this report.

Type 2 Diabetes Becoming More Prevalent In Kids

By Wyndolyn C. Bell, M.D., FAAP, UnitedHealthcare National Accounts, vice president of Health Care Strategies
"Give me some sugar."
This is how we're often greeted at family gatherings as older relatives embrace us and ask for a kiss. Unfortunately, "sugar" is also a term some used for diabetes. In the past, "having sugar" or "having a touch of sugar" was a condition that affected adults, but today an increasing number of children, including African American children, are at risk.
November is National Diabetes Month, a good reminder to raise awareness about diabetes and the threat it poses to our next generation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), type 2 diabetes (formerly known as adult-onset diabetes) has increased among children and adolescents in the last two decades. Today, more than 180,000 persons under the age of 20 in the United States have type 2 or type 1 diabetes.

There are serious implications to this dangerous trend. The CDC reports that diabetes is the seventh-leading cause of death in the country. It can lead to serious complications such as blindness, heart and blood vessel disease, foot and leg amputations, and kidney damage which may require dialysis.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes affects the body's ability to use blood sugar for energy. There are two primary forms that affect children: type 1 and type 2.

Type 1 diabetes develops when the body's immune system destroys pancreatic beta cells, which make the hormone insulin that regulates blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes usually begins as a disorder in which the cells do not use insulin properly. As the body's need for insulin rises, the pancreas gradually loses its ability to produce it.

Risk Factors

The first step in controlling diabetes is early diagnosis and knowing the risk factors. Children who develop type 2 diabetes are typically overweight or obese, and have a family history of the disease, according to the CDC. Most are American Indian, African American, Asian, or Hispanic/Latino.

Many people with type 2 diabetes have no obvious symptoms or may experience some of the same symptoms as type 1 such as increased thirst and hunger (especially after eating), frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, dry mouth, blurred vision, headaches, frequent or recurring infections and cuts that are slow to heal.

To confirm if a patient has type 2 diabetes, a doctor will order a fasting plasma glucose tolerance test.

We Can Make a Difference

High-calorie, high-fat foods and lack of physical activity can literally tip the scales and push an at-risk individual into diabetes earlier in life. Consistent exercise and a healthy diet can fight obesity and may lower the risk of diabetes. As adults, we must teach children at an early age about the importance of proper nutrition and exercise, and also practice these healthy habits ourselves.

That's the message behind First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" campaign – to fight childhood obesity and improve the health of our youth. UnitedHealthcare supports Mrs. Obama's efforts to encourage more physical activity for children and healthier foods in school and at home.

For more information and health tips specifically for African-American parents about diabetes, pre-diabetes and obesity, visit UnitedHealthcare's Generations of Wellness® website, www.uhcgenerations.com. And go to www.Letsmove.gov for information, tips and strategies to help kids grow up healthy.

PRESS CONTACT:
Corliss Hill
UnitedHealthcare
corliss.hill@uhc.com
770-613-4792