Stop Hydraulic Fracturing Now!

misleading the public under the erroneous claim natural gas is a "clean" energy, the powerful oil & gas industry currently uses a hazardous & toxic process for natural gas extraction called hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking). this devious process, ongoing in 34 states, is causing irreparable damage to the environment, poisoning animals & humans, making farms, homes & large tracts of land uninhabitable.

after several years of devastating many western states, gas drilling companies are now descending eastward - especially new york, pennsylvania & west virginia. they have already leased large areas including the susquehanna & delaware river basins. they're also poised to contaminate the water supplies of 41 million people from delaware, new jersey, new york & pennsylvania. these companies have already ripped thru western pennsylvania & west virginia, leaving these areas in ruins.

hydrofracking occurs when gas companies drill down, thru our aquifers, then horizontally thru the shale & pump in millions of gallons of tracking fluid comprised of millions of gallons of water, tons of toxic, carcinogenic chemicals & sand. its pressurized to such a high degree causing small earthquakes, fracturing the shale & releasing the gas.

it also releases tons of toxics - heavy metals, methane & radioactive materials. these toxibs seep thru the fractured rock, thru the vertical fault lines & other cracks in the ground & enter into our water supplies. once the water & the earth are poisoned there is no recourse.

the chemicals used in fracking do not biograde. moreover, there is no known technology to filter or treat the fluid waste. the small percentage of waste extracted usually ends up re-injected somewhere else, or worse, dumped. these toxins will be in our air, soil & water, for thousands of years...all for a short-term energy plan.

this process should be illegal. but its not. the halliburton loophole, inserted into the 2005 energy policy act, exempts hydrofracking from the clean air act, clean water act, safe drinking water act & superfund act - all of the environmental safeguards created to protect us. this process goes on completely unregulated & we must act swiftly, in the spirit of compassion, fairness & unity. for more info go to: www.unitedforaction.org.

I Am A Man: Black Masculinity In America

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this award-winning documentary links everyday black men from various socio-economic backgrounds with some of black america's most progressive academics, social critics & authors to provide an engaging, candid dialogue on black masculine identity in american culture.

i am a man was directed by filmmaker byron hurt. hurt directed the critically-acclaimed, "hip hop: beyond beats & rhymes," "barack & curtis," as well as the recent doc, "soul food junkies." hurt is also an anti-sexist activist, gender violence prevention worker & writer. his diverse media background includes experience in broadcast television, long-form documentary, print & public relations.

this powerful documentary features interviews with bell hooks, michael eric dyson, john henrik clarke, dr. alvin poussaint, mc hammer & others.

Novak Djokovic and Petra Kvitova Win 2011 Wimbledon Singles Titles

novak djokovic of serbia defeated rafael nadal of spain 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 to become the 2011 wimbledon men's singles champion. djokovic culminated his first title at the all-england club in london by also claiming the #1 ranking for the first time in his stellar career. djokovic's incredible match record this year is 49-1. his lone loss came at the hands of world #3 roger federer of switzerland in the semi-finals of the french open.

djokovic beat nadal, the defending champion, for the fifth consecutive time this year - all in final matches. but this was his first victory against the humble spaniard in five major tournament clashes. the personable serb credits a gluten free diet, confidence & hard work as subtle keys to his dominant success. the 24 year-old djokovic admitted afterwards he struggled with self-doubt yet continued to believe he could beat the best players in the world when it counted most.

petra kvitova of czechoslovakia upset maria sharapova of russia 6-3, 6-4 to win her first major singles title. the 21 year-old lefty displayed a powerful serve, crushing ground strokes & winning volleys to exceed her own expectations. seeded #8, kvitova reached the wimbledon semi-finals - her first major semi showing - last year, losing to eventual champion serena williams. but this year she was poised to go all the way.

the shy czech grew up watching her idol, martina navratilova, win 9 wimbledon singles crowns. although she doesn't serve & volley like martina, kvitova's aggressive style was reminiscent of a younger sharapova. in 2004, at age 17, sharapova beat serena williams in straight sets to shock the tennis world upon winning her first major singles title. kvitova is headed for the top 5 & will be a favorite at the u.s. open.