MICHAEL JACKSON, FINALLY RETURNS TO DUST?

From dust you were made and unto dust you shall return! And so it was that a little over two months of waiting for the miracle of 'resurrection' to take place, the Jackson family finally gave up and parted ways with their most prized child-star, turned mega super star, Michael Jackson! His remains, that is!

MJ was laid to rest in his gold coffin at Forest Lawn, Glendale marble mausoleum! His family's preferred method, entombment? Icheoku proclaims, we now have a 'Pharaoh Jackson!'

One thing stood out during the finally goodbyes, - the absence of scriptures, as none was read during the parting of ways ceremony? And you wonder, how the heavens will know that MJ's body has finally come home and for MJ to go claim his shipment?

Michael was seen off to his final resting place by a motorcade of 31 cars, including some Rolls-Royce and Cadillacs, with the hearse bearing Jackson's body bringing up the rear? It is equally instructive that the burial party was stung by the 'African-time syndrome' bug which caused over one hour thirty minutes delay of ceremony? Icheoku says, maybe the Jackson brothers constant visit to Lagos-Nigeria has infected them with the legendary African-time virus? Or put in another way, may be they were too emotional to part ways with their baby brother, and letting go of MJ finally and forever, at last, was a thought they were not ready to yet entertain with absolute certainty?

Again, Oprah Winfrey was a no-show; the second time, having been absent at the public funeral? This leads one to ask, what could the family-feud between the Jackson clan and that of Oprah to result in such a public display; or was it mere rivalry gone too far between two wealthy and famous African American families parading two world mega super-stars? As for Icheoku, MJ was bigger and larger than Oprah; admitted she may be sitting on more money than she really knows what to do with? To Lady O, Icheoku says, you do not fight or quarrel with the dead; and if you could attend Eunice Kennedy Shriver's funeral, why not Michael Jackson's? Even if you were not invited, you could have still gone as a public figure coming to bid another public figure farewell? But a twice no-show, really sends a wrong message of someone being too strung out on whatever the matter might be, that she ignored a Michael Jackson's funeral and burial?

It will be recalled that the King of Pop died of drug over-dose on June 25, 2009; at his home in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. He was 50 and was preparing for his "This is It" tour before Dr. Conrad Murray, his personal physician, gave him the fatal cocktail of sedatives including propofol that led him to the mausoleum at Glendale.

Icheoku says, MJ, now rest in peace, free from all the pains which led you to drugs, caused your addiction and eventual death! So Long Mikey!

BIBLICAL HELL, COMES ALIVE?

Our editorial team are not presently available to bring to you, our Thursday's take on world developments; they travelled out on some assignments. We shall however be back on Friday, September 4, 2009 to continue sharing with you, our perspective on world's political and societal developments.

Until then, Icheoku asks you, to imagine this picture of the Southern California wildfire as a true likeliness of what the biblical hell would look like; and ask yourself, if you want to be a guest in such a glowing-orange suite? So, take a look at the man in the mirror and change your bad ways today, now that you still can! See you on Friday, Salute!

GADDAFI, CELEBRATING FORTY YEARS OF ANTI-DEMOCRACY DESPOTISM?

As the strongman of Libya celebrates his 40 years of despotic stranglehold on the people of Libya, Icheoku says, such a tyrant deserves not be celebrated! He is such anti-democratic influence in Africa, that he ought to be shunned by the entire democratic world and not in anyway, be acknowledged on this day.

Col Muammar Gaddaffi is a pariah and should so remain! He should be completely ignored, all the oil fields beneath the sand-dunes of Libya notwithstanding? But unfortunately the world does not work that way, as it appears to consider oil-economic interest superior to leveling the playing field for everyone including Libyans! A people whose thirst for freedom and democracy is just like any other free peoples of this earth; but who have been completely subjugated and zombified by the hench-men, thugs and goons of Muammar Gaddafi; into a people who can only chorus their love and affection of their dear leader - their worst nemesis?

How can just one man, unabashedly, maintain a one-man dictatorship over Libya all these years, and the Western preachers and propagators of democracy worldwide, choose to over-look the sacrilege in Tripoli; and are comfortable, cavorting with him? A man who late President Ronald Reagan appositely, once described as the 'mad dog of the Arab world'? What has changed so radically that this man is now being courted by practically everyone, from the Italians to the French to the Russians to the Brits, who recently released a convicted terrorist Megrahi as a quid prop quo for doing business with Tripoli? Only America is still dragging its feet with reason, despite the overtures of the former Bush administration to Libya? Icheoku finds it very troubling that while the rest of Africa is being cajoled to democratise or to respect the wishes of their electorates as expressed through the ballot, no one is seriously mentioning Libya as falling within the pack that need to change their way?

This is a country that has been under a brute dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi since the past forty years and counting; culminating to his today's flag-off chest-beating of holding Libyans hostage for this long and too long - four long decades and counting? Icheoku asks WHY? From Berlusconi to Sarkozy, to Brown to Medvedev, everyone is in mad frenzy to woe and fall in love with Gaddafi; and you ask yourself 'is the black liquid gold now so treasured that it is worth more than the Libyan peoples' freedom?' Or possibly, could it be that these Western preachers of democracy have a hidden agenda with respective countries, far beyond what CNN tells the world or that which are disclosed? If Iraq's Saddam Hussein was hung to make way for democracy, why not then find a fitting noose for Gaddafi? Why the double standards of treating two despotic anti-democracy thugs? Put in another way, why engage a despotic Gaddafi who has not only preached against democracy, but had gone out of his way on several occasions to encourage other African leaders to graduate into sit-tight depots! Majority of the coups in Africa have the signature and backing of Gaddafi; and this is a man notorious for sabotaging any seemingly stabilizing government in Africa and who would rather his minions are put in place throughout every African country's capital so that his dream of being crowned the King of Kings of Africa with real political teeth may come to fruition, being easily fast-tracked by them? And you tell Icheoku, a man with such a burning ambition is sane?

Anyway, it is not our plan here to be-labour Muammar Gaddafi's nut case, but suffice it to say on the occasion of his 'forty-years of hostage-taking' in Tripoli, the world should look inwards and find a way to implant democracy in Libya but not to continue cuddling and courting this straggler of the Libyan desert; or in anyway glorify the dictatorship which he is practising in Tripoli. To ignore this warning and continue to romance Tripoli as is, will continue to encourage the likes of Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and to some extent the Olusegun Obasanjos of Nigeria to continually misread the handwriting on the wall, and say it is ok to be a sit-tight ruler? Omar Bongo was one such animal, with French encouragement and support until he passed on recently? Mobutu Sesesekuo had the same smooth ride? Egyptian Hosni Mubarak is still in office at 80 plus odd years and for over 30years and still receives red-carpet treatment in Washington DC? The man from the land of the Pharaohs is a poster boy for double standards in propagating democracy! Enough should be enough and let a level playing field be planned out for the entire Africa, that every leader there becomes a democrat; but to sing different tunes to different leaderships in Africa fuels the resentment of the West's led by America subjective foreign policy of democratisation! Muammar Gaddafi is not a democrat, he is anti-opinions and should be forced to change or forced out; better still Saddam Hussein's treatment may otherwise be very appropriate and befitting his despotism!

And now this man is growing in impetus and influence, aspiring one day to become the ruler of all Africa - the King of Kings and the Lord of the manor of Africa! He is also finding new friends and allys' and one of note is Venezuela's Hugo Chavez? The once colonel is now a general, and you ask yourself what a mockery of the uniform? Icheoku says, if Muammar Gaddafi believes that he is the answer to the Libyan question, what Libyans want and desire; and that he is loved by the people, why does he need to hide behind a double armour plated bullet-proof glass to protect him? From who then, Icheoku may add? Why a six day lavish celebration befitting an ubiquitous 'King of Kings of Africa', when so many Libyans go to bed each night without food in their stomach? What a scandalous self-adulatory fanfare, a trademark of crazed-out despots of Africa, who deserve to be led to the lamp-post; but are instead left to wallow in the vainglory of vanities, being the lord and master of their subjugated African country people? What will God or Allah or Yahweh not judge? And their place, the hottest molten magma of hell.

It will be recalled that Gaddafi took power on 1 September, 1969, as a young 27 year old colonel, after a coup against King Idris. Icheoku have zero tolerance for despots and sit-tight rulers; and so does not wish Muammar Gaddafi well on this occasion of his 40 years compelled leadership! Instead we ask him to democratise fast and get out of the way for Libya to truly evolve. A good Muslim does not behave like Gaddafi, who smokes, womanises and is cruel to his people. Which sane man will rather chose to be the only sighted man in his country when other men and women who possibly see better than he does, are forced under the pain of torture and sometimes death, into turning blind eye to all that is wrong with Gaddafi's regime? Icheoku says, it sucks to be a Gaddafi and shame on him for suffocating Libyans these past 40 years; as the all knowing, sole administrator and owner of Libya! What a psychotic jerk this desert dweller is! Away with Maummar Gaddafi, democratise Libya now!

CALIFORNIA INFERNO, A HELL ON EARTH?

It is burning again in California - southern California area of Los Angeles, that is!

In what seem to have become an annual ritual, wildfires are consuming swaths of southern California forests with vengance!So far so many homes have been destroyed, forcing thousands of resident to flee for their dear lives. Many wild animals including deers, bears and eagles have also been forcefully dislocated, as a result of the fury from hell scenario down there in southern California!

Only mother nature can save the day with the opening of the heavens, as the brave men and women firefighters can now only watch and pray as the inferno seem to have overwhelmed their capabilities. Such was the state of hopelessness that one impassioned observer said, 'anyone who has any insight into the good Lord upstairs, should please put in a word/request?' So bad is the situation that Icheoku says, in the fight between fire and firefighters for the soul of southern California tinder-dry forests, fire seem to have taken the upper hand? According to one observer, "It's burning everywhere in Southern California!" The fire has so far scorched 164 square miles of brush, destroyed 53 homes and forest cabins and taken the lives of two firefighters. The two firefighters died when their firefighting truck drove off the side of a canyon with flames surrounding them. Icheoku says, may the souls of firemen, Captain Tedmund Hall, 47, of San Bernardino County, and firefighter Specialist Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones, 35, of Palmdale rest in peace.

Pictured here left, is a deer heeding the proverbial advise, 'there is fire on the mountain, run, run run!'

In the words of one fire-victim, "It's the worst roller coaster of my life, and I hate roller coasters; one second I'm crying, one second I'm guilty, the next moment I'm angry, and then I just want to drink tequila and forget. From now on, I'm going to have to figure out a new philosophy: how to live without loving stuff?"

Icheoku says, what an irony of life that it took an unfortunate fire incident to impact this moral lesson on this guy? It is rather unfortunate that it has to take a devastating wildfire to open this victim's eye to what the preacher had all along said in the book of Ecclesiastes, that all is vanity? Could it be a case of some good coming out of a bad situation? Anyway, it depends on who you ask; but our sympathies go out to all the victims of the Southern California wildfire on steroids!

JAPAN, OUT WITH THE OLD, IN COMES THE NEW DEMOCRATS!

Behold the incoming new man of power in Tokyo, Yukio Hatoyama of the Democratic Party! He swept to power in a landmark general election, overwhelmingly defeating the Liberal Democratic Party which has been in power since 1955.

Icheoku says, Nigeria's PDP should take a cue from this election that nothing lasts forever and time changes everything. Today's men of power, tomorrow's despondent dwellers in political cold doldrums? Vincent Ogbulafor and his 60years PDP in power voodoo mathematics, which he has not yet explained to Nigerians how he came about the number? Anyway back to the political earthquake that just shook Japan to its foundations!

As is the case with civilized societies, the incumbent Prime Minister Taro Aso, has taken responsibility for his party's defeat at the polls and said he will resign as head of the Liberal Democratic Party. Unlike in Nigeria, where Olusegun Obasanjo neither accepted responsibility for his 8 years despotism nor willingly left office; instead he imposed a sickly weakling from Katsina, Umaru Yar'Adua as a punishment to Nigerians for resisting his third term bid?

In the incoming Prime Minister's own words, "It's taken a long time, but we have at last reached the starting line, this is by no means the destination. At long last we are able to move politics, to create a new kind of politics that will fulfil the expectations of the people." Icheoku says, it will be a new day in Nigeria if the ruling PDP free Nigerians and allow them to create a new kind of politics that will fulfil the yawning expectations of the people of Nigeria. The outgoing prime minister Taro Aso courageously admitted that there had been 'deep dissatisfaction with their party;' which self-flagellation is not synonymous with Nigerians? Olusegun Obasanjo PDP's abysmal performance and the utter dissatisfaction of many Nigerians with the administration not withstanding, they still hijacked the last elections in Nigeria and gave protesting Nigerians their middle finger!

Icheoku says, congratulations to Prime Minister in waiting, Yukio Hatoyama; we wish his government a successful governance!

SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY, BURIED!

A life starts at birth and ends at death; upon death, society disposes of the body for their own health and convenient sake; and also as a reverence to the dead, whose remains must be properly taken care of?

Some incinerates, some cremates, some through sea disposal, some dump their dead in a designated forest, some disperse in space, while some others inter their departed ones as was done yesterday's evening at Arlington National Cemetery Washington DC area of Northern Virgina, with the body of Late Senator Edward Kennedy! Hopefully it was his wish that he be so disposed upon his last breath?

This report brings to an end our four days devotion to the memory of a man, whose stage appearance on earth was highly beneficial to mankind. Senator Edward Kennedy was indeed one of a kind, who despite being born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth, easily got down and dirty helping the less privileged of the society. This is one reason he was loved by many and as President Barack Obama said during his eulogy, 'he gave voice to the voiceless!' Icheoku appreciates the man Edward Kennedy, and for his exemplary life, we gave him a free extended coverage in our media portal.

Flown late afternoon from Boston after a funeral mass to Washington DC, Senator Edward Kennedy's body briefly made a stop over at the Senate building where he called office for the last 47 years, before proceeding for a historic final rendezvous with his late brothers at Arlington? With three volleys to the sky by seven riflemen, a bugler's taps and as if the heavens were participating in the burial of this great man, lightning flickered across the sky simultaneously, Ted was buried? It is instructive that the heavens also opened up and teared down during his funeral service at Boston? Remarkable, that is!

Edward Kennedy's grave-site is flanked 100 feet away, by his brother Robert's, killed in 1968 in Los Angeles California while running for president; and John F. Kennedy's , another 100 feet away, who was assassinated in 1963 in Dallas Texas, while a sitting president! The eternal flame lighted in his honor since 1963 still burns in Arlington. Icheoku says, science wonders that this flame is unquenchable and has burned since 46 years now? Ted Kennedy's grave is marked by a white oak cross and a flat marble foot-stone inscribed "Edward Moore Kennedy 1932-2009."

As he now lay buried alongside his two departed brothers, one a president and the other a senator, on the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, Icheoku says, rest in peace in the Lord, and may the dream you kept alive all these years, continue to live on! Adieu Teddy!

TED KENNEDY, AMERICA BURIES HER SENATOR TODAY AT ARLINGTON!

Today concludes the journey to Arlington for the late United States senator from the State of Massachusetts, Senator Edward Kennedy!

A journey which began in Cape Cod, through his stomping grounds in Boston, to his brother JFK's presidential library where it had laid in state since. Later this afternoon, it will commence the final lap of the marathon to Arlington, after a requiem mass at Mission Church Boston, for final interment.

Icheoku says, so far so good with the funeral arrangement and progression; and we hope it concludes in the same flawless manner with which it began. A man of the people whom Vice President Joe Biden described in his funeral speech as someone who 'it is never about him' but the rest of humanity some of who do not have people to speak on their behalf. Another sympathizer described him as a man of power who used his powerful position to help the less powerful and powerless of the society. Icheoku says, if only the rest of humanity can learn the lesson of the senator's life, death and funeral, that selfless work pays big time! Twenty thousand people who filed through his repose attest to this fact; each was there to bear testimony about Ted, the man!

Such a selfless trait from a man, who despite his gracious and golden pedigree, still ordinarily related to the man on the streets till his final days, final hours, final minutes and final seconds here on earth, is quite uncommon?

We strongly believe that his good deeds have purchased him a safe passage to the Kingdom; that his sins have been washed away by the shed blood of Jesus Christ and further forgiven through confessionals and a contrite heart. Icheoku reaffirms this abiding faith of Catholicism, which Senator Edward Kennedy professes, that God Almighty will fulfil his promise to all those who were baptised in Christ and died in the state of grace. Once again, your death has created a big chasm and is so painful to so many! Rest in the Lord's bosom Teddy!

VICKI REGGIE KENNEDY, PORTRAIT OF A GRIEVING WIDOW!

She is an embodiment of stoicism and masks her sorrow very well. As the world with Icheoku join her and the entire Kennedy clan in mourning the passing of her husband, their father and uncle, elder statesman and US Senator Ted Kennedy, we understand that beneath her radiant face lies a painful heart bemoaning the loss of her beloved Teddy! Therefore, Vicki, take heart.

She is simply put, a very special lady - very elegant, radiant, majestic and beautiful under the weight of her immense pain at the loss of her soul-mate and husband of many years, Senator Edward Kennedy. Vicki Reggie Kennedy is her name and she has gracefully mourned the loss of her husband thus far and so well; that Icheoku took particular notice of her disciplined persona! We say to Vicky Kennedy, your strength amidst such a heart-wrenching humongous tragedy is so commendable that even Ted couldn't have asked for more of any woman, as you profoundly made him really proud as his chief mourner! Simply put, Vicki Kennedy is the answer to the question, can beauty and sorrowful sadness co-habit in one body or person?

To Vicki, Icheoku says, the loss of a loved one is never a cake-walk, particularly if that loved one is a loving husband. We cannot say we fully understand your particular pain at this loss as our circumstances are different; but we wish you strength to carry on and God's blessing as you chaperon Ted's body to his final resting place; and thereafter for God's fortitude to deal with the loss! Please accept our condolence.

DJ AM, NICOLE RITCHIE'S FORMER PARAMOUR IS DEAD!

He is very proficient in the art of spinning records on the turntable; and was a popular figure in Hollywood exclusive parties as well as Las Vegas club scenes, where he met his former fiancee, Nicole 'Lionel' Ritchie. The two have since parted ways and respectively moved on.

He walked away from a plane crash last September 2008, in South Carolina that killed four people on board and seriously injured rock musician Travis Barker of Blink182 who was also travelling with him. His name was Adam Goldstein but he was popularly known by his pseudonym, DJ AM. DJ AM was just 36 years old!

DeeJay AM who had a long history of drug abuse, was found dead in his apartment in SoHo, Manhattan, New York City; today, August 28, 2009! DJ AM could not be revived by responding paramedics who broke down his door only to find him prostrate in bed, unresponsive, shirtless and wearing only a sweatpant. A crack pipe and prescription pills were also found in the apartment? Icheoku says, DJ AM possibly over-dozed as old habits die hard and if drugs, takes forever. Put in another way, his monkey finally destroyed him! A confessed crack cocaine addict, DJ AM once tried committing suicide but 'unluckily' for him, the gun jammed? Could it be possible that he succeeded this time with his desired suicide, but afraid of another jamming of the gun, settled for drugs? No one really knows, baring any suicide note; but suffice it to say he somewhat killed himslef!

A deejay for hire, DJ AM was a go-to party sustainer whose deft mash-ups (a blend of at least two songs) holds feet glued to the dancing floor, hips gyrating and hands reaching out for the sky in ecstasy. Simply put, if money is not a problem, DJ AM is the it if you want your party to rock till dawn! He was particularly sought-after by Hollywood's most exclusive party throwers/organisers for his mastery of and dexterity at the turntable. DJ AM played as recently as last week at the Palms Las Vegas; which on hindsight, is now his valedictory gig!

Icheoku wishes him, God's forgiveness of sins and pray that his soul rests in peace! It is our hope too that he is now freed from all the pains which led him to drugs! So long, Mr. DeeJay!

SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY, BEGINS HIS JOURNEY TO ARLINGTON!

His final journey to Arlington National cemetery where he will be laid to rest beside his two brothers, one a senator and the other a president, began yesterday's morning!

Senator Edward Kennedy funeral began with his flag-draped casket inside a hearse, which past several landmarks, bearing his family's famous name before finally settling down in his slain brother's presidential library; where he will lie in state till Saturday. The funeral train snaked through a 70-mile route from the family's compound in Hyannis Port ending up at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Over twenty thousand mourners lined up to pay homage and bid farewell to a man who did so much to improve the lots of so many; marking the end of one of America's finest political dynasty. Senator Ted Kennedy was accompanied in his final tour of his neighbourhood by eighty-five Kennedy family relatives who traveled in the funeral cortege.

Composite picture right shows left to right, brothers Robert, Edward and John Fitzgerald Kennedy. One a senator, another a senator and also a senator who graduated to become a president - all accomplished in their own rights, brothers from one Kennedy catholic family of Massachusetts!

Ted's body will depart for Arlington National cemetery on Saturday for interment after a requiem funeral mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica (Mission Church) Boston. President Barack Obama is scheduled to deliver the eulogy at his funeral.

It will be recalled that Senator Edward Kennedy is a survivor who put up a strong fight against his brain tumor, before finally succumbing to it last Tuesday, August 25, 2009. In June 1964, he walked away from a plane crash in Springfield, Massachusetts which killed the pilot and a legislative aide; with only a broken back that caused him pain the rest of his life? Also in July 1969, he once again walked away from a car crash in Chappaquiddick which claimed the life of a companion, Mary Jo Kopechne? But like Ecclesiastes said, there is a time for everything including the time to die and so it was that Ted Kennedy's time came last Tuesday.

Edward 'Ted' Kennedy will be buried on Saturday evening beside his two assassinated brothers, former President JFK and former Senator Robert F. Kennedy, at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC area of northern Virginia. So long Teddy!

OBASANJO FEEDS GOVERNOR GBENGA SOME RITUAL POTION?

In the spirit of oath-taking and rituals by Nigerian politicians, Icheoku.com has obtained this picture, showing former President Olusegun Obasanjo administering oath of allegiance to Governor Olu Gbenga of Ogun State? While others administer oath of proclamation, the Babalawo and Aremu of Otta Olusegun Obasanjo preferred an 'ingestible-oath' because of its particular efficacy - instant death to a reneging oath-taker?

Nigerians, now you know the manner of men in charge of your affairs? Ritualists? Occultists? Oath administers and takers? Men of evil, who will go to the ends of the earth to secure power! Imagine Governor Gbenga shamelessly being fed by Olusegun Obasanjo with some ritualistic piece of human flesh, some alleged?

Shame, Shame, Shame, mother Nigeria is crying tears of blood for these depraved and deranged members of the Nigerian society. And you wonder why Nigeria is standing on its head and things are going haywire therein? A cursed land of wizards, witch-crafts and sorcerers; where mundane practitioners hold sway! It is very pathetic indeed that these things are happening in twenty-first century Nigeria? Show me that still proud Nigerian who is standing tall and proud with all these revelations of their leaders practicing occultism?

TED KENNEDY, AS HIS SUN SETS!

Icheoku wishes Senator Edward Kennedy God's forgiveness of sins as we pray the almighty Lord welcomes him into his kingdom, Amen!

His wonderful good works while on earth will surely buy him a ticket to heaven; and whatever shortfalls he may have had, will also be forgiven in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen! Adieu, Lion of the Senate!

TED KENNEDY, PRESIDENT OBAMA SAYS 'THANK YOU AND GOODBYE!'

As President Barack Obama says his 'thank you and goodbye' to one of a kind American, who left indelible marks on the nation's political landscape; Icheoku, alongside many other Americans and friends world-over alike, mourn the passing of a great statesman, Senator Edward Kennedy!

Ted died on Tuesday, August 26, 2009 at his Cape Cod Massachusetts home, of brain cancer. He was 77.

In President Obama's remarks, he said of Edward Kennedy, "I wanted to say a few words this morning about the passing of an extraordinary leader, Senator Edward Kennedy. Over the past several years, I've had the honor to call Teddy a colleague, a counselor, and a friend. And even though we have known this day was coming for some time now, we awaited it with no small amount of dread. Since Teddy's diagnosis last year, we've seen the courage with which he battled his illness. And while these months have no doubt been difficult for him, they've also let him hear from people in every corner of our nation and from around the world just how much he meant to all of us. His fight has given us the opportunity we were denied when his brothers John and Robert were taken from us: the blessing of time to say 'thank you -- and goodbye'.

"The outpouring of love, gratitude, and fond memories to which we've all borne witness is a testament to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives. His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity, in families that know new opportunity, in children who know education's promise, and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just -- including myself. The Kennedy name is synonymous with the Democratic Party. And at times, Ted was the target of partisan campaign attacks. But in the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth, and good cheer."

"He could passionately battle others and do so peerlessly on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintain warm friendships across party lines. And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy. His extraordinary life on this earth has come to an end. And the extraordinary good that he did lives on. For his family, he was a guardian. For America, he was the defender of a dream. I spoke earlier this morning to Senator Kennedy's beloved wife, Vicki, who was to the end such a wonderful source of encouragement and strength. Our thoughts and prayers are with her, his children Kara, Edward, and Patrick; his stepchildren Curran and Caroline; the entire Kennedy family; decades' worth of his staff; the people of Massachusetts; and all Americans who, like us, loved Ted Kennedy."

The President also issued a 'Proclamation' in his honor accordingly, "Senator Edward M. Kennedy was not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy. Over the past half-century, nearly every major piece of legislation that has advanced the civil rights, health, and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts. With his passing, an important chapter in our American story has come to an end. As a mark of respect for the memory of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on August 30, 2009. I also direct that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff until sunset on the day of his interment. I further direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same periods at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand and nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fourth". President Barack Obama.

Edward Kennedy was recently awarded the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. Icheoku's most memorable liners of Ted Kennedy was his conclusion of the concession speech to Jimmy Carter in 1980 when he intoned, "The work begins anew. The hope rises again. And the dream lives on!" His endorsement of then Senator Barack Obama presidential campaign was a big shot in the arm for the then fluttering effort. He also gave the Obamas' the gift of BO, their first dog!

According to his funeral plans, Edward Kennedy will lie in state for two days at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, beginning on Thursday August 27 through Friday 28; with a memorial service scheduled there on Friday night. A requiem funeral mass will be said on Saturday morning at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Boston, and thereafter his remains will be flown on Saturday afternoon for burial at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington DC area. His funeral eulogy will be delivered by the President!

Edward Kennedy is survived by wife Vicki Kennedy, a daughter, Kara Kennedy Allen; two sons, Edward Jr. and Patrick Kennedy, a congressman from Rhode Island, and two stepchildren, Caroline and Curran Raclin. It would appear that cancer of some sort runs in his immediate family - Edward Jr. lost a leg to bone cancer in 1973 at age 12? Kara had a cancerous tumor removed from her lung in 2003 and in 1988, Patrick had a non-cancerous tumor pressing on his spine removed.

Echoing President Barack Obama, Icheoku reiterates, although Edward's extraordinary life on this Earth has now come to an end, the extraordinary good that he did lives on. We dedicate the rest of this week through Saturday to his memory! Ted was a Titan!

DOMINICK DUNNE, GONE TOO!

It is happening as if there was a flag-off in the land of the dead, to claim as many personalities here on earth-America as they could lay their hands on? Within the past few weeks, America have lost Bob Novak, Don Hewitt, Eunice Kennedy, Ted Kennedy and now Dominick Dunne!

The famed crime writer, columnist and author, joined 'the also-dead club,' today, August 26, 2009 in New York City, aged 83. His killer, bladder cancer! A native of Hartford Connecticut, Dominick was born into a wealthy Roman Catholic family and grew up in some of the same social circles as the Kennedys.

Known as a chronicler of the problems of the wealthy and powerful, Dominick wrote stories about shocking crimes among the rich and famous for Vanity Fair magazine. Some of his stories include the William Kennedy Smith rape trial in 1991, the trial of Erik and Lyle Menendez accused of murdering their millionaire parents in 1993 and the OJ Simpson murders trial, among others. His other literally works include, "Another City, Not My Own," "People Like Us", "A Season in Purgatory," "An Inconvenient Woman", "The Mansions of Limbo", a memoir called "The Way We Lived Then," and a yet to be completed novel, "Too Much Money," which is billed for release next December 2009. There is also a documentary film about his life, called "After the Party!" and he once debuted a weekly program on Court TV, "Power, Privilege and Justice."

Dominick Dunne is survived by sons Dominique, Alexander and Griffin. Icheoku says, adieu Mr. Chronicler!

SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY IS DEAD!

Breaking news out of Massachusetts confirms that Senator Edward Kennedy has yielded to the cancer of the brain which has devastated him recently. Ted as he was fondly called was 77 years old and a Democratic senator for the past forty-seven years. Icheoku mourns the legend whose single endorsement put back the wind in the then fledgling Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign. The nation mourns the exit of a titan, the last of the original Kennedys! Adieu Ted.

8/25/09; 9.59pm first carried.

CHRIS BROWN, CAGED!

R&B singer, Chris Brown (CB) 20, skirted prison today due to the dexterity of an astute criminal defence lawyer, Mark Geragos, who plea-bargained him there out. Instead he was confined within a circle of very challenging 'dos and donts' for the next five years. Icheoku feels the terms of his probation are rather too stringent and is most likely to ensnare him eventually to prison, should he wander off the reservation as expected!

Judge Patricia Schnegg of Los Angeles Superior Court ordered CB into a five year probation, six months physical (community) labor, one year of domestic violence counseling and another five years of one hundred yards radius make no contact distance from his former paramour, Rihanna; with 10 yards allowed should they be attending the same music industry events? It will be recalled that CB had ruffed up Rhianna 21, last February, which culminated to today's conviction! Any violation of the stipulated probation conditions while it lasted, will spring automatic sure ticket to state prison!

Icheoku says, it would appear that this incident under advisement was not the first time CB went ballistic on Rihanna as records indicate that on two previous occasions, the two had been belligerently too close to each others' face? The first time was while they were traveling in Europe last year when Rihanna slapped Brown during an argument and CB shoved her into a wall in return? The second occasion was when Brown broke the front and passenger side windows on a Range Rover they were driving while visiting Rhianna's native Barbados!

Icheoku asks, does these incidences make CB a violent person who abused women, with Rhianna being the poster-girl of his abuse? While some may take that as a conclusive evidence, we beg to differ as what we are witnessed might be 'a youthful reaction to a childish provocation' - two stars with a lot of cash with no real life experiences to guard their emotions and actions? We really do not know think that these reactions makes CB a violent OJ Simpson like personality, except that he is rather immature to understand that women have a clever way of getting under men's skin to bring out the beast in them? That is where a matured soul would always turn tail or play possum, to let them have their way and not achieve an objective to brand you what you are not, - a monstrous women abuser! But at 20, what does a rich famous dude know; and now that he has been made a poster boy for males behaving badly, what would he be thinking in hindsight?

Further, this Rihanna miscalculation is a big stigma which CB can never shake off, try as he may, all remorse on mother earth considered, as long as the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Tyra Banks are around to gene up feminism and reharsh how pathetic men are, and how once an abuser always remains an abuser? Instead of bringing the two young adolescence to counsel and manage them, they were cajoling Rihanna to dump CB and move on and it appears that they have had their way! Whether Rihanna will allow such people to run her life and not see CB's mistake as one big screw-up which does not reflect the greater occurrence or represent most men will be found out in future course. And to make matters worst, CB went before a woman judge, who may understand the incident differently and from a specific viewpoint? Her statement, "I am not amused with the chatter that has been on the airwaves and any violation of your probation in this case comes with the potential for state prison," is almost a notice of affirmation to CB that he is just few steps to the big house and that if not for the weight of his defense attorney Geragos, the plea-bargain might not have been possible. So CB you have been put on notice!

As we make effort to exclude any and every insinuations whatsoever, our advise for CB is to run as far as his feet can carry him away from Rihanna, as she is his imprisonment waiting to happen, judging from what the judge said. Admitted that stuff happens, but a person in the spotlight like CB should have known better to walk away or even call it quits before he got this stigmatized; and today the same Rhianna he was so infatuated with and never wanted to lose, he eventually lost, and possibly forever? Our advise for these 'little boys' of Hollywood is to get some father-figures to mentor and educate you in the ways of real life; all those passe hanging around ain't no good as they will melt away as soon as situation goes south; - where were they today to rescue their Chris?

From what was attributed to CB as allegedly saying, that he was "depressed" since the attack and that he "'does not want to carry on that cycle," Icheoku says, maybe what he really needs is to be institutionalized for serious counselling or ordered to receive help like Brittany Spears, rather than the physical manual labor ordered. Also a suicide-watch is a good thing in order to keep an eye on him should he decide on something very selfish and stupid? His name, fame, career and love is on in the balance, so he might decide it is not worth it afterall? But who knows. Anyway, whatever happens, please men, especially those of you with rabid temperament, whenever you find yourself in a situation, just walk away as it is not worth the hassle!

GLENN BECK, THE BOYCOTT OF SPONSORS!

Surprisingly, the outburst is coming somewhat late, almost three weeks after the unprovoked and irresponsible charge by Glen Beck that President Barack Obama is a racist? According to Glen Beck, "Obama is a racist with a deep-seated hatred for white people."

And who has earned the 'special credibility' to level such an unfathomable allegation but the notorious redneck white racist pig, whose vituperation are so asinine that were he a person of color, Fox Television would have since pulled him off the air! But no, he has the right skin tone and fits the template and so can run his mouth however he deems fit, afterall Fox is owned by Rupert Murdock? Fox Television host, Glen Beck, is not good for public television because he preaches hate and division. But does he really look like a pig, literally speaking? Yes and only if you are well acquainted with the character 'Snowball of the Animal Farm' world!

This writer is not a liberal nor a conservative; but a middle of the road rational partisan, registered democrat but supportive of gun ownership rights etc! I also enjoy listening to Rush Limbaugh but for the over the top entertainment value only, as controversy is a factor of fame, but I do not take Rush literally or as a gospel. However people like Glen Beck, Shaun Hannity and Bill O'Reilly deliberately say stuff which any rational dispassionate listener will understand is meant to stir unnecessary controversy just to keep them relatively relevant and in the news? They are not deep but shallow and they have no humour to keep non fans listening? Any person who had spent some time listening to Rush Limbaugh, unlike these three others, knows that irrespective of how vitriolic his show may sound to an untrained ear, with half his brain tied to his back, Rush means no real harm? Rush Limbaugh, it is who once joked about his mother not being able to afford both her medicines alongside her groceries? But be that as it may, back to the man who could use some tan, Glen beck!

With a total of 33 Fox advertisers, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., GEICCO, CVS Caremark, Clorox and Sprint, now abandoning ship of the Beck's show, Icheoku wonders how much longer it will take, before Fox shows Glen Beck the door or at least make him to tender an unreserved public apology to the President for maligning his name. It will be recalled that it was the same Fox Group that its 'Daily News' once published a cartoon depicting a black gorilla shot by two police officers, screaming, lets see who will now authorise the next stimulus package and Fox is owned by an Australian. They stonewalled for a long time trying to wriggle out of responsibility for the tasteless cartoon, but were forced and later apologised for the allusion to President Barack Obama. Icheoku remembers vividly too that the former Australian prime minister Howard was among the first person of note to publicly dismiss the then Senator Barack Obama's presidential quest as that boy's? We are therefore asking, is there something in the DNA of Australians which make them averse or not react favorably to people of color or should we call in the Aboriginals as witnesses?

Icheoku appreciates the current effort of ColorofChange.org in the campaign to get advertisers to think through the damage the Glen Becks of this world are doing to them, painting them as sponsors and supporters of race-baiting in America? This is especially so when one considers that their products know no boundaries as every race consumes them, which should make these companies neutral and not touch the likes of Glen Beck with a ten-foot pole? We hope that the remaining advertisers have been encouraged by these proactive companies who have so far dropped Beck; and that they now have a clear choice either to see reason or have their products tainted eliciting a boycott. It is a potent weapon which have been deployed severally and successfully in the past to achieve a desired result; of a particular note was during apartheid South Africa when a concerted boycott brought down the repressive regime!

Just like Clorox Co., maker of Clorox brand of bleach and household cleaners said and Icheoku reiterates, none of these sponsors should "want to be associated with inflammatory speech used by either liberal or conservative talk show hosts." We add that what Glen Beck said is incendiary! Towing the steps of UPS Stores, it might be a good idea also for companies doing business with Fox to entirely stop buying ads on Fox News Network, at least to force them to "keep it real honest" as they promise and claim!

Icheoku agrees that Glen Beck is too toxic to be promoting any product and barring an immediate and unreserved apology we shall soon urge and campaign for our visitors to join the boycott of products, whose sponsors bankroll such toxicity! It is a new day in America and the country can use some unification speeches and not a derisive and divisive one such as Glen Beck uttered. Like one commentator observed and Icheoku agrees, "We support vigorous debate, especially around policy issues that affect millions of Americans, but we expect it to be informed, inclusive and respectful." Lastly we advise Glen Beck and his cohort-rednecks to accept the fact that a person of color is presently in "their" White-House and they should learn to live with it, period! All the childish tantrums being thrown around and in whatever guise or subterfuge not withstanding, we understand their undercurrent as a reaction to what November 4, 2008 brought into being. Icheoku says, enough of Glen Beck's unfounded outbursts; he should apologise or be boycotted!