Osama bin Laden dead at 54 (5+4=9 and its 2011)

Osama bin Laden, the face of global terrorism and architect of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, was killed in a firefight with elite American forces Monday, then quickly buried at sea in a stunning finale to a furtive decade on the run.

Long believed to be hiding in caves, bin Laden was tracked down in a costly, custom-built hideout not far from a Pakistani military academy. The stunning news of his death prompted relief and euphoria outside the White House and around the globe, yet also fears of terrorist reprisals against the United States and its allies.

"Justice has been done," President Barack Obama said in a dramatic announcement at the White House.

It has taken almost a decade to complete the task of capturing or putting Osama Bin Laden to death. I was not raised to rejoice in someone’s death and I am really sad that we are honestly rejoicing because the US has gotten revenge on this gang of terrorist, not because the issue is solved. As days, months, and years progress I just pray that God continues to protect us all and that one day we can all just be in perfect harmonious peace.

I LOVE NY 13 of 28 Places to Visit

The Staten Island Ferry
Photos courtesy of Kennected

The Staten Island Ferry is a passenger ferry service operated by the New York City that runs between Manhattan Island and Staten Island. The ferry departs Manhattan from South Ferry, near Whitehall Circle, at the southernmost tip of Manhattan near Battery Park. On Staten Island, the ferry arrives and departs from St. George Ferry Terminal on Richmond Terrace, near Richmond County Borough Hall and Richmond County Supreme Court.

The five mile journey takes about 25 minutes each way. The ferry is now free of charge, though riders must disembark at each terminal and reenter through the terminal building for a round trip to comply with Coast Guard regulations regarding vessel capacity and the placeholding optical turnstiles at both terminals. Bicycles may also be taken on the lowest deck of the ferry without charge. In the past, ferries were equipped for vehicle transport, at a charge of $3 per automobile; however, vehicles have not been allowed on the ferry since the September 11th attacks.

For most of the 20th century, the ferry was famed as the biggest bargain in New York City. It charged the same five cent fare as the New York Subway but the ferry fare remained a nickel when the subway fare increased to 10 cents in 1948. In 1970 then-Mayor John Lindsay proposed that the fare be raised to 25 cents, pointing out that the cost for each ride was 50 cents, or ten times what the fare brought in. On August 4, 1975, the nickel fare ended and the charge became 25 cents for a round trip, the quarter being collected in one direction only. The round trip increased to 50 cents in 1990, but then was eliminated altogether in 1997.

Back-To-School, The Special Gift

It is September!
by Lil Mogul

Can you believe it? It’s always been a very special time for me. It’s my birthday month! Yes, I am a true VIRGO! This is a time for new things. New clothes... The fashion industry gears up for the biggest time of the year. Sales over 65% during the 4th quarter of the year, the industry presents their Fall Fashions in magazines, retail stores and on TV commercials throughout to the world, while showcasing the following Spring Collections in NY, London, Milan and Tokyo simultaneously. September is the official end of summer for millions of student across the country that means back to school. Many children do not look forward to going back to school and/or getting back to work. However, they have a choice to see old friends and continue with higher learning.

But only 55 short years old ago, The U.S. Supreme Court issued its historic Brown v. Board of Education on May 17, 1954. The decision declared all laws establishing segregated schools between white children and black children to be unconstitutional, and it called for the desegregation of all schools throughout the nation. The decision declared all laws establishing segregated schools to be unconstitutional, and it called for the desegregation of all schools throughout the nation. After the decision the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) whom celebrated their 100th year Anniversary this year, attempted to register black students in previously all-white schools in cities throughout the South. In Little Rock, the capital city of Arkansas, the Little Rock School Board agreed to comply with the high court's ruling. Virgil Blossom, the Superintendent of Schools, submitted a plan of gradual integration to the school board on May 24, 1955, which the board unanimously approved. The plan would be implemented during the 1958 school year, which would begin in September 1957. By 1957, the NAACP had registered nine black students to attend the previously all-white Little Rock Central High, selected on the criteria of excellent grades and attendance. The nicknamed "Little Rock Nine" consisted of Ernest Green (b. 1941), Elizabeth Eckford (b. 1941), Jefferson Thomas (b. 1942), Terrence Roberts (b. 1941), Carlotta Walls LaNier (b. 1942), Minnijean Brown (b. 1941), Gloria Ray Karlmark (b. 1942), Thelma Mothershed (b. 1940), and Melba Beals (b. 1941). Ernest Green was the first African American to graduate from Central High School.

Every September on my first day of school, I always thought of the nine young people who at their time in history stood tall, brave and made us proud while giving us the ability to have the same opportunity to go to school and have a higher learning quality US education.