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Brandy is in big trouble!  She has been found responsible for a fatal four-car crash in Los Angeles last month.  Seems the police are urging the district attorney’s office to charge the singer with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.  Here is how it all went down, on December 30, 2006; Brandy Norwood was driving her Land Rover on the 405 Freeway near Ventura Blvd. when she rear ended the car in front of her, which had slowed down along the freeway traffic.  The driver of the car Brandy hit, 38-year-old wife and mother Awatef Aboudihaj, was killed when her vehicle slammed into a third car, careened into the freeway’s center divider and was hit broad-side by a fourth automobile.  According to the CHP spokesman Leland Tang, the Highway Patrol referred the case to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office for further review with the recommendation that the 27-year-old former star of “Moesha” be cited with the misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charge.  The offense carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, which is far less serious than a felony charge and means that prosecutors determine that the death did not result from gross negligence.  However, everyone knows that if you hit someone in the rear you are at fault no matter what the car in front of you did to contribute to the accident.  Brandy is said to have stated that it was her fault at the scene of the accident while crying and hysterical. 

No matter how sorry Brandy is for having killed a woman during the accident it looks like she is going to have to pay a hunk and a chunk to the deceased family.  The family of Awatef Aboudihaj has filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against the singer.  Filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court one day after the California Highway Patrol recommended that prosecutors charge Brandy with a misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter.  The California Highway Patrol found that Brandy Norwood was at fault in the accident, which took place when she failed to recognize that traffic had slowed down and rear ended the car in front of her. Aboudihaj, was the driver of the car struck by Brandy in the December 30th accident, was killed when her vehicle slammed into the third car, careened into the freeway’s center divider and was hit broad-side by a fourth automobile according to the police.  The lawsuit filed was a three-page formal complaint, says her death was caused by “reckless driving” by Brandy and seeks $50 million in compensatory and punitive damages.  One good thing is that investigators have ruled out alcohol and drugs as factors in the crash and say there was no evidence that Brandy was using a cell phone or was otherwise distracted.  The singer was in her car alone and not using her cell phone.  Well, in Brandy’s defense it is not very hard to hit someone in front of you if they stop suddenly.  If your driving is like mine it is not hard to hit someone period.  My mother always says it is only the goodness of the Lord that I get from point A to B.  Brandy is going to face some rough days ahead prior to getting this behind her. 

Isaiah Washington really seemed to have been joking the night of the Golden Globes when he said that he did not call his fellow costar T.R. Knight a “faggot.”  The entire situation has spiraled out of control and if the tables were turned would it be that big of a deal.  However, in effort to keep his job Washington agreed to seek counseling about his alleged homophobia.  “With the support of my family and friends, I have begun counseling,” the actor said in a statement.  “I regard this as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again.  “I appreciate the fact that I have been given this opportunity and I remain committed to transforming my negative action into positive results, personally and professionally.”  In effort to save his job Isaiah agreed to undergo a psychological assessment after a meeting with ABC executives about his comment.  ‘I speak for all the executive producers here at ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ when I say that Isaiah Washington’s use of such a disturbing word was a shocking and dismaying event that insulted not only gays and lesbians everywhere but anyone who has ever struggled for respect in a world that is not always accepting of difference,” show creator Shonda Rhimes said in a statement. 

Who cares if he is seeking counseling or not?  Isaiah is going through a number of unnecessary motions to save his job and they may or may not be sincere.  Money is driving this issue.  The number one show is having some conflict among the stars.  In no other work environment do you have to get along or agree with your co-worker and most people do not like the individuals they work with all that much anyway.  People could respect Isaiah more if he said what he said and meant it and refused to backpedaled and allow himself to be publicly castrated for saying that he in fact did not call T. R. Knight a “faggot.”  There is no big deal that T. R. is gay and chose to tell the world his personal sexual preference.   Well, we do what we have to do to protect our job.  It was ridiculous to demand his job for his saying something that he did not say.  The disgusting fact is to see a man publicly humiliate himself to appease others.  Isaiah should have been bold enough and bad enough to say “Hell No!  Fire me!” and stood on his personal convictions. 

Rachel Ray is about to make a number of people mad if she did say something negative about Oprah.  It is not surprising that every person Oprah gives a hand to the media later claims they are somehow at odds.  It was said that Dr. Phil had a problem with the “Queen of Talk” after she gave him a platform and produced his talk show.  Well, it is rumored that Rachel Ray said that Oprah has issues with being black based upon there being a portrait of Oprah in the lobby of Harpo Production in Chicago for the movie “Beloved” and it shows Winfrey’s back and the famous scars that was called a cherry tree from the number of beatings the Setha (Oprah Winfrey) took during slavery.  Clearly, Oprah does not have a problem being black and offers the beautiful portrait as a reminder of how far African Americas have come in a raciest capitalist society.  However, a white girl that had to get her big break from a woman that is the decedent of slaves might have a very serious issue with such a reminder.  A drunken man speaks a sober mind and to every lie there is a little bit of truth, which can be concurred from this alleged occurrence.  The bottom line is Rachael Ray along with a whole lot of others would be nothing if it was not for Oprah.  According to Rachael’s camp she was out on he evening is question and did have wine, but never made such a comment. 

Speaking of the race issue; history has been made with two African American coaches in the Super Bowl.  The Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts won their respective NFC and AFC championship games.  Everyone knows by now that the Colts beat the New England Patriots 38-34 in a major upset after being down 21-3 in the 1st quarter.  Earlier on the same day the Bears took the New Orleans Saints down with a 39-14 win.  Two brothers will go head to head on the biggest day in sports history.  Again both coaches are Black!  For the first time in history that not only will an African American head coach participate in the Super Bowl, but both coaches are black and will go at it.  “It means a lot,” Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy said.  “I’m very proud to represent African American coaches, but more than that, it’s about the Indianapolis Colts.” His opponent had these words to say about leading his team to victory.  “Being the first black coach to lead this team, of course our players knew about it and they wanted to help us make history.” Lovie Smith, the Chicago Bear’s head coach said.  “So I feel blessed to be in that position.”

In more football news, another black man has stepped up as a head coach in the NFL.  Shortly after the history making coaches going to the Super Bowl the Pittsburgh, Steelers named Minneapolis Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin their next head coach, replacing Bill Cowher who retired after coaching the Steelers for 15 years.  According to reports the parties have agreed to terms on multi-year deal that is believed to be comparable to the four-year, $10 million deal Cam Cameron reached with the Miami Dolphins.  “It is humbling,” Tomlin said of becoming the only third Steelers coach in 38 years.  “These are great football people.  I’ve got a great deal of respect for what they do and what they’ve done.  It’s just a very humbling experience to be involved in, but at the same time, professional football is what I do and I’m a competitor like everyone else.”

Ok, you can stop e-mailing me; Obnoxious must apologize for omitting the K in Michael Vick’s last name.  However, it has been determined that the Atlanta Falcon’s quarterback was not carrying marijuana or any other illegal substance when stopped by security last week in Miami International Airport.  Well, it could be said that money made the entire situation quickly disappear, but if we know Vick he will soon slip up and do something else that is not so smart.  It was amazing to watch Arthur Blank make excuses for his misguided quarterback.  It is rumored that the quarterback, who is known to not make smart decisions, wants to leave Atlanta and that may be the reason for his behavior.  Seems that he might want to wear silver and black, Vick a Raider would not be half bad

“Dreamgirls,” got the most Oscar nominations, but was overlooked when it came to Best Picture, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress.  After eight nominations, but none in any of the major categories kicked the movie that makes you feel like anything is possible to the curb.   Actually you cannot base such great stock on a small group that makes the decisions of what and who is worthy to be recognized.  Jennifer Hudson was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, but she was not supporting and should be up for best actress.  The new found star said this about her nomination.  “Thank you to the Academy!  I am blown away by this honor.  I feel I have reached the impossible.  This is proof that faith is powerful.  Thank you!”  Eddie Murphy was nominated for Best supporting Actor, but otherwise, ‘Dreamgirls” was only recognized for its Art, Costumes, Music, and Sound. 

Drug Dealers and Killers Strike Again…Obnoxious has always referred to Steve Jackson as the Bad Boy of the NBA long before his participating in a brawl and now being arrested for firing a gun.  The now Warriors guard may be getting a bad rap for only two incidents throughout his entire NBA career.  Late last year I was able to catch up with Steven after the Pacers/Warriors game in Oakland.  Now his is a member of the team he had gone up against.  Steve had to appear in Rochester Hills, Michigan courtroom not long ago and it is a very good chance that he can go to jail for at least 93 days.  He is also facing three charges in Indianapolis stemming from an early morning October 6 incident at an establishment called Club Rio, if convicted Steve can go to jail for five years.  If your are confused on how Steve’s charges and possible jail time is adding up,  the NBA guard is on probation for the September 2005 misdemeanor assault charges from the brawl between the Pacers and the Detroit Pistons in November 2004.  Jackson went into the crowd after teammate Ron Artest had became involved in a melee with fans.  In Indiana Jackson was charged with felony criminal recklessness for firing multiple shots into the air before and after being struck by a car, which occurred after a confrontation between a group of Pacers and other Club Rio patrons.  February 7 Steve will attend a pretrial conference and trial to begin on February 12; however the date could be postponed.  On the same day he is also scheduled to appear in court to face Deon Willford, the man accused of driving the car that struck Jackson.  A sentence of six months to three years in prison is what he faces for the “D” class felony charge-which is the lowest of four types according to Indiana law. Steve faces charges of battery and disorderly conduct that carry up to a year each.  A conviction for a violent felony will result in a minimum 10-game suspension for the NBA, could allow the Warriors to void his contract.  Recently I was able to catch up with the NBA Bad Boy twice. The first was when he was still with the Pacers and going up against the Warriors and most recently when the Warriors went head-to-head with the Atlanta Hawks

Obnoxious:  “Hey Bad Boy!  How are you doing?”

Steve:  “Well, man I am doing the best that I can with all this over my head,” he said smiling.  “Actually, I am just glad to be playing basketball.”

Obnoxious:  “So how is your case looking?”

Steve:  “I have put it in the hands of God.  That is all I can do at this point.  I prayed about it and turned it over to the Lord,” Jackson said while holding is hands with a look that a lot was on his mind.  “My lawyer is going to do what they can, but the rest is up to God and that is all I can do to get through this.”

Obnoxious:  “Do you think you are getting a bad wrap?”

Steve:  “I went 26 years of my life without getting into trouble, and the two times I got in trouble, I was trying to help my teammate, which I will never do again, off the court,” Jackson said.  “Before the Detroit brawl I’d never been suspended or kicked out of a game.  I’d never been in an NBA fight, with a player, in my career.  So I know people on the outside looking in really don’t know me.  I can’t control what people think about me because at the end of the day people are going to think whatever they want anyway.” 

Obnoxious:  “Has this been a positive change for you?” 

Steve:  “Oh, yeah this is great I am glad to be playing with a good team and I not going to worry about what I can not control,” Jackson said.  “And the only thing I can control right now is living my life the right way and playing good basketball.” 

That night the Warriors lost to the Hawks and Al Harringtion took a pretty bad beating with a busted lip and cut on his nose.  He was very vocal about his finally being happy with a good trade and that he did not want to go back to the Pacers when he left Atlanta.  He went on to say that Billy Knight, Director of Operations for the Atlanta Hawks, did not have his back or best interest at heart when he put him up for trade so late prior to the season starting.  “I could have gotten a much better deal if he did not do what he did, but it is all good everything worked out,” Al said after the game.  Obnoxious will keep you posted on Steve’s case.  He is actually a really good guy that seems to have made some bad decisions.

In more Bad Boy News… Mike Tyson pleaded not guilty this week to charges of drug possession and driving under the influence.  The former heavyweight champ was arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona last month after nearly crashing his car into a police vehicle and being found with cocaine in his possession.  Tyson has been formally charged with two felonies—possession or use of narcotic drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia—as well as two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence.  If convicted on all counts he could face a maximum sentence of seven and-a-half years in prison. 

According To My “Street Committee”…Whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.  Well, that might have been the saying before Obnoxious landed in Sin City.  You have to wait until next week to find out all about the The 15th Annual Trumpet Awards.  There is too much to tell about who was with who, some people that did not look so hot on the red carpet, and the stuff that the high society who’s who attendees do not want the world to know about the wild after party.  But until then, it is old news now but seems that Mathew Knowles was a little upset about his daughter Beyonce’ not getting the Golden Globe.  Well, it seems that he might not have said it, but sources backstage swear that the Diva’s father was hot about his daughter not winning. 

Not so sure if this is a rumor or if it is going to soon be announced, but it seems that John Singleton is going to make Karrine “Superhead” Steffens’ book into a major motion picture.  Now can you see someone on the big screen acting out some of the action that allegedly occurred in her life?  Funny she has actually been on Oprah, but not so sure she will get another opportunity to promote the movie if all the talk is true.