5480: No Noose Is Good Noose.

Hanging out with a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• New York has officially outlawed displaying nooses as threats, as Governor David Paterson signed a new law on Thursday. “It is sad that in these modern times there remains a need to address the problem of individuals who use nooses as a means of threat and intimidation,” stated Paterson. “But it is a reality, and if we ignore it we would be derelict in our duty.” Start spreading the noose.

• JC Penney saw its 1Q profits drop 50 percent. “It is obviously a very difficult time for all U.S. consumers,” said the retailer’s chairman and chief executive. “They’re facing uncertainty in their financial well-being.” Plus, they think JC Penney sucks.

• The jury is complete for the R. Kelly child-pornography trial, with the final group comprised of 8 men and 4 women—of which 8 are White and 4 are Black. Kelly’s lawyers argued about the numbers, charging the prosecutors with deliberately removing Black jurors. The prosecutors shot back that Kelly’s lawyers had nixed potential White jurors. Latinos, Asian Americans and Native Americans will probably hold a protest soon.