8384: F’ed Up.

Grading the news in a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• The American Lung Association handed out report cards for efforts to curb tobacco use, and 40 states received an “F” for anti-smoking programs. “Most of our states are failing miserably when it comes to combating tobacco-caused disease,” said ALA President Charles D. Connor. “Despite collecting millions of dollars, and in some cases billions, in tobacco settlement dollars and excise taxes, most states are investing only pennies of those dollars to help smokers quit and keep kids from starting,” Big Tobacco executives and lobbyist are undoubtedly firing up cigars to celebrate.

• A business partner of Michael Jackson’s mother is facing a lawsuit for creating mom-approved memorabilia that Jacko’s estate deemed a “wholesale misappropriation” of the late artist’s intellectual property. “Protecting and preserving Michael’s assets are a core responsibility of the estate and we will do everything the law permits to enforce those rights,” said estate lawyer Howard Weitzman. Kinda wonder how many lawsuits the estate will inevitably file against Jacko’s own kin.