Jindal is a First in the United States

Louisiana held election this week. It has become the first state to elect an Indian American Governor. He's also the first non-White Governor in Louisiana since Reconstruction. His name is Piyushnaba "Bobby" Jindal.

Jindal was born in the US, but his parents were from India. He's the youngest Governor in the US right now at 36.He was a member of US House of Representatives.

He ran for Governor in Louisiana in 2004. However, he lost to Kathleen Blanco. Blanco, a Democrat, was pushed over the top with the votes of White Conservatives.

Things have changed in Louisiana since then. Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and ineptitude was seen from the Federal level on down. Blanco seemed ill prepared to handle the aftermath of the worst natural disaster on American soil.

Jindal ran on an anti-corruption platform. Although there were no specific charges, Louisiana has been stereotyped as a wheeling and dealing government for a long time. He also plans to make New Orleans and it's people a focal point of his administration.

It's great to see that Americans from a variety of backgrounds are making their way into Government. It's one step forward and two steps backward. But, we are making progress!

Glass Ceiling Shattered in Space

It's been 33 years since the first female astronaut, Valentina Tereshkova, went into space. Since then females have moved up the ladder to bigger roles in space programs.
Peggy Whitson of the United States has became the first woman to take charge at the International Space Station. She is commander of the 16th mission and will oversee the next phase of construction.

Whitson comes from a farming family. She was born in 1960 in Mt. Ayr, Iowa. She's got a doctorate in biochemisty and is a biochemistry researcher. She joined NASA in 1989 in their Biomedical Operations and Research Branch. She joined the astronaut program in 1996 and has worked her way up the ranks. Previous to taking command of the International Space Station, she had spent 184 days there in 2002.

Although NASA has had female shuttle commanders, the ISS has had only male commanders since its inception. Looks like the glass ceiling has just been shattered!

Genarlow Wilson Gets to go Home

In case you haven't been following this case, Genarlow Wilson has been in jail for having consensual oral sex with his girlfriend. He was 17 and she was 15. His girlfriend didn't turn him in. It was all captured on videotape and used against him. He was given the stiffest sentence possible...10 years in jail.

Since he was found guilty, Georgia rewrote the law. However, Wilson still sat in jail. He's been there over two years while his appeals went through the process. He won one appeal over the summer but the state decided not to drop the case.

The Georgia State Supreme Court ruled today that Wilson's punishment was cruel and unusual. They ordered that he should be released from jail.

Wilson lost his senior year of high school and a chance to go to college. State lawmakers are trying to make up for lost time . They've raised $4,000 towards a scholarship fund. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH organization will also donate $5,000. Let's hope this helps Wilson get pass the injustice of his imprisonment and go forward to the challenges he was meant to experience.

Thoughts and Prayers Go Out to Southern California

I'd like to send my thoughts and prayers out to everyone who is affected by the horrible fires raging in Southern California. May you, your family, and friends be safe.

I'd also like to give special thanks to all the firefighters and emergency personnel who are working round the clock to put out the fires and to help people get their lives back together.

The Rockies Go to the Big Show!

For the first time in franchise history, the Colorado Rockies are going to the World Series. They beat the Phillies in 3 straight, then they beat the Diamondbacks in 4 straight. In all they've won 21 out of 22 games to get themselves to the World Series.

Can you say "Cinderalla Story"?

Diplomacy on the Tennis Court

Sania Mirza is a Muslim born in India. Shahar Pe'er is Jewish and born in Israel. Both are professional tennis players. They've caused quite a stir forming one of the first Muslis/Jewish doubles tennis teams in the world.

Mirza had already caused a stir with traditionalist. Her dress was ruled against Islam and a fatwa was issued in 2005.

The pair first played together 2004. They then played at the Japan Open in 2005. Alot of controversy swirled around their pairing and they picked other pairs for future matches.

In 2007, they decided to give it another shot. They teamed up for Wimbledon. They made it to the third round before losing.

Jersey Number 30

Ahman Green of the Houston Texans in the NFL made a pledge. He would give the downpayment on a house to a single parent if his teammate, Jason Simmons, gave up jersey number 30. Simmons gave up the jersey number and Regina Foster gets a new house!

Foster could use the help. She's raising her son, Reginald, age 7, on her own. Their life is further complicated by the fact that Reginald has autism.

Foster received a check for $50,000. $25,000 was donated by Green. Texans Owner Bob McNair donated the other $25,000.