NEWS STAND: Palin Raps Obama on Big Oil, Gang Power In Jamaica, Puffy Wants Cowell's Gig, and More

Our unique spin on today's headlines.

Palin accuses Obama of being in bed with Big Oil

From the pot calling the kettle black file, pundit/pundit Sarah Palin is accusing President Obama of not responding to the BP Oil debacle sooner because of donations made to the Democratic Party. The former governor of Alaska, who has championed more off-shore drilling, which by the way President Obama supports (at least prior to this disaster) has the unmitigated gall to pretend that this is an issue. Perhaps it is, but not coming from her. Those in glass houses that they vacated prematurely should not throw stones.

Read it at the Montreal Gazette.

The Harder They Come: State of emergency declared in Kingston, Jamaica

As if President Obama doesn’t have enough on his plate with BP and North Korea, he may have to save Jamaica from one of its own. Gang members blocked off miles of West Kingston to keep authorities from apprehending drug lord Christopher "Dudus" Coke, who is wanted by the United States. A drug kingpin with the last name of Coke. We cannot make this stuff up. Two police stations were bombed with Molotov cocktails by gang members who have declared their support and protection of Coke, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana and cocaine and conspiracy to illegally traffic in firearms in U.S. federal court last year. Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding said citizens should "allow the courts to deal with the extradition matter," the state-run Jamaica Information service reported. We wouldn’t count on that happening.

Read it at CNN.

A Match Made in Heaven: Nas and Marley mix rap and reggae inspired by Africa

Forget Kelis. Rapper Nas’ better half these days is Damian Marley. Hip-Hop royalty and Reggae royalty have come together to make an entire album influenced by African beats and rhythms. The LP entitled, “Distant Relatives,” is the first full-length collaboration between Nas and another artist of any genre. Isn’t it wonderful when people of African descent can come to a meeting of the minds and culture? Who says African-Americans and West Indians can’t get along? It’s sweet music to our ears.

Read it on Yahoo! News.

Saved by the Bell: Patients saved from huge ER bills by new law

You can stop fretting about cost and concentrate on healing thanks to the new “equal coverage guarantee law.” Insurance companies can no longer stick you with exorbitant bills when you use hospitals outside of the network during an emergency. Insurance can no longer pay less for emergency care at “out of network” hospitals or make you go to hospitals with which they already have financial arrangements. Score one for common sense and common decency.

Read it at MSNBC.

Wannabe Icon: Combs wants Cowell's 'Idol' job

Yeah and we want to win the lottery. As if Sean Combs needed more money, he is now lobbying Fox Network for Simon Cowell’s coveted spot. Cowell is leaving after this season and upon learning how much money Cowell made last year ($75 million), Combs is interested. He’s calling on all his fans to inundate the Fox Network with emails, Facebook and Twitter messages to give him the position. Would Diddy be a good fit? Mediocre talent+popularity contest+horrible recording contract+incompetent judges = American Idol. Yeah, he’d do just fine.

Read it on MSN.

Promoter Beats Rap: Calif. jury acquits man in killing of rapper Dolla
It looks like the use of rapper Dolla’s lyrics worked against him in the murder trial of Aubrey Berry, who beat the murder rap literally and figuratively for killing Dolla. Roderick “Dolla” Burton’s lyrics were used to defend Berry’s use of violence against the upcoming star and to support his declaration of self-defense. Supposedly, Dolla’s violent lyrics gave jurors insight into the rapper’s frame of mind. Hopefully this doesn’t mean open season on rappers or on Berry. Since community consciousness hasn’t prevailed in inspiring rappers to stop writing violent rhymes, perhaps the threat of the use of their lyrics against them in trials will.

Read it at Yahoo! News.