By Othor Cain

Managing Editor

President Barack Obama became the first sitting president to openly support same-sex marriage Wednesday, May 8.

In an interview with Robin Roberts of ABC News, Obama cleared up any ambiguity about his stance on the issue when he stated clearly that he believes that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry:

“I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.”

If anything could predictably induce torrents of Internet reaction, it would be a U.S. president making the surprise disclosure that he supports same-sex marriage.

The response to the president naturally cut across the ideological spectrum. It also ranged from the serious to the ridiculous.

The Mississippi Link sought reaction from its FaceBook subscribers and Twitter followers. The following questions were asked: What are your thoughts about President Obama’s support of same sex marriage? Will it impact your vote? How do you feel about what some black clergymen are saying?

The responses:

“I believe there are many more pressing issues than the President’s stance on this issue. Much ado about nothing. As for clergy, the opinions they espouse vary. I’ve learned that most clergy shy away from a sermonic message on gays, not because of the do not judge criteria, but because most, like us, have one in the family. Let’s put this energy to better use.” ~ Berlena McCallum

“Honestly it won’t impact my vote. Its basically separation of church and state. I don’t agree with same sex marriage and all that homosexual stuff but people should have equal rights.” ~ Shae Johnson

“I too am for total equility…love and marry who you want…to all that says its a sin…look at yourself…its also a sin to live with someone who is not your spouse, have children out of wedlock, gamble, lie, cheat, sex before marriage, and sex with someone else’s spouse…step outside of your comfort zone for a moment. At least they are trying to live as married couples and not shacking. How many of you are shacking? They want to raise a family with two parents…how many of you are single parents? If it was that easy to sway your vote, you were never for our POTUS in the first place.” ~Monica MsCup Scott

“No, it will not impact my vote. His statement was his personal feeling; nothing more. Every American has the right to express personal feelings. Nothing he said will change one law or the legal approach to the subject. All the media hype has nothing to do with what happens any more than this post changes things in the USA.” ~Susan Lunardini

“I feel that he was forced to make a decision. It may not be how he truly feels – but a political move. It will not influence my vote. I have to look at “the forest” not the “tree” if you know what I mean. My feeling about the matter is based on scripture. However, everyone one is entitled to civil rights.” ~Brenda Cox

“The statement President Obama made concerning same sex marriage will not cause me to change my vote. I believe he made that decision based on the constitution. He is my president and not my pastor. I think it is so hypocritical of some ministers to say the negative things that they are saying about the President. If the truth be told, you have all kinds of sin in the church from whoremongering to adultery and that seems to be ok. I am so disappointed at some of our clergy.” ~Alisa Patrick McDonald

Pastor Danny Ray Hollins of  Greater Fairview M.B. Church took to his facebook page as did black clergy around the country. Many had opposing views, however, Hollins took a different twist.

The question is “What was Barack Obama elected to do?” He was elected to be president of all the people of this country…black, white, Muslim, Jews, gentiles, rich, poor, heterosexual, homosexual, metrosexual, or no sexual. He expressed his views as a politically elected leader concerning the rights of a certain group, which is what he should do if he believes it. He is not a God ordained preacher/pastor. It is the job of clergy and religious leaders to uphold the moral code of the bible. That’s not his job.”

Because of the possible fallout from the black clergy, Obama released an emailed statement to his supporters reaffirming his earlier statements:

“I’ve always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally. I was reluctant to use the term marriage because of the very powerful traditions it evokes. And I thought civil union laws that conferred legal rights upon gay and lesbian couples were a solution. […] What I’ve come to realize is that for loving, same-sex couples, the denial of marriage equality means that, in their eyes and the eyes of their children, they are still considered less than full citizens. […] 

So I decided it was time to affirm my personal belief that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.

I respect the beliefs of others, and the right of religious institutions to act in accordance with their own doctrines. But I believe that in the eyes of the law, all Americans should be treated equally. And where states enact same-sex marriage, no federal act should invalidate them.”

The president’s statement will have little political impact, as the decision to legalize same-sex marriage will still be in the hands of the states.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol’s Bureau of Investigation, along with the Tunica Police Department and the Tunica County Sheriff’s office, has arrested a man in connection with the north Mississippi highway murders.

            “Hundreds of man hours have been devoted to tracking down and arresting this individual,” Gov. Phil Bryant said. “Public safety is of paramount concern to us. Just as a week ago, with the resolution of the kidnap/murder case in north Mississippi, again we see the effective results of a unified effort of several law enforcement agencies working together.”

            James D. Willie, 28, of 14332 Ballentine Road, Sardis, Mississippi was arrested at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 15^th. Tunica police responded to a reported disturbance at 2661 Old Highway 61, Apt. D-2. Authorities found Willie with a woman who alleged he had raped her and he was taken into custody.

At the time of his arrest, a Ruger 9mm, semi-automatic handgun was found in Mr. Willie’s possession. It was determined after a testing by state Crime Lab scientists, the weapon matched the weapon used in two murders in northwest Mississippi last week.

Tuesday, May 8^th, Thomas K. Schlender, 74, of Raymond, Nebraska was found in his 1999 Ford F-150 pick-up truck in the median of southbound Interstate 55 shortly after 1:30 a.m. Friday, May 11^th at about 2:15 a.m., Lori Anne Carswell, 48, of Hernando was found beside her 1997 Pontiac Grand Am. The car was on the shoulder of MS 713.

Schlender’s car was found in the median of Interstate 55 near the Pope exit in Panola County and Carswell’s car was located in Tunica County near the intersection of MS713 and Interstate 69.

            “The Bureau of Investigation and Crime Laboratory dedicated all resources available to this investigation,” said Public Safety Commissioner Albert Santa Cruz. “Our citizens have been terrorized by these murders and we worked tirelessly to resolve them.”

            Willie is being held on charges of aggravated assault, kidnapping and rape. Authorities will formally charge Willie with two counts of capital murder later today.

NAPLES, Fla. – (CBS/AP) Donna Summer was more than one of the disco era’s most successful artists.

She earned a string of hits throughout the 70s and 80s with her innovative songwriting and a powerful, sensual voice that has continued to influence dance music for decades after.

From the rough-and-tumble of “Bad Girls” to the triumphant anthem (and wedding favorite) “Last Dance,” and many moving ballads in between, Summer helped define the magic of the dance floor all over the world. Here is a playlist of 16 of our favorite musical moments from the Queen of Disco.

Summer died Thursday morning, her family said, reportedly after a lengthy battle with breast and lunch cancer.

Summer was 63.

Her family released a statement Thursday saying Summer had died and that they “are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy.”‘

Known as the “Queen of Disco,” Summer was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines in Boston, Mass., in 1948, as one of seven children. She was raised on gospel music and became the soloist in her church choir by age 10.

The five-time Grammy winner rose to fame in the 1970s, scoring hits with “Last Dance,” “Hot Stuff” and “Bad Girls.” She co-wrote the single “Love to Love You Baby” in 1975, and went on to co-write several other hits, including “She Works Hard For Her Money.”

“Love to Love You Baby” was her U.S. chart debut and the first of 19 No. 1 dance hits between 1975 and 2008 – second only to Madonna.

During the disco era, she burned up the charts: She was the only artist to have three consecutive double-LPs hit No. 1, “Live and More,” “Bad Girls” and “On the Radio.” She was also the first female artist with four No. 1 singles in a 13-month period, according to the Rock Hall of Fame, where she was a nominee this year.

Summer released a number of albums that have reached gold or platinum status, including the multiplatinum “Bad Girls” and “On the Radio, Volume I & II.” Her No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits include “Hot Stuff” and “MacArthur Park.”

Summer also appeared in the 1978 film, “Thank God It’s Friday,” which took home the best original song Oscar for “Last Dance.”

The singer came to prominence just as disco was burgeoning, and came to define the era with a string of No. 1 hits and her beauty queen looks.

But unlike some other stars of disco who faded as the music became less popular, she was able to grow beyond it and later segued to a pop-rock sound. She had one of her biggest hits in the 1980s with “She Works Hard For The Money,” which became another anthem, this time for women’s rights.

Soon after, Summer became a born-again Christian and faced controversy when she was accused of making anti-gay comments in relation to the AIDS epidemic. Summer denied making the comments, but was the target of a boycott.

Still, even as disco went out of fashion, she remained a fixture in dance clubs, endlessly sampled and remixed into contemporary dance hits.

Summer’s last album, “Crayons,” came out in 2008. She also performed on “American Idol” that year with its top female contestants. In 2010, Summer appeared on “America’s Got Talent.”

Her sound was a mix of genres and helped her earn Grammy Awards in the dance, rock, R&B and inspirational categories.

Publicist Michael Levine, president of Levine Communications Office, represented Summer in 2002. He told CBSNews.com, “She had more energy in her early ’50s than most artists have in their ’20s.”

Levine also said Summer was very passionate about religion, noting how she used to hold a weekly bible study class at her home during that time.

He remembers Summer as “grateful” and “gracious.” She always brought a gift when she visited the office, Levine said.

Singer Dionne Warwick said in a statement that she was sad to lose a great performer and “dear friend.”

“My heart goes out to her husband and her children,” Warwick said. “Prayers will be said to keep them strong.”

Elton John said in a statement that Summer was more than the Queen of Disco.

“Her records sound as good today as they ever did. That she has never been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a total disgrace especially when I see the second-rate talent that has been inducted,” he said. “She is a great friend to me and to the Elton John AIDS Foundation and I will miss her greatly.”

Summer married Brooklyn Dreams vocalist Bruce Sudano in 1980. She is survived by her husband, three daughters (Brooklyn, Mimi and Amanda) and four grandchildren.

By Monica Land

BAY ST. LOUIS – Authorities in Hancock County are looking for a man that may have information about the murder of an 83-year-old man in March, and they’re asking for the public’s help in finding him.

Police are looking for Glen Joseph Davis in reference to the murder of Maurice Colly.

Authorities said on or about March 5, Colly’s body was found in his apartment on St. George and North 2nd Street. Neighbors became concerned after not seeing Colly for a few days and called police.

Colly, who occupied the top floor of the complex – which he owned – was found inside, the apparent victim of suffocation, police later said.

Officials now believe a man seen on a K-Mart surveillance video in Waveland, later identified as Davis, is a person of interest and they’re looking for him to question him.

Davis is described as a white male, 5’5″ to 5’8″ tall, and between 130-165 pounds. He has fair skin with dark arms and neck; appears to be balding and always wears some kind of hat.

“Davis is known to visit libraries and other free Internet locations to use dating web sites to contact and lure women,” Bay St. Louis Police Chief Mike De Nardo said. “He’s known to camp and enjoys state parks. He also likes to work out and is known to be an avid bicyclist. “

De Nardo said Davis always has a backpack with him and tends to live out of it. He travels frequently by bus, taxi cab and public transit.

He was reportedly driving a Honda Accord in early March when he walked into the K-mart.

Investigators said evidence found at Colly’s apartment led them to the K-Mart and the surveillance video.

Anyone with information about Davis or Colly’s murder can contact CrimeStoppers at 1-877-787-5898.