Why men act out against women - CNN.com
CNN.com explains that "TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to 'Ideas worth spreading,' which it distributes through talks posted on its website. Anthony Porter is co-founder of "A Call to Men," a national organization addressing domestic and sexual violence prevention and the promotion of healthy manhood. "
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
President Obama Signs Critical Legislation to Prevent Child Abuse and Domestic Violence | The White House
In 2008, 772,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect. Nearly 2,000 of those children died. By providing states and local communities with new tools to identify and treat abuse and neglect, CAPTA-funded services will continue to protect children across the country. Prevention efforts will help parents by addressing high risk-factors like substance abuse, mental illness and domestic violence.
Domestic violence still affects 1 in 4 women in states and territories across the country.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
How leaks affect you :: Local News :: Post-Tribune
How leaks affect you :: Local News :: Post-Tribune
Leaking underground containers can cause cancer and poison groundwater. Click to read the article.
Leaking underground containers can cause cancer and poison groundwater. Click to read the article.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
101210-tax-relief-african-americans.pdf (application/pdf Object)
101210-tax-relief-african-americans.pdf (application/pdf Object)
Commentary: imadeamesss.com
The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010:
A Win for African American Families
The agreement announced by the President not only secures vital tax relief and investments in
our workers that will create jobs and accelerate economic growth, it contains specific policies
that provide targeted support for African Americans. In addition to extending unemployment
insurance for 13 months, the bill builds off the gains made in the Recovery Act. The agreement
will extend key provisions such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax
Credit (CTC) that disproportionately help African American families and children.
• An estimated 2.2 million African American families will benefit from the expansion
in the EITC and CTC that are extended in this agreement. These credits help roughly
4.7 million African American children or almost half (44%) of all African American
children.
• The extension of Unemployment Insurance will benefit 1.1 million African
Americans. That is why the National Congress of Black Women praised the President
for giving the unemployed a “new lease on life” and a “survival line” through the next 13
months.
Illustrative Example: Working African American mother with three children making $20,000.
This family will:
• Receive a tax cut of more than $2,100 from extending recent expansions in the EITC and
Child Tax Credit as part of this agreement.
• Receive a $400 tax cut from the new payroll tax cut.
• Compared to the Republican alternative, this family will receive a total tax benefit of
$2,500 next year.
HIGH IMPACT, JOB CREATING TAX CUTS FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES
Economic studies consistently find that lower-income households are the most likely to spend
additional money, creating jobs and helping overall growth. That’s why the Congressional
Budget Office has concluded that “policies aimed at lower-income households tend to have
greater stimulative effects.”
Beginning in the Recovery Act, the President has demonstrated his commitment to extend
benefits and tax cuts to struggling families as the right thing to do for family security and our
economy. According to a study released last year by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities,
seven policies included in the Recovery Act have kept 1.4 million African-Americans above the
poverty line.
1
1
Sherman, Arloc “Stimulus Keeping 6 Million Americans Out of Poverty in 2009, Estimates Show.” Center on
Budget and Policy Priorities, September 2009.
Page 2
Three of these policies are continued in the current bill, including Unemployment Insurance, the
EITC and the Child Tax Credit.
Earned Income Tax Credit
The EITC in the Recovery Act:
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) supplements the wages of low income workers, lifting
more children out of poverty than any other single program or category of programs.
Under the Recovery Act, the EITC was expanded to reduce the marriage penalty and to create a
“third tier” of the EITC for families with three or more children. This means larger families now
receive up to $1,040 more than they would have under the old system.
By extending the EITC in the agreement:
• About 4.1 million African American children will benefit from an expanded EITC tax
credit. Without this agreement, their families could lose up to $1,040.
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit in the Recovery Act:
The Child Tax Credit helps low-and moderate-income families with children. The credit allows
families to reduce their federal income tax by a certain amount for each qualifying child under
the age of 17 in a household. In 2001, the Child Tax Credit was expanded to $1,000 per child,
but was unavailable to millions of low income families because the minimum amount of earned
income used to calculate the credit was set at about $12,500 in today’s dollars.
In the Recovery Act, the Administration and Congress secured an important expansion in the
Child Tax Credit for lower income families by lowering the minimum amount from about
$12,500 to $3,000.
By extending the CTC with the $3,000 minimum threshold in the agreement:
• 2.7 African American children will benefit from a larger CTC.
• For many families, extending the minimum threshold in the CTC will result in thousands
of dollars in additional tax benefits that would have otherwise been lost. For example:
o A married couple with three children making $23,000 will receive $3,000 in child
tax credits compared to about $1,540 if only the 2001/2003 tax cuts were
extended – an increase of about $1,460.
Page 3
o A single mother with two children making $17,000 will receive $2,000 in child
tax credits compared to about $640 if only the 2001/2003 tax cuts were extended
– an increase of about $1,360.
American Opportunity Tax Credit
The American Opportunity Tax Credit in the Recovery Act:
• The Recovery Act expanded the AOTC so that it now provides up to three times more
relief than was previously available under the Hope Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit
and is refundable for low-income students for the first time.
• The AOTC gives working families and students a $2,500 per year partially refundable tax
credit to help students and their families cover the cost of college tuition.
The American Opportunity Tax Credit in the agreement:
• This deal fully extends AOTC for two years, ensuring that more than 8 million students
will continue to receive this tax benefit to help them afford college.
Unemployment Insurance
Extension of Unemployment Insurance is especially helpful for African Americans
• The unemployment rate among African Americans was 16% in November 2010. It has
increased 7 percentage points since the beginning of the recession in December 2007.
• Young African Americans face extremely high rates on unemployment, with 28% of
those ages 16-24 in unemployment in November 2010.
• African Americans also face longer durations of unemployment. For example, 47% of
unemployed African Americans have been unemployed for 27 weeks or more, compared
to 43.8% for all unemployed (not seasonally adjusted). The median African American
unemployed worker has been unemployed for almost a month longer than the median
unemployed worker.
The agreement secures an extension of unemployment insurance for an additional 13 months.
Without this extension, 330,600 African Americans looking for work would have lost their
benefits this month alone, and through the end of next year over 1.1 million unemployed African
Americans would have lost their benefits.
• Extending unemployment benefits provides crucial economic security to American
families. A recent report by the Council of Economic Advisers found that while 14
million people received federally supported unemployment insurance benefits through
Page 4
October 2010, an additional 26 million people living in their households benefitted
indirectly.
• About 42 percent of these recipients have, or live with, children. As of October, 2010
10.5 million children had benefitted from this provision.
Commentary: imadeamesss.com
The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010:
A Win for African American Families
The agreement announced by the President not only secures vital tax relief and investments in
our workers that will create jobs and accelerate economic growth, it contains specific policies
that provide targeted support for African Americans. In addition to extending unemployment
insurance for 13 months, the bill builds off the gains made in the Recovery Act. The agreement
will extend key provisions such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax
Credit (CTC) that disproportionately help African American families and children.
• An estimated 2.2 million African American families will benefit from the expansion
in the EITC and CTC that are extended in this agreement. These credits help roughly
4.7 million African American children or almost half (44%) of all African American
children.
• The extension of Unemployment Insurance will benefit 1.1 million African
Americans. That is why the National Congress of Black Women praised the President
for giving the unemployed a “new lease on life” and a “survival line” through the next 13
months.
Illustrative Example: Working African American mother with three children making $20,000.
This family will:
• Receive a tax cut of more than $2,100 from extending recent expansions in the EITC and
Child Tax Credit as part of this agreement.
• Receive a $400 tax cut from the new payroll tax cut.
• Compared to the Republican alternative, this family will receive a total tax benefit of
$2,500 next year.
HIGH IMPACT, JOB CREATING TAX CUTS FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES
Economic studies consistently find that lower-income households are the most likely to spend
additional money, creating jobs and helping overall growth. That’s why the Congressional
Budget Office has concluded that “policies aimed at lower-income households tend to have
greater stimulative effects.”
Beginning in the Recovery Act, the President has demonstrated his commitment to extend
benefits and tax cuts to struggling families as the right thing to do for family security and our
economy. According to a study released last year by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities,
seven policies included in the Recovery Act have kept 1.4 million African-Americans above the
poverty line.
1
1
Sherman, Arloc “Stimulus Keeping 6 Million Americans Out of Poverty in 2009, Estimates Show.” Center on
Budget and Policy Priorities, September 2009.
Page 2
Three of these policies are continued in the current bill, including Unemployment Insurance, the
EITC and the Child Tax Credit.
Earned Income Tax Credit
The EITC in the Recovery Act:
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) supplements the wages of low income workers, lifting
more children out of poverty than any other single program or category of programs.
Under the Recovery Act, the EITC was expanded to reduce the marriage penalty and to create a
“third tier” of the EITC for families with three or more children. This means larger families now
receive up to $1,040 more than they would have under the old system.
By extending the EITC in the agreement:
• About 4.1 million African American children will benefit from an expanded EITC tax
credit. Without this agreement, their families could lose up to $1,040.
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit in the Recovery Act:
The Child Tax Credit helps low-and moderate-income families with children. The credit allows
families to reduce their federal income tax by a certain amount for each qualifying child under
the age of 17 in a household. In 2001, the Child Tax Credit was expanded to $1,000 per child,
but was unavailable to millions of low income families because the minimum amount of earned
income used to calculate the credit was set at about $12,500 in today’s dollars.
In the Recovery Act, the Administration and Congress secured an important expansion in the
Child Tax Credit for lower income families by lowering the minimum amount from about
$12,500 to $3,000.
By extending the CTC with the $3,000 minimum threshold in the agreement:
• 2.7 African American children will benefit from a larger CTC.
• For many families, extending the minimum threshold in the CTC will result in thousands
of dollars in additional tax benefits that would have otherwise been lost. For example:
o A married couple with three children making $23,000 will receive $3,000 in child
tax credits compared to about $1,540 if only the 2001/2003 tax cuts were
extended – an increase of about $1,460.
Page 3
o A single mother with two children making $17,000 will receive $2,000 in child
tax credits compared to about $640 if only the 2001/2003 tax cuts were extended
– an increase of about $1,360.
American Opportunity Tax Credit
The American Opportunity Tax Credit in the Recovery Act:
• The Recovery Act expanded the AOTC so that it now provides up to three times more
relief than was previously available under the Hope Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit
and is refundable for low-income students for the first time.
• The AOTC gives working families and students a $2,500 per year partially refundable tax
credit to help students and their families cover the cost of college tuition.
The American Opportunity Tax Credit in the agreement:
• This deal fully extends AOTC for two years, ensuring that more than 8 million students
will continue to receive this tax benefit to help them afford college.
Unemployment Insurance
Extension of Unemployment Insurance is especially helpful for African Americans
• The unemployment rate among African Americans was 16% in November 2010. It has
increased 7 percentage points since the beginning of the recession in December 2007.
• Young African Americans face extremely high rates on unemployment, with 28% of
those ages 16-24 in unemployment in November 2010.
• African Americans also face longer durations of unemployment. For example, 47% of
unemployed African Americans have been unemployed for 27 weeks or more, compared
to 43.8% for all unemployed (not seasonally adjusted). The median African American
unemployed worker has been unemployed for almost a month longer than the median
unemployed worker.
The agreement secures an extension of unemployment insurance for an additional 13 months.
Without this extension, 330,600 African Americans looking for work would have lost their
benefits this month alone, and through the end of next year over 1.1 million unemployed African
Americans would have lost their benefits.
• Extending unemployment benefits provides crucial economic security to American
families. A recent report by the Council of Economic Advisers found that while 14
million people received federally supported unemployment insurance benefits through
Page 4
October 2010, an additional 26 million people living in their households benefitted
indirectly.
• About 42 percent of these recipients have, or live with, children. As of October, 2010
10.5 million children had benefitted from this provision.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
UPDATE: INDIANA BABY GETS LIFE SAVING OPERATION!
UPDATE: BABY GETS OPERATION!
Non-profit MDwise pays for baby Seth's operation!
After budget cuts, Indiana baby denied life-saving treatment - Yahoo! News
Non-profit MDwise pays for baby Seth's operation!
After budget cuts, Indiana baby denied life-saving treatment - Yahoo! News
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Black, Native American Farmers Get Their Due
President Obama Signs the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 | The White House
Today I have signed into law H.R. 4783, the "Claims Resolution Act of 2010." This Act, among other things, provides funding and statutory authorities for the settlement agreements reached in the Cobell lawsuit, brought by Native Americans; the Pigford II lawsuit, brought by African American farmers; and four separate water rights suits, brought by Native American tribes.
Today I have signed into law H.R. 4783, the "Claims Resolution Act of 2010." This Act, among other things, provides funding and statutory authorities for the settlement agreements reached in the Cobell lawsuit, brought by Native Americans; the Pigford II lawsuit, brought by African American farmers; and four separate water rights suits, brought by Native American tribes.
Elected Officials: Be Like Barack and Take a Punch for the People
Obama facing tough sell in own party on tax deal - Yahoo! News
"We're not going to play Russian roulette with the lives of the American people, with all the millions of people that are going to lose their unemployment insurance right now without this bill going forward," Axelrod said in an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America."
Moveon.org has a commercial featuring so-called average Americans asking the president not to negotiate with the Grand Old Party on tax cuts. Our president is a lawyer. Most lawyers are negotiators as it is a part of what they do. The president negotiated a deal that will allow people who are struggling to make ends meet, have an unemployment benefit check to spend on the holidays--though I expect most of those who are unemployed and struggling to pay their ongoing monthly bills and not buy extravagant gifts with it. The gift for many this year will be food, clothing and shelter. No one else gave a damn about the unemployed except President Obama and the only voice I hear is the chatter I always hear on the news. No real people get a voice there, especially on this matter. Personally, I'm saying thanks Mr. President. Good looking out.
Who are these people who do not understand need and lack of funds? They are so far removed from average Americans that they should not be allowed to speak for average Americans. I cannot believe the Democratic Party is willing to sacrifice those people who are already at a disadvantage because they are not working by allowing the benefits to expire during this holiday season. The potential win against the Republicans and not allowing high earners to see a tax cut, was worth destroying yet another poor, struggling American family. I have always been told that cutting one's nose to spite the face is unwise. However, I never thought I'd see the day when seemingly intelligent people who are our nation's leaders would gladly cut their nose to spite their face as a way of life.
The President did the right thing by cutting a deal for the working people, the struggling people in our country and extending the tax cuts. The wealthy who appreciate these tax cuts should speak up for themselves.
I have always wondered why if the American people are so concerned about the deficit, why can't everyone decide to give a dollar when paying their taxes or getting that tax refund? If everyone gave a dollar, it would make a difference. However, I am not so naive as to believe the average American cares about the deficit because they do not. Special interest groups use that deficit argument as a bargaining chip. Anyone paying attention can look at our society and understand it takes a highly educated populace to care about the country's future and not get into the mess we are currently in.Where were all of the caring deficit people when we were getting into the situation? People right now are caring about making it everyday, not the quality of education, the deficit etc. Anyone angry about the deal the president cut is not hurting for a dime. They have money and are making more money by the minute. They could care less about food banks running out of food or families going on food stamps to survive. (These things have been occurring for some time and these facts have been widely reported.) These well-to-do-people should watch an episode of Downsized to reconnect with the people and understand the poverty that is staring many of us in the face. President Obama seems to be the only one on Capital Hill who understands poverty and the struggle to stay out of its grip.
I'm glad I voted for President Obama and cannot wait to cast my vote for him in 2012. The rest of those greedy, ignorant, uncaring, social climbing so-called public servants can go to hell. GO TALK TO THE PEOPLE ABOUT BEING POOR. DO YOUR JOB!
The answer to poverty is not jobs but that discussion is for another time and another blog.
"We're not going to play Russian roulette with the lives of the American people, with all the millions of people that are going to lose their unemployment insurance right now without this bill going forward," Axelrod said in an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America."
Moveon.org has a commercial featuring so-called average Americans asking the president not to negotiate with the Grand Old Party on tax cuts. Our president is a lawyer. Most lawyers are negotiators as it is a part of what they do. The president negotiated a deal that will allow people who are struggling to make ends meet, have an unemployment benefit check to spend on the holidays--though I expect most of those who are unemployed and struggling to pay their ongoing monthly bills and not buy extravagant gifts with it. The gift for many this year will be food, clothing and shelter. No one else gave a damn about the unemployed except President Obama and the only voice I hear is the chatter I always hear on the news. No real people get a voice there, especially on this matter. Personally, I'm saying thanks Mr. President. Good looking out.
Who are these people who do not understand need and lack of funds? They are so far removed from average Americans that they should not be allowed to speak for average Americans. I cannot believe the Democratic Party is willing to sacrifice those people who are already at a disadvantage because they are not working by allowing the benefits to expire during this holiday season. The potential win against the Republicans and not allowing high earners to see a tax cut, was worth destroying yet another poor, struggling American family. I have always been told that cutting one's nose to spite the face is unwise. However, I never thought I'd see the day when seemingly intelligent people who are our nation's leaders would gladly cut their nose to spite their face as a way of life.
The President did the right thing by cutting a deal for the working people, the struggling people in our country and extending the tax cuts. The wealthy who appreciate these tax cuts should speak up for themselves.
I have always wondered why if the American people are so concerned about the deficit, why can't everyone decide to give a dollar when paying their taxes or getting that tax refund? If everyone gave a dollar, it would make a difference. However, I am not so naive as to believe the average American cares about the deficit because they do not. Special interest groups use that deficit argument as a bargaining chip. Anyone paying attention can look at our society and understand it takes a highly educated populace to care about the country's future and not get into the mess we are currently in.Where were all of the caring deficit people when we were getting into the situation? People right now are caring about making it everyday, not the quality of education, the deficit etc. Anyone angry about the deal the president cut is not hurting for a dime. They have money and are making more money by the minute. They could care less about food banks running out of food or families going on food stamps to survive. (These things have been occurring for some time and these facts have been widely reported.) These well-to-do-people should watch an episode of Downsized to reconnect with the people and understand the poverty that is staring many of us in the face. President Obama seems to be the only one on Capital Hill who understands poverty and the struggle to stay out of its grip.
I'm glad I voted for President Obama and cannot wait to cast my vote for him in 2012. The rest of those greedy, ignorant, uncaring, social climbing so-called public servants can go to hell. GO TALK TO THE PEOPLE ABOUT BEING POOR. DO YOUR JOB!
The answer to poverty is not jobs but that discussion is for another time and another blog.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Police warn of rise in home break-ins :: Lake County :: Post-Tribune
Police warn of rise in home break-ins :: Lake County :: Post-Tribune
Indiana State grad and Gary Indiana police chief, Gary O. Carter, offers tips on staying burglar-free this Christmas season. He and
Det. Keith Richardson head up a special burglary task force that investigates and sometimes stop the often late-morning break-ins. Last week, a local high school student was arrested for attempting to break into a home in his neighborhood.
WHERE ARE THE TRUANT OFFICERS?! Make the students stay in class! Limit hall passes and out-of-classroom time for at-risk students. Explain to them that trust is earned, not automatic.
Parents, do not encourage your children to steal. Pay attention to them and what they do and say.
Here are some other holiday safety tips offered by Indiana State Police:
Seniors, expectant mothers and vulnerable citizens should avoid shopping alone and late night. If you have to travel out-of-the way to a safer shopping district, then do so. Also, after gift shopping, take the packages home discreetly and then go out for lunch. Watchful eyes may be in the mall parking lot waiting for you to leave gifts unattended in a parked car at a restaurant. Don't be a superhero this Christmas, be alive--the best gift ever!
Indiana State grad and Gary Indiana police chief, Gary O. Carter, offers tips on staying burglar-free this Christmas season. He and
Det. Keith Richardson head up a special burglary task force that investigates and sometimes stop the often late-morning break-ins. Last week, a local high school student was arrested for attempting to break into a home in his neighborhood.
WHERE ARE THE TRUANT OFFICERS?! Make the students stay in class! Limit hall passes and out-of-classroom time for at-risk students. Explain to them that trust is earned, not automatic.
Parents, do not encourage your children to steal. Pay attention to them and what they do and say.
Here are some other holiday safety tips offered by Indiana State Police:
Holiday Shopping Safety Tips
The holiday shopping season is upon us with the busiest days yet to come. Many shoppers will begin their day in the darkness of the early morning hours and end in the late evening hours, leaving shoppers vulnerable at times to potential criminal activity. To protect yourself this holiday season, the Indiana State Police offer the following safety tips and reminders:- Stay alert and be aware of what's going on around you.
- Park in a well-lit area and be sure to lock your car.
- Use extra caution when walking to and from your car; walk with a friend.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card whenever possible.
- Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Don't overburden yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a rubber band around your wallet and place in the inside coat or front pants pocket.
- Do not leave purses unattended in shopping carts.
- Place gifts and other valuables in the trunk of your car.
- Keep your car doors and windows locked at all times.
- Make sure your car is good mechanical condition.
- Carry a fully charged cell phone with you.
- Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if they get separated.
- If you notice suspicious activity, contact store security or the nearest police agency, especially if you notice person or persons loitering around your vehicle.
- Remember, the most important tip is to know who and what is around you at all times. This includes driving to and from your shopping ventures.
Seniors, expectant mothers and vulnerable citizens should avoid shopping alone and late night. If you have to travel out-of-the way to a safer shopping district, then do so. Also, after gift shopping, take the packages home discreetly and then go out for lunch. Watchful eyes may be in the mall parking lot waiting for you to leave gifts unattended in a parked car at a restaurant. Don't be a superhero this Christmas, be alive--the best gift ever!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Target Trots Out $3 Appliances on Black Friday
Find out about $3 toasters and sandwich makers on Yahoo! Finance - Financially Fit .
Target is pulling out all of the stops as well as Walmart for deep, deep Black Friday discounts.
Black Friday is the the day after Thanksgiving and the official start of the holiday shopping season. It is a day when retailers hope to be in the black as far as their bottom line is concerned. It's a day when they hope to make a profit.
This is the perfect time to buy that flat panel television or that stand mixer.
Target is pulling out all of the stops as well as Walmart for deep, deep Black Friday discounts.
Black Friday is the the day after Thanksgiving and the official start of the holiday shopping season. It is a day when retailers hope to be in the black as far as their bottom line is concerned. It's a day when they hope to make a profit.
This is the perfect time to buy that flat panel television or that stand mixer.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Banneker Middle School Recycling Contest
The Green Team of Banneker Middle School is sponsoring a weekly recycling contest every Tuesday to promote emvironmental awarness and reduce the amount of materials being sent to the the landfill. We need your help. Please support our efforts by saving recyclable materials and bringing them to the Banneker school parking lot near the yellow and green recycle container.
First Tuesday of the month: Newspaper
Second Tuesday of the month: Aluminum cans, uncrushed
Third Tuesday of the month: Plastic Bottles (2 liter, pop and water bottles only.)
Fourth Tuesday of the month: Electronics and Batteries
First Tuesday of the month: Newspaper
Second Tuesday of the month: Aluminum cans, uncrushed
Third Tuesday of the month: Plastic Bottles (2 liter, pop and water bottles only.)
Fourth Tuesday of the month: Electronics and Batteries
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Vote Early, Vote Democrat
Early Voting started Monday October 4. Please vote early in the Midterm Election on November 2. Early voting will continue until November 1. Election Day is November 2. If you don't vote early, please make sure to vote Democrat November 2.
Vote early, vote straight Democrat.
Vote early at:
9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday; Noon to 7 p.m., Sunday.
Call for more information:
219-405-2038
219-405-2041
219-687-0040
Vote early, vote straight Democrat.
Vote early at:
100 BroadwayHours:
Lake County Court Bldg.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m
Lake County Courthouse, normal business hours
Crown Point, Indiana
Also
Volunteer at the Indiana Democratic Headquarters, 201 E. Fifth Ave.(across from the fire station), Gary to help the Democratic Party win November 2. When you show up, ask for "Shae."
9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday; Noon to 7 p.m., Sunday.
Call for more information:
219-405-2038
219-405-2041
219-687-0040
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
NAACP Promotes One Nation Working Together on October 2, Upload 2 Lift online Voter Registration App
By now you have heard about One Nation Working Together, the historic March on Washington scheduled for 10.2.10. The NAACP will lead a broad coalition to bring America together and put America back to work. But 10.2.10 is just the beginning. The next step comes in November.
Are you registered to vote yet? Are your friends and family?
This year's elections are shaping up to be as crucial as 2008. As some media pundits attempt to turn back the clock by reopening the "debate" over the Civil Rights Act, the 14th Amendment and affordable health care, we need to stay strong and focused. Most importantly, we need to vote.
If you are not registered, you can do it right here, right now. The NAACP has developed Upload 2 Uplift, a new initiative to empower voters with the click of a mouse. Our online tool enables people to register to vote on the web and spread the word to family and friends who are not yet registered:
http://action.naacp.org/Upload2Uplift
Since its inception, the NAACP has been committed to bringing the fundamental right to vote to every member of the black community. And despite huge strides in voter turnout during the Presidential election, only 69% of African Americans are currently registered to vote, compared to 75% of non-Hispanic whites.
Our goal is to register every last voter, to verify every last voter, to mobilize every last voter, and to protect the rights of every last voter because in close elections, every vote counts.
But to achieve this goal, we need your help. Tell your networks about Upload 2 Uplift so that this innovative technology can reach the millions of remaining unregistered voters.
Once you are signed up for Upload 2 Uplift, a mobile messaging feature will remind you to vote on Election Day. Make sure your voice counts and get started now:
http://action.naacp.org/Upload2Uplift
We must stay strong and focused. In the last speech Dr. King gave he said, "Nothing would be more tragic than for us to turn back now." We have come too far to turn back. Join us in Washington, DC on 10.2.10 and, most importantly, register to vote.
For more than 100 years the NAACP has been working to facilitate change, but it's up to you to make sure change starts at the polls.
Thanks for your support,
Ben Jealous
President and CEO
NAACP
Are you registered to vote yet? Are your friends and family?
This year's elections are shaping up to be as crucial as 2008. As some media pundits attempt to turn back the clock by reopening the "debate" over the Civil Rights Act, the 14th Amendment and affordable health care, we need to stay strong and focused. Most importantly, we need to vote.
If you are not registered, you can do it right here, right now. The NAACP has developed Upload 2 Uplift, a new initiative to empower voters with the click of a mouse. Our online tool enables people to register to vote on the web and spread the word to family and friends who are not yet registered:
http://action.naacp.org/Upload2Uplift
Since its inception, the NAACP has been committed to bringing the fundamental right to vote to every member of the black community. And despite huge strides in voter turnout during the Presidential election, only 69% of African Americans are currently registered to vote, compared to 75% of non-Hispanic whites.
Our goal is to register every last voter, to verify every last voter, to mobilize every last voter, and to protect the rights of every last voter because in close elections, every vote counts.
But to achieve this goal, we need your help. Tell your networks about Upload 2 Uplift so that this innovative technology can reach the millions of remaining unregistered voters.
Once you are signed up for Upload 2 Uplift, a mobile messaging feature will remind you to vote on Election Day. Make sure your voice counts and get started now:
http://action.naacp.org/Upload2Uplift
We must stay strong and focused. In the last speech Dr. King gave he said, "Nothing would be more tragic than for us to turn back now." We have come too far to turn back. Join us in Washington, DC on 10.2.10 and, most importantly, register to vote.
For more than 100 years the NAACP has been working to facilitate change, but it's up to you to make sure change starts at the polls.
Thanks for your support,
Ben Jealous
President and CEO
NAACP
Monday, September 20, 2010
"A CNBC Town Hall Event with President Obama"
"A CNBC Town Hall Event with President Obama" was good. Very good. The encore presentation on CNBC airs 7 p.m. Central, 8 p.m. Eastern.
If you are undergoing a personal financial crisis, you should watch.
It seems to me that the very wealthy should lend a hand- up to those below them in the economy. If they would work with the president to help the middle class grow, then we would be a much happier country. (and no one would expect much else from you.)
There are people who cannot put food on the table right now and they have these big car note payments and mortgages and a questionable jobs future. They want to save face too. And, they have been struggling with this for some time--before President Obama won the election.
The ones at the top, who are in charge of hiring and firing should take a really good look at what they would lose and gain by helping the president achieve his goal for America. Right now, they are not spending money on job creation and instead fighting like they have a problem keeping food on the table and that couldn't be farther from the truth.
These people at the top should ask themselves, what would you really be giving up? One lavish party per year? One less outing on the yacht? No one is discounting your hard work and right to enjoy your riches but at what cost to others? (you spend more time showing off and one upping each other in your class group--according to some prognosticators--and don't involve yourselves with the struggles of the commoner.)To much is given much is expected. What you are being asked to relinquish is not very much at all. Pitch the fk in.
It's like the rich men in the Bible. Those are good examples. While God said the poor would always be among us, he didn't say kick them when they are down or take food out of their mouths while they watch you at the feast. Wow, one less suckling pig on the table. What a sacrifice!
Most of these people pushing against the president are trying to save financial face. They are one step away from not being a millionaire anymore and surprisingly, I can understand that pain. Try thinking about the situation from another viewpoint. You may temporarily not be technically considered a millionaire or billionaire but many of your friends are in the same boat so there will not be a class difference that is noticeable. These people are far from broke and struggling they are not in survival mode and working hard to keep food on the table. Small sacrifices from the wealthy will quiet the rumble in the tummies of the poor and we can all move forward as one nation in peace.
Remember, people who do not have much to lose don't have far to fall but much to gain, are very dangerous to those who do have a lot to lose.
If you are undergoing a personal financial crisis, you should watch.
It seems to me that the very wealthy should lend a hand- up to those below them in the economy. If they would work with the president to help the middle class grow, then we would be a much happier country. (and no one would expect much else from you.)
There are people who cannot put food on the table right now and they have these big car note payments and mortgages and a questionable jobs future. They want to save face too. And, they have been struggling with this for some time--before President Obama won the election.
The ones at the top, who are in charge of hiring and firing should take a really good look at what they would lose and gain by helping the president achieve his goal for America. Right now, they are not spending money on job creation and instead fighting like they have a problem keeping food on the table and that couldn't be farther from the truth.
These people at the top should ask themselves, what would you really be giving up? One lavish party per year? One less outing on the yacht? No one is discounting your hard work and right to enjoy your riches but at what cost to others? (you spend more time showing off and one upping each other in your class group--according to some prognosticators--and don't involve yourselves with the struggles of the commoner.)To much is given much is expected. What you are being asked to relinquish is not very much at all. Pitch the fk in.
If poor people and the working poor could be of help, they would be made to help society. However, to ask disabled individuals, widows, orphans and veterans to take a meal off of the table and literally starve to death pitching in to help America is insane. Don't be greedy. Don't take too much. Every one else is cutting back on their consumption because their budgets have gotten smaller. Top Dogs in business and finance should do the opposite and spend--spread the wealth. Call your friendly Senator and Congressman or Congresswoman and ask them to vote with the president. You won't notice a change in your budget worth mentioning.
It's like the rich men in the Bible. Those are good examples. While God said the poor would always be among us, he didn't say kick them when they are down or take food out of their mouths while they watch you at the feast. Wow, one less suckling pig on the table. What a sacrifice!
Most of these people pushing against the president are trying to save financial face. They are one step away from not being a millionaire anymore and surprisingly, I can understand that pain. Try thinking about the situation from another viewpoint. You may temporarily not be technically considered a millionaire or billionaire but many of your friends are in the same boat so there will not be a class difference that is noticeable. These people are far from broke and struggling they are not in survival mode and working hard to keep food on the table. Small sacrifices from the wealthy will quiet the rumble in the tummies of the poor and we can all move forward as one nation in peace.
Remember, people who do not have much to lose don't have far to fall but much to gain, are very dangerous to those who do have a lot to lose.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Danita Johnson Hughes: Turnaround expert, speaker & author
Danita Johnson Hughes: Turnaround expert, speaker & author
"Among a classroom of 30 students, I could have easily been lost in the crowd. After all, every student had needs. I wasn’t that special. How could one teacher touch every child in a way that matters?"
Teachers are very special and wonderful people who help form our future.
"Among a classroom of 30 students, I could have easily been lost in the crowd. After all, every student had needs. I wasn’t that special. How could one teacher touch every child in a way that matters?"
Teachers are very special and wonderful people who help form our future.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Quran burning only suspended talks on moving NYC mosque only 'preliminary,' imam says
Quran burning canceled; talks on moving NYC mosque only 'preliminary,' imam says
Breaking news:
Breaking news:
Quran burning only 'suspended,' pastor says now, alleging imam 'lied' about mosque deal
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
End of an Era: Daley won't run for re-election: 'I have done my best' - Chicago Breaking News
Daley won't run for re-election: 'I have done my best' - Chicago Breaking News
Buy the book! Buy the book Eighteen Months and Short Stories, Real Life today!
'I have done my best'-Daley
Buy the book! Buy the book Eighteen Months and Short Stories, Real Life today!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The Root: Which Votes Really Matter In Arkansas? : NPR
The Root: Which Votes Really Matter In Arkansas? : NPR
"Pigford II occurred after the USDA admitted that thousands of other black farmers' claims from the 1990s went uninvestigated."
"Pigford II occurred after the USDA admitted that thousands of other black farmers' claims from the 1990s went uninvestigated."
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
millions-of-american-taxpayers-make-money-off-federal-taxes: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance
millions-of-american-taxpayers-make-money-off-federal-taxes: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance
This person apparently does not know any middle class people. Look at how he degrades the middle and working class people.
"To some, they are low-income Americans benefiting from smart and targeted welfare run through the tax code. To others, they are unacceptable free riders, contributing net zero or worse to the federal government...the IRS as 'Sugar Daddy.'"
He is directing his "freeloading" comments to anyone who gets a tax refund. Can you believe this? Hardworking people, those who are under-employed, have to take a tongue lashing from this MF? Please. Go have a kid, then raise it instead of being selfish and too stupid and cheap to hire a CPA and get some tax shelters.
This person apparently does not know any middle class people. Look at how he degrades the middle and working class people.
"To some, they are low-income Americans benefiting from smart and targeted welfare run through the tax code. To others, they are unacceptable free riders, contributing net zero or worse to the federal government...the IRS as 'Sugar Daddy.'"
He is directing his "freeloading" comments to anyone who gets a tax refund. Can you believe this? Hardworking people, those who are under-employed, have to take a tongue lashing from this MF? Please. Go have a kid, then raise it instead of being selfish and too stupid and cheap to hire a CPA and get some tax shelters.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Participate in Share Your Story of the Dream
NAACP | Share Your Story of the Dream
The 47th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s March on Washington is just days away.
Thanks to stories from men and women all across the country, the NAACP social media history campaign to remember that historic day has been an incredible success.
Each story we receive stands as a reminder of the challenges we have overcome and our perseverance to carry on. And although each story was unique, they were all powered by the same four words: I have a dream.
Do not miss out on this opportunity to be a part of history. Tell the NAACP how Dr. King's epic speech inspired you:
http://action.naacp.org/yourstory
Last week, to commemorate Dr. King, a woman named Gloria wrote in to tell us her story. Her words really inspired me:
When you shared your thoughts you proved something that I have always felt: that the dream is still alive and we are all a part of it.
This movement is so much bigger than one person or one speech. It is the culmination of centuries of struggle triumphing over oppression, forging the path toward equality. And every story brings us one step closer to achieving that dream.
Share your story with the NAACP today:
http://action.naacp.org/yourstory
My deepest thanks,
Ben Jealous
President and CEO
NAACP
P.S. -- This Saturday I will be walking the streets of DC with the National Action Network for "Reclaiming the Dream." The event will commemorate the anniversary of the March on Washington with proper respect. If you're in the DC area, please join us:
http://action.naacp.org/reclaimevent
The 47th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s March on Washington is just days away.
Thanks to stories from men and women all across the country, the NAACP social media history campaign to remember that historic day has been an incredible success.
Each story we receive stands as a reminder of the challenges we have overcome and our perseverance to carry on. And although each story was unique, they were all powered by the same four words: I have a dream.
Do not miss out on this opportunity to be a part of history. Tell the NAACP how Dr. King's epic speech inspired you:
http://action.naacp.org/
Last week, to commemorate Dr. King, a woman named Gloria wrote in to tell us her story. Her words really inspired me:
"On August 28, 1963, I was sitting in my all black class room with my fellow students glued to the TV. I was feeling very important that day not just because of my turning twelve years old, which was a big thing for me, but also because I was experiencing something that I was to carry with me for the rest of my life.
"When Dr. King's time to speak finally came I was hooked, I knew that my place and my purpose was to hear and to experience the soul of a Dream. That fateful day would not only define the struggle of a people, my people, it would forever create in me the proud Black person, woman, wife, mother, and grandmother that I am today. I will always remember the day August 28,1963 as the day I vowed to always make my people's struggle mine. Thank You Dr. King for helping us strive for the Reality."
When you shared your thoughts you proved something that I have always felt: that the dream is still alive and we are all a part of it.
This movement is so much bigger than one person or one speech. It is the culmination of centuries of struggle triumphing over oppression, forging the path toward equality. And every story brings us one step closer to achieving that dream.
Share your story with the NAACP today:
http://action.naacp.org/
My deepest thanks,
Ben Jealous
President and CEO
NAACP
P.S. -- This Saturday I will be walking the streets of DC with the National Action Network for "Reclaiming the Dream." The event will commemorate the anniversary of the March on Washington with proper respect. If you're in the DC area, please join us:
http://action.naacp.org/
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
This Is It
Celebrate Michael!
Come celebrate Michael Jackson's Annual Birthday Tribute at 2300 Jackson St. Gary, IN from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 28th.
The block party-style celebration is free and features live entertainment and birthday cake, according to advertisement about the event.
Questions? Contact the Mayor's Office of Special Events at 219-881-1314.
Come celebrate Michael Jackson's Annual Birthday Tribute at 2300 Jackson St. Gary, IN from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 28th.
The block party-style celebration is free and features live entertainment and birthday cake, according to advertisement about the event.
Questions? Contact the Mayor's Office of Special Events at 219-881-1314.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Poison Samonella Eggs–Return to Store for Refund–Do Not Eat
August 13, 2010 - The following statement was released by officials of Wright County Egg regarding the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) on-farm records review and egg testing for Salmonella.
Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa is voluntarily recalling specific Julian dates of shell eggs produced by their farms because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis or arthritis.
Eggs affected by this recall were distributed to food wholesalers, distribution centers and foodservice companies in California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. These companies distribute nationwide.
Eggs are packaged under the following brand names: Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps. Eggs are packed in varying sizes of cartons (6-egg cartons, dozen egg cartons, 18-egg cartons) with Julian dates ranging from 136 to 225 and plant numbers 1026, 1413 and 1946. Dates and codes can be found stamped on the end of the egg carton. The plant number begins with the letter P and then the number. The Julian date follows the plant number, for example: P-1946 223.
There have been confirmed Salmonella enteritidis illnesses relating to the shell eggs and traceback investigations are ongoing.
Wright County Egg is fully cooperating with FDA’s investigation by undertaking this voluntary recall. Our primary concern is keeping Salmonella out of the food supply and away from consumers. As a precautionary measure, Wright County Egg also has decided to divert its existing inventory of shell eggs to a breaker, where they will be pasteurized to kill any Salmonella bacteria present.
Consumers who believe they may have purchased these shell eggs should not eat them but should return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. This recall is of shell eggs only. Other egg products produced by Wright County Eggs are not affected. Consumers with questions should visit www.eggsafety.org.
Our farm strives to provide our customers with safe, high-quality eggs – that is our responsibility and our commitment.
###
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Million Father March—Take A Child to School!
August 18, 2010 will be Gary Community School System's first day of school. The Million Father March Pledge for Fathers and Men have organized a take-a-child-to-school day to take their children or another child to school, according to the Black Star Project, organized by the Gary Commission on the Social Status of Black Males.
Attending school with an adult is important to the morale of students. Participants of the Million Father March are essentially making a pledge to these students to care about them and the quality of their educational and socioeconomic future.
Attending school with an adult is important to the morale of students. Participants of the Million Father March are essentially making a pledge to these students to care about them and the quality of their educational and socioeconomic future.
The Million Father Pledge for Fathers and MenPlease participate in the Million Father March August 18, the first day of school for Gary students and encourage all who care to participate as well. Please use the links to contact the organizers of this event.
I will take my children or a child to school and I will be at school on the first day to encourage all children to do their best every day at school.
I am responsible for the education of my child.
I will volunteer at my child's school three times this school year
I will pick up my child's progress report or grade report when required.
I will meet with my child's teachers at least two times this year and support them in educating my child.
I will mentor my child or a child and I will teach children the values of education and family as well as the value of life
I will work with my child's mother or guardian to achieve the best academic and social outcomes for my child even if I don not live with my child.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Find out more about the Black Farmers Plight: Consolidated Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation
Editor's note: This is independent research/notes because I am angered at not finding this issue resolved and finding very little detail on the issue. What is the problem? Why can't the black farmer have what is rightfully his? Why won't the United States Senate vote to appropriate the funds for the black farmer's settlement? If it looks like racism, walks like racism and talks like racism, what do you think most people think? That it is racism? Why is the USDA so set against helping farmers? I do not understand. I just don't understand this issue. I will revise my research/notes periodically as all of this information comes from sources other than myself.
Congress established a new remedial process for relief under the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (”2008 Farm Bill”). This case, the Consolidated Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation, consists of discrimination claims by African-American farmers authorized by Section 14012 of the 2008 Farm Bill.
You should visit this web site.
You may feel as if this has nothing to do with you but did you know many black people today come from a line of farmers? They were scattered throughout the south. Many of us were deemed sharecroppers, however.
According to Wikipedia, sharecropping is a system of farming in which a landowner allows a tenant to use the land in return for a share of the crop produced on the land (e.g., 50% of the crop). Sharecropping has a long history across the globe however my focus today is the southern United States. Sharecropping occurred extensively in colonial Africa, Scotland, and Ireland, and came into wide use in the Southern United States during the Reconstruction era (1865–1877). The South had been devastated by war; planters had ample land but little money for wages or taxes. At the same time most of the former slaves had labor but no money and no land; they rejected the kind of gang labor that typified slavery. Similarity to serfdom or indenture, it has been seen as an issue of land reform.
Odesio answers a similar question on straightdope.com.
In Reconstruction-era United States, sharecropping was one of few options for penniless freedmen to conduct subsistence farming and support themselves and their families. (Another solution was a crop-lien system, where the farmer was extended credit for seed and other supplies by the merchant.) It was a stage beyond simple hired labor, because the sharecropper had an annual contract. During Reconstruction, the Freedman's Bureau wrote and enforced the contracts.
Don't worry, I'm getting to my point, however, in the sharecropping system croppers were assigned a plot of land to work, and in exchange owed the owner a share of the crop at the end of the season, usually one-half. The owner provided the tools and farm animals. Farmers who owned their own mule and plow were at a higher stage and are called tenant farmers; they paid the landowner less, usually only a third of each crop. In both cases the farmer kept the produce of gardens.
The sharecropper purchased seed, tools and fertilizer, as well as food and clothing, on credit from a local merchant, or sometimes from a plantation store. When the harvest came, the cropper would harvest the whole crop and sell it to the merchant who had extended credit. Purchases and the landowner's share were deducted and the cropper kept the difference—or added to his debt.
Though the arrangement protected sharecroppers from the negative effects of a bad crop, many sharecroppers (both black and white) were economically confined to serf-like conditions of poverty. To work the land, sharecroppers had to buy seed and implements, sometimes from the plantation owner who often charged exorbitant prices against the sharecropper's next season. Arrangements also typically gave half or less of the crop to the sharecropper, and the sale price in some cases was set by the landowner. Lacking the resources to market their crops independently, the sharecropper was sometimes be compensated in scrip redeemable only at the plantation.
Thus the cost of production and price of sale were both largely controlled by the land owner, with the sharecropper having little, if any, margin for profit. These factors made sharecroppers dependent on the plantation owners in a way that perpetuated some of the aspects of slavery, and in the late 19th century maintained a stable, low-cost work force that replaced slave labor; it was the bottom rung in the Southern tenancy ladder.
Sharecroppers formed unions in the 1930s, beginning in Tallapoosa County, Alabama in 1931, and Arkansas in 1934. Membership in the Southern Tenant Farmers Union included both blacks and poor whites. As leadership strengthened, meetings became more successful, and protest became more vigorous, landlords responded with a wave of terror.[24]
Sharecroppers' strikes in Arkansas and the Bootheel of Missouri, the 1939 Missouri Sharecroppers' Strike, were documented in "Oh Freedom After While".[25]
Machines helped stop the sharecropping system. It replaced human labor. However, how did black farmers make the jump from sharecropping to owning and profiting from their farmland? Did they finally pay off the debt to Mr. Charley? (I am still researching this question. Feel free to help if you like.)
When the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) was created, 90% of the American people were farmers. It was not until almost two decades after it's creation, that Cabinet status was achived by USDA on February 9, 1889. The Federal Farm Loan Act became law, July 1916. This Act sought to respond to the inadequacy of credit at reasonable rates for farmers, according to The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association. Many black farmers across the nation experienced discrimination in their dealings with U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies in their states. Across the nation, black farmers alleged, and the USDA later agreed, they were denied access to loans and subsidies provided by the government.[6] On a national level, farm subsidies that were afforded to white farmers were not afforded to black farmers.[7] Since they were denied government loans, emergency or disaster assistance, and other aid, many black farmers lost their farms and their homes.[8] The BFAA also say they now represent less than 3% of the population. In North Carolina there has been a 64% decline in African American farmers in the past 15 years, from 6,996 farms in 1978 to 2,498 farms in 1992.
You can draw your own conclusions.
Congress established a new remedial process for relief under the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (”2008 Farm Bill”). This case, the Consolidated Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation, consists of discrimination claims by African-American farmers authorized by Section 14012 of the 2008 Farm Bill.
You should visit this web site.
You may feel as if this has nothing to do with you but did you know many black people today come from a line of farmers? They were scattered throughout the south. Many of us were deemed sharecroppers, however.
According to Wikipedia, sharecropping is a system of farming in which a landowner allows a tenant to use the land in return for a share of the crop produced on the land (e.g., 50% of the crop). Sharecropping has a long history across the globe however my focus today is the southern United States. Sharecropping occurred extensively in colonial Africa, Scotland, and Ireland, and came into wide use in the Southern United States during the Reconstruction era (1865–1877). The South had been devastated by war; planters had ample land but little money for wages or taxes. At the same time most of the former slaves had labor but no money and no land; they rejected the kind of gang labor that typified slavery. Similarity to serfdom or indenture, it has been seen as an issue of land reform.
Odesio answers a similar question on straightdope.com.
"The first thing you have to understand is how labor works in relation to cotton in the days of yore. Cotton was an especially labor intensive crop and when it was being planted and especially when it was being harvested you needed a large labor pool to get the job done. When the planting and harvesting was done you just didn't need the labor pool at all. So the planters after the Civil War have a problem. How do they ensure they have the necessary labor at the necessary time and how do they get that labor for as cheap a price as possible?
The answer was the share crop system. Landowners would rent out property to tenants, perhaps give them a little seed money, and buy up the cotton when harvest time came. Most of the tenant farmers were illiterate and all of them were pretty much uneducated. This made it easy for the landowners to control the price of the cotton and to determine just how much money the tenants owed them at the end of the year. "Sorry, Mr. Johnson, but it looks like even though you had a bumper crop that you still owe me $25 at the end of the season."
Whether sharecropping was more efficient than the antebellum plantations is hard to say. To begin with it's rather difficult at times to figure out whether an antebellum plantation was making a profit in any given year because they didn't all keep efficient financial records like a corporation would. I've run across notes from a plantation with an I.O.U. written down for 1853 but I'll be damned if I ever ran across an documentation that the loan was ever paid back. Nor do I typically run across a useful ledger detailing income and expenses like I would for a rail road or a shipping company.
From a social standpoint it was also a good way for the elite to maintain control over labor, particularly black labor. One of the biggest race riots in Arkansas occurred in 1919 when members of the various farmer's unions attempted to get better prices for their cotton. Whites seemed to think that this was insurrection." -- Odesio
In Reconstruction-era United States, sharecropping was one of few options for penniless freedmen to conduct subsistence farming and support themselves and their families. (Another solution was a crop-lien system, where the farmer was extended credit for seed and other supplies by the merchant.) It was a stage beyond simple hired labor, because the sharecropper had an annual contract. During Reconstruction, the Freedman's Bureau wrote and enforced the contracts.
Don't worry, I'm getting to my point, however, in the sharecropping system croppers were assigned a plot of land to work, and in exchange owed the owner a share of the crop at the end of the season, usually one-half. The owner provided the tools and farm animals. Farmers who owned their own mule and plow were at a higher stage and are called tenant farmers; they paid the landowner less, usually only a third of each crop. In both cases the farmer kept the produce of gardens.
The sharecropper purchased seed, tools and fertilizer, as well as food and clothing, on credit from a local merchant, or sometimes from a plantation store. When the harvest came, the cropper would harvest the whole crop and sell it to the merchant who had extended credit. Purchases and the landowner's share were deducted and the cropper kept the difference—or added to his debt.
Though the arrangement protected sharecroppers from the negative effects of a bad crop, many sharecroppers (both black and white) were economically confined to serf-like conditions of poverty. To work the land, sharecroppers had to buy seed and implements, sometimes from the plantation owner who often charged exorbitant prices against the sharecropper's next season. Arrangements also typically gave half or less of the crop to the sharecropper, and the sale price in some cases was set by the landowner. Lacking the resources to market their crops independently, the sharecropper was sometimes be compensated in scrip redeemable only at the plantation.
Thus the cost of production and price of sale were both largely controlled by the land owner, with the sharecropper having little, if any, margin for profit. These factors made sharecroppers dependent on the plantation owners in a way that perpetuated some of the aspects of slavery, and in the late 19th century maintained a stable, low-cost work force that replaced slave labor; it was the bottom rung in the Southern tenancy ladder.
Sharecroppers formed unions in the 1930s, beginning in Tallapoosa County, Alabama in 1931, and Arkansas in 1934. Membership in the Southern Tenant Farmers Union included both blacks and poor whites. As leadership strengthened, meetings became more successful, and protest became more vigorous, landlords responded with a wave of terror.[24]
Sharecroppers' strikes in Arkansas and the Bootheel of Missouri, the 1939 Missouri Sharecroppers' Strike, were documented in "Oh Freedom After While".[25]
Machines helped stop the sharecropping system. It replaced human labor. However, how did black farmers make the jump from sharecropping to owning and profiting from their farmland? Did they finally pay off the debt to Mr. Charley? (I am still researching this question. Feel free to help if you like.)
You can draw your own conclusions.
Community Based Organizations
The Concerned Citizens of Tillery
The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association
The Land Loss Fund
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/LAF
Muhammad Farms
The Environmental Working Group
Let Justice Roll - Professor Waymon Hinson's Blog
The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association
The Land Loss Fund
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/LAF
Muhammad Farms
The Environmental Working Group
Let Justice Roll - Professor Waymon Hinson's Blog
Legal Assistance
Government Resources
National Black Farmers Association
National Black Farmers Association
Washington (CNN) -- The U.S. Senate failed Thursday to approve nearly $5 billion for a settlement between the Agriculture Department and minority farmers reached more than a decade ago, prompting finger pointing by members of both parties and outrage among many black farmers.
It is one thing to win a lawsuit for damages. It is another thing to collect what you are owed. If you happen to be a black farmer who was part of a $1.25 billion settlement from lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, you are still waiting after more than 10 years. This week, the U.S. Senate kicked more dirt in your face as it again stripped the lawsuit settlement funding from legislation. It is time for the White House to intervene in this travesty of justice. http://www.blackfarmers.org/html/080610.html
Read each class carefully:
http://www.blackfarmers.org/html/litigation.html
1. Class for Pigford Claims Remedy Act of 2006, H.R. 5575
Washington (CNN) -- The U.S. Senate failed Thursday to approve nearly $5 billion for a settlement between the Agriculture Department and minority farmers reached more than a decade ago, prompting finger pointing by members of both parties and outrage among many black farmers.
It is one thing to win a lawsuit for damages. It is another thing to collect what you are owed. If you happen to be a black farmer who was part of a $1.25 billion settlement from lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, you are still waiting after more than 10 years. This week, the U.S. Senate kicked more dirt in your face as it again stripped the lawsuit settlement funding from legislation. It is time for the White House to intervene in this travesty of justice. http://www.blackfarmers.org/html/080610.html
Read each class carefully:
http://www.blackfarmers.org/html/litigation.html
1. Class for Pigford Claims Remedy Act of 2006, H.R. 5575
An African American person who farmed or attempted to farm between January 1, 1981 and December 31, 1996, applied to USDA during that period for participation in a federal farm credit or farm program and who believed that they were discriminated against on the basis of race in USDA's response to that application; and filed a discrimination complaint on or before July 1, 1997, regarding USDA's treatment of such farm credit or benefit application and who previously filed a discrimination complaint that was determined to be late in Pigford v. Glickman.
2. Farm Subsidy Class
An African American person who farmed or attempted to farm between 1994 and present who applied to participate in a federal farm subsidy program and who believed that they were discriminated against based on race by being denied participation or equal benefits of that farm program.
3. New Class
An African American person who farmed or attempted to farm after December 31, 1996 and was discriminated against on the basis of race by USDA when USDA denied the African American farmer participation in a federal farm credit program or denied equal participation in a federal farm credit or farm program in retaliation based on race for participation in the Pigford v. Johannes class action or filed a complaint of discrimination since 1999 and USDA dismissed the accepted complaint without investigation or failed to process the case.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Senate Fails To OK Funds For Years-Old Settlement With Black Farmers | Roland S. Martin Blog
Senate Fails To OK Funds For Years-Old Settlement With Black Farmers | Roland S. Martin Blog
Can someone explain to me why this type of thing happens? All kinds of attention was drawn to it. Maybe the affected parties should have organized a letter writing campaign to contact their US Senators to voice their opinion instead of letting this crucial issue fall by the wayside. Is this too late to fix?
Can someone explain to me why this type of thing happens? All kinds of attention was drawn to it. Maybe the affected parties should have organized a letter writing campaign to contact their US Senators to voice their opinion instead of letting this crucial issue fall by the wayside. Is this too late to fix?
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
FBI issues warning of Terrorist Activities Related to Hobby Shops
The FBI Campaign Communities Against Terrorism is aimed at educating hobby shop owners and the industry on the Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Hobby Shops.
What Should I Consider Suspicious?
Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Hobby Shops
Be part of the solution.
Require valid ID from all new
customers.
Keep records of purchases.
Talk to customers, ask questions, and
listen to and observe their responses.
Watch for people and actions that are out
of place.
Make note of suspicious statements,
people, and/or vehicles.
If something seems wrong, notify law
enforcement authorities.
Do not jeopardize your safety or the safety
of others.
Preventing terrorism is a community effort.
By learning what to look for, you can make a
positive contribution in the fight against
terrorism. The partnership between the
community and law enforcement is
essential to the success of anti-terrorism
efforts.
Some of the activities, taken individually,
could be innocent and must be examined by
law enforcement professionals in a larger
context to determine whether there is a basis
to investigate. The activities outlined on this
handout are by no means all-inclusive but
have been compiled from a review of terrorist
events over several years.
• Demonstrating unusual interest in remote-controlled aircraft.
• Demonstrating interest that does not seem genuine.
• Inquiring about remote controls and model aircraft payload
capacity and maximum range.
• Inquiring about learning to fly expensive giant-scale aircraft
without first learning to fly small-scale aircraft.
• Possessing little knowledge of activity for which the purchase
is intended.
• Exhibiting unusual interest or specific interest in rocket motors
or igniters.
• Demonstrating no interest or enthusiasm for the hobby or
sport.
• Shoplifting or purchasing
Large quantity of model aircraft fuel.
Several large aircraft, engines, or transmitters.
Model rocket motor igniters without adequate knowledge.
Large quantity of paintball equipment and supplies with
very little information about local paintball activities.
• Using cash for large transactions or a credit card in someone
else’s name.
It is important to remember that just because someone’s speech,
actions, beliefs, appearance, or way of life is different, it does not
mean that he or she is suspicious.
Communiittiies Agaiinstt Terroriism
What Should I Do?
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL FEDERAL BUREAU
OF INVESTIGATION OFFICE
This project was supported by Grant Number 2007-MU-BX-K002, awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Each indictor listed above, is by
itself, lawful conduct or behavior and may also constitute the exercise of rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. In addition, there may be a wholly innocent explanation for conduct or behavior that
appears suspicious in nature. For this reason, no single indicator should be the sole basis for law enforcement action. The totality of behavioral indicators and other relevant circumstances should be
evaluated when considering any law enforcement response or action.
What Should I Consider Suspicious?
Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Hobby Shops
Be part of the solution.
Require valid ID from all new
customers.
Keep records of purchases.
Talk to customers, ask questions, and
listen to and observe their responses.
Watch for people and actions that are out
of place.
Make note of suspicious statements,
people, and/or vehicles.
If something seems wrong, notify law
enforcement authorities.
Do not jeopardize your safety or the safety
of others.
Preventing terrorism is a community effort.
By learning what to look for, you can make a
positive contribution in the fight against
terrorism. The partnership between the
community and law enforcement is
essential to the success of anti-terrorism
efforts.
Some of the activities, taken individually,
could be innocent and must be examined by
law enforcement professionals in a larger
context to determine whether there is a basis
to investigate. The activities outlined on this
handout are by no means all-inclusive but
have been compiled from a review of terrorist
events over several years.
• Demonstrating unusual interest in remote-controlled aircraft.
• Demonstrating interest that does not seem genuine.
• Inquiring about remote controls and model aircraft payload
capacity and maximum range.
• Inquiring about learning to fly expensive giant-scale aircraft
without first learning to fly small-scale aircraft.
• Possessing little knowledge of activity for which the purchase
is intended.
• Exhibiting unusual interest or specific interest in rocket motors
or igniters.
• Demonstrating no interest or enthusiasm for the hobby or
sport.
• Shoplifting or purchasing
Large quantity of model aircraft fuel.
Several large aircraft, engines, or transmitters.
Model rocket motor igniters without adequate knowledge.
Large quantity of paintball equipment and supplies with
very little information about local paintball activities.
• Using cash for large transactions or a credit card in someone
else’s name.
It is important to remember that just because someone’s speech,
actions, beliefs, appearance, or way of life is different, it does not
mean that he or she is suspicious.
Communiittiies Agaiinstt Terroriism
What Should I Do?
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL FEDERAL BUREAU
OF INVESTIGATION OFFICE
This project was supported by Grant Number 2007-MU-BX-K002, awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Each indictor listed above, is by
itself, lawful conduct or behavior and may also constitute the exercise of rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. In addition, there may be a wholly innocent explanation for conduct or behavior that
appears suspicious in nature. For this reason, no single indicator should be the sole basis for law enforcement action. The totality of behavioral indicators and other relevant circumstances should be
evaluated when considering any law enforcement response or action.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Wyclef Jean steps toward Haitian presidential race
Wyclef Jean may run for president of Hati, Reuters reports. I hope he does. I believe it would be good for Haiti.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Eric Deggans: What I learned from meeting Shirley Sherrod: It's time for media to help us find a new way to talk about race
What I learned from meeting Shirley Sherrod: It's time for media to help us find a new way to talk about race
Maybe we can use our existing communication vehicles to begin a conversation about race. We can use Facebook and Twitter and blog post distribution to have a conversation that spans the nation and the globe.
We can use the editorial pages of African-American newspapers–as we have always done–but we have to pay attention and participate. We have to do it when we do not feel like it. We have to do it when we get laughed at, mocked and talked about.
We have to conduct a little independent research and read existing research about us and our community. We have to be interested in ourselves. We are a wealth of knowledge, however it does little good when we do not have the infrastructure to carry out our continuous discussion on race. The ingredients are there, we only have to put it together and use it.
We have to encourage those who can, to do. We should create a black news wire service just for the chronicling of news that affects us in the black community. We have to encourage students to major in print Journalism (some of you get what I mean). Then, have those newspapers up and running and available to hire new grads to report on and in their community.
With business infrastructure in place, advertising dollars should flow to those newspapers and back into the community. Those dollars pay salaries of news personnel. We will live with ourselves. Our community would become the community. We will witness a return to a more moral black, a discreet black and an educated black as the standard. Our families would heal and increase in size, thus increasing the economy.How do we do that? We create business infrastructure in our communities like in the olden days when we had to shop black and we cared about quality and good customer service because we loved ourselves. We knew the list of lovers of blacks was short but if we were on it, it would be alright.
Even though this is an oversimplified idea, many of you get the picture. I wish I knew how to make it a reality.
Editor's Note: Quite frankly, I am tired of begging a group of people, who obviously do not care for me or my type, to accept me. Anyone can tell when they are being excluded on purpose or when they are outright hated. I'm tired of it but I don't say anything about it. I go where I am accepted. This attitude crosses race for me. I don't fit in everywhere I go with blacks either and I conduct myself accordingly. What is the problem with this attitude? It's restrictive and I will not learn anything about anyone any different than I am. I'll be come stupid. I'll be no better than those dumb ass racists.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Making Home Affordable Program Ramps Up Efforts
Volunteer Agency: Kaplan Thaler Group
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the Making Home Affordable Program in February 2009 as part of the plan to stabilize the housing market and help struggling homeowners get relief and avoid foreclosure.
Making Home Affordable is an initiative that includes a mortgage modification program to provide eligible homeowners with more affordable monthly mortgage payments. The Federal Government provides free resources to struggling homeowners to help them learn about options under the program, and to work with a HUD-approved housing counselor. Since the program launch, over one million homeowners have received help.
The PSAs feature real homeowners who have benefitted from the program.
Created pro bono by The Kaplan Thaler Group, a New York-based advertising agency, the new campaign is available in English and Spanish and features real homeowners from across the country who have benefited from the program.
“Even though the economy is getting stronger, many Americans are still facing the fear and uncertainty of losing their home to foreclosure,” Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, said.
“The Administration’s loan modification programs have given more than a million responsible homeowners a chance to stay in their homes, and we want to do all we can to help make sure that struggling homeowners know about these free resources for help,” he said.
“Many responsible borrowers continue to face challenges due to unemployment, negative equity or because of soaring utility payments,” HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, said.
"These public service announcements will help us to reach at-risk borrowers now, while they are still current on their payments and eligible to receive help through the Making Home Affordable Program or our expanded options for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) refinancing.”
“We are proud to partner with the Treasury and HUD on this critical campaign to educate Americans about free resources available to help them prevent foreclosures,” said Peggy Conlon, President and CEO, the Ad Council. “We hope Americans who are struggling will be empowered by these compelling PSAs and take simple actions to help them stay in their homes.”
The Ad Council will distribute the new PSAs to more than 33,000 media outlets nationwide. The campaign includes television, radio, print, out of home and web advertising. The PSAs will air in advertising space donated by the media.
The Making Home Affordable Program was launched in February 2009 to help homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure through no fault of their own make their monthly mortgage payments more affordable. Since then, more than 1.5 million homeowners have been offered help under the program, and almost 1.3 million homeowners have started a trial plan. Homeowners in permanent modifications under the program have a median monthly savings of over $500 each month or about one-third of their previous payment.
Homeowners that are struggling with their mortgage payments to visit www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov or call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) to learn about their options.
Sponsor Organization: The U.S. Department of the Treasury, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Campaign Website: www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov
Census 2010 News | Just 3 Days Left to Ensure You Are Included in 2010 Census
Census 2010 News | Just 3 Days Left to Ensure You Are Included in 2010 Census
Telephone Assistance Line Closes July 30
The U.S. Census Bureau reminded the nation today that on Friday, July 30, it will shut down its toll-free telephone assistance line. More than 130,000 interviews have been completed via the toll free line. Friday is the last day for callers who feel they may have been overlooked in the census to complete their 2010 questionnaire quickly over the phone.
“I urge residents that believe they did not receive a form, who did not mail it back or have not been contacted by a census enumerator to call 1-866-872-6868 to ensure they are included in the 2010 Census, making this the best count of the American population to date,” said U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert M. Groves.
For more than three months, individuals who believed they weren't included in the census were invited to call the toll-free assistance lines (open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Russian) to provide their information.
July 30 is the last day to take an interview over the toll free line to leave enough time for Census Bureau professionals to process the data and ensure that residents are counted in the right place and prepare the state population counts by the statutory deadline of Dec. 31, 2010.
ABOUT THE 2010 CENSUS
The 2010 Census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Census data are used to apportion congressional seats to states, to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to tribal, state and local governments each year and to make decisions about what community services to provide. The 2010 Census form is one of the shortest in U.S. history, consisting of 10 questions, taking about 10 minutes to complete. Strict confidentiality laws protect the respondents and the information they provide.
Telephone Assistance Line Closes July 30
The U.S. Census Bureau reminded the nation today that on Friday, July 30, it will shut down its toll-free telephone assistance line. More than 130,000 interviews have been completed via the toll free line. Friday is the last day for callers who feel they may have been overlooked in the census to complete their 2010 questionnaire quickly over the phone.
“I urge residents that believe they did not receive a form, who did not mail it back or have not been contacted by a census enumerator to call 1-866-872-6868 to ensure they are included in the 2010 Census, making this the best count of the American population to date,” said U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert M. Groves.
For more than three months, individuals who believed they weren't included in the census were invited to call the toll-free assistance lines (open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Russian) to provide their information.
July 30 is the last day to take an interview over the toll free line to leave enough time for Census Bureau professionals to process the data and ensure that residents are counted in the right place and prepare the state population counts by the statutory deadline of Dec. 31, 2010.
ABOUT THE 2010 CENSUS
The 2010 Census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Census data are used to apportion congressional seats to states, to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to tribal, state and local governments each year and to make decisions about what community services to provide. The 2010 Census form is one of the shortest in U.S. history, consisting of 10 questions, taking about 10 minutes to complete. Strict confidentiality laws protect the respondents and the information they provide.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
NAACP SUPPORTED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS EXTENSION LEGISLATION IS SIGNED INTO LAW BILL PROVIDES JOBLESS BENEFITS FOR OVER 2.5 MILLION AMERICAN FAMILIES
THE ISSUE:
On Thursday, July 22, 2010, President Obama signed into law a bill, which was strongly supported by the NAACP, which extends federal jobless benefits through the end of November, 2010 to those who had exhausted their normal six months of benefits. The legislation also makes the extension retroactive to June 2, 2010, when the benefits last expired.
This legislation had originally been passed by the House of Representatives in May, but had been stalled in the Senate by members who were concerned that the cost was too high. While the NAACP appreciates concerns about the current size of the national deficit, blocking unemployment insurance is not the proper place to make a stand. It is unfair, indecent and inhumane for the government not to assist those whose very lives may be at stake. With unemployment rates still too high - the national unemployment rate in June 2010 was 9.5%, and among African Americans the rate was 15.4% -- extending unemployment benefits is not only logical, it is the morally right thing to do. It is estimated that more than 2.5 million Americans had seen their benefits expire since June 2. On the third try, the legislation passed the Senate on July 21, 2010.
Both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have passed a resolution honoring and celebrating the NAACP on the occasion of our 101st Anniversary. The legislation, H. Con. Res. 242, was introduced by Congressman Al Green (TX), who has introduced similar resolutions every year on our anniversary and who is a champion of several NAACP legislative efforts. The resolution was championed in the Senate by Senator Christopher Dodd (CT), who has also consistently supported the NAACP and many of our legislative efforts during his tenure in office.
Specifically, the resolution recognizes the 101st anniversary of the historic founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and honors and praises the NAACP on the occasion of its anniversary for its work to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all persons. This resolution passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 421 yeas to 0 nays on June 16, 2010 and then passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent on June 18, 2010.
On Thursday, July 22, 2010, President Obama signed into law a bill, which was strongly supported by the NAACP, which extends federal jobless benefits through the end of November, 2010 to those who had exhausted their normal six months of benefits. The legislation also makes the extension retroactive to June 2, 2010, when the benefits last expired.
This legislation had originally been passed by the House of Representatives in May, but had been stalled in the Senate by members who were concerned that the cost was too high. While the NAACP appreciates concerns about the current size of the national deficit, blocking unemployment insurance is not the proper place to make a stand. It is unfair, indecent and inhumane for the government not to assist those whose very lives may be at stake. With unemployment rates still too high - the national unemployment rate in June 2010 was 9.5%, and among African Americans the rate was 15.4% -- extending unemployment benefits is not only logical, it is the morally right thing to do. It is estimated that more than 2.5 million Americans had seen their benefits expire since June 2. On the third try, the legislation passed the Senate on July 21, 2010.
Both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have passed a resolution honoring and celebrating the NAACP on the occasion of our 101st Anniversary. The legislation, H. Con. Res. 242, was introduced by Congressman Al Green (TX), who has introduced similar resolutions every year on our anniversary and who is a champion of several NAACP legislative efforts. The resolution was championed in the Senate by Senator Christopher Dodd (CT), who has also consistently supported the NAACP and many of our legislative efforts during his tenure in office.
Specifically, the resolution recognizes the 101st anniversary of the historic founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and honors and praises the NAACP on the occasion of its anniversary for its work to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all persons. This resolution passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 421 yeas to 0 nays on June 16, 2010 and then passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent on June 18, 2010.
Yeah and So What! Mail - Issue Update - Unemployment benefits extended through the end of November! - leslie@imadeamesss.com
NAACP SUPPORTED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS EXTENSION LEGISLATION IS SIGNED INTO LAW BILL PROVIDES JOBLESS BENEFITS FOR OVER 2.5 MILLION AMERICAN FAMILIES
THE ISSUE:
On Thursday, July 22, 2010, President Obama signed into law a bill, which was strongly supported by the NAACP, which extends federal jobless benefits through the end of November, 2010 to those who had exhausted their normal six months of benefits. The legislation also makes the extension retroactive to June 2, 2010, when the benefits last expired.
This legislation had originally been passed by the House of Representatives in May, but had been stalled in the Senate by members who were concerned that the cost was too high. While the NAACP appreciates concerns about the current size of the national deficit, blocking unemployment insurance is not the proper place to make a stand. It is unfair, indecent and inhumane for the government not to assist those whose very lives may be at stake. With unemployment rates still too high - the national unemployment rate in June 2010 was 9.5%, and among African Americans the rate was 15.4% -- extending unemployment benefits is not only logical, it is the morally right thing to do. It is estimated that more than 2.5 million Americans had seen their benefits expire since June 2. On the third try, the legislation passed the Senate on July 21, 2010.
Both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have passed a resolution honoring and celebrating the NAACP on the occasion of our 101st Anniversary. The legislation, H. Con. Res. 242, was introduced by Congressman Al Green (TX), who has introduced similar resolutions every year on our anniversary and who is a champion of several NAACP legislative efforts. The resolution was championed in the Senate by Senator Christopher Dodd (CT), who has also consistently supported the NAACP and many of our legislative efforts during his tenure in office.
Specifically, the resolution recognizes the 101st anniversary of the historic founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and honors and praises the NAACP on the occasion of its anniversary for its work to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all persons. This resolution passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 421 yeas to 0 nays on June 16, 2010 and then passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent on June 18, 2010.
Buy the book! Buy the book Eighteen Months and Short Stories, Real Life today!
THE ISSUE:
On Thursday, July 22, 2010, President Obama signed into law a bill, which was strongly supported by the NAACP, which extends federal jobless benefits through the end of November, 2010 to those who had exhausted their normal six months of benefits. The legislation also makes the extension retroactive to June 2, 2010, when the benefits last expired.
This legislation had originally been passed by the House of Representatives in May, but had been stalled in the Senate by members who were concerned that the cost was too high. While the NAACP appreciates concerns about the current size of the national deficit, blocking unemployment insurance is not the proper place to make a stand. It is unfair, indecent and inhumane for the government not to assist those whose very lives may be at stake. With unemployment rates still too high - the national unemployment rate in June 2010 was 9.5%, and among African Americans the rate was 15.4% -- extending unemployment benefits is not only logical, it is the morally right thing to do. It is estimated that more than 2.5 million Americans had seen their benefits expire since June 2. On the third try, the legislation passed the Senate on July 21, 2010.
Both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have passed a resolution honoring and celebrating the NAACP on the occasion of our 101st Anniversary. The legislation, H. Con. Res. 242, was introduced by Congressman Al Green (TX), who has introduced similar resolutions every year on our anniversary and who is a champion of several NAACP legislative efforts. The resolution was championed in the Senate by Senator Christopher Dodd (CT), who has also consistently supported the NAACP and many of our legislative efforts during his tenure in office.
Specifically, the resolution recognizes the 101st anniversary of the historic founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and honors and praises the NAACP on the occasion of its anniversary for its work to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all persons. This resolution passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 421 yeas to 0 nays on June 16, 2010 and then passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent on June 18, 2010.
Buy the book! Buy the book Eighteen Months and Short Stories, Real Life today!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Amazon Mechanical Turk
I'm posting this because I signed up for the Amazon Mechanical Turk and have made .21 cent so far. Really. I guess I'll make it to the $10 you need to earn in able to transfer it to your bank account. Some of the Human Intelligence Tasks won't pay. I got cheated four times in a row. One was to put an ad on Craigslist--never saw that money and the dashboard said that I abandoned it. All I could do was to contact the person who posted the job. I'll keep you informed of my efforts.
In the meanwhile, please enjoy the eHow article on the Amazon Mechanical Turk.
By the way the Turk comes from a mechanical doll from the 1800s dressed in traditional Turkish clothing, who challenged folks in chess as a parlor game. Go figure. I'm uncomfortable saying the name now that I know about its origins. I mean, should we be saying "Turk"? Arrrgggg.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Background on the President's Export Council Announcement Event Today | The White House
Background on the President's Export Council Announcement Event Today | The White House
The President will announce the members of the President’s Export Council and deliver remarks in the East Room on the administration’s commitment to export promotion to grow the economy and support new American jobs. Secretary Gary Locke and Jim McNerney – Chairman, President & CEO of The Boeing Company and Chair of the President’s Export Council – will join the President on-stage. Secretary Gary Locke will introduce the President. The audience will be comprised of members of the President’s Export Council (PEC) as well as business, labor and community leaders.
Prior to the event in the East Room the President will conduct a closed press meeting in the Roosevelt Room with the following PEC members:
*At the conclusion of the meeting, the below participants will proceed to the East Room.
Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke
Stephanie A. Burns, Chairman, President & CEO, Dow Corning Corporation
Scott Davis, Chairman & CEO, UPS
Richard Friedman, President & CEO, Carpenter & Company, Inc.
Gene Hale, President & Founder, G&C Equipment Corporation
C. Robert Henrikson, Chairman, President & CEO, MetLife, Inc.
William Hite, General President, United Association
Robert A. Mandell, Chairman & CEO, Greater Properties
Jim McNerney, Chairman, President & CEO, The Boeing Company
Raul Pedraza, Founder & President, Magno International, L.P.
Ivan Seidenberg, Chairman & CEO, Verizon
Glenn Tilton, Chairman, President and CEO, UAL Corporation and Chairman & CEO, United Air Lines
James S. Turley, Chairman & CEO, Ernst & Young
Patricia Woertz, Chairman of the Board, CEO & President, Archer Daniels Midland Company
ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS EXPECTED TO ATTEND
Deputy Secretary of State Jack Lew
Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
Deputy Secretary of Labor Seth Harris
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu
Director of the Office of Management and Budget Peter Orszag
United States Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk
Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors Christina Romer
Assistant to the President for Economic Policy Larry Summers
President of the Export-Import Bank Fred Hochberg
Director of the US Trade and Development Agency Leocadia Zak
The President will announce the members of the President’s Export Council and deliver remarks in the East Room on the administration’s commitment to export promotion to grow the economy and support new American jobs. Secretary Gary Locke and Jim McNerney – Chairman, President & CEO of The Boeing Company and Chair of the President’s Export Council – will join the President on-stage. Secretary Gary Locke will introduce the President. The audience will be comprised of members of the President’s Export Council (PEC) as well as business, labor and community leaders.
Prior to the event in the East Room the President will conduct a closed press meeting in the Roosevelt Room with the following PEC members:
*At the conclusion of the meeting, the below participants will proceed to the East Room.
Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke
Stephanie A. Burns, Chairman, President & CEO, Dow Corning Corporation
Scott Davis, Chairman & CEO, UPS
Richard Friedman, President & CEO, Carpenter & Company, Inc.
Gene Hale, President & Founder, G&C Equipment Corporation
C. Robert Henrikson, Chairman, President & CEO, MetLife, Inc.
William Hite, General President, United Association
Robert A. Mandell, Chairman & CEO, Greater Properties
Jim McNerney, Chairman, President & CEO, The Boeing Company
Raul Pedraza, Founder & President, Magno International, L.P.
Ivan Seidenberg, Chairman & CEO, Verizon
Glenn Tilton, Chairman, President and CEO, UAL Corporation and Chairman & CEO, United Air Lines
James S. Turley, Chairman & CEO, Ernst & Young
Patricia Woertz, Chairman of the Board, CEO & President, Archer Daniels Midland Company
ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS EXPECTED TO ATTEND
Deputy Secretary of State Jack Lew
Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
Deputy Secretary of Labor Seth Harris
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu
Director of the Office of Management and Budget Peter Orszag
United States Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk
Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors Christina Romer
Assistant to the President for Economic Policy Larry Summers
President of the Export-Import Bank Fred Hochberg
Director of the US Trade and Development Agency Leocadia Zak
Thursday, June 17, 2010
FTC STAFF DISCUSSION DRAFT FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION STAFF DISCUSSION DRAFT:1 POTENTIAL POLICY RECOMMENDATION
FTC STAFF DISCUSSION DRAFT FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION STAFF DISCUSSION DRAFT: POTENTIAL POLICY RECOMMENDATION
I like most of these recommendations. Let us go back to the development of the community newspaper. Not only will it promote literacy but the discrepancy between who gets vital information and who does not will narrow.
I caution the FTC to not be anxious to throw money at the problem. New publications should have help becoming established in the community. There are many people who think being a reporter is glamorous and easy and it is not. It can be dangerous, tedious and no fun at all. I would hate to see people who want to be committed to journalistic integrity take precious funding and squander it when the going gets tough or to use a newspaper as their personal platform.
I have felt for years that there should be some non-profit newspapers available to the community so that they can get vital information offered by government agencies. As long as the reader understands the source of the information, it will read about the same as a newspaper in mainstream. They get funding from businesses-national, regional and local.
They bend and sway under the weight of editorial sacrifices as well.
However, public affairs reporting could make a comeback. It is why I wanted to become a reporter in the first place but by the time I graduated with a degree in Journalism, those positions had been eliminated.
There seems to be some opposition to these suggestions by the FTC. I wonder if it is due to not wanting to compete for readership? Once fiduciary concerns are satisfied--news is news. Either the reader is being served news that is vital or they are being fed a diet of fluff.
I hope the FTC moves forward with these recommendations. The Gulf Oil Spill would not have happened. Enron would not have happened. You get the picture.
I like most of these recommendations. Let us go back to the development of the community newspaper. Not only will it promote literacy but the discrepancy between who gets vital information and who does not will narrow.
I caution the FTC to not be anxious to throw money at the problem. New publications should have help becoming established in the community. There are many people who think being a reporter is glamorous and easy and it is not. It can be dangerous, tedious and no fun at all. I would hate to see people who want to be committed to journalistic integrity take precious funding and squander it when the going gets tough or to use a newspaper as their personal platform.
I have felt for years that there should be some non-profit newspapers available to the community so that they can get vital information offered by government agencies. As long as the reader understands the source of the information, it will read about the same as a newspaper in mainstream. They get funding from businesses-national, regional and local.
They bend and sway under the weight of editorial sacrifices as well.
However, public affairs reporting could make a comeback. It is why I wanted to become a reporter in the first place but by the time I graduated with a degree in Journalism, those positions had been eliminated.
There seems to be some opposition to these suggestions by the FTC. I wonder if it is due to not wanting to compete for readership? Once fiduciary concerns are satisfied--news is news. Either the reader is being served news that is vital or they are being fed a diet of fluff.
I hope the FTC moves forward with these recommendations. The Gulf Oil Spill would not have happened. Enron would not have happened. You get the picture.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The Presidential "Emote" is Classified!
The American People focus on so many silly things. Fareed Zakaria GPS posed the question Sunday morning, something having to do with the President's "emotional response" to the BP Gulf Oil Spill.
"Emote?!"
A. He is a dude, not a girl
B. He is not a phony
C. Grow Up!
America has many, many serious problems that have yet to be solved (by the president) and the BP Gulf Oil Spill is only one of them.
We all care about it but I am upset in a selfish way because I love the beaches in Florida and hate the thought of the healing powers of the Atlantic Ocean being destroyed by an oil spill.
Seriously, the minerals contained within our salty and taken-for-granted ocean have the power to alleviate depression, minor aches and pains
(because of the buoyancy) and heal minor skin irritations. My eczema healed up within weeks of a daily dip in the ocean.
But I digress.
People act as if Barack Obama does not have the same natural rights to be president like any other U.S. born citizen. As if his first term is an experiment or test of our Constitution. As if to say, "if you do well on all points this time Black Man, we might let more of you help run the country." As if his presidency is contingent solely on the public whim as filtered through the news.
However, this particular president is transparent and the People cannot handle the truth. Not at all.
Most people don't pay close attention to the news if it does not affect them personally. People and their kitchen table issues like crime, local municipal gossip and how to make/spend more money are at the top of their agenda, not solving problems. We are a hedonistic group. Pleasure, entertainment and comfort are what we seek, not issues and problems--even if those issues and problems will come right around and bite us in the butt down the road.
Oil wells have been leaking into the ocean for years. If the American People could be a fly on the wall of the White House, I'm not sure they would view the president as unemotional. They would hear the voice of their father, brother, husband upset but asking the relevant, tough questions and participating in the back and forth it takes to solve a problem like educated adults.
Although, that's boring, isn't it? People want an episode of Jerry Springer or a moving speech.
What we want to hear and watch, is the president whoop and holler, threaten folks, stomp around in the sand and sling the oil around and yell and blame people and in general, act a complete uneducated, unsophisticated ass. If the president did break a bottle on the corner of the
boardwalk or pull a 9mm out and wave it around, guess what would happen?
Some of you already know.
The same damn thing. People would complain about how uncouth the president is behaving and that he isn't acting like the man who they voted for and how he should calm down because he is the leader...etc.
Geez. When will we ever be satisfied?
Instead of demanding an emotional speech that will take away from his valuable problem solving time or theatrics, why not let him quietly do his job with out the second guessing?
"Emote?!"
A. He is a dude, not a girl
B. He is not a phony
C. Grow Up!
America has many, many serious problems that have yet to be solved (by the president) and the BP Gulf Oil Spill is only one of them.
We all care about it but I am upset in a selfish way because I love the beaches in Florida and hate the thought of the healing powers of the Atlantic Ocean being destroyed by an oil spill.
Seriously, the minerals contained within our salty and taken-for-granted ocean have the power to alleviate depression, minor aches and pains
(because of the buoyancy) and heal minor skin irritations. My eczema healed up within weeks of a daily dip in the ocean.
But I digress.
People act as if Barack Obama does not have the same natural rights to be president like any other U.S. born citizen. As if his first term is an experiment or test of our Constitution. As if to say, "if you do well on all points this time Black Man, we might let more of you help run the country." As if his presidency is contingent solely on the public whim as filtered through the news.
However, this particular president is transparent and the People cannot handle the truth. Not at all.
Most people don't pay close attention to the news if it does not affect them personally. People and their kitchen table issues like crime, local municipal gossip and how to make/spend more money are at the top of their agenda, not solving problems. We are a hedonistic group. Pleasure, entertainment and comfort are what we seek, not issues and problems--even if those issues and problems will come right around and bite us in the butt down the road.
Oil wells have been leaking into the ocean for years. If the American People could be a fly on the wall of the White House, I'm not sure they would view the president as unemotional. They would hear the voice of their father, brother, husband upset but asking the relevant, tough questions and participating in the back and forth it takes to solve a problem like educated adults.
Although, that's boring, isn't it? People want an episode of Jerry Springer or a moving speech.
What we want to hear and watch, is the president whoop and holler, threaten folks, stomp around in the sand and sling the oil around and yell and blame people and in general, act a complete uneducated, unsophisticated ass. If the president did break a bottle on the corner of the
boardwalk or pull a 9mm out and wave it around, guess what would happen?
Some of you already know.
The same damn thing. People would complain about how uncouth the president is behaving and that he isn't acting like the man who they voted for and how he should calm down because he is the leader...etc.
Geez. When will we ever be satisfied?
Instead of demanding an emotional speech that will take away from his valuable problem solving time or theatrics, why not let him quietly do his job with out the second guessing?
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Literacy Levels in the Gulf Coast
Yesterday I received in my e-mail, a message from the President of the United States offering his ideas about the Gulf Coast. President Obama basically reported what he saw there.
I am beginning to think literacy may be an issue among the Gulf Coast fishers, based on what I read in the President's letter.
They work intergenerationally, what they learn is handed down through families, so formal education may not be stressed. I hope someone in charge is addressing this issue with them. It is the least one can do while disrupting their livelihood. Literacy classes should be offered
because many people won't ask. Any training BP offers probably requires a
particular reading level.
Partner with local literacy groups and get them to help with the training so that the people affected by illiteracy won't have to ask.
This what I read which led me to my ideas about literacy in the Gulf Coast region and training.
President Obama said:
Yesterday, I visited Caminada Bay in Grand Isle, Louisiana -- one of the first places to feel the devastation wrought by the oil spill in the Gulf
of Mexico. While I was here, at Camerdelle's Live Bait shop, I met with a group of local residents and small business owners.
Folks like Floyd Lasseigne, a fourth-generation oyster fisherman. This is the time of year when he ordinarily earns a lot of his income. But his
oyster bed has likely been destroyed by the spill. Terry Vegas had a similar story. He quit the 8th grade to become a shrimper with his grandfather. Ever since, he's earned his living during shrimping season -- working long, grueling days so that he could earn enough money to support himself year-round. But today, the waters where he
has worked are closed. And every day, as the spill worsens, he loses hope
that he will be able to return to the life he built.
Here, this spill has not just damaged livelihoods. It has upended whole
communities. And the fury people feel is not just about the money they
have lost. It is about the wrenching recognition that this time their lives may never be the same.
These people work hard. They meet their responsibilities. But now because
of a man made catastrophe -- one that is not their fault and beyond their control -- their lives have been thrown into turmoil. It is brutally
unfair. And what I told these men and women is that I will stand with the people of the Gulf Coast until they are again made whole.
That is why, from the beginning, we have worked to deploy every tool at
our disposal to respond to this crisis. Today, there are more than 20,000
people working around the clock to contain and clean up this spill. I have
authorized 17,500 National Guard troops to participate in the response.
More than 1,900 vessels are aiding in the containment and cleanup effort.
We have convened hundreds of top scientists and engineers from around the
world. This is the largest response to an environmental disaster of this
kind in the history of our country.
We have also ordered BP to pay economic injury claims, and this week, the
federal government sent BP a preliminary bill for $69 million to pay back
American taxpayers for some of the costs of the response so far. In
addition, after an emergency safety review, we are putting in place
aggressive new operating standards for offshore drilling. And I have appointed a bipartisan commission to look into the causes of this spill.
If laws are inadequate, they will be changed. If oversight was lacking, it will be strengthened. And if laws were broken, those responsible will be
brought to justice.
These are hard times in Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast, an area that
has already seen more than its fair share of troubles. The people of this region have met this terrible catastrophe with seemingly boundless
strength and character in defense of their way of life. What we owe them is a commitment by our nation to match the resilience they have shown.
That is our mission. And it is one we will fulfill.
Thank you,
President Barack Obama
I am beginning to think literacy may be an issue among the Gulf Coast fishers, based on what I read in the President's letter.
They work intergenerationally, what they learn is handed down through families, so formal education may not be stressed. I hope someone in charge is addressing this issue with them. It is the least one can do while disrupting their livelihood. Literacy classes should be offered
because many people won't ask. Any training BP offers probably requires a
particular reading level.
Partner with local literacy groups and get them to help with the training so that the people affected by illiteracy won't have to ask.
This what I read which led me to my ideas about literacy in the Gulf Coast region and training.
President Obama said:
Yesterday, I visited Caminada Bay in Grand Isle, Louisiana -- one of the first places to feel the devastation wrought by the oil spill in the Gulf
of Mexico. While I was here, at Camerdelle's Live Bait shop, I met with a group of local residents and small business owners.
Folks like Floyd Lasseigne, a fourth-generation oyster fisherman. This is the time of year when he ordinarily earns a lot of his income. But his
oyster bed has likely been destroyed by the spill. Terry Vegas had a similar story. He quit the 8th grade to become a shrimper with his grandfather. Ever since, he's earned his living during shrimping season -- working long, grueling days so that he could earn enough money to support himself year-round. But today, the waters where he
has worked are closed. And every day, as the spill worsens, he loses hope
that he will be able to return to the life he built.
Here, this spill has not just damaged livelihoods. It has upended whole
communities. And the fury people feel is not just about the money they
have lost. It is about the wrenching recognition that this time their lives may never be the same.
These people work hard. They meet their responsibilities. But now because
of a man made catastrophe -- one that is not their fault and beyond their control -- their lives have been thrown into turmoil. It is brutally
unfair. And what I told these men and women is that I will stand with the people of the Gulf Coast until they are again made whole.
That is why, from the beginning, we have worked to deploy every tool at
our disposal to respond to this crisis. Today, there are more than 20,000
people working around the clock to contain and clean up this spill. I have
authorized 17,500 National Guard troops to participate in the response.
More than 1,900 vessels are aiding in the containment and cleanup effort.
We have convened hundreds of top scientists and engineers from around the
world. This is the largest response to an environmental disaster of this
kind in the history of our country.
We have also ordered BP to pay economic injury claims, and this week, the
federal government sent BP a preliminary bill for $69 million to pay back
American taxpayers for some of the costs of the response so far. In
addition, after an emergency safety review, we are putting in place
aggressive new operating standards for offshore drilling. And I have appointed a bipartisan commission to look into the causes of this spill.
If laws are inadequate, they will be changed. If oversight was lacking, it will be strengthened. And if laws were broken, those responsible will be
brought to justice.
These are hard times in Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast, an area that
has already seen more than its fair share of troubles. The people of this region have met this terrible catastrophe with seemingly boundless
strength and character in defense of their way of life. What we owe them is a commitment by our nation to match the resilience they have shown.
That is our mission. And it is one we will fulfill.
Thank you,
President Barack Obama
Friday, June 4, 2010
4-day school weeks gain popularity across US - Yahoo! News
4-day school weeks gain popularity across US - Yahoo! News: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
How do you feel about a shorter school week? Should there be longer days and shorter weeks? Should the current school schedule remain the same? What do you think? Will school scheduling changes affect your life at all?
How do you feel about a shorter school week? Should there be longer days and shorter weeks? Should the current school schedule remain the same? What do you think? Will school scheduling changes affect your life at all?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Mummies of the World Exhibition at California Science Center
Under Heavy Security; Motorcade
Accompanies Rare Collection
to California Science Center
for World Premiere of Mummies
of the World Exhibition
American Exhibitions, Inc. Brings the Largest-Ever Exhibition of Mummies To the California Science Center July 1, 2010 for a Limited Engagement
LOS ANGELES, May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The largest collection of mummies ever assembled will travel nearly 6,000 miles to make its highly anticipated arrival in Los Angeles on Friday, May 28. The mummies are traveling to the United States for the first time as part of the Mummies of the World exhibition, set to make its world debut at the California Science Center on July 1.
American Exhibitions, Inc. (AEI), will bring the priceless,
carefully guarded mummies and related artifacts on an 11-hour journey from Germany and land at Los Angeles International Airport, where a security-detailed motorcade will escort the treasured mummies along a 13.5-mile route to the California Science Center.
There, security will unload its precious cargo, and experts will spend the month of June unpacking and preparing Mummies of the World for its opening. This must-see exhibition premieres on July 1, launching a limited engagement at the California Science Center and a three-year, seven-city tour around the country.
"Inside every mummy is a story waiting to be told," says James Delay, vice president of American Exhibitions, Inc., who is traveling with the mummies as they make their journey to the U.S. "Using state-of-the-art scientific research, the secrets of the mummies are now revealed."
Mummies of the World is a highly distinguished project that has been years in the making for AEI, working with 15 world-renowned museums in seven countries to bring to the U.S. a never-before-seen collection of mummies and related artifacts from South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Egypt. Its treasures include one of the oldest mummy infants ever discovered; a mummified family; a German nobleman discovered by his own descendants; and intentionally preserved Egyptian animal mummies.
-- The Detmold Child is a remarkably preserved Peruvian child mummy,This important exhibition dispels the notions and misconceptions about mummies and uses science tools to reach across time, demonstrating how scientific methods can illuminate the history of people and enhance our knowledge about cultures around the world. It also shows that mummification - both through natural processes and intentional practices - has taken place all over the globe, from the hot desert sands of South America to remote European moors and bogs.
radiocarbon dated to 4504-4457 B.C. - more than 3,000 years before the
birth of King Tut.
-- The Orlovits family - Michael, Veronica and their son Johannes - was
part of a group of 18th-century mummies found in a long-forgotten
church crypt in Vac, Hungary in 1994.
-- Baron von Holz is a 17th-century nobleman believed to have died in
Sommersdorf, Germany during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), who was
discovered in the crypt of his family's 14th-century castle still
wearing his boots.
-- Egyptian cat mummies, elaborately wrapped in painted linen bandaging,
date to the Ptolemaic period, and show how Egyptian cats were
intentionally preserved to accompany their royals into the afterlife.
Mummies of the World is a ticketed event and requires a timed-entry. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Tickets can be purchased online beginning June 6 at www.californiasciencecenter.org or by calling 323-SCIENCE (323-724-3623). Group reservations are available at 888-MUMMY TIX (888-686-6984)
More information about the exhibition is online: www.mummiesoftheworld.com.
American Exhibitions, Inc. is one of the leading exhibition producers in the United States, specializing in world-class touring exhibitions for science centers and museums. please visit our website at www.californiasciencecenter.org.
http://www.americanexhibitions.com/
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