Daddy's World

My thoughts of 9/11

2011-09-11T21:01:00.005-06:00

Had a thought this morning while watching video of 9/11/2001.

We all know that individuals in this country have a problem with those that are not of their same race, creed, color, religion. It's a problem that grew as the country grew. Blacks see Whites and comment Honky, Cracker, Peckerwood. Whites see Blacks and comment Nigger, Coon, Porch Monkey. And then we all seem to find a name for the rest of those that are different from us.

But watching video from 9/11 today I saw something that the images of that day did not allow me to pay attention to. Men and women of all races, creeds, colors, and religions marched into two burning buildings to do their jobs. At that moment there were no differences. People were in trouble, and it was their jobs to make sure we, the people, were safe.

These men, and women knew that they would most likely not make it out of those two burning buildings, but they went knowing that there were people trapped that for sure would not make it out without their help.

They went knowing that this was the most demanding endeavor of their careers. They went and marched upwards of 80 floors while the buildings burned, and smoke clouded their vision.

Shouldn't we, the rest of the world know by now that the division between the races and religions, and governments, is a waste of valuable time that we the people could have, learning so much more about the lives of others on this earth, and how to make sure the lives of all are on an equal plain.

Shouldn't we, as neighbors take the time to know each other. Take the time to watch over our children and loved ones. Take the time to really mean it when we say good morning.

To take the time to truly love our fellow man.

PEACE!

Stefan de' Militant.

THE TUNISIA BAND Saturday July 23rd Stapleton Summer Concert Series - The Green 6:30-8:30pm

2011-07-18T10:00:00.003-06:00

Looking for even more free family events this summer? Bring the entire family out to Stapleton this Saturday, July 23rd, for The Stapleton Summer Concert Series on the Green with Tunisia!

All events are sponsored by the Stapleton Community and are located on Founders Green at 7601 E 29th Avenue in Denver.

THE TUNISIA BAND will be kickin it from 6:30-8:30pm

So bring your chairs, blankets, and dancing feet for an evening of great music.

The members of Tunisia are:

Orlando Poole - Lead Vocals

Selina Albright - Lead Vocals

Yvonne Brown - Lead Vocals

Carlos Chavez - Saxophones

Kevin Dawkins - Trumpet

Stephen Wilburn - Saxophones

Tim Greenhouse - Keyboards

Arlen Felsen - Drums

Chuck Fisher - Guitar

Gabe Steele - Bass

DON'T BE LIED TO. DON'T BE BAMBOOZLED. DON'T BE LED ASTRAY. DON'T BE HOODWINKED.

This is the real deal. The real groove. The real band. See you all there. PEACE!

For more information: tunisiaband.com

Stapleton MCA

(303) 388-0724 ‎

stapletoncommunity.com

The GOP Has Double Amnesia - by Peter Beinart | July 18, 2011 1:11 AM EDT

2011-07-18T09:15:00.002-06:00

As Republicans obstruct Obama on a debt deal, they seem to have forgotten they and Bush ran up huge deficits, and that they helped spur a crisis by not properly regulating big business and financial markets, writes Peter Beinart.

by Peter Beinart | July 18, 2011 1:11 AM EDT

If the debt-ceiling negotiations reveal anything about America in 2011, it is this: we live in an age of political amnesia. From the day the Twin Towers fell until the day Barack Obama was elected president, Washington Republicans did virtually everything in their power to increase the deficit.

George W. Bush and his congressional allies pushed through tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 that, according to the Congressional Budget Office, added more than $2 trillion to the deficit over 10 years. In 2002, when National Economic Council director Lawrence Lindsey suggested the Iraq War might cost $100 billion to $200 billion, he was rebuked by Office of Management and Budget director Mitch Daniels and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and then fired. According to the CBO, the war has now cost more than $1 trillion.

In 2003, the Republican Congress passed the Medicare prescription-drug bill, which former U.S. comptroller general David Walker has called "the most fiscally irresponsible piece of legislation since the 1960s." When Medicare’s chief actuary calculated that the legislation would likely cost more than $500 billion, a Bush appointee at the Department of Health and Human Services threatened to fire him if he released the information.

Had Republicans wanted to amend the Constitution to require a balanced budget, as they’re demanding now, they could certainly have tried during the Bush years, when they pretty much ran Washington. But they didn’t. Given their remarkable success at unbalancing the budget, such an effort would have been absurd.

Republicans have every right, of course, to admit their error and work to undo the deficit they helped create. But instead, today’s GOP leaders act as if the Bush years are irrelevant to America’s debt problem, and largely defend the tax cuts and wartime spending that helped cause it. It’s the same ideological double flip the GOP did in the Gingrich years, when Washington Republicans reinvented themselves as deficit hawks and pretended the Reagan administration had never happened.

AP Photo

But at least six years elapsed between Reagan’s departure from the White House and Gingrich’s ascent to the speaker’s chair. This time, the gap between President Bush and Speaker John Boehner was a mere two years. I guess everything happens faster these days.

Even more remarkable than the GOP’s deficit amnesia is its regulatory amnesia. Less than three years ago, the American financial system virtually collapsed, leaving an economic disaster that still blights the lives of tens of millions of Americans. That collapse may be partly the result of federal efforts that pushed too hard to make Americans with lousy credit become homeowners.

But it was also undoubtedly a result of the fact that under Presidents Clinton and Bush, the U.S. government egged on Wall Street as it created new and largely unregulated financial markets. Then, in 2010, after a BP oil spill almost destroyed the Gulf of Mexico, reporters discovered that the Department of Interior's Minerals Management Service, which supposedly regulates offshore drilling, was as toothless as the agencies that supposedly regulated derivatives trading.

That was last summer, and yet, amazingly, the GOP is more adamant today in its support of deregulation than it was during the Bush years. Every single Republican in the House opposed Dodd-Frank, the 2010 bill aimed at modestly strengthening America’s financial regulatory system—and Mitt Romney has said he would consider repealing it. Not to be outdone, Tim Pawlenty has proposed repealing all government regulations except for those Congress expressly votes to retain.

“

Today’s GOP leaders act as if the Bush years are irrelevant to America’s debt problem.

”

Deregulation is, to be sure, one of the American right’s longstanding principles. But it was one thing to demand deregulation in the 1970s and 1980s after many years of slow growth and increasing government intrusion into the economy. It is quite another to demand it now, after decades of deregulation that have helped produce two of the greatest disasters in recent U.S. history.

When Obama was elected in the financial crisis’s wake, I thought it heralded a historic leftward shift in American politics. And in some ways, it has. The health-care bill and the stimulus are, despite their limitations, more ambitious pieces of progressive legislation than anything passed under Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton. Still, what distinguishes the Obama era from the New Deal and Great Society is, first, that today’s Democratic Party—given its reliance on Wall Street to finance its campaigns—simply cannot frontally challenge America’s “economic royalists” the way FDR once did. Second, the Obama Democrats are not being pushed by any significant left-wing populist movement, as FDR was in the days of Huey Long.

But third, and perhaps most important, today’s Republican Party is united behind an antigovernment theology powerful enough to survive virtually any combination of real-world events. It is a theology based, in large measure, on amnesia. Whatever the powers of the presidency, Barack Obama simply cannot get the Republican Party to remember what it so fervently wishes to forget.

July 18, 2011 1:11am

TUNISIA Cherokee Ranch & Castle 2011 Performing Arts Series - Intimate, Elegant, and First Class Performances Presents TUNISIA July 8th 6:30 PM

2011-07-07T07:08:00.005-06:00

Tunisia

Friday, July 8 2011

6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Pavilion Tent

Dinner: 6:30

Showtime: 8-9

VIP Reservations: $45 includes Castle Tour, Barbeque Supper Buffet, Cash Bar, Performance, Dessert & Coffee Reception with the Musicians.

General Admission: $25 includes Performance; not included, Castle Tours, Barbeque

Supper Buffet and Dessert/Coffee Reception. Arrival Time: 8:00 p.m. with Performance at 8:30 p.m. General Admission seating is limited.

Cherokee Ranch & Castle

6113 North Daniels Park Road Sedalia, CO 80135

(303) 688.5555 ext 2

You can also go Castle Pines North to Daniels park road and you will see the facility.

Tunisia, is Denver Colorado's premier event band that can

stir the groove in the coldest heart! Ten members strong, Tunisia's set list boasts over 150 songs including hits from Earth Wind and Fire, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder, to The Roots, Katy Perry, Usher, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin and more.

Tunisia, is a high-energy entertainment group that consistently gets the party started every time! Their dynamic show covers many styles, ranging from Current Hits to Classic Rock, R&B and Motown to Disco, and Hip-Hop, including Standard Jazz to Swing, essentially catering to any audiences needs. But it's their fresh, hip style and funky approach to the music that bring this talented group into today's contemporary realm.

Individually, each have their own success stories garnering massive fan bases, but collectively, they are one family on stage. They have performed for high profile clients like the Congressional Black Caucus, The Sundance Film festival, and the Denver Broncos. Tunisia has also shared the stage with Stanley Clarke, Jonathan Butler, and The Gap Band, to name a few. Their charming enthusiasm, professional choreography and high energy are infectious to all audiences and are guaranteed to make you want to dance!

Tunisia, has a one of a kind energy show that will keep you entertained and dancing for the entire evening. Tunisia is a ten-piece band featuring the front line vocals of Selina Albright, Orlando Poole, Yvonne Brown, and Stephen Wilburn, along with three horns, and five piece rhythm section. They are a powerhouse full of talent and energy that is second to none.

Front man Orlando Poole is an amazing entertainer. Not only is this gifted performer a crowd-pleaser, but he can literally stop the show with vocals stemming from the lowest lows, to the highest highs. Combine Poole's charm with two impressive female lead vocalists in Selina Albright, and Yvonne Brown, and the entertainment is non-stop. These ladies create a powerful chemistry for the show with their strong lead vocals, beautiful harmonies, dazzling costumes and glamorous presence. Both Selina and Yvonne are top shelf vocalists in their own right. Having been on numerous albums and concerts accompanying just about every artist in the universe. And the show doesn't stop there. With all members of Tunisia being excellent vocalists, the lush harmonies flow like chocolate, while soothing your need for Funk, Rock, Jazz, and more.

The members of Tunisia, have been a feature act from coast to coast, as well as overseas performing for our troops. The members of Tunisia ignited the fire for the Sundance Film Festival in Park City UT in 2009. The members of Tunisia also performed for the Democratic Mayors Gala in Boston MA in 2004 for the DNC, the Republican and Democratic Conventions in 2008, as well as the Presidential Inaugural Ball in 2009.

The members of Tunisia, also played the premier night cast party for the latest Giancarlo Esposito movie, "Gospel Hill" at the Washington D.C. restaurant Charlie Palmers in January of 2009.

Tunisia, is not just the right choice, but the only choice to make your event "the" memorable event.

This band has all the makings of a great evening whether it be at a club like Jazz @ Jacks, or at your own private event. For booking information contact Arlen Felsen @ 303-669-1008.

The members of Tunisia are:

Orlando Poole - Lead Vocals

Selina Albright - Lead Vocals

Yvonne Brown - Lead Vocals

Carlos Chavez - Saxophones

Kevin Dawkins - Trumpet

Stephen Wilburn - Saxophones

Tim Greenhouse - Keyboards

Arlen Felsen - Drums

Chuck Fisher - Guitar

Gabe Steele - Bass

DON'T BE LIED TO. DON'T BE BAMBOOZLED. DON'T BE LED ASTRAY. DON'T BE HOODWINKED.

This is the real deal. The real groove. The real band. See you all there. PEACE!

www.tunisiaband.com

THE TUNISIA BAND AT JAZZ@JACKS, SATUDAY JULY 2ND

2011-06-29T03:43:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone!
THE TUNISIA BAND will be back in the public eye for the July 4th weekend.

We'll be kickin it at Jazz@Jacks Saturday, July 2nd from 9PM to 1AM in the Denver
Pavillions, on the 16th St Mall. Please call for reservations. This is always a sold out show.

If you don't have reservations I would suggest being there by 8:30 to get dancing room only.

Then on Monday, July 4th we'll be doing an outdoor concert for the city of Northglenn at E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park. 117th Ave at Lincoln St.

Show time are 6:30PM - 7:30PM, and 8:00PM - 9:30PM.

So bring your chairs, blankets, and Pik-A-Nik baskets for an evening of great music, and fireworks.

The members of Tunisia are:

Orlando Poole - Lead Vocals

Selina Albright - Lead Vocals

Yvonne Brown - Lead Vocals

Carlos Chavez - Saxophones

Kevin Dawkins - Trumpet

Stephen Wilburn - Saxophones

Tim Greenhouse - Keyboards

Arlen Felsen - Drums

Chuck Fisher - Guitar

Gabe Steele - Bass

DON'T BE LIED TO. DON'T BE BAMBOOZLED. DON'T BE LED ASTRAY. DON'T BE HOODWINKED.

This is the real deal. The real groove. The real band. See you all there. PEACE!

For more information: tunisiaband.com

July 2^nd: Jazz@ Jacks

Showtime: 9-1:00

Downtown Denver at the Pavillions. 3rd floor.

July 4^th: Northglenn

Location: E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park 117^th ave and Lincoln St.

Show times: 6:30-730 and 8:00-9:30P

Road Detour and Parking City of Northglenn Summer Concert Series

Community Center Drive bordering the park will be closed from 4 a.m. to midnight for the event. Traffic will be detoured around
City Hall.

All of Community Center Drive will be closed to traffic from 9 p.m. until about 10 p.m. for the fireworks show. Please take an alternate route.

Parking will be available in the lots north of the rec center and behind City Hall. Handicap parking will be available in the west parking lot off Community Center Drive and a drop off area will be available to the west of that parking lot.

The event is sponsored by The Northglenn/Thornton Sentinel, United Power, Bellco Credit Union, Northglenn Arts and H
umanities Foundation and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District.

For more information, contact Neighborhood Programs Specialist Jeanette Sánchez at 303-450-8935 or jsanchez@northglenn.org.

Mitt Romney Blasts Obama: 'One Of The Most Ineffective Presidents,' He's 'Failed

2011-05-31T10:05:00.006-06:00

Rethuglicans will say and do anything to try and get your mind off of the fact that the shit we're in today has flowed downhill from the Bush administrations efforts to destroy the middle class in this country. Yak, yak, yak, yak. No solutions. No new ideas. Just the same old bullshit. They figure if they can tear down the image of Barack Obama, they will have a chance to once again point this country in the wrong direction. WRONG!

You may not like Obama, but you can not deny the facts that this president has done more for the people (including middle class and lower) of this country in two years than the Bush administration had in eight years. Face it Rethugs, you have to have a better rap than he's done nothing. Although I voted for Barack Obama, I don't vote strictly Democrat across the board. I vote for the person I believe will get the job done. The person who has the better idea. The person I feel has the best agenda for the people. Not just the top 2%, but all the people.

Now comes Mitty Mitt with this absurd statement that Barack Obama has failed the country. Well tell that to the 2500 NEW hires at General Motors. Tell that to the millions of folks that need their Medicare, and Social Security benefits. Tell that to the family and friends of the more than 3000 Americans killed in the 9/11 attacks. Tell that to the women of this country that now find themselves in the position to be paid the same salary as men. Tell that to the Gay and Lesbian community in our armed forces (DADT) Tell that to the millions of children that now have healthcare. Hell. Go tell momma. Just don't try to tell me that shit.

Come on Rethugs. If you have a better plan, you don't have to lie and make shit up. Just tell the truth. Oh yeah thats right. The American people don't want your kind of truth. See, you lied to them for the 2010 midterms, and now that you've been found out, you see that the PEOPLE are not having any of it. Union busting, Planned Parenthood, tax loopholes for the rich, incentives for oil companies, and the list goes on (no mention of jobs). What gets me, and so many others is that there are really poor people out there that keep voting for these assholes. I mean come on now, what do you expect to get from these Rethuglican politicians? They would rather tear down education, and the health and well being of all Americans before taking anything away from the rich. Where is the justice in that reasoning? These are politicians that would not give unemployment benefits to the PEOPLE unless the top 2% got their tax break. Wait a minute. I have to say that again. These are politicians that would not give unemployment benefits to the PEOPLE unless the top 2% got their tax break. Background singers sing: "Ain't that some shit".

Mitty Mitt. You had something good going for yourself, but we see now you find it more important to impress the Tea Party than the American people. More important to side with big money over the hard working middle class of this country.

Sorry dude. You're just wasting money. As a matter of fact if you want to impress me and millions more folks just like me, take that $10.5 million you just raised, and give it to a charity that will benefit all those without JOBS. Those folks that have lost their homes due to the evil practices of the rich bankers. Invest it in the education of our youth. Hell, just do something positive with the money Mitt. Running for president in your case is just throwing away money at a time when there are so many that could benefit from your generosity, rather than a failing run for president. PEACE!

The following is from a Facebook post at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Things-Obama-has-done/457458970505?sk=info

OBAMA ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. Saved the collapse of the American automotive industry by making GM restructure before bailing them out, and putting incentive money to help the industry

2. Shifted the focus of the war from Iraq to Afghanistan, and putting the emphasis on reducing terrorism where it should have been all along

3. Relaxed Anti-American tensions throughout the world

4. Signed order to close the prisoner “torture camp” at Guantanamo Bay

5. Has made the environment a national priority, and a primary source for job creation

6. Has made education a national priority by putting emphasis and money behind new ideas like charter schools, but speaking directly to school children in telling them they have to do their part.

7. Won the Nobel Peace Prize

8. $789 billion economic stimulus plan

9. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court

10. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles

11. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans

12. Renewed dialogue with NATO and other allies and partners on strategic issues.

13. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force… this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.

14. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops

15. “Cash for clunkers” program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulates auto sales

16. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan

17. Closed offshore tax safe havens

18. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan

19. Ended media “blackout” on war casualties; reporting full information

20. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts

21. . Ended media blackout on war casualties and the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB.

22. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules

23. Ended previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings

24. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports

25. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has created 2.1 million jobs (as of 12/31/09).

26. Ended previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions

27. Ended previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back

28. Ended previous policy on torture; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards

29. . Launched Recovery.gov to track spending from the Recovery Act, an unprecedented step to provide transparency and accountability through technology.

30. Ended previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry’s predatory practices

31. Ended previous “stop-loss” policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date

32. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources

33. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient

34. Established a new cyber security office

35. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children

36. Expanding vaccination programs

37. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses

38. . Provided the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with more than $1.4 billion to improve services to America’s Veterans.

39. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research

40. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools

41. Responded with compassion and leadership to the earthquake in Haiti

42. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters

43. . Launched Business.gov – enabling conversation and online collaboration between small business owners, government representatives and industry experts in discussion forums relevant to starting and managing a business. Great for the economy.

44. Improved housing for military personnel

45. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals

46. Changed failing war strategy in Afghanistan.

47. Improving benefits for veterans

48. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants…) after years of neglect

49. Donated his $1.4 million Nobel Prize to nonprofits.

50. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program

51. Provided tax credits to first-time home buyers through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 to revitalize the U.S. housing market.

52. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel

53. Increasing student loans

54. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return “home” to visit loved ones

55. Cracked down on companies that deny sick pay, vacation and health insurance to workers by abusing the employee classification of independent contractor. Such companies also avoid paying Social Security, Medicare and unemployment insurance taxes for those workers.

56. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000

57. Limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House

58. Protected 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals, librarians, and counselors through the Recovery Act that would have otherwise been lost.

59. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration

60. Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act on February 4, 2009, provides quality health care to 11 million kids – 4 million who were previously uninsured.

61. Lower drug costs for seniors

62. Making more loans available to small businesses

63. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration

64. . Signed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first piece of comprehensive legislation aimed at improving the lives of Americans living with paralysis

65. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans

66. Announced creation of a Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record for members of the U.S. Armed Forces to improve quality of medical care.

67. New federal funding for science and research labs

68. New funds for school construction

69. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending

70. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices

71. . Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals.

72. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren’t even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan

73. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions

74. Provided tax credit to workers thus cutting taxes for 95% of America's working families.

75. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic

76. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research

77. . Helped reverse a downward spiral of the stock market. On January 19, 2009, the last day of President Bush's presidency, the Dow closed at 8,218.22. In February 2010, the Dow closed at 10,309.24

78. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel

79. Restarted the nuclear non-proliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols

80. Provided attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles.

81. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters

82. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy

83. Unveiled a program on Earth Day 2009 to develop the renewable energy projects on the waters of our Outer Continental Shelf that produce electricity from wind, wave, and ocean currents. These regulations will enable, for the first time ever, the nation to tap into our ocean’s vast sustainable resources to generate clean energy in an environmentally sound and safe manner.

84. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program

85. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards

86. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced

87. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job

88. The FDA is now regulating tobacco

89. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date.

90. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010

91. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying

92. The “secret detention” facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed

93. US financial and banking rescue plan

94. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast

95. . Signed the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act to stop fraud and wasteful spending in the defense procurement and contracting system.

96. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office

97. Improved relations with Iran

98. Improved U.S. policy on climate change

99. Set timetable for exiting Iraq (already started removing troops)

100. Improved relations with Russia

101. Improved relations with the Islamic World

102. Made progress towards greater cooperation on limiting nuclear proliferation

103. Economic stimulus plan has created jobs. (Unemployment rate decreasing)

104. Drastically slowed down the recession

105. Saved Wall Street

106. Passed the Lilly Ledbetter Act (equal work for equal pay) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilly_Ledbetter_Fair_Pay_Act_of_2009

107. HEALTHCARE REFORM

108. Ordered the military operation that killed Osama Bin Laden

For Those Folks Who Only Watch Fox News

2011-05-16T04:18:00.020-06:00

Well it's been a couple of weeks since the Navy Seals got Osama Bin Laden and the haters are back. So I thought I'd post a few things these folks may have forgotten. This rap on our president from these people is getting old. First the man wasn't born in America. Then he was Muslim. Then he became a racist. Now he doesn't love his country. To listen to some he's a greater threat to this country than Islamic terrorists. His wife is a communist because she believes our children could be healthier if they ate the right foods. Enough. Either admit you can't stand the fact a black man is the POTUS, or admit you really don't have a clue.

These folks even tried to give George Bush credit for getting Bin Laden, but deny at every turn that Bush had anything to do with the economy. They said Barack Obama was naive for saying he would get Bin Laden in Pakistan if necessary. Remember, he is weak on defending America. And isn't it interesting that now they're trying to say that torture did the job for our intelligence to find Bin Laden. Now wouldn't that be a war crime?

Let's remember a couple of very important things no one is talking about anymore.

George Bush started a war based on lies. A war that cost our country over 4000 of our children and loved ones. George Bush immediately after being elected gave tax breaks to the rich and corporations based on a budget surplus that was only a surplus if we kept the status quo for at least ten years. And lastly, George Bush stated more than once that Bin Laden wasn't important enough to keep up the search.

Now please understand there are some thing I don't agree with the President on, but I will give him a chance to make things right. You have to admit that he got the job when it was in the toilet, but at least our heads are above the waterline.

Things that make you go DAMN!

PEACE.

BARACK OBAMA - WHAT HE'S DONE

An excerpt from a News One article, "Open Letter To Cornel West Tavis Smiley, And The Obama Critics".

Written by Ryan Mack on May 11, 2011 1:39 pm

1. The recovery of the Dow Jones which almost doubled since its lows during the end of the Bush presidency and the start of the Bush recession (Dow gained 30% in one year)

2. The GDP contracted as much as 6.8% in the final quarter of the Bush Presidency to within A YEAR we had expanded 5% which is almost a 12% turnaround – the largest turnaround in such a short of a time frame in the history of this country

3. We have created 2 million jobs in the past year with almost a third of those jobs coming from the first quarter of this year alone

4. Through it all TARP funds were almost all returned (have to give President Bush half the credit on this) and will only cost approximately $25 billion

5. He signed the Lily Ledbetter Act for equal pay for women

6. The drastic increase in investments in alternative energy that will finally decrease our dependence on foreign oil

7. He has issued the toughest ethics requirements for those working in his administration than any other previous President

8. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell…gone!

9. He signed into law the State Children’s Health Insurance Program

10. He enacted the largest reform in the history of this country of the student loan program through the Student Aid and Financial Responsibility Act (SAFRA) making college more affordable for those who wish to further their education

11. He instituted the largest reform of oversight through the Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act in 2009 which also caused the banks to lose out on billions in revenue

12. He was able to accomplish the most comprehensive nuclear arms treaty with the Russians making us more safe through smaller amounts of nuclear arms availability (START Treaty ratification)

13. He has improved America’s image and reputation abroad

14. He has started construction on a new high speed rail system

15. He actually put $4.3 billion into the previously unfunded “No Child Left Behind” legislation to help schools improve their performance

16. Don’t forget about the negotiated rescue of the Americans from Somali pirates

17. He has made more major terrorist captures in two years than the entire 8 years of the Bush presidency including the most obvious Bin Laden

18. He SAVED the Detroit automotive industry from collapse through bailouts of Chrysler, GM, and GMAC which have largely been paid back

19. He poured $18 billion in tax breaks for small businesses into a jobs bill through the HIRE Act to spur hiring and also gave $20 billion for transit and highways programs

20. He extended unemployment insurance again in the middle of one of the most productive lame duck sessions in the history of the country (More money given to the unemployed…aren’t they are part of the impoverished since they don’t have a job? Doesn’t assistance towards them count as help for the underserved? How much more tangible can you get outside of directly giving them a check and putting billions into community colleges and job readiness programs which our President has done?)

Peace.

A Sad State of Affairs for Robert Isaac Points.

2011-04-24T17:26:00.004-06:00

Last night, Tunisia played Rhythms in Centennial (to a packed sold out house). Mr. Points chose to put a letter on every car in the lot stating that we, "Tunisia" are attempting to use his name to jump start our band. That we are using his name to get gigs. We made every attempt to bill the band as Tunisia. This was an oversight by the club. At no time do we represent ourselves as Jakarta. At no time do we ever represent that Mr. Points is in this band. In fact we go out of our way to disclose that he is not in our band or has anything to do with our band. Our website has a concise statement that details our non inclusion of Mr. Points, and no representation of being Jakarta or having Isaac on our events.

Well it's time to set the record straight. As a matter of fact we are running as far as we can away from his name. Mr. Points was fired from the band January 1st of this year due to irreconcilable differences with the other 8 members of Jakarta. The situation had gotten to the point that agents and planners did not want to hire the band as long as Mr. Points was involved. Thus the name change.

We had meetings with Mr. Points to discuss the situation, and to try to come to some sort of agreement that Mr. Points would do what was expected on our engagements. As time went on Mr. Points began to make life miserable for the other 8 members of Jakarta. Over a span of two years, the 8 members tried their best to continue working with Mr Points, but it had become a volatile situation among the 8 members of Jakarta to the point that members were giving their notices to quit the band.

After giving it much thought we the former 8 members of The Jakarta Band decided to move on without the services of Mr. Points.

It's plain and simple. Mr. Points was fired.

The band bio that he had posted on the Jakarta web tells the whole story how Mr. Points felt about the band. Check it out:

About me

Isaac Points Lead Vocals, Bass & founder of The Jakarta Band For the past 35 years, Isaac Points has been creating the groove that gets people on the dance floor. Whether it was opening for Stanley Clark and Herbie Hancock, playing bass with Chuck Berry or Tony Bennett, USO tours with Joe Clemons, signing with the Platters or playing amusement parks with Tom Slick and Jinx Jones. This Denver native began his musical career at the age of 9 playing trumpet. At 17 he switched to bass and began working Denver's local club scene. Playing everything from Jazz to Country, Isaac spent his time perfecting his art. In the early 90's a jazz quartet called the Jakarta Funk Attack made its debut at the Rock Bottom Brewery. In addition to Isaac the band consisted of Tim Greenhouse, Robert Johnson (now touring with "A Brief History of White Music"), Robby Chamberlain and Bob Rebholtz. When Isaac added Funk to the mix, Jakarta started packing the dance floors of Denver's best clubs. Jakarta is now the premier wedding/corporate band in the State of Colorado. They are a diverse but funky 9 piece band that can be as large as 11. They were the lead band for the DNC 2004 chosen to perform in Boston and were the premeier band for the DNC Denver & RNC Minnesota 2008. Jakarta guarantees everyone from all age groups to be up on the dance floor dancing all night long.

Now Mr. Points has retained the services of an attorney to do what, we don't know. Mr. Points is claiming that we, the 8 former members of Jakarta are keeping him from working. No, the real point is that after years of not giving a damn about the other players around him ( no matter what band he happened to play for), Mr. Points is finding that the hard work put in by the 8 former members was the reason for his success. He is accusing the 8 former members of Jakarta of stealing his clients. What Mr. Points has failed to realize is that we don't do business that way. We the 8 former members of Jakarta contacted every agent and client by letter stating that we are no longer affiliated with Mr. Points. And if said client would rather hire, and do business with Mr. Points, we made available his contact information. On the other hand Mr. Points has been approaching our clients and club owners with threats to take them to court if they hire the 8 former members of Jakarta now called "Tunisia". And to make matters worse he is selling his new group as the 8 former members of Jakarta.

As a matter of fact he has been called on that and lost gigs for lying to clients. He claims that the band is the same except for three members. Look at the picture and you tell me.

To make a long story short, Mr. Points stated in his letter that was left on cars in the Rhythms parking lots that he has started legal action, and his case is now pending in court. Another lie. He has an attorney but nothing is pending anywhere.

We, the 8 former members have been low key on this issue. We did not want to lower ourselves to Mr. Points' level, and still won't. But the since Mr. Points finds it nessesary to lie, threaten our clients, and try to drag our name through the mud, we felt that a statement from the 8 former members was due.

For those musicians that know the situation, you also know that this is the second time a band has walked on Mr. Points. The Funk Attack Band had to fire Mr. Points for playing funny with the money. So this is just another incident of bad gamesmanship on the part of Mr. Points.

Ladies and gentlemen the name of our group is "Tunisia". We are a happy group of musicians these days. With work on a new show, no black cloud hanging over, and numerous opportunities making themselves available to "Tunisia", we really don't have the time to go out and play with Mr. Points. PEACE!

http://www.tunisiaband.com/

And don't forget, TUNISIA AT JAZZ@JACKS NEXT SATURDAY NIGHT, APRIL 30TH. Make your reservations today. Seats sellout quick for the Tunisia show.

FORMER MEMBERS OF THE JAKARTA BAND ARE NOW TUNISIA.

2011-04-05T16:42:00.009-06:00

Tunisia

Live at Rhythms. April 23rd 8:30PM till 12:30AM

7101 S. Clinton, Centennial CO. 80112

Live at Jazz@Jacks. April 30th 9:00PM till 1:00AM

Denver Pavilions • 500 16th St #320 • Denver, CO • 80202

Tunisia, (featuring former members of The Jakarta Band), is Denver Colorado's premier event band that can stir the groove in the coldest heart! Ten members strong, Tunisia's set list boasts over 150 songs including hits from Earth Wind and Fire, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder, to The Roots, Katy Perry, Usher, Led Zeppelin and more.

Tunisia, (featuring former members of The Jakarta Band), is a high-energy entertainment group that consistently gets the party started every time! Their dynamic show covers many styles, ranging from Current Hits to Classic Rock, R&B and Motown to Disco, and Hip-Hop, including Standard Jazz to Swing, essentially catering to any audiences needs. But it's their fresh, hip style and funky approach to the music that bring this talented group into today's contemporary realm.

Individually, each have their own success stories garnering massive fan bases, but collectively, they are one family on stage. They have performed for high profile clients like the Congressional Black Caucus, The Sundance Film festival, and the Denver Broncos. Tunisia has also shared the stage with Stanley Clarke, Jonathan Butler, and The Gap Band, to name a few. Their charming enthusiasm, professional choreography and high energy are infectious to all audiences and are guaranteed to make you want to dance!

Tunisia, (featuring former members of The Jakarta Band) has a one of a kind energy show that will keep you entertained and dancing for the entire evening. Tunisia is a ten-piece band featuring the front line vocals of Selina Albright, Orlando Poole, Yvonne Brown, and Stephen Wilburn, along with three horns, and five piece rhythm section. They are a powerhouse full of talent and energy that is second to none.

Front man Orlando Poole is an amazing entertainer. Not only is this gifted performer a crowd-pleaser, but he can literally stop the show with vocals stemming from the lowest lows, to the highest highs. Combine Poole's charm with two impressive female lead vocalists in Selina Albright, and Yvonne Brown, and the entertainment is non-stop. These ladies create a powerful chemistry for the show with their strong lead vocals, beautiful harmonies, dazzling costumes and glamorous presence. Both Selina and Yvonne are top shelf vocalists in their own right. Having been on numerous albums and concerts accompanying just about every artist in the universe. And the show doesn't stop there. With all members of Tunisia being excellent vocalists, the lush harmonies flow like chocolate, while soothing your need for Funk, Rock, Jazz, and more.

The members of Tunisia, have been a feature act from coast to coast, as well as overseas performing for our troops. The members of Tunisia ignited the fire for the Sundance Film Festival in Park City UT in 2009. The members of Tunisia also performed for the Democratic Mayors Gala in Boston MA in 2004 for the DNC, the Republican and Democratic Conventions in 2008, as well as the Presidential Inaugural Ball in 2009.

The members of Tunisia, also played the premier night cast party for the latest Giancarlo Esposito movie, "Gospel Hill" at the Washington D.C. restaurant Charlie Palmers in January of 2009.

Tunisia, is not just the right choice, but the only choice to make your event "the" memorable event.

This band has all the makings of a great evening whether it be at a club like Jazz @ Jacks, or at your own private event. For booking information contact Arlen Felsen @ 303-669-1008.

www.tunisiaband.com

Fear Not Jakarta Fans, The Rumor of Our Death Has Been Greatly Exaggerated.

2011-01-19T01:16:00.004-07:00

THE JAKARTA NEWS

Jan 19th 2011

I know you may be confused having heard the rumors that Jakarta has broken up. Well that's just not true. The band is gigging and playing better than ever.

The group of impostor's at Little Bear Saloon a couple of weeks ago claiming to be Jakarta is just the figment of someone's twisted imagination.

In fact, there never was a chance of the band breaking up. We had some internal problems that needed to be cleared up. Now that we have that under control it's full steam ahead for The Jakarta Band.

The band has been rehearsing a new show, and hopefully we'll have it all down for the opening of the spring season. For the next few months the band will be working with choreographers to hone our dancing skills, and onstage performance, while making sure we are up on the latest groove for your dancing, and listening pleasure.

Jakarta has also started work on our first original CD project. Working in conjunction with Ira Sweetwine of Sweetwine Entertainment Group, and Chris Starkey of Starkey Productions, and others, we are preparing to make a change in our direction. Not only will Jakarta continue to throw down for our corporate, private, and wedding clients, the band will start hitting the road for selected festivals around the country.

I'd like to take this time to thank my good friend and little sister Vonnie B.(Yvonne Brown for those of you that don't know), for subbing for Selina for the months of December, and January. Girl you know how to do that thing. Love Ya!

Also more good news. Jakarta has been contracted once again to represent AT&T for the Democratic, and Republican Conventions in 2012. Shweet!

Our next show for the public will be Jan. 28th & 29th at Rhythms, and Feb. 19th at Jazz@Jacks. Please check the Jakarta Calendar. We want to see you all there.

But right now I'd like to introduce you to Gabe Steele. The newest member of Jakarta.

Gabe will be taking the reins on bass, and lead/background vocals. I could go on and on, but I'll let Gabe tell you little bit about himself.

Peace!

The Jakarta Band Welcomes Gabe Steele.

I grew up in Wyoming

I attending U.W. for two years as a music major (on a vocal scholarship... not yet a bassist)

I started playing Bass at 19 years old. Both electric and stand-up ("double" bass)

I transferred to Regis University in Denver and pursued computer science. (a family field for me)

While at Regis, I took bass lessons from Scott Smith.

During and after college I played many theatrical productions in the Denver area including shows at theTheatre on Broadway, Littleton Town Hall, The Arvada Center, The Galleria Theatre, and the DCPA.

I met Mitch Jervis while in college. Mitch and I have done several projects together over the years, including contemporary country, classic rock, blues, and jazz.

Over the last ten years, I have done two national tours and over a thousand live gigs with multiple bands.

I have done numerous studio dates for almost every type of music, adding bass and vocals to local projects.

Along with playing bass, I am regularly hired to add "tenor" vocals to projects. I have sang harmony vocals in everything from barbershop quartets to rock bands. I got to sing in Carnegie Hall in NYC (collegiate choir) which was pretty cool!! My vocal ability has helped me out a lot along the way in my music career.

Check the Jakarta calendar HERE.

PEACE, LOVE AND SOUL!

BOOZERS RESERVE LIST WINE AND SPIRITS

2011-01-04T11:40:00.008-07:00

Boozers Reserve List has all your favorite wines and spirits.

Come visit us and see the difference. After 27 weeks of new ownership, Boozers strives to be your one stop liquor and wine shop.

Amy Felsen co-owner of Boozers has taken a broad step in offering you some of the best wines from around the world at a price that will not break the bank.

France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Argentina, Chile, and of course California and Oregon are well represented at Boozers, along with some great Colorado selections.

And for you beer enthusiasts, Boozers inventory of Ale's, Lagers, and Micro Brews will keep you coming back for more. No matter what your taste in spirits, Boozers has you covered.

Stop by and join our rewards program that gets you points for every dollar spent. Double points for shopping on Mondays, and Tuesdays. Also stop by for Tequila Tuesdays, Wine Wednesdays, and Scotch Saturdays that will get you 10% off all non-sale items. And if ever you fail to find that special purchase, Boozers will special order to have your selections on the shelf the next time you visit.

Please call for wine tasting times and dates. Come by and experience new wine sensations. We constantly strive to delight our customers through friendly, helpful and knowledgeable service. We know our customers are our reason for being. We believe in open and honest relationships with all our customers through communication. We embrace change and are always looking to improve every aspect of our business.

So stop by and shop our selections. Samson is always waiting to greet you and to make sure you're pointed in the right direction.

So don't be a looser, shop at Boozers! Where the fun never stops flowing!

Boozers Reserve List located in the Eagle bend Shopping Mall @ 22691 E Aurora Pkwy # B1. Aurora, CO 80016-6088. (303) 400-1259. Gartrell road at E-470 Safeway Center.

See you there. PEACE!

The call to REPEAL HEALTH CARE REFORM!!

2011-01-04T06:00:00.014-07:00

AP/The Huffington Post Posted: 01- 4-11
10:00 AM

WASHINGTON — Eager to show who's now in charge, the House's new Republican majority plans to vote to repeal President Barack Obama's landmark health care overhaul before he even shows up in their chamber to give his State of the Union address.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/04/health-care-reform-repeal-vote_n_804084.html

This is Bullshit!

..Stephen Wilburn Posted 1/4/11

It seems to me that the Rethugs just don't want to see this President accomplish anything worthwhile for the American people. In my opinion it will be very hard for them to garner votes by taking away some very important changes that effect millions of folks with little or no heath insurance. Especially with some of the benefits already in the mix. Of course they could always lie, and keep shoving their bullshit down our throats by way of Fox News and leave us not forget The Almighty Glen Beck.

I am especially pissed at their decision to repeal health care because my wife happens to be one of many that find the law to be very helpful. With Lupus comes a myriad of health problems. When we first moved back to Denver her prescription costs were at a little more than $800 per month. But with help from the City of Denver, and the State of Colorado those cost have become more manageable with costs around $250 per month. And with the donut hole provision, we are able to get her prescriptions at a fraction of the cost. Which works well for us because these are drugs she will have to have for the rest of her life. It's just so hypocritical coming from these politicians whose heath care is set up in the same fashion.

Why won't these asshole drop their FREE GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED PLANS, and get real world coverage? Or at least get the millions of folks in the country on their FREE GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED PLANS.

Oh yeah. They claim they don't want to see the government messing with their Medicaid. Jeesh!!!!!!

If you want to cut the deficit, try getting completely out of Iraq. Then bring our children home from Afghanistan. Move the tax percentage back to the pre Bush era for the richest folks in the country. And for God's sake let's manufacture something! Penalize companies that are reaping big benefits in countries other than our own. These companies will tell you that with the current economy they can not create jobs in America, but at same time they're having job fairs around the world and can't find nearly enough people to fill the positions. Hell, The Caterpillar Company was in Iowa and the people there had good jobs, and good lives along with The John Deere Company. If you think I'm lying look it up!

I went to the White House web site to get the real deal on the Health Care Reform Law, and here is what I found. You have a great and blessed day. PEACE!

Myth

Health insurance reform will use my tax dollars to fund abortions.

Fact

No. The health insurance reform legislation maintains the status quo of no federal funding for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the woman is endangered.

Myth

Seniors will not have access to Medicare Advantage plans

Fact

Not true. Today, Medicare pays Medicare Advantage insurance companies over $1,000 more per person on average than Original Medicare. These additional payments are paid for in part by increased premiums by all Medicare beneficiaries - including the 77 percent of seniors not enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. The new law levels the playing field by gradually eliminating Medicare Advantage overpayments to insurance companies. There is no provision in this legislation that caps or reduces Medicare Advantage enrollment; access to competitive,

high-quality Medicare Advantage plans will continue.

Myth

Health reform will lead to massive tax increases and kill jobs

Fact

Not true. The Affordable Care Act includes tax credits to help make health care affordable for working families. Small businesses can begin claiming tax credits to help provide insurance to their employees this year. All told, the Affordable Care Act includes the largest middle-class tax cut for health care in American history. Additionally, independent experts predict that the new law will create jobs - estimated at more than 250,000 per year.

Myth

Reform will cut Medicare for Seniors

Fact

The new law will not cut benefits for seniors; the same protections that Medicare beneficiaries have now will be there in the future. In fact, the Affordable Care Act will add benefits such as free prevention coverage, an annual wellness visit and a phase-out of the Medicare donut hole. In addition, by reducing waste, fraud, and abuse and cracking down on overpayments, the law will lower premiums, reduce cost sharing, and extend the life of the Medicare trust fund by 12 years.

Myth

You will be forced to purchase insurance you can't afford.

Fact

False. The Affordable Care Act will make health insurance affordable for everyone, with tax credits for those who need help buying coverage and a hardship waiver for those who still can't afford it. This ensures that everyone is protected from bankruptcy and has access to care. It also reduces the "hidden tax" that people with insurance pay to cover the health care costs of people without insurance. Otherwise the cost of caring for the uninsured will continue to be shifted to people with insurance, as it is today.

Myth

Businesses will suffer under health reform

Fact

Health insurance reform lowers costs for American businesses - especially small businesses - who are struggling to remain profitable and competitive under the status quo. The independent Congressional Budget Office confirmed that the bill would lower health insurance premiums for the same insurance plan by up to 4 percent for small businesses and 3 percent for large businesses, and the Business Roundtable estimated that provisions to help bend the health care cost curve like those in the bill could save $3,000 per person in health costs.

Myth

The small business tax credits won't actually provide relief.

Fact

Small businesses will receive $40 billion in new tax credits to help cover the cost of health coverage for their employees. The tax credit is designed to both support those small businesses that provide coverage today as well as new businesses who decide to provide coverage. Effective immediately, the tax credit is worth up to 35 percent of the premiums a business pays to cover its workers and in 2014, the value of the credit will increase to 50 percent. An estimated 4 million small businesses will be eligible to receive these tax credits.

Myth

This bill does nothing to bring down the cost of health care.

Fact

Not true. The health policy experts and economists who have looked at this legislation have said we are pursuing every possible mechanism to reduce health care costs. The Congressional Budget Office found that health insurance reform will reduce the deficit by over $100 billion in this decade and by more than $1 trillion over the following 10 years.

Myth

The new law extends coverage to illegal immigrants

Fact

Absolutely not. Under the Affordable Care Act, undocumented immigrants are not able to enter the exchanges to purchase coverage nor are they able to obtain tax credits to purchase insurance. Undocumented immigrants will receive absolutely no assistance from the government.

Myth

Health reform will lead to a government takeover of health care.

Fact

False. The Affordable Care Act puts people, not health insurance companies or government, in charge of health care. The new law strengthens the existing employer-based health insurance market while making the market fair for consumers by implementing landmark consumer protections. Families and individuals that don't have access to affordable coverage can receive tax credits to help them purchase coverage in the private health insurance market. There is no government-sponsored, public, or "single payer" plan in the law.

Landmark: Number of Donut Hole Rebate Checks Passes One Million

Posted August 30, 2010

By Don Berwick, M.D., Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

On August 10^th, you may have seen Jenny Backus’ post on HealthCare Notes noting that the third round of donut hole rebate checks went into the mail.

Recently, we hit a major milestone: the millionth check was sent out over the weekend.

If you haven’t heard about the rebate checks before, they are the first step in closing the prescription drug coverage gap under the Affordable Care Act. This gap is commonly referred to as the ‘donut hole.’ We know that many people with Medicare have tight budgets and some may skip or alter the medicines their doctors recommend they take in order to save money in the donut hole. That is dangerous and unacceptable. And that’s why the Affordable Care Act takes steps to close this coverage gap.

This year, as qualifying people with Medicare enter the ‘donut hole,’ Medicare will send them a tax-free, one-time rebate check for $250. Next year, if you reach the ‘donut hole,’ you will receive a 50 percent discount when buying covered brand-name prescription drugs.

If you are eligible for this assistance, remember, you don’t need to do anything special to receive the check. People who qualify for the one-time check do not need to sign up, since their checks are mailed automatically when they enter the donut hole. So just make sure to check the mailbox.

Just a reminder: you should never give out personal information to anyone who is not a trusted source. If anyone asks for your personal information you are encouraged to contact 1-800-MEDICARE and report the inquiry. You can also visit www.stopmedicarefraud.gov for more information.

We hope that the latest round of checks will ease the burden on individuals recently entering the donut hole. This is just one of several ways that the Affordable Care Act strengthens Medicare so make sure you check out medicare.gov and other areas of healthcare.gov for more information.

New Resources for Employers and Unions to Help Keep Health Coverage Accessible and Affordable

Posted August 31, 2010

By Gary Locke, Secretary of Commerce

If you are an employer, you know how difficult it can be to find – and provide– health insurance for your retired employees who are age 55 or older and not yet eligible for

Medicare.

Some Americans who retire before they are eligible for Medicare see their life savings disappear because of medical bills and exorbitant rates in the individual health insurance market. And the cost of insurance can be out of reach for individuals looking to buy health coverage on their own.

Many employers would like to help their employees make this transition comfortably and provide access to health insurance past retirement. But in these tough economic times, it is difficult for employers to keep up with skyrocketing health care costs for employees and retirees.

The Affordable Care Act’s Early Retiree Reinsurance Program will make it a little easier for employers to provide high-quality health benefits to their retirees.

Early Retiree Reinsurance Program is a $5 billion program created by the Affordable Care Act to provide financial assistance for employers, including large and small businesses, State and local governments, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and labor unions that will help retirees and their spouses, surviving spouses, and dependents, as well active employees and their families, continue to have access to quality, affordable health coverage.

There has been a tremendous amount of interest from businesses and organizations from across the country since the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program was announced just a few months ago. We have received applications from more than half of Fortune 500 companies, all major unions, and government entities in all 50 States and the District of Columbia, and we are delighted to be able to notify our first round of successful applicants. As of today, nearly 2000 employers and unions have been accepted into the program.

In addition to announcing these approved applications, the Department of Health and Human Services announced today two new information tools for employers and unions interested in the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program – a new website (www.ERRP.gov) and a new hotline (877-574-3777 or 877-574-ERRP). Employers and unions can find application forms and instructions online, as well as other relevant guidance and regulations from HHS.

You can also visit here for more information about the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program and an interactive map displaying the employers that have been accepted into the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.

Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP)

In March of 2010, Congress passed and President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act—the new health law. The law creates a new program – the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan -- to make health coverage available to you if you have been denied health insurance by private insurance companies because of a pre-existing condition.

Read about the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP); then use the PCIP Map to learn more about how the program works in your state.

IMPORTANT NOTE: New plan options will be available in the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan in 2011. Find out more about the new options.

Preventive Care and Services

Under the Affordable Care Act, you and your family may be eligible for some important preventive services—which can help you avoid illness and improve your health—at no additional cost to you.

What This Means for You

If your plan is subject to these new requirements, you would not have to pay a

copayment, co-insurance or deductible to receive preventive health services, such as recommended screenings, vaccinations and counseling.

For example, depending on your age, you may have free access to preventive services such as:

Blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol tests
Many cancer screenings, including mammograms and colonoscopies
Counseling on such topics as quitting smoking, losing weight, eating healthfully, treating depression and reducing alcohol use
Routine vaccinations against diseases such as measles, polio or meningitis
Flu and pneumonia shots
Counseling, screening, and vaccines to ensure healthy pregnancies
Regular well-baby and well-child visits, from birth to age 21

Some Important Details

This preventive services provision applies to people enrolled in job-related health plans or individual health insurance policies created after March 23, 2010. If you are in such a health plan, this provision will affect you as soon as your plan begins its first new “plan year” or “policy year” on or after September 23, 2010.
If your plan is “grandfathered,” these benefits may not be available to you.
If your health plan uses a network of providers, be aware that health plans are only required to provide these preventive services through an in-network provider. Your health plan may allow you to receive these services from an out-of-network provider, but may charge you a fee.
Your doctor may provide a preventive service, such as a cholesterol screening test, as part of an office visit. Be aware that your plan can require you to pay some costs of the office visit, if the preventive service is not the primary purpose of the visit, or if your doctor bills you for the preventive services separately from the office visit.
If you have questions about whether these new provisions apply to your plan, contact your insurer or plan administrator. If you still have questions, contact your State insurance department.
To know which covered preventive services are right for you—based on your age, gender, and health status—ask your health care provider.

For More Information

Read a list of covered services.

Learn more background on the new prevention rules.

Check out healthfinder.gov and other prevention guides.

Read the regulation (detailed legislative information).

Celebrating 45 Years of Medicare

Posted July 30, 2010

Don Berwick, M.D., Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Forty-five years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law – forever changing and improving our nation’s health care system by guaranteeing health care services for seniors and persons with disability. Before Medicare, millions of the nation’s seniors were uninsured. Since then, Medicare has been the bedrock of the nation’s health care system.

The Affordable Care Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama in March of this year, will also make lasting improvements to the nation’s health care system by giving Americans more affordable access to coverage. And the Affordable Care Act builds on Medicare’s promise of health care security by strengthening Medicare for today’s seniors and for their children and grandchildren.

If you are covered by Medicare, here’s what you will see from Medicare under the Affordable Care Act:

More benefits. Your guaranteed benefits under Medicare remain. Starting next year, help is on the way for if you are struggling to afford preventive services. Co-pays and other cost-sharing for key preventive services such as colon cancer screening and mammograms will be eliminated. And you can receive free annual wellness check-ups.
Fighting fraud and keeping Medicare strong. Reducing waste, fraud and abuse is critical to ensuring that Medicare’s precious resources are going to support the health and well-being of seniors like you. We are committed to cutting fraud in the traditional Medicare program in half by 2012. The dollars we save will go right back into the Medicare trust funds to preserve the life of the program.
Lower drug costs. The Medicare “donut hole” is a gap in prescription drug coverage where people with Medicare have to pay the full cost of their drugs. That gap will be closed under the Affordable Care Act. This year, if you fall into the donut hole, you will receive a one-time, tax-free rebate check for $250. Next year, if you reach the donut hole, you will receive about 50% off the cost of your brand name drugs, and by 2020 the donut hole will have been gradually closed.
Better quality care. Medicare has long led the way in improving how care is delivered in America. Under the Affordable Care Act, we are going to keep improving quality by encouraging more integrated, coordinated care. Community health teams will provide patient-centered care so you won’t have to see multiple doctors who don’t work together.

Today, CMS is not only celebrating Medicare’s 45th anniversary but also using it as an opportunity to redouble its efforts to educate and inform people with Medicare and their family members about the many changes and improvements to the program’s various options in advance of Medicare Open Enrollment. We have done mailings for beneficiaries, posted materials on Medicare.gov, and unveiled radio ads educating beneficiaries about where to go to get their questions answered and how to prevent fraud and scams. CMS is also launching a Medicare television campaign featuring popular TV personality Andy Griffith. You can watch the ad by visiting www.Medicare.gov and look for it on cable television in the days ahead.

Here’s to another 45 years of a strong Medicare program!

Strengthening Medicare

Posted August 02, 2010

Don Berwick, M.D., Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Millions of Americans rely on Medicare for their health care security. But for years, skyrocketing health care costs have threatened the long-term financial health of the program. Many people with Medicare have worried about the long-term solvency of Medicare and whether or not there would be enough funds in the program in the future to pay for care for them and their children.

Thanks to some important new features of the

Affordable Care Act, Americans can rest assured that Medicare will continue to be there – better than ever – for our seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Today, my agency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, released a new report, Affordable Care Act Update: Implementing Medicare Costs Savings, demonstrating just how much – and how fast – important provisions of the Affordable Care Act will improve the financial health of Medicare. In 2010 and 2011 alone, these provisions will save Medicare an estimated $8 billion and almost $418 billion by 2019. These savings will protect the solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund through 2027, extending its life by 12 years.

These new savings will come largely as a result of reducing excessive payments to private health insurance companies, promoting better quality of care, and cutting Medicare waste and fraud through powerful new tools. These tools keep bad actors out of the Medicare program in order to prevent fraud in the first place and enhanced technologies to help law enforcement stop fraud quickly when it does occur.

And there are many important investments in support of innovation for clinicians and health care organizations who are trying every day, as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is, to make health care better for patients and more affordable at the same time.

There are other actions in the new law that strengthen Medicare by improving the health of those who receive benefits. These include improving outreach and coordination efforts after a patient is discharged from the hospital to prevent unnecessary hospital readmissions and reducing preventable surgical errors.

Many of the programs in the Affordable Care Act are designed to ensure that people with Medicare continue to have access to quality, affordable care. This year, many people with Medicare who have fallen into the Medicare donut hole are receiving a one-time $250 rebate check to help with their drug costs, making sure that financial concerns do not interrupt needed treatment agreed on by a patient and a doctor.

And next year, all people with Medicare will have access to annual wellness visits and other preventive services with no cost-sharing, giving millions of Americans an opportunity to get potentially life-saving screenings. Over time, new reforms will also encourage better coordinated care.

Together, this adds up to a good deal for people with Medicare and taxpayers. If you or someone you love is on Medicare, make sure to check out sections like here and here on www.healthcare.gov that talk more about how the Affordable Care Act affects you.

Reining in Excessive Health Insurance Premium Increases

Posted August 16, 2010

By Jay Angoff, Director of the Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight

It’s not uncommon to hear stories of individuals and families who opened their mail only to learn that their health insurance premiums are going up dramatically again. Over the last 10 years, average premiums have more than doubled, putting many Americans in the difficult position of having to choose between health care and other necessities. In 2010 alone, individual market insurers, who cover 14 million Americans, requested premium increases of, an average, 20 percent. These kinds of rate hikes are not sustainable and lead to millions of people no longer being able to afford coverage every year.

Thanks to the

Affordable Care Act, we now have new tools and resources for States to hold insurance companies accountable and put a halt to unreasonable premium increases. One powerful tool is called rate review, a process that requires insurers to submit their proposed rate increases to State Insurance Departments for review and, in some States, approval before they can go into effect. To help States conduct such reviews, today, we announced $46 million in grant awards to States, part of a $250 million investment in consumer protection over the next few years.

Earlier this year, my boss, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius – who is the former Governor and Insurance Commissioner of the State of Kansas – called on insurance companies to justify premium increases of as much as 39 percent. Her actions, and those of several States, led many insurers to back off and withdraw their unjustifiable premium increases.

Although most States have some system for looking at insurance rates, there is much more they can do to help people like you. These grants are the first step in improving those systems and making them work better for Americans and small businesses purchasing their own insurance.

States will use these grants to make a number of different types of improvements. In general, insurance companies will have to submit more information about why their proposed rate increases are necessary, and States will be better able to evaluate rate proposals and determine if they are necessary.

The end result is that Americans will know that their insurance companies will be held accountable for raising rates – accountability that should lead to affordability.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform/myths-and-facts#healthcare-menu

So You Voted For This?

2010-12-05T01:25:00.020-07:00

Before you read this, think about how many Republicans receiving unemployment benefits voted for the Rethugs in the midterms. I'll bet you the majority of them did simply because a Black man is the POTUS!

Let's see. Brother has been Hitler, a Communist, the anti Christ, a Kenyan born imposter, a Kenyan born colonialist, a Muslim, a drug dealer, a drug whore, unpatriotic, a racist?

Whoa wait a minute, racist? I thought this guy was half White. Just goes to show you what we Black folks have always known. No matter how much blood you have that is non-Black, you're still Black.

Well anyway I bet these folks never saw this coming. And before you call me a racist, how many presidents have had to deal with gun toting morons at their political functions? NONE! Let's get even deeper. I call on all of my Black friends to get together at the capitol while strapped just to see how long before we all end up in jail (please leave the blunts at home). And leave us not forget the Democrat traitors. The Democrat slaves to money. The Democrat ASSHOLES! And to make matters worse the Rethugs are now on the tube night after night proclaiming that their first order of business is to get rid of Obama. I thought their first order of business was to create jobs. Liar, liar pants on fire. PEACE!

Senate Republicans Block Middle Class Tax Cut

Republicans have threatened to block all Democratic legislation until the tax cut issue is resolved, pressing them to cave before time runs out on other key initiatives like the ratification of the START treaty and the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Sens. Jim Webb (D-VA), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Russ Feingold (D-WI), and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) voted with the Republicans on the former plan. The vote was 53-36. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tom Harkin (D-IA) Lieberman and Feingold voted with the GOP on the second. That vote was 53-37, and reflected progressives' unease with redefining the middle class at the $1,000,000 income threshold.

Senate Republicans blocked legislation Saturday to let upper-income tax cuts expire on Jan. 1, a showdown scripted by Democrats eager to showcase GOP lawmakers as defenders of millionaires.

"Do we want to extend those tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires at a time of huge deficits. I would argue vociferously we shouldn't," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., shortly before the votes.

Republicans countered that no taxes should be raised at a time the economy is recovering from a recession. "It is the most astounding theory I have ever seen, raise taxes to create jobs," said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota.

Both measures would have extended expiring cuts for the middle class.

Ironically, the votes were widely seen as a prelude to a possible agreement next week between the White House and congressional leaders on legislation that would avert tax increases at all income levels, as Republicans want.

Any agreement is also expected to extend jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed, a Democratic priority, and possibly renew tax breaks the White House wants for college students, companies that hire the unemployed and lower- and middle-class wage earners.

The Senate took the two votes on bills that would have permitted tax cuts to remain in effect at most incomes.

A proposal to let tax rates rise on Jan. 1 on incomes over $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples fell on a vote of 53-36, seven short of the 60 needed to advance.

An alternative advanced by Schumer and others -- but opposed by the White House -- would have let rates rise on incomes over $1 million. The vote was 53-37, also seven short of the 60 needed.

Schumer supplied the political context. "I'm going to be here for the next year, next two years, to remind my colleagues that they were willing to increase the deficit $300 billion to give tax breaks to people who have income over a million dollars," he said in a reference to the 2012 elections.

The 72 super PACs, all formed this year, together spent $83.7 million on the election. The figures provide the best indication yet of the impact of recent Supreme Court decisions that opened the door for wealthy individuals and corporations to give unlimited contributions.

"Super PACs provide a means for the super wealthy to have even more influence and an even greater voice in the political process," said Meredith McGehee, a lobbyist for the Campaign Legal Center, which advocates for tighter regulation of money in politics.

Crossroads, which was founded with the support of Bush administration adviser Karl Rove, raised $70 million, much of it used to support 10 Republican Senate candidates and 30 Republican House candidates.

John Childs, founder of Boston-based J.W. Childs Associates, gave $650,000 to the Club for Growth, an anti-tax group. Dalea Partners, a private-equity firm based in Oklahoma City, gave $250,000 to the First Amendment Alliance, which spent money opposing five Democratic Senate candidates, including incumbents Harry M. Reid (Nev.) and Michael Bennet (Colo.).

Senate Republicans and a handful of Democrats Saturday defeated a bill to reauthorize unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless and a plethora of tax provisions for the middle class not because of the bill's trillion-dollar deficit impact, but because it did not include tax cuts for the rich.

"In economic times like these, 9.8 percent unemployment, you should not raise taxes on anyone," Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) told HuffPost.

After Saturday's vote, it seems the only way Democrats will be able to overcome Republican opposition to the benefits will be by attaching them to a reauthorization of tax cuts for the rich.

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said after the vote that he expected a tax cut deal to be reached by Thursday. Corker declined to say whether he thought unemployment would be included in the deal, as did Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

Senate Republicans Defeat Reauthorization Of Jobless Aid, Tax Cuts

First Posted: 12- 4-10 11:42 AM | Updated: 12- 4-10 07:39 PM

Senate Republicans and a handful of Democrats Saturday defeated a bill to reauthorize unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless and a plethora of tax provisions for the middle class not because of the bill's trillion-dollar deficit impact, but because it did not include tax cuts for the rich.

"In economic times like these, 9.8 percent unemployment, you should not raise taxes on anyone," Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) told HuffPost.

Two bills were defeated. By a vote of 53-36, seven short of the 60 needed to break a filibuster, the Senate rejected a measure by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) that would have preserved Bush era tax cuts for lower- and middle-income taxpayers, but would have allowed cuts for people earning more than $200,000 a year to expire. Democrats Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Ben Nelson (Neb.), Jim Webb (Va.), Russ Feingold (Wisc.) and Independent Democrat Joe Lieberman (Conn.) joined Republicans in voting nay. The Senate also rejected a bill by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) that would have extended all the cuts, but not for anybody making more than $1 million.

The Baucus bill would have preserved Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits Programs created in 2008 as a customary response to rising unemployment. The programs provide up to 73 weeks of federally-funded benefits for when layoff victims exhaust the standard 26 weeks of state-funded aid. The programs lapsed last week, threatening a holiday cutoff for two million unemployed.

After Saturday's vote, it seems the only way Democrats will be able to overcome Republican opposition to the benefits will be by attaching them to a reauthorization of tax cuts for the rich.
Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said after the vote that he expected a tax cut deal to be reached by Thursday.

Sen. Schumer said at a press conference that some Democrats would be willing to drag the tax debate on into January. "There are lots of people in our caucus who do have that appetite, there are some who don't. We'll have to see what happens."

Corker declined to say whether he thought unemployment would be included in the deal, as did Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

Republicans and conservative Democrats have opposed reauthorizing the benefits without offsetting their deficit impact by cutting spending from elsewhere in the budget. But those same lawmakers have not insisted that tax cuts for the rich, estimated to cost nearly $700 billion over 10 years, be offset in any way. A yearlong reauthorization of unemployment benefits would cost roughly $60 billion.

During debate on the Senate floor before the vote, Schumer asked Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) about Republicans' different positions on deficit reduction.

What Else Would $60 Billion Buy?

By DAVID LEONHARDT

$60 Billion: The approximate amount that extending the Bush tax cuts on income above $250,000 a year — which Congress seems on the verge of doing — will cost a year, in inflation-adjusted terms. On average, the affluent households that benefit from these cuts will save $25,000 annually. What else might that $60 billion a year buy?

•As much deficit reduction as the elimination of earmarks, President Obama’s proposed federal pay freeze, a 10 percent cut in the federal work force and a 50 percent cut in foreign aid — combined.

•A tripling of federal funding for medical research.

•Universal preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, with relatively small class sizes.

•A much larger troop surge in Afghanistan, raising spending by 60 percent from current levels.

•A national infrastructure program to repair and upgrade roads, bridges, mass transit, water systems and levees.

•A 15 percent cut in corporate taxes.

•Twice as much money for clean-energy research as suggested by a recent bipartisan plan.

•Free college, including room and board, for about half of all full-time students, at both four- and two-year colleges.

•A $500 tax cut for all households.

Blowing Billions on War While American Workers Go Under

When asked by USA Today's pollsters last week, sixty-eight percent of Americans said we worry that the cost of the Afghanistan War hurts our ability to fix problems here in the U.S. This week, we learned just how right we were about that. Friday's terrible jobs report shows that a crushing 9.8 percent of us are unemployed. And, millions of us are about to lose our lifeline because Congress refuses to extend unemployment insurance benefits. We're spending $2 billion per week -- per week! -- in Afghanistan while millions of people face going hungry during the holidays.

Do our elected officials not get it? We're drowning out here, and the administration is throwing money that could put Americans back to work at a failed war on the other side of the planet. In fact, that's where the president was when the jobs report came out this morning -- in Afghanistan, talking about "progress" again.

Here's one way to think about it: just one Hellfire missile fired in Afghanistan costs $58,000.00. That's enough money to provide unemployment insurance benefits for almost 4 people for a full year. For the full cost of the war for one week, about $2 billion, we could extend unemployment insurance for about 6.7 million people for a week. What are the 2 million people who are about to lose their unemployment insurance benefits supposed to think when they hear senators yelling about the cost of keeping them from going hungry, while at the same time those senators shove enough money to keep the benefits going into that money pit of a war?

Here are a few myths, half-truths and short-hand distortions that have marred the debate:

_ Under the Obama plan, taxes will increase for families making more than $250,000.

Wrong. Actually, a family could make a lot more and still not face higher taxes. Obama wants to raise the top two brackets from 33 percent to 36 percent and from 35 percent to 39.6 percent. The first of the two – 36 percent – is widely assumed to kick in at $250,000. Obama says that himself.

But that's not right. The higher rate would apply to families with $232,000 or more of taxable income, or what's left after personal exemptions and deductions have been subtracted from income. Deductions can be sizable, especially for wealthy people. Think state and local taxes, mortgage interest and charitable contributions. The result is that a family making $300,000 or even more could have taxable income of less than $232,000.

"A lot of people making more than $250,000 won't be paying higher taxes," says Clint Stretch, a managing principal of Deloitte Tax.

Another Black Graduate

2010-11-30T16:44:00.006-07:00

I am a 57 year old Black man. As a young man I was by most folks opinion CRAZY. But through the years I have mellowed, and I've been truly blessed. I can remember as though it was yesterday. Seventeen years old and standing among thousands of people on Lockhart Road in Hong Kong China. It was at that moment I realized there was a completely different world away from the hood, and from that day on I became Mr. Hyde.

Somehow after a couple of years I met Valerie Day. I say somehow because I did not deserve this woman. But we met, fell in love, and started a family. After 33 years and some bumpy road we are still together. The children are grown, and there are two grandchildren. I have to honestly say that I never thought this day would come.

But I wouldn't do it any other way. I am blessed to have three children that no man or woman could be prouder of. First born is Stephen, then Stephenie, and then Ian.

I've been blessed that my children have never given me or their mother a reason to be ashamed of. No gangs, no drugs (well no heavy drugs), No problems other than the norm for teenagers.

Next month Val and I will be even prouder when the first of three children walks across the stage to receive their diploma.

Ian Hamilton Williams will graduate from the University of Colorado on December 18th 2010, with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Film.

Ian got his start his first year of high school with the help of director and producer Donnie Betts. Donnie helped Ian win the Oscar Brown Jr scholarship with a short film that was shown at the Starz Film Festival, and The Pan African Film Festival. After a year at Clark Atlanta University, Ian decided to come back home, and enrolled at CU. This past summer Ian released his latest film entitled Mile High (check Youtube). I had hoped he would have taken to the trumpet, but after a few school concerts we all were in agreement that music may not be the way out for Ian.

It didn't bother me though. Young son worked his butt off to graduate early. After many nights of sweating, nose running, convulsing, head aches and more over the dinner table doing homework Ian got it done.

We did it Mommie (Val). We got another young Black man through college. A feat that is damn near impossible these days.

So to Ian I say well done young man. Your Mom and Pops are proud of you, and can't wait for your move to the next level.

And lastly, I love you son. I always knew you could do it, especially when you thought you couldn't. OOh Rah!

America - He's your President for Goodness Sake!

2010-11-22T12:49:00.003-07:00

By William Thomas

Posted: Friday, October 1st, 2010

There was a time not so long ago when Americans, regardless of their political stripes, rallied round their president. Once elected, the man who won the White House was no longer viewed as a Republican or Democrat, but the President of the United States . The oath of office was taken, the wagons were circled around the country’s borders and it was America versus the rest of the world with the president of all the people at the helm.

Suddenly President Barack Obama, with the potential to become an exceptional president has become the glaring exception to that unwritten, patriotic rule.

Four days before President Obama’s inauguration, before he officially took charge of the American government, Rush Limbaugh boasted publicly that he hoped the president would fail. Of course, when the president fails the country flounders. Wishing harm upon your country in order to further your own narrow political views is selfish, sinister and a tad treasonous as well.

Subsequently, during his State of the Union address, which is pretty much a pep rally for America , an unknown congressional representative from South Carolina , later identified as Joe Wilson, stopped the show when he called the President of the United States a liar. The president showed great restraint in ignoring this unprecedented insult and carried on with his speech. Speaker Nancy Pelosi was so stunned by the slur, she forgot to jump to her feet while clapping wildly, 30 or 40 times after that.

Last spring, President Obama took his wife Michelle to see a play in New York City and republicans attacked him over the cost of security for the excursion. The president can’t take his wife out to dinner and a show without being scrutinized by the political opposition? As history has proven, a president in a theatre without adequate security is a tragically bad idea. Remember: “Apart from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?”

At some point, the treatment of President Obama went from offensive to ugly and then to downright dangerous.

The health-care debate, which looked more like extreme fighting in a mud pit than a national dialogue, revealed a very vulgar side of America . President Obama’s face appeared on protest signs white-faced and blood-mouthed in a satanic clown image. In other tasteless portrayals, people who disagreed with his position distorted his face to look like Hitler complete with mustache and swastika.

Odd, that burning the flag makes Americans crazy, but depicting the president as a clown and a maniacal fascist is accepted as part of the new rude America .

Maligning the image of the leader of the free world is one thing, putting the president’s life in peril is quite another. More than once, men with guns were videotaped at the health-care rallies where the president spoke. Again, history shows that letting men with guns get within range of a president has not served America well in the past.

And still the “birthers” are out there claiming Barack Obama was not born in the United States , although public documentation proves otherwise. Hawaii is definitely part of the United States , but the Panama Canal Zone where his electoral opponent Senator John McCain was born? Nobody’s sure.

Last month, a 44-year-old woman in Buffalo was quite taken by President Obama when she met him in a chicken wing restaurant called Duff’s. Did she say something about a pleasure and an honour to meet the man or utter encouraging words for the difficult job he is doing? No. Quote: “You’re a hottie with a smokin’ little body.”

Lady, that was the President of the United States you were addressing, not one of the Jonas Brothers! He’s your president for goodness sakes, not the guy driving the Zamboni at “Monster Trucks On Ice.” Maybe next it’ll be, “Take Your President To A Topless Bar Day.”

In President Barack Obama, Americans have a charismatic leader with a good and honest heart. Unlike his predecessor, he’s a very intelligent leader. And unlike that president’s predecessor, he’s a highly moral man.

In President Obama, Americans have the real deal, the whole package and a leader that citizens of almost every country around the world look to with great envy. Given the opportunity, Canadians would trade our leader, hell, most of our leaders for Obama in a heartbeat.

What America has in Obama is a head of state with vitality and insight and youth. Think about it, Barack Obama is a young Nelson Mandela. Mandela was the face of change and charity for all of Africa but he was too old to make it happen. The great things Obama might do for America and the world could go on for decades after he’s out of office.

America, you know not what you have.

The man is being challenged unfairly, characterized with vulgarity and treated with the kind of deep disrespect to which no previous president was subjected. It’s like the day after electing the first black man to be president, thereby electrifying the world with hope and joy, Americans sobered up and decided the bad old days were better.

President Obama may fail but it will not be a Richard Nixon default fraught with larceny and lies. President Obama, given a fair chance, will surely succeed but his triumph will never come with a Bill Clinton caveat – “if only he’d got control of that zipper.”

Please. Give the man a fair, fighting chance. This incivility toward the leader who won over Americans and gave hope to billions of people around the world that their lives could be enhanced by his example, just naturally has to stop.

Believe me, when Americans drive by the White House and see a sign on the lawn that reads: “No shirt. No shoes. No service,” they’ll realize this new national rudeness has gone way, way too far.

OCTOBER 2010 SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE VANCOUVER & LOWER MAINLAND

8 Nasty Conservative Lies About the Democrats and Obama That Must Be Debunked Before the Election

2010-10-28T09:18:00.004-06:00

By Dave Johnson, Campaign for America's Future
Posted on October 25, 2010, Printed on October 28, 2010
http://www.alternet.org/story/148614/

There are a number things the public "knows" as we head into the election that are just false. If people elect leaders based on false information, the things those leaders do in office will not be what the public expects or needs.

Here are eight of the biggest myths that are out there:

1) President Obama tripled the deficit.
Reality: Bush's last budget had a $1.416 trillion deficit. Obama's first budget reduced that to $1.29 trillion.

2) President Obama raised taxes, which hurt the economy.
Reality: Obama cut taxes. 40% of the "stimulus" was wasted on tax cuts which only create debt, which is why it was so much less effective than it could have been.

3) President Obama bailed out the banks.
Reality: While many people conflate the "stimulus" with the bank bailouts, the bank bailouts were requested by President Bush and his Treasury Secretary, former Goldman Sachs CEO Henry Paulson. (Paulson also wanted the bailouts to be "non-reviewable by any court or any agency.") The bailouts passed and began before the 2008 election of President Obama.

4) The stimulus didn't work.
Reality: The stimulus worked, but was not enough. In fact, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the stimulus raised employment by between 1.4 million and 3.3 million jobs.

5) Businesses will hire if they get tax cuts.
Reality: A business hires the right number of employees to meet demand. Having extra cash does not cause a business to hire, but a business that has a demand for what it does will find the money to hire. Businesses want customers, not tax cuts.

6) Health care reform costs $1 trillion.
Reality: The health care reform reduces government deficits by $138 billion.

7) Social Security is a Ponzi scheme, is "going broke," people live longer, fewer workers per retiree, etc.
Reality: Social Security has run a surplus since it began, has a trust fund in the trillions, is completely sound for at least 25 more years and cannot legally borrow so cannot contribute to the deficit (compare that to the military budget!) Life expectancy is only longer because fewer babies die; people who reach 65 live about the same number of years as they used to.

8) Government spending takes money out of the economy.
Reality: Government is We, the People and the money it spends is on We, the People. Many people do not know that it is government that builds the roads, airports, ports, courts, schools and other things that are the soil in which business thrives. Many people think that all government spending is on "welfare" and "foreign aid" when that is only a small part of the government's budget.

This stuff really matters.

If the public votes in a new Congress because a majority of voters think this one tripled the deficit, and as a result the new people follow the policies that actually tripled the deficit, the country could go broke.

If the public votes in a new Congress that rejects the idea of helping to create demand in the economy because they think it didn't work, then the new Congress could do things that cause a depression.

If the public votes in a new Congress because they think the health care reform will increase the deficit when it is actually projected to reduce the deficit, then the new Congress could repeal health care reform and thereby make the deficit worse. And on it goes.

Dave Johnson blogs at Seeing the Forest and is a Fellow at the Commonweal Institute. He has over 25 years of technology industry experience.

Wilburn makes it to another birthday!

2010-10-03T10:03:00.002-06:00

I had planned to answer everyone individually for their birthday wishes, but seeing that I received far more than I ever thought, I decided to post a thank you to you all at once. For those who really know me, you know that I have been many different people in my life time. But age brings a subtle mellowing and growth as each year passes that has helped me become a far better person than I ever thought I would ever be. I thank my wife Valerie, with whom I've been married to for over 33 years, and my children, and grandchildren. But I can never forget all of the people around the world that has been my pleasure to meet, and all of the musicians I've had the pleasure of knowing, and the opportunity to learn from. Thank you all. Without you I wouldn't be the person I am today.

PEACE!

Another Young Black Woman on Her Way!

2010-05-04T06:34:00.003-06:00

This is a shout to Kai Day!

Just graduating from Florida A&M with her Masters in Business Administration, and Marketing Concentration. Oh, and let me not forget Magna cum laude. (a Latin phrase meaning “with great honor.) It is a distinction awarded to students who have displayed remarkable academic distinction.

To be Black in American history is to know hardship. Just think, years ago having to ask permission to make basic choices such as, "May I eat. May I walk. May I whatever," is a beat down no matter where you happen to be from, or what you may believe in. Laborers, cooks, maids, were the top tier jobs that most Black folks felt lucky to get. And still today in the year 2010 some Black folks are still receiving their beatdown. But these days, more often than not, that foot they feel on their necks comes from willful refusal of some to grab hold of the tools it will take to make it in this world today.

So today I am celebrating the graduation of the class of 2010 in every college, and university in the land. Teaching, Business, Economics, Science, Law, Health, Engineering, are the goals of todays Black graduate. Congratulations to you that chose the harder path for success. We always knew you could do it.

And an extra shout out to my niece Kai Whitney Day for not only being the smartest apple in the barrel, but for being the shinning star for the rest of the children in our family to follow to their own successes. OOH-RAH Kai Day!

You all have a great and blessed day.

PEACE!

The KINGDOM CLARION

2010-05-04T04:46:00.000-06:00

By Larry W. King

Volume III, Number VII

April 26, 2010

Get Out Of Jail Free!

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor ...” – Isaiah 61:1-2a (RSV)

Most of us at one time or another has played the game of Monopoly. As a youngster, I was something of a Monopoly fiend – cunningly buying, selling and trading real estate, collecting rent and building houses or hotels. I played often, enjoying every minute spent moving around the board of simulated Atlantic City, New Jersey streets. In fact, my friends and I created our own wild brand of “Double Monopoly”, using two boards in the shape of a figure-eight - joined together at free parking. We adopted our own rules – allowing travel in all four directions, doubling the initial allotment of $1,500 cash, making free parking a lottery winner space, etc. - generally turning an already lengthy game into an all-day, all-night, greed-fueled marathon. As I am currently in the process of selling my home, I’ve lately pondered about just how many real estate agents got their start playing Monopoly …

Of course, anybody who’s ever played the game knows that at one point or another everybody goes to jail. You went there by landing on the ‘go to jail’ space on the board, by rolling doubles three consecutive times or by drawing the chance/community chest card which read, “Go to jail. Go directly to jail. Do NOT pass go. Do NOT collect $200.” Anytime you went to jail it was always handy to have a “Get Out Of Jail Free” card. That card saved you from losing up to three turns and having to pay $50 to bail yourself out.

OK, I’m sure some of you are asking yourselves, Larry, what on earth does any of this have to do with the text? Well, as many of you know, for the past several months, I have been deeply involved in Prison Ministry. Prison Ministry typically consists of teams of Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) approved, trained and certified volunteers going into various correctional facilities throughout the state, sharing the good news of Christ through worship services with the prisoners. These services include music, prayer, scripture reading, an exhortation and a sermon.

Unlike the prophet Isaiah in our text, there is phenomenal irony centered on me doing Prison Ministry. Irony, you ask? Because my lifelong plan was to stay as far away from jails or prisons as humanly possible. Ironic, because there were times in my life when I simply knew that the only way I’d be going into prison would be in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs. Yet, now I go there each week willingly, eagerly and happily – anticipating great things through the power of the Holy Spirit. We worship with offenders who anticipate the day when they are freed. I, on the other hand, gratefully look forward to every day or night of voluntarily getting into jail free! Say what?!?!

Doubtless, Prison Ministry has been a fundamental and transformational blessing in my life. It has enhanced my faith, provided a new avenue for service in God’s Kingdom, and multiplied my zeal for Christ and love for all his people – even in their most trying circumstances. I have grown from initially bringing music only, to offering all aspects of the worship service - including preaching (yes, preaching) – which wasn’t just off the radar, it was not even in my universe! And, praise God, my spiritual evolution is far from complete.

Aside from the obvious misconception I had about just taking music into prison, Prison Ministry soon relieved me of another thought distortion. I believed I was there to bless the offenders, when in fact they bless me. What do I mean? Hear well the words of James: “But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience)” – James 1:25 (AMP). Preparing to enter prison every week compels me to read and study the Bible more carefully, prayerfully and thoughtfully because, the consequences of this ministry can be life-changing and eternal. Indeed, many of the offenders truly know the Word. Make no mistake, in prison God Almighty can get your undivided attention!

Moreover, it is inspiring and wholly affirming when inmates are set free. The pitiable fact is that 80% - four out of five – Colorado parolees will return to prison in less than 3 years, unlessthey are connected to a faith-based program. My steadfast prayer and constant motivation is that what we are privileged to do via Prison Ministry will both encourage these men and women while they’re there, and (in some small way) inspire them to find a church home and build new, productive and faithful lives when released. I cannot fathom a greater honor or reward. God is AWESOME!

Finally, all of us have our own private prisons – mental and spiritual – from which we need deliverance. Sin is a prison. No matter what the sin is – substance addiction, excessive anger, lust or sexual perversity, abuse, greed, pride, etc. – anything and everything which separates us from the love of God imprisons us. Our sinful behavior builds walls between us and God, and also separates us from each other. But God wants to set us free. When we repent of our sins and turn to the Lord, His love and mercy drops the charges. He forgives us and grants us – not a reprieve, not a suspended sentence, not a commutation, not time off for good behavior, and not even parole but – a full and complete pardon. Hear well Jesus’ own words: “… I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” – John 8:34b-36 (NIV).

God, in His infinite mercy, simply wants to slam His wrecking ball of liberation through our prison walls. He wants to break every chain that binds us and destroy every guilty shackle and fetter which holds us down. The Creator loves His creation so much that He wants us free to love, adore, worship and serve Him. He wants us to sing, dance and praise Him in overflowing love and unspeakable joy. His very nature is to totally emancipate us through the powerful, free gift of the Holy Spirit. When it comes to all His precious children, God wants us to get out of jail free!

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Larry W. King is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and heads the Denver-based music group, Kingdom Kru. He’s a founding Board member of Faith Community Baptist Church, pastored by Rev. Douglas and Rev. Katherine Farley, and is active in Prison Ministry.

The SAFE Banking Act: Break Them Up

2010-04-22T06:55:00.001-06:00

By Simon Johnson, co-author of 13 Bankers.

On Wednesday, Senators Sherrod Brown and Ted Kaufman unveiled a “SAFE banking Act” with a clear and powerful purpose: Break up the big banks.

The proposal places hard leverage and size caps on financial institutions. It is well crafted, based on a great deal of hard thinking, and — as reported on the front page of The New York Times this week — the issue has the potential to draw a considerable amount of support.

The idea is simple, in the sense that the largest six banks in the American economy are currently “too big to fail” in the eyes of the credit market (and presumably in the leading minds the Obama administration — which saved all the big banks, without conditions, in March-April 2009). The bill put forward by Senator Christopher J. Dodd, the chairman of the Banking Committee, has some sensible proposals — and is definitely not an approach that supports “bailouts” — but it does not really confront the problem of the half-dozen megabanks.

In the American political system — where the power of major banks is now so manifest — there is no way to significantly reduce the risks posed by these banks unless they are broken up.

These banks are so powerful that they can confront and defy the government, as seen in the twists and turns of the S.E.C. versus Goldman Sachs case. They are also powerful enough to threaten a form of extortion: If reform is tough, according to JPMorgan Chase’s chief, Jamie Dimon, credit will contract, the recovery will slow and unemployment will stay high. Given the size of his bank, that’s a credible threat.

The big banks give a lot of money to politicians on both sides of the aisle and they are now digging in hard to defeat reform. Indeed, there are credible reports of various “front” organizations being used for this purpose.

Under such circumstances, the Brown-Kaufman approach might be thought unlikely to succeed.

But consider how the Republicans are already starting to counterattack the Dodd proposals, the ways in which the broader Dodd-White House approach remains vulnerable, and how exactly the Brown-Kaufman approach can help the Democratic leadership as it becomes increasingly hard pressed.

The Republicans are saying: the Dodd bill does not end “too big to fail.” Most of their reasons are misleading (“it’s all about Fannie and Freddie really,” “there will be a permanent bailout fund,” “the Federal Reserve needs to lose some of its powers,” etc.). But there is no question that this message will seriously confuse people who are only just starting to pay attention.

As the Republicans have astutely spotted, the Dodd-White House proposals will not actually reduce the size or seriously limit the activities of the megabanks — and a broad cross-section of society completely understands that these institutions brought us into the trauma of September 2008, have become even bigger since then, and still have the incentive to take on an excessive amount of risk.

The S.E.C. case against Goldman has created a great opportunity for the Democrats because it exposes details regarding exactly how big banks are mismanaged and why they treat many of their customers in an unreasonable manner. The electorate now completely understands — even more clearly than a week ago — that the attitudes and compensation structure of the largest banks lie at the heart of our current macroeconomic difficulties.

The Brown-Kaufman bill therefore addresses not just the substantive financial issues of our day but also the tough political situation now facing Democrats. If their SAFE banking bill can come to the floor of the Senate (for example, as an amendment to the Dodd bill) and be voted on — up or down — then we will really get to see which of our elected representatives support overly big banks and which want to bring them down.

The bill might fail, of course, on that basis — but then anyone who opposes it can be branded as a “too big to fail” fan in November and beyond. This would be a clear identifier that would cut through the noise and the disinformation. Did this candidate vote for or against the too-big-to-fail banks? It’s a simple yes or no.

As political logic inserts itself more and more into the economic debate on banking, there is a real possibility that Senators Brown and Kaufman have exactly what the Democrats (and the country) needs.

This post appeared this morning on the NYT.com’s Economix; it is used here with permission. If you would like to reproduce the entire post, please contact the New York Times.

Written by Simon Johnson

April 22, 2010 at 7:00 am

Our Dirty Little Secret: Who's Really Poor in America?

2010-03-09T08:57:00.000-07:00

By Leo Hindery Jr., Huffington Post

Posted on March 9, 2010, Printed on March 9, 2010
http://www.alternet.org/story/145950/

Two old friends, civil rights activist David Mixner and former U.S. Senator (and my oft co-author) Don Riegle (D-MI), believe that in the economic recovery, not enough attention is being given to 'who's really poor' now. David and Don have for years advised me -- and others -- on the issue of poverty in America, and they are worried that too many people, and especially too many people in the administration and Congress, are missing this imperative.

To help make their point, they referred me to poverty activist Marsha Timpson, who describes today's poor as "America's dirty little secret, hidden in the backyards of America's shining homes, the hollows, the reservations, the border towns and the dark ghettos of the city where they are the lie of the American dream."

I agree with my friends, and with Ms. Timpson's view, and everyone else should as well, for right now in America:

At least 50 million people are ill-fed -- up from 37 million just a year ago -- including 17 million children. Hunger in America is now at an all-time high, and there are currently entire national geographic regions -- the very large 15-state 'South' being one of them -- where more than half of all public school students are poor and ill-fed.

Although I myself grew up in a fairly hardscrabble environment, as the father of a daughter who was in fact able to create a successful life from the opportunities her mother and I could give her, it is hard for me to imagine what it must be like to have your child needy and hungry. Yet all of us need to 'imagine' this, because each night in America millions of children do in fact go to bed hungry and under-nourished, while also lacking proper housing, needed clothing, and the basic education required to develop and ultimately find gainful employment. And while I wholeheartedly support the First Lady's new "Let's Move" effort to improve the nutrition of America's children, we must first react to basic hunger rather than to food quality.

30% of the nation's 50 million homeowners own a home whose value is below its mortgage balance, and this number could rise to an almost unbelievable 50% by year-end 2011. It would cost about $745 billion, more than the size of the original 2008 bank bailout, to restore these borrowers to the point where they were breaking even, which there is no obvious political will to find right now.

Despite the truly dismal 'real unemployment' figures with which most everyone now agrees -- a staggering 30 million workers and 19% of the labor force -- very little attention is being paid to the particularly adverse effects the recession is having on people of color, recent immigrants, and out-of school youth. And almost no one is acknowledging the sad reality that even the nation's 130 million full-time workers have had an average economic loss of 15% just since December 2007 -- an average effective work week of 34 hours rather than 40 -- which means that the number of unemployed workers, measured economically, is actually as high as 50 million.

The overwhelming problem today for most workers isn't this recession, as horrible as it is -- it's the fact that for every earned income level except the top 10%, average household income hasn't changed a bit for 10 years, and that for the bottom 60% of wage earners it hasn't changed for more than 20 years. Through economic expansions and recessions -- and bull and bear markets -- alike, 90% of workers in America have been standing still earnings-wise.

And 100 million people, fully one-third of the entire U.S. population, are at or below "200% of the federal poverty line of $21,834 for a family of four", which is a needs-measure made lame by the fact that no family of four can actually comfortably live on such a low annual income.

**********

The best response to this scourge would be for our government to embrace in today's troubled time the same "economic bill of rights" that FDR, in his last State of the Union Speech in January 1944, demanded for his.

Roosevelt's "bill" sought to guarantee, in addition to health care and education, rights to:

"a job with a living wage...that would earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

"protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident and unemployment; and

"a decent home".

And with his typical sensitivity, FDR concluded his last SOTUS, when he knew that he was dying, by saying that, "We cannot be content, no matter how high the general standard of living may be, if some fraction of our people -- whether it be one-third or one-fifth or one-tenth -- is ill-fed, ill-clothed, ill-housed and insecure."

Until we in this time include the eradication of poverty as part of our economic recovery efforts, as FDR tried to do in his time, no matter how much we attempt to rebuild the nation's economy through better trade practices, enhanced workers' rights, and investments in infrastructure and the 'green economy', tens of millions of Americans, literally, will still be left impoverished.

In making this effort, and thus in trying to determine "who's really poor in America" so that we can assist them, it helps to think of America as a doughnut, with the 'hole' in the doughnut being, at any point in time, the middle class (and the elites) and with the dough-part being those Americans who aspire to get there.

When our ancestors got off their boats at Ellis Island or on the West Coast, the American doughnut was a fat one with a relatively tiny hole, because almost all of them were impoverished 'outsiders' looking to find their individual American Dream. The doughnut's hole grew relatively larger over the next 50 to 100 years as the economy grew, and then with the widespread prosperity that came with the end of the Second World War, it ballooned in size as the middle class ballooned.

In the two decades after the War, with a burgeoning middle class clearly in hand, our government, in order to help those Americans still living on the outer ring, established very powerful employment & training, education, home mortgage, and small business assistance programs, while freely allowing labor unions to advance and protect workers' rights.

The problem with how we have reacted so far to the Great Recession of 2007 is that most of the recovery programs are, as in the '50s and '60s, only for those Americans living in the outer ring: programs such as "cash for clunkers", first-time homebuyer credits, expanded Pell Grants, etc. In 2010, however, after decades of wide-spread wage stagnation, the entire middle class needs help as well, and the simple proof of this is that overall income inequality in America is now the greatest since 1928, when we first began to measure it.

Without an immediate all-of-government commitment to creating upwards of 30 million new jobs (not the 9 million that the administration has identified), without stimulus efforts that specifically target the entire struggling middle class, and without very specific initiatives aimed at breaking the back of general wage stagnation, there is not even a medium-term prospect of anything approaching real full employment and healthy economic growth that benefits all Americans.

So, the answer to the question of 'who's really poor' now is that we all are in one way or another, because, as FDR would have said if he was here, "some [way too large] fraction of our people is."

Addressing this reality -- this now virtual pandemic of poverty -- must be at the core of our current economic recovery efforts, because a vibrant middle class that grows from the bottom up will always be central to the continued health of America's democratic society.

Leo Hindery, Jr. chairs the US Economy/Smart Globalization Initiative at the New America Foundation and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is the former chief executive of AT&T Broadband and other major media and telecom companies.

Ex-NBA player rips Haiti, compares country to 'homeless men'

2010-01-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

Paul Shirley has probably become public enemy No. 1 in Haiti and elsewhere.

Paul Shirley played in the Euroleague in 2008.
JEAN FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP

The former NBA player posted a long column online in response to the earthquake disaster in Haiti in which he criticized Haitian citizens and said he won't donate to relief efforts.

"I haven’t donated to the Haitian relief effort for the same reason that I don't give money to homeless men on the street," he wrote. "Based on past experiences, I don't think the guy with the sign that reads 'Need You're Help' is going to do anything constructive with the dollar I might give him. If I use history as my guide, I don't think the people of Haiti will do much with my money either."

And he didn't stop there, even writing a letter to the people of Haiti.

Dear Haitians," he wrote, "First of all, kudos on developing the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Your commitment to human rights, infrastructure, and birth control should be applauded.

"As we prepare to assist you in this difficult time, a polite request: If it’s possible, could you not re-build your island home in the image of its predecessor? Could you not resort to the creation of flimsy shanty- and shack-towns? And could some of you maybe use a condom once in a while?"

He also asked what's being done to prevent this tragedy from happening again, using New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina as an example.

"We did the same after Hurricane Katrina," he said. "We were quick to vilify humans who were too slow to respond to the needs of victims, forgetting that the victims had built and maintained a major city below sea level in a known target zone for hurricanes. Our response: Make the same mistake again. Rebuild a doomed city, putting aside logic as we did."

Shirley has been dropped as a freelance writer for ESPN for his comments on Haiti.

The KINGDOM CLARION

2010-01-30T06:47:00.001-07:00

By Larry W. King

Volume III, Number I

January 29, 2010

Enable The Dream!

“In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous ‘descendant,’ heirs according to the covenant promises.” – Galatians 3:28-29 (The Message)

Nearly 47 years ago on August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King spoke the following historic words from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial: “I have a dream my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today!” Dr. King finished that landmark speech with a climax resounding with both challenge and hope even today: “And when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and hamlet, from every state and city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children – black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics – will be able to join hands and to sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, ‘Free at last, free at last; thank God Almighty, we are free at last’.”

Earlier this month I had the distinct honor and privilege to be part of the worship leadership team at a conference of American Baptist Churches (ABC) pastors, ministers and seminarians. In every service, worship music consisted of compositions from multiple cultures, sung in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Swahili. Each night as I looked out at the distinguished attendees in the audience, I saw White, Black, Hispanic and Asian Christians of all ages singing, swaying, clapping or lifting their hands and praising God together in joyous, exultant voices – on one accord, united in the Holy Spirit. I thank God – along with ABC and conference organizer, Brad Berglund - for affording me such an unforgettable opportunity. Without question, it was one of the most diverse, inspiring and enriching spiritual experiences of my life – absolutely awesome and ineffably beautiful.

As I beheld that rainbow of the faithful, I had an epiphany … surely this must be what worship will be like in heaven. Indeed, I thought (more than once), Dr. King must be looking down and smiling. His dream had come true!

Yet, the stark reality is, the overwhelming majority of conference participants (myself included) returned to churches which are largely a single culture with a one-cultural worship style. Why? Why is Sunday morning at 11:00am still the most segregated hour in America? Why aren’t we free at last? Does the bell of freedom no longer ring? Is the dream deferred?

A culturally homogenous church was an issue even in the apostle Paul’s day. He writes our text to admonish believers in Galatia – an ancient country located in parts of modern-day Turkey and Syria – to resist the false doctrine of Judaizers. The Judaizers were a band of divisive Christians of Jewish descent, who stirred up disunity among the followers of Jesus. They insisted that certain practices and rituals outlined by Hebrew law – circumcision among others - be observed by Gentile converts. The entire letter to the Galatians in general, and our text specifically is Saint Paul’s rebuke of the Judaizers. It is also his exhortation to build the Galatian church on the Godly principles of equality, diversity, inclusion and Christian love for all.

Regrettably, the church’s task remains much the same today as it was in the first century and in 1963. Today’s church must amend its ways to include all our brothers and sisters of all races, all colors, all ages, all genders and all abilities from all nations; joining them together in praise and worship to the Creator of all humankind. And our worship style must be transformed, reinvented and reconstructed, so that it mirrors the diversity of that soon-to-be rainbow assembly.

Let me be perfectly clear. There is absolutely nothing wrong with any church reflecting its cultural or ethnic heritage. Nor is there any misdeed in proudly infusing said heritage into its worship structure. Without a doubt, every church must make choices that serve the best interests of its members. Nevertheless, it behooves every Christian church to take steps to ensure those interests embrace diversity and multi-culturalism. The words of Christ are abundantly clear on this: “I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.” – John 10: 14-16 (RSV)

Doubtless, Jesus’ charge to continue his work – loving and caring for one flock - is not easy. Neither will it happen overnight. But we all must do our part – individually and collectively – to make it so. It requires commitment and work from each and every believer to move us from status quo to ecstatic equality. We must strive (as ABC has) to bring all God’s earthbound sheep together as one, to praise and worship the One loving Shepherd of all. What will YOU do to enable the dream?

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Larry W. King is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (Magna cum Laude) and heads the Denver-based music group, Kingdom Kru. He’s a founding Board member of Faith Community Baptist Church - Rev. Douglas and Rev. Katherine Farley, co-pastors - and is active in Prison Ministry.

Is This a Good Christian?

2010-01-14T00:09:00.001-07:00

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Matthew 7:1-3

Pat Robertson: Haiti 'Cursed' By 'Pact To The Devil'

Huffington Post | Danny Shea First Posted: 01-13-10 02:45 PM | Updated: 01-14-10 01:11 AM

Televangelist Pat Robertson said Wednesday that earthquake-ravaged Haiti has been "cursed" by a "pact to the devil."

"Something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it," he said on Christian Broadcasting Network's "The 700 Club." "They were under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon III, or whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, we will serve you if you'll get us free from the French. True story. And so, the devil said, okay it's a deal."

Robertson said that "ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other" and he contrasted Haiti with its neighbor, the Dominican Republic.

"That island of Hispaniola is one island. It is cut down the middle; on the one side is Haiti on the other is the Dominican Republic," he said. "Dominican Republic is prosperous, healthy, full of resorts, etc. Haiti is in desperate poverty. Same island. They need to have and we need to pray for them a great turning to god and out of this tragedy I'm optimistic something good may come. But right now we are helping the suffering people and the suffering is unimaginable."

Never letting one to get useless facts in the way of good rhetoric, Robertson’s statements conveniently ignore the fact that, like that 80 percent of Haitians identify themselves as Roman Catholics, with Protestants representing a distant second place with 16 percent. But, you know, voodoo is spooky, and even if one person practicing it means that the whole country has gotta go. God had some Old Testament wrathin’ to do, apparently.

Later that evening, Raymond Joseph, Haitian Ambassador to the U.S., began his appearance on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show by shaming Robertson and pointing out that Haiti's freedom led to freedom across Latin America. And they weren't they only beneficiaries from those historic events. "The U.S. was able to gain the Louisianna Territory for $15 million," Joseph added. "That's three cents an acre. That's 13 states west of the Mississippi that the Haitian slaves' revolt in Haiti provided America."

WATCH:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/13/pat-robertson-haiti-curse_n_422099.html

Interesting:

Haitian descendants are supposed to pay for the alleged "sins" of their ancestors - but the descendant's of slave owing families are completely innocent...

With all due respect, materialism is the "Devil". The soul identifying itself with matter becomes the earthbound ego, singly in need of acquiring things to give it purpose.

Give everything you covet away, free yourself to follow Me, said Jesus. Walk away from your family, your friends and follow Me he said.

The Devil is in possession of men like you, for you have placed judgment ahead of mercy, and offer up damnation rather then Love.

Comment from The Huffington Post

Back in 1994, during the infamous Rwandan genocide, Robertson used his 700 Club's daily cable operation to appeal to the American public for donations to fly humanitarian supplies into Zaire to save the Rwandan refugees. The planes purchased by Operation Blessing did a lot more than ferry relief supplies.

An investigation conducted by the Virginia attorney general's office concluded in 1999 that the planes were mostly used to transport mining equipment for a diamond operation run by a for-profit company called African Development Corp. And who do you think was the principal executive and sole shareholder of the mining company? You guessed it, Pat Robertson himself.

Robertson had landed the mining concession from his longtime friend Mobutu Sese Seko, then the dictator of Zaire. Investigators concluded that Operation Blessing "willfully induced contributions from the public through the use of misleading statements ..."

After the investigation began, Robertson placated state regulators by personally reimbursing his own charity $400,000 and by agreeing to tighten its bookkeeping methods. Separating Operation Blessing from Robertson's many politically oriented endeavors is not that easy, however. The biggest single U.S. recipient of the charity's largess, according to its latest financial report, was Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network. It received $885,000 in the fiscal year ended March 2004. Robertson uses that Christian network for some markedly unchristian purposes. A few years back, he repeatedly defended Charles Taylor, the former brutal dictator of Liberia who is under indictment by a UN tribunal for war crimes. As with Mobutu in the Congo, Robertson had a personal stake in the matter: He had millions invested in a Liberian gold mine, thanks to Taylor, according to press reports.

http://ww4report.com/node/1050

Robertson recently ignited a media firestorm when he called for the assassination of Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez during a broadcast of The 700 Club. He has also blamed the 9/11 attacks on America's tolerance of abortion and homosexuality and declared the Supreme Court a greater threat to the United States than Al Qaeda. Robertson assiduously cultivates his celebrity with remarks like these, casting himself as a divisive bigot to his foes and a righteous prophet to his allies in Christian right circles. But there is much more to Robertson than the headline-grabbing hothead he plays on TV.

Far from the media's gaze, Robertson has used the tax-exempt, nonprofit Operation Blessing as a front for his shadowy financial schemes, while exerting his influence within the GOP to cover his tracks. In 1994 he made an emotional plea on The 700 Club for cash donations to Operation Blessing to support airlifts of refugees from the Rwandan civil war to Zaire (now Congo). Reporter Bill Sizemore of The Virginian Pilot later discovered that Operation Blessing's planes were transporting diamond-mining equipment for the African Development Corporation, a Robertson-owned venture initiated with the cooperation of Zaire's then-dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.

After a lengthy investigation, Virginia's Office of Consumer Affairs determined that Robertson "willfully induced contributions from the public through the use of misleading statements and other implications." Yet when the office called for legal action against Robertson in 1999, Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley, a Republican, intervened with his own report, agreeing that Robertson had made deceptive appeals but overruling the recommendation for his prosecution. Two years earlier, while Virginia's investigation was gathering steam, Robertson donated $35,000 to Earley's campaign--Earley's largest contribution. With Earley's report came a sense of vindication. "From the very beginning," Robertson claimed, "we were trying to provide help and assistance to those who were facing disease and death in the war-torn, chaotic nation of Zaire."

Absolved of his sins, Robertson dug his heels back in African soil. In 1999 he signed an $8 million agreement with Liberian tyrant Charles Taylor that guaranteed Robertson's Freedom Gold Ltd.--an offshore company registered to the same address as his Christian Broadcasting Network--mining rights in Liberia, and gave Taylor a 10 percent stake in the company. When the United States intervened in Liberia in 2003, forcing Taylor and the Al Qaeda operatives he was harboring to flee, Robertson accused President Bush of "undermining a Christian, Baptist president to bring in Muslim rebels to take over the country."

Robertson's scheming hasn't abated one bit. He is accused of violating his ministry's tax-exempt, nonprofit status by using it to market a diet shake he licensed this August to the health chain General Nutrition Corp. (Robertson continues to advertise the shake on his personal website.) He has withstood criticism from fellow evangelicals for investing $520,000 in a racehorse named Mr. Pat, violating biblical admonitions against gambling. He was even accused of "Jim Crow-style racial discrimination" by black employees who successfully sued his Christian Coalition in 2001 for forcing them enter its offices through a back door and eat in a segregated area (Robertson has since resigned).

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20050919/blumenthal

Haitian Revolution

Main article: Haitian Revolution

Jean Jacques Dessalines, leader of the Haitian Revolution and the first ruler of an independent Haiti.

The French Revolution contributed to social upheavals in Saint-Domingue and the French and West Indies. Most important was the revolution of the slaves in Saint-Domingue, starting on the northern plains in 1791. In 1792 the French government sent three commissioners with troops to try to reestablish control. They began to build an alliance with gens de couleur, who were looking for their rights. In 1793, France and Great Britain went to war, and British troops invaded Saint-Domingue. The execution of Louis XVI heightened tensions in the colony. To build an alliance with the gens de couleur and slaves, the French commissioners Sonthonax and Polverel abolished slavery in the colony. Six months later, the National Convention led by the Jacobins endorsed abolition and extended it to all of the French colonies.[11]

Toussaint L'Ouverture, a former slave and leader in the slave revolt who rose in importance as a military commander because of his many skills, achieved peace in Saint-Domingue after years of war against both external invaders and internal dissension. He had established a disciplined, flexible army and drove out both the Spaniards and the British invaders who threatened the colony. He restored stability and prosperity by daring measures, including inviting the return of planters and insisting that freed men work on plantations to renew revenues for the island. He also renewed trading ties with Great Britain and the United States. The United States played a duplicitous role, supplying both the French and the rebels.[12]

Independence

The French government changed and the legislature began to rethink its decisions on slavery in the colonies. After Toussaint L'ouverture created a separatist constitution, Napoleon Bonaparte sent an expedition of 20,000 men under the command of his brother-in-law, General Charles Leclerc, to retake the island. Leclerc's mission was to oust L'ouverture and restore slavery. The French achieved some victories, but within a few months, yellow fever had killed most of the French soldiers.[13] Leclerc invited Toussaint L'ouverture to a parley, kidnapped him and sent him to France, where he was imprisoned at Fort de Joux. He died there in 1803 of exposure and tuberculosis[10] or malnutrition and pneumonia. In its attempt to retake the colony, France had lost more than 50,000 soldiers, including 18 generals.[14]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiti

Soulfonix @ Jazzmatazz Dec. 26th 7:30PM

2009-12-03T14:15:00.007-07:00

Soulfonix ['sol foniks]

noun

1. Soulful

2. (of a person) exuding soul

3. Sometimes ironic expressing profound thoughts or feelings soulful music

Happy Holidays everyone! I'm hoping to see you all Dec. 26th for two shows of

Vocal Jazz, Funk, and R&B at Jazzmatazz Lounge, Denver's newest and hottest

venue for your Jazz, R&B, and Neo Soul appetite.

Page Fraley and the Soulfonix invite you to eat drink and be merry while enjoying the sounds from some of the best musicians in the area.

Jazzmatazz is a very laid back cocktail bar uptown on 17th Ave. It's style is casual, with good food provided by Limon next door, and good music featuring some of Denver's finest jazz musicians.

There is no better place to sit back and enjoy the music on a chilly December evening.

www.jazzmatazzlounge.com

Jazzmatazz Lounge

Live Jazz / R&B / Neo- Soul

Located at 1612 E. 17th Ave

(Between Franklin and Gilpin )
Denver, Co 80218
303-333-3503
8:30 pm to Midnight
$10 cover, CASH ONLY- ( ATM available across the street)

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MUSICIANS

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