Leslie's Truth

What Is Poverty? - Oregon Center for Public Policy

2011-09-28T11:52:00.000-05:00

What Is Poverty? - Oregon Center for Public Policy

Grain o'salt: Super Congress Already Bought By Corporate Interests?

2011-09-11T14:17:00.000-05:00

Super Congress: Already Bought By Corporate Interests - Home - The Daily Bail: - Sent using Google Toolbar

The Unemployed Aren't Invisible: Washington and the Media Just Aren't Paying Attention | | AlterNet

2011-07-22T14:37:00.000-05:00

The Unemployed Aren't Invisible: Washington and the Media Just Aren't Paying Attention | | AlterNet: "- Sent using Google Toolbar" "The stories at HelpThe99ers.com, a site Sandler founded as a sort of social network for the unemployed to find work or help, range through all types of careers and across the country. The 99ers are those whose unemployment benefits have reached the maximum, 99 weeks, and have run out."

Internet Communications Firm Owners Plead Guilty to Employment Tax Fraud and Failure to Pay Tax

2011-07-18T00:06:00.000-05:00

Internet Communications Firm Owners Plead Guilty to Employment Tax Fraud and Failure to Pay Tax: "- Sent using Google Toolbar" Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, July 15, 2011 Internet Communications Firm Owners Plead Guilty to Employment Tax Fraud and Failure to Pay Tax WASHINGTON – Frank G. Bivings and Isabelle Blanco of Washington, D.C., husband and wife and co-owners of The Bivings Group Inc., pleaded guilty today to charges stemming from the failure to pay more than $2 million in employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The guilty plea took place in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Bivings pleaded guilty to one count of failure to pay over employment taxes. Blanco pleaded guilty to one count of failure to pay a tax. Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for Oct. 20, 2011. The Bivings Group was a full-service Internet communications business. In pleading guilty, Bivings and Blanco both admitted that between Jan. 1, 2002, and June 30, 2008, The Bivings Group failed to pay over to the IRS a total of $2,420,927 in employment taxes, which includes withholding and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes. Of this amount, $1,813,488 represented the money that was withheld from employees for taxes but that was not paid over to the IRS. The department said that, instead of paying these payroll taxes to the IRS, the defendants used the funds to pay themselves substantial salaries and withdrew additional corporate funds for other expenses. Bivings faces a maximum of five years in prison, and Blanco faces a maximum of one year in prison. The parties agreed, however, that the calculation under the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines for each defendant is 30 to 37 months in prison. Both defendants also agreed to pay $2,420,927 in restitution. In announcing today’s guilty plea, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General John A. DiCicco, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., of the District of Columbia and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeannine A. Hammett commended the investigatory work of IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent Michael Helgesen. They also praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan B. Menzer and Tax Division Trial Attorney Tino Lisella, who investigated and prosecuted the case. Tax Division

Congressional Black Caucus Members Criticize Obama On Unemployment

2011-07-08T20:22:00.000-05:00

Congressional Black Caucus Members Criticize Obama On Unemployment: "- Sent using Google Toolbar" Think about who owns the means of production in the US--is it black folks? No it is not. It is any race but black folks. It is for this reason there is a higher unemployment rate among blacks. People tend to hire their own kind or folks they know. We are a segregated country whether anyone wants to realize that or not. We used to get on because somebody's momma worked as a maid in Mr. So-in-So's house and he was kind (or whatever) and got her relative a job and so on and so forth. Used to be mommas sat at home and raised their kids decent and they went to college to be doctors and lawyers but I guess there is only so much reach back but it certainly does not stop anyone with a high income from owning a business or two. Most of the people in the upper middle classes choose not to own businesses and of those who did, lost those businesses. Banks could not loan them operating costs, they could not make payroll and went out of business. In times of danger, people pulled together but in small groups of known entities. There isn't much reach out. We have to somehow help ourselves by owning the means of production for the types of things black people like to buy, like --according to some marketing companies-- hair oil and cooking grease and anything at the dollar store. Whatever, if we owned a chain of dollar stores, food oil and petroleum processing plants, we'd be hired. We should also own weave hair and fake nail companies and all the chemicals used in those processes. We should own, not be owned and we would have work available to us. Anyone with me on this? And furthermore, the Congressional Black Caucus itself has power within its members to help black people. Why don't you guys go revive the NAACP so that it can stop being an organization people call only when they want to get out of jail or a noose or need something to Buppy up the resume. What about the Urban League? We throw more parties through these organizations. Maybe we should start using them for its intended use. Where is that Black Agenda? I saw it once but it is an actual document that is useable. We have completed one section of goals by electing Barack Obama president. Now it is time to move on to another segment of goals set long ago. It's okay, White people don't care if we use it now. They're lost and tired of driving too. WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING BESIDES POINT FINGERS AND BLAME AND IGNORE OUR COMMUNITY. We spend more time worried about other folks issues and not enough on our own. During Barack's campaign was the first time I actually felt the black community breathe again since the Black Power Movement of the 1970s when I was a little kid. I'll help if you need it. Signed, A Member of Generation X '66

How the Debt Ceiling Issue Will Hit Ordinary Americans in the Wallet - DailyFinance

2011-06-30T11:27:00.000-05:00

How the Debt Ceiling Issue Will Hit Ordinary Americans in the Wallet - DailyFinance: "- Sent using Google Toolbar" It is our congressional leaders who are being "dicks." Debt ceiling issues usually get bipartisan support. Call your congressman or woman and tell them to raise the debt ceiling. "It also matters because all the parts of our economy are intricately intertwined, like a woven basket where each reed relies upon the next for support. Say the government postpones payments to a contractor. That contractor may decide to hold off on that new ad campaign it had planned to launch. Now, people working in the advertising industry, and maybe the newspapers and television channels that rely on advertising dollars, start to feel the pinch, and so those people decide to start saving more and spending less, in case the economy takes a downturn. Because consumers are now spending less money, stores start seeing a decrease in sales, and respond by reducing employees' hours or even engaging in outright layoffs. And it spirals downward from there." Buy the book! Buy the book Eighteen Months and Short Stories, Real Life today!

US Slave: Gullah Grub

2011-06-29T07:51:00.000-05:00

US Slave: Gullah Grub

Republicans Auditioned Well, Slapped Backs After Debate - YAHOO! Black News Junkie - All the news and black news junkie needs

2011-06-16T20:28:00.000-05:00

Republicans Auditioned Well, Slapped Backs After Debate - YAHOO! Black News Junkie - All the news and black news junkie needs: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Average Height Falls for Very Poor Women in Africa - NYTimes.com

2011-04-26T11:17:00.000-05:00

Average Height Falls for Very Poor Women in Africa - NYTimes.com Average heights have declined among women in 14 African countries, the study found, and stagnated in 21 more in Africa and South America. That suggests, the authors said, that poor women born in the last two decades, especially in Africa, are worse off than their mothers or grandmothers born after World War II.

Remarks by the President on the Situation in Egypt | The White House

2011-02-03T14:34:00.000-06:00

Remarks by the President on the Situation in Egypt | The White House

2011 State of the Union Address Aimed at the American People

2011-01-31T00:09:00.001-06:00

Speech Highlights Pres. Obama as Common Sense Leader and Unifier "The idea of America endures. Our destiny remains our choice..." 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, during his 2011 State of the Union Address The 2011 State of the Union speech addresses rough economic times from the standpoint of everyday Americans. Pres. Obama stresses planning for the future of America, tackling the debt and using our freedoms responsibly. In spite of strong phrases and talking points from either side of the process, President Obama, in his 2011 State of the Union address, explained that vigorous debate is a part of our American democratic process. It is normal and healthy and shows that our process is working. He explained that change is coming in the country and the American people have to be a part of new jobs and industry taking root in our country. As president, Obama is exposed to information in which the public is unaware. The fact that business and industry may take root in other countries is not new. The president has been saying that all along but have we been listening? When anyone repeats information over and over to the public, it is because it is crucial the idea becomes rooted in the brain of the American people. The point: times have changed, please change with it. Evolve, people. "At stake is whether new jobs and industries take root in this country, or somewhere else... to win the future, we'll need to take on challenges that have been decades in the making...the rules have changed. In a single generation, revolutions in technology have transformed the way we live, work and do business. Nations like China and India realized that with some changes of their own, they could compete in this new world. And so they started educating their children earlier and longer, with greater emphasis on math and science. They're investing in research and new technologies," the president said during his speech. This is the president as Chief Economic Officer-in-chief and he is telling the employees/the American people that we need to improve our skills, education and knowledge base and our hiring process for new employees and we need to close more deals. In other words, "always be closing"--in everything we do. And the president is serious. He has repeated this mantra countless times and we will hear it again and again until we begin to change. Schools have to change the way they educate students. School curriculum has to be refined to reflect the needs of the future. Parents have to change for the better, child rearing practices. We have to re-prioritize our needs. Most of this change will be slightly uncomfortable and will require a spirit of cooperation on local levels where we will find ourselves talking to each other again, communicating ideas and debating which way to go. There will be frictions and hurt feelings and bruised egos but this is the process a freed man and woman growing and changing in a modern America must engage. We cling to our democratic process and our freedoms but with those freedoms comes a cost--temporary personal discomfort. Our forefathers spilled their blood for those freedoms, so how much more of the burden of freedom should we, the beneficiaries of the fight, bare? All of it because we live free today. And truth be told, we all hate that feeling. We are out of our comfort zones and we have to speak civilly to each other and we may complain bitterly all along the way but we know it has to get done as this is our American Way. We must even take up the slack from those who refuse to cooperate as they are selfish and ignorant. This country is up against countries that do not have vigorous debate--they tell the people what they are doing after they start doing it. They don't ask permission as they are not democracies and the people do not have freedom. America is the sharpening stone, the measuring stick in which world leaders use to show their progress. As they gain, they say in effect, their form of government is better than our democratic nation. This is the foreign attitude the president combats everyday. What they don't say is how the people hurt as individuals because they do not live in a democracy. However, we do and must prove our system of government is best by keeping up. This process, as the president has said many times, is not Democrat or Republican or Independent or Green. It is American, red, white and blue. Those stripes are wide and those stars are big and blue is everywhere. We all fit in it. We are fashioned in a circle and it is time to take up the yoke of our forefathers and fight for our existence in this modern, changing world. The fight is with ourselves and within ourselves and not with each other. We are angry because the road will be tough and we have grown soft--some of us. "Many people watching tonight can probably remember a time when finding a good job meant showing up at a nearby factory or a business downtown. You didn't always need a degree, and your competition was pretty much limited to your neighbors. If you worked hard, chances are you'd have a job for life, with a decent paycheck, good benefits, and the occasional promotion. Maybe you'd even have the pride of seeing your kids work at the same company. That world has changed. And for many, the change has been painful," the president said during his speech. However, Americans don't back down from a challenge. We still have the largest and most prosperous economy in the world--$14.6 trillion compared to the Chinese $5.7 trillion Gross Domestic Product. We will win the future, he said, by investing in biomedical research, information technology and clean energy technology. Common sense moves. Our funding will go to scientists and engineers to solve problems. We will embrace electric vehicles and eliminate taxpayer support of big oil companies. By 2035, wind, solar, nuclear and natural gas energy technologies will power our economy and we need to be prepared educationally. President Obama, as King Solomon the wise leader of Biblical times, asked us to turn away from our present adolescent, hedonistic ways and grow up. "Tonight, let's agree to make the effort," he said. The president said investing in infrastructure improvements like roads and bridges will put Americans back to work but Congress has to work together and approve legislation introduced to them that will make this happen. This is what "bipartisan effort" means. Building high speed rail and Internet will aid the economy. Technology companies that depend on fast moving information understand that we are running out of bandwidth. This can have a detrimental impact on the American economy but those still living in the Industrial Age don't quite get it because high speed rail and the Internet may not be a big part of their lives--or so they think. If everyone around you uses it to help you with health care, the way you get paid, learn, train and many other ways, is it less important because the individual who knows very little about it doesn't understand? In other words, there are people who do not share the same priorities as the president who are standing in the way of progress because they do not and won't gain understanding. They want to cling to the past and fail to meet future challenges and then find some scapegoat to blame. The president also said lowering the corporate tax rate will spur business creation and growth without adding to the deficit. Cutting tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans, doubling exports and enforcing trade agreements will also aid economic growth. However, "bipartisan support" is needed from our legislators. A spending freeze on annual domestic spending, removing unnecessary business regulations while upholding consumer safeguards and tackling the National Debt will cement the American economic future success. The president also said America can't win the future with a government of the past, asking for a cut of outdated agencies and bureaucracy. Improving student curriculum and education will prepare the country for future success. A domestic spending freeze will help cut the National Debt. President Barack Obama uses common sense leadership stratagies to illustrate America's future. http://ping.fm/c70oV http://ping.fm/hgalK http://ping.fm/lDesG

Atlanta Housewives Season Finale: Charges of ?Financial Abuse? against Peter by Cynthia?s mom, sister

2011-01-30T23:42:00.001-06:00

They open with Lawrence performing "Closet Freak" a song Kandi wrote for him. The performance was good. Ne Ne started out talking about not having anything to do with Kim. All of the ladies were fierce at the show. (There was an unidentified lady in the audience that had half-blonde and half-black bob--that was cute.) All the drama was quietly at Cynthia's house. She is short on money and the bridesmaid dresses ain't even thought of since the bride's dress comes first. Cynthia said she doesn't do broke well. It's two days before the wedding. Then her sister put it out there: How is Peter contributing to the relationship? Cynthia can still work. Peter says he is born to be a restaurant. (since closing the restaurant) She asked her dad to help her out financially with the wedding. He said he can't swing it. Mini-cliffhanger! Phaedra's baby Aden is sooooo cute with the fattest, sweetest cheeks. Momma is going back to work after an eight-week maternity leave and she cried. It's tough leaving baby for work. Every mom knows that. Kim is so thin. Kandi announces she is touring with Fantasia. She addressed the issue of Kim once again, going around Kandi on the money tip over one of the songs she wrote and details of their business relationship. They decided to let Kandi's manager and Kim's attorney handle the business end so that they could remain cool. Kandi said distribution for "The Ring Didn't Mean A Thing," will not happen if the details aren't worked out because as it stands, Kandi and her people own the rights to the song. Whoo. Good girl Kandi--handle it! Sheree is auditioning for a film, "If These Hips Could Talk." Sheree is learning to take direction well. Terri Vaughn was on the panel. (secretary on Steve Harvey Show) She seemed to express frustration. Sheree was supposed to portray an angry black woman. She seemed to deliver that. Ms Vaughn seemed to sit up and notice. Ne Ne, Ne Ne, Ne Ne. Whoooooooo. The list of things-to-do for her son Bryson was involved (for a teen). Teens don't understand. Being momma is tough. You end up saying the same thing over and over and over again. She said Bri-Bri needs a job. Comes the nuptial countdown. Cynthia's mom paid the last minute, down-to-the wire $3,000 for the open bar at the venue. Phew. Cynthia's sister questions why the sadness and stress from sister Cynthia. Duh, money problems. Mal, Cynthia's sister, is worried about her sister and the stress made Mal cry! Her mom broke it down: she thinks Peter is financially abusing Cynthia and that he lies. "Allow him to give," she tells her daughter, because a man will do whatever you allow him to do, she said. Back to Ne Ne. She and Greg talked over glasses of wine. Greg essentially apologized but Ne Ne said he is always apologizing, so she didn't care. "It doesn't change anything," she said, adding he needs to change his behavior. They still plan to put parenting first. Reason number one why Cynthia should not marry Peter: OK DAMN--PETER DIDN'T GET THE WEDDING BANDS AND IT WAS ON HIS LIST OF THINGS TO DO. What does that say about the wedding? Anyway, Cynthia’s dress was amazing in platinum silver. It was an original and it was everything. Kim is bringing to the wedding, Kroy Biermann, of the Atlanta Falcons football team--who she met at one of the many functions they attend. She said it’s serious but she has been keeping it quiet so that it can last. The big reveal will be at Cyndi’s wedding. Peter shows to his wedding up full tilt asking for vodka and cranberry. Last wedding cliffhanger: they forgot the marriage license and are not sure where it is. It’s official: mom and sis do not want Cynthia to marry. They hijacked the marriage license so when she does marry it won’t legal? Dunno about that one, she does have a license but it just not presented to the pastor. I know he does have to sign the thing. Anyway. All the ladies looked fab at the wedding. Kim brought her own bottle because she said Cynthia couldn’t afford good wine if she was, “whining about the honeymoon.” Ne Ne said Kim is invisible to her. Well, Sheree said she could see where “they cut corners.” (no abundance of flowers) Meow. Dang. Kim, Sheree and Phaedra had the claws out for this one! Anyway, Cynthia was beautiful--like a work of art in that dress--and the ceremony went forth Peter in spite of his imperfections. Ahhh, love. (remember that her mom and sis hid the license so I am not clear if it is legal or not--whooo--because Mal was visibly upset as if she felt guilty about her involvement in the whole thing. Whooo. The full-skirted, tucked dress (with toile petticoat beneath) had a crease-pleat, choker-collar and huge side bow, also at the neck. Accompanied by large drop earrings, an up do and evening makeup, Cynthia glowed. Okay, the wrap-up: Dwight and Ne Ne made up at the reception and danced after he presented her with some of the flowers from the wedding arrangements. P.S. Ne Ne will be on the Apprentice in March. Looks fun! And Kim is preggers, due in June! Whooo! Source: Atlanta Housewives, Bravo Channel Site: http://ping.fm/rkvVH Read the blogs: http://ping.fm/U4mWs/blogs

Atlanta Housewives Season Finale: Charges of ?Financial Abuse? against Peter by Cynthia?s mom, sister

2011-01-30T23:41:00.001-06:00

The show opens with Lawrence performing "Closet Freak," a song Kandi wrote for him. The performance was good. Ne Ne started out talking about not having anything to do with Kim. All of the ladies were fierce at the show. (There was an unidentified lady in the audience that had half-blonde and half-black bob--that was cute.) All the drama was quietly at Cynthia's house. She is short on money and the bridesmaid dresses ain't even thought of since the bride's dress comes first. Cynthia said she doesn't do broke well. It's two days before the wedding. Then her sister put it out there: How is Peter contributing to the relationship? Cynthia can still work. Peter says he is born to be a restaurant. (since closing the restaurant) She asked her dad to help her out financially with the wedding. He said he can't swing it. Mini-cliffhanger! Phaedra's baby Aden is sooooo cute with the fattest, sweetest cheeks. Momma is going back to work after an eight-week maternity leave and she cried. It's tough leaving baby for work. Every mom knows that. Kim is so thin. Kandi announces she is touring with Fantasia. She addressed the issue of Kim once again, going around Kandi on the money tip over one of the songs she wrote and details of their business relationship. They decided to let Kandi's manager and Kim's attorney handle the business end so that they could remain cool. Kandi said distribution for "The Ring Didn't Mean A Thing," will not happen if the details aren't worked out because as it stands, Kandi and her people own the rights to the song. Whoo. Good girl Kandi--handle it! Sheree is auditioning for a film, "If These Hips Could Talk." Sheree is learning to take direction well. Terri Vaughn was on the panel. (secretary on Steve Harvey Show) She seemed to express frustration. Sheree was supposed to portray an angry black woman. She seemed to deliver that. Ms Vaughn seemed to sit up and notice. Ne Ne, Ne Ne, Ne Ne. Whoooooooo. The list of things-to-do for her son Bryson was involved (for a teen). Teens don't understand. Being momma is tough. You end up saying the same thing over and over and over again. She said Bri-Bri needs a job. Comes the nuptial countdown. Cynthia's mom paid the last minute, down-to-the wire $3,000 for the open bar at the venue. Phew. Cynthia's sister questions why the sadness and stress from sister Cynthia. Duh, money problems. Mal, Cynthia's sister, is worried about her sister and the stress made Mal cry! Her mom broke it down: she thinks Peter is financially abusing Cynthia and that he lies. "Allow him to give," she tells her daughter, because a man will do whatever you allow him to do, she said. Back to Ne Ne. She and Greg talked over glasses of wine. Greg essentially apologized but Ne Ne said he is always apologizing, so she didn't care. "It doesn't change anything," she said, adding he needs to change his behavior. They still plan to put parenting first. Reason number one why Cynthia should not marry Peter: OK DAMN--PETER DIDN'T GET THE WEDDING BANDS AND IT WAS ON HIS LIST OF THINGS TO DO. What does that say about the wedding? Anyway, Cynthia’s dress was amazing in platinum silver. It was an original and it was everything. Kim is bringing to the wedding, Kroy Biermann, of the Atlanta Falcons football team--who she met at one of the many functions they attend. She said it’s serious but she has been keeping it quiet so that it can last. The big reveal will be at Cyndi’s wedding. Peter shows to his wedding up full tilt asking for vodka and cranberry. Last wedding cliffhanger: they forgot the marriage license and are not sure where it is. It’s official: mom and sis do not want Cynthia to marry. They hijacked the marriage license so when she does marry it won’t legal? Dunno about that one, she does have a license but it just not presented to the pastor. I know he does have to sign the thing. Anyway. All the ladies looked fab at the wedding. Kim brought her own bottle because she said Cynthia couldn’t afford good wine if she was, “whining about the honeymoon.” Ne Ne said Kim is invisible to her. Well, Sheree said she could see where “they cut corners.” (no abundance of flowers) Meow. Dang. Kim, Sheree and Phaedra had the claws out for this one! Anyway, Cynthia was beautiful--like a work of art in that dress--and the ceremony went forth Peter in spite of his imperfections. Ahhh, love. (remember that her mom and sis hid the license so I am not clear if it is legal or not--whooo--because Mal was visibly upset as if she felt guilty about her involvement in the whole thing. Whooo. The full-skirted, tucked dress (with toile petticoat beneath) had a crease-pleat, choker-collar and huge side bow, also at the neck. Accompanied by large drop earrings, an up do and evening makeup, Cynthia glowed. Okay, the wrap-up: Dwight and Ne Ne made up at the reception and danced after he presented her with some of the flowers from the wedding arrangements. P.S. Ne Ne will be on the Apprentice in March. Looks fun! And Kim is preggers, due in June! Whooo! Source: Atlanta Housewives, Bravo Channel Site: http://ping.fm/v7p5t Read the blogs: http://ping.fm/WzAMW/blogs

Why did I only have...

2010-12-13T20:41:00.000-06:00

Tracey Hamilton-Montgomery
Why did I only have 2 students today.... Parents when we have a snow blizzard, freezing weather, blowing and drifting snow & a 2 hour delay, keep ur children HOME!

3 hours ago via Mobile Web · · Comment

Tonya Johnson-harvey and 6 others like this.
- Notrie Scott Wow, I remember those days.
  2 hours ago ·
- Notrie Scott You mean Gary Community School Corp. didn't cancel classes today? :) Some things never change huh.
  2 hours ago · · 1 personLoading...
- Malline Morris Right! LW had less than A HUNDRED students in the entire school! I had 3 all day!
  2 hours ago ·
- Kim Teamer That would be the val & the sal.
  2 hours ago ·
- Lynette Leavy Because Tracey, people still have to work & have no baby sitter...at least I hope thats the reason.
  2 hours ago ·
- Tiffaney Scott I had none. i enjoyed a nice day at home!
  2 hours ago ·
- Tracey VanZant Foyles Because they can always count on my dedicated BFF. She's the best.
  about an hour ago ·
- Karen Barbour-Walker I had 5...
  about an hour ago via Facebook Mobile ·
- Karen Barbour-Walker And we had a wonderful day :-)!
  about an hour ago via Facebook Mobile ·
- Sharron Lewis Scott They don't want em'
  about an hour ago ·
- Leslie Jones McCloud well then school should have been closed. parents followed the instructions given. what about tomorrow? should kids go? will teachers show up? too bad we don't have a real time communication vehicle in this town. i sent my son, and that does not mean i did not want him.
  35 minutes ago ·
- Ronalyn Vaughn That's a shame. You should have stayed home too. It was dangerous out there.
  18 minutes ago ·
- Karen Barbour-Walker I live in Illinois and teach in Gary; I went to work today a little late bc there was a 2 hour delay. I only question those parents who must not watch the news, bc their kids were @ school by 8. I also wonder about parents who made their children walk today.
  12 minutes ago via Facebook Mobile ·
- Karen Barbour-Walker I understand that some parents HAD to work and HAD to send their chikdren to school. Teachers are 'in loco parentis', in place of the parents. Ikm not complaining, I'm not judging. Without students, I wouldn't have a job. Ok I'll get off my soapbox now :-).
  8 minutes ago via Facebook Mobile ·
- Karen Barbour-Walker Forgive the spelling...
  7 minutes ago via Facebook Mobile ·
- Leslie Jones McCloud i'm putting this conversation on my blog i hope no one minds. this is the first sustained conversation involving educators i have had in a while. thanks. ppl who don't have kids like to keep up.
  3 minutes ago ·
- Karen Barbour-Walker No problem, but please correct my spelling:-)!
  about a minute ago via Facebook Mobile ·

Why did I only have... Buy the book! Buy the book Eighteen Months and Short Stories, Real Life today!

Judge strikes down federal health care law | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

2010-12-13T13:27:00.000-06:00

Judge strikes down federal health care law | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star A federal judge in Richmond Virginia Monday, ruled unconstitutional, the health care package President Obama and his administration worked so hard on. Click link to read.

Vote Early, Vote Democrat

2010-10-07T22:02:00.001-05:00

Buy the book! Buy the book Eighteen Months and Short Stories, Real Life today!

Early Voting started Monday October 4. Please vote early in the Midterm Election on November 2. Early voting will continue until November 1. Election Day is November 2. If you don't vote early, please make sure to vote Democrat November 2.
Vote early, vote straight Democrat.
Vote early at:

100 Broadway
Lake County Court Bldg.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m
Lake County Courthouse, normal business hours
Crown Point, Indiana
Also
Volunteer at the Indiana Democratic Headquarters, 201 E. Fifth Ave.(across from the fire station), Gary to help the Democratic Party win November 2. When you show up, ask for "Shae."

Hours:
9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday; Noon to 7 p.m., Sunday.
Call for more information:
219-405-2038
219-405-2041
219-687-0040

The Root: Which Votes Really Matter In Arkansas? : NPR

2010-09-07T08:23:00.000-05:00

The Root: Which Votes Really Matter In Arkansas? : NPR "...senators who vote to give anyone more than $1 billion, even if it was agreed on long ago, worry that voting to pay the black farmers could cost them re-election."

Iran was prime target of SCADA worm

2010-07-25T15:00:00.000-05:00

Iran was prime target of SCADA worm

Single-mother panhandlers may be new sign of times :: Jerry Davich :: Post-Tribune

2010-06-25T09:12:00.000-05:00

Single-mother panhandlers may be new sign of times :: Jerry Davich :: Post-Tribune This guy is a columnist for our local newspaper. I usually do not agree with him however, for this particular column, he placed himself in the other person's shoes. I am proud of him. He now knows how it feels to panhandle for spare change just to make ends meet. Many would not have gone so far for a column. Read the column. It is a fast read and insightful.

Potential Policy Recommendations for Improving Journalism

2010-06-17T15:21:00.000-05:00

FTC STAFF DISCUSSION DRAFT FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION STAFF DISCUSSION DRAFT: POTENTIAL POLICY RECOMMENDATION

I like most of these recommendations. Let us go back to the development of the community newspaper. Not only will it promote literacy but the discrepancy between who gets vital information and who does not will narrow.

I caution the FTC to not be anxious to throw money at the problem. New publications should have help becoming established in the community. There are many people who think being a reporter is glamorous and easy and it is not. It can be dangerous, tedious and no fun at all. I would hate to see people who want to be committed to journalistic integrity take precious funding and squander it when the going gets tough or to use a newspaper as their personal platform.

I have felt for years that there should be some non-profit newspapers available to the community so that they can get vital information offered by government agencies. As long as the reader understands the source of the information, it will read about the same as a newspaper in mainstream. They get funding from businesses-national, regional and local.
They bend and sway under the weight of editorial sacrifices as well.
However, public affairs reporting could make a comeback. It is why I wanted to become a reporter in the first place but by the time I graduated with a degree in Journalism, those positions had been eliminated.

There seems to be some opposition to these suggestions by the FTC. I wonder if it is due to not wanting to compete for readership? Once fiduciary concerns are satisfied--news is news. Either the reader is being served news that is vital or they are being fed a diet of fluff.

I hope the FTC moves forward with these recommendations. The Gulf Oil Spill would not have happened. Enron would not have happened. You get the picture.

Buy the book! Buy the book Eighteen Months and Short Stories, Real Life today!

What I learned about the Gulf Coast Oil Spill

2010-06-16T14:40:00.001-05:00

While writing an article for Demand Studios on Kirkuk oil, I learned a few things that relate to the current Gulf Coast Oil Spill. I learned that oil companies and government fight all of the time over how to balance oil field management and not polluting the environment or damaging the oil well. (This degrades the oil quality.) Sometimes, these fights stem from the oil industry's internal strife. I also learned that all industry everywhere have this problem. There is a rift often between college degreed workers and those who learned on the job and opt not to earn a degree. Sometimes people, who don't really know any better, challenge management and those people whom management place in important positions. You know the type. They can always do something better than you but they don't have a degree, did not want to go get one and consider education unnecessary. It never occurred to me that this fight could extend to the oil industry and that simple rules put in place to protect the oil well, the environment, and the peopleâ€“due to false prideâ€“ are undermined. Not everyone is up for the fight and sometimes cave to pressure either to keep the peace or keep the job they have or both. During research an article, I had to read many reports regarding routine problems on oil rigs and how they are managed. Corners are cut unofficially to increase profit--even though I know there is some engineer standing in corner shaking his or her head about how they should listen to him or her and not do the thing that they are doing. Rifts form between management and workers. People are afraid to step up because they want to keep their job. False pride and greed are why there is a large amount of oil in the Gulf. All of the oil companies have this problem with staff. It is when it becomes unmanageable and a situation occurs that we stop and examine our behavior. Now everyone is running around with his or her hands up in the air complaining, worried and blaming the president. What a mess. Individual responsibility and the willingness to do the right thing within reason, is the way to prevent catastrophes that are difficult to solve. I also learned that a major oil well in Iraq is running out of oil. The next 50 or so years will be crucial for America to turn around its obsession with fossil fuels, improve the electrical grid and start seriously building windmills. In 50 years, if Iâ€™m around, I will be too damn old and grouchy to deal with all of this crap. Okay. BP just announced they will not be paying shareholder dividends. Any finance majors out there willing to expound on this revelation? They did not say if this is a permanent situation or temporary.

Audio of Leslie McCloud's Last Day at Work

2010-05-28T12:17:00.000-05:00

"Tony Fired Me."
The civil lawsuit connected to this incident was dismissed May 24 2010.

Texas Textbook Scandal and the Black Community

2010-05-23T06:36:00.001-05:00

Considering the Texas Textbook Scandal, is there a national Pan African American history curriculum for K-12 and college level? There should be. Contained within the organizations of the National Urban League and the NAACP are many, many educated professionals who know how and what components comprise a proper school curriculum for all levels. Why not create a joint task force/partnership between the two organizations and create a national Pan African American history curriculum? When we take leadership seriously and control our own history and information as a group, no one will change it, no one will challenge it. No one changes Jewish and Hebrew history. They send their children to school to learn it. They are in control of keeping their cultural identity alive. They take responsibility for it. African Americans should mimic that and control our historical identity so that no one does it for us. On the TJ Holmes CNN blog website, a woman who said she writes textbooks for a living pointed out that textbooks can be made to order as to highlight each state's contribution to American history or whatever. On May 22nd, "maryann warren" said, "I write textbooks . . . and the major publishers make an edition ONLY FOR TEXAS! Everything in that edition is NOT put into the National Edition. Other states also have their own editions to meet their specific standards and "play up" their state history. So please don't panic people nationwide about good old Texas and their unique material in social studies. science, and even health..."Additionally, any information disseminated within a textbook should be made as accurate as possible by passing through a system of checks and balances. That history, in turn, can be taught in our churches and community groups; made available to parents to read and teach to our children; placed into books at every reading level so that whosoever is willing, can learn about our African American history, with African Americans serving as gatekeepers. Those outside the race will continue to use us and any other group to their advantage and our disadvantage--that is just the way it is. What are we doing that we cannot properly monitor our own history and information pertaining to it? Managing African American history alone is capable of creating a new commerce in which to employ people full-time to manage it. Is the management of our historical information worth it? Are we worth it to ourselves? I guess the first hurdle will be making the agreement or commitment to work with ourselves, amongst ourselves.

CNN Special Black and White: Kids on Color

2010-05-18T11:24:00.001-05:00

Please don't show it. Please don't tell! Sitting and watching TJ Holmes present CNN's Black & White: Kids on Color, Tuesday morning, I hoped that after the commercial break, I would not hear a discussion on blacks still being color struck. But it happened anyway. I guess it doesn't matter how wide a range of skin colors exist in American families. The tester in the segment asked again and again: Which child is the pretty one, smart one, bad one, etc. Most of the children chose darker skinned pictures as bad or ugly children and the lighter one as good or pretty. Only a few opted out of complexion stereotyping or as old folks say, being color struck. The CNN series examines complexion-based internalized racism in school aged children from white and black races. The study mimics the 1939-1940 doll studies conducted by two black psychologists. First, the white children were asked questions about the cartoon pictures of asexual dolls, nearly hairless, arranged in a range of complexions from light to dark. Most chose the lightest ones as a representation of good and the darkest ones of bad. Then comes the African American children's responses. I held my breath. I tried not to watch. I didn't want to hear the truth. "Why is this one pretty?" a tester asked after a child pointed to the lightest example as pretty. "...because she is light-skinned," a pretty dark-skinned girl said. "Bias towards white is still a part of our culture." A voice over said. Don't fret Blacks because Whites have the same color struck conversations in their households. A pinkish hue is still favored over ruddy or olive complexion--as long as there is still an ability to tan reasonably well. But one needs only to look throughout their own friends and family to see these hurtful stereotypes repeated and reinforced. It is a good thing that stunning beauty is held in the facial bone structure of an individual and not the skin color. I wish someone would tell the kids the truth about beauty because skin color stereotypes are perpetuated through the generations, maintained in the home and reinforced in society. (Oh, good hair counts too.) Read more: http://ping.fm/g7yZ4

Commentary on Roland Martin's blog

2010-05-15T12:31:00.002-05:00

I have a lot to say today.

Who Defines Leadership in the Black Community?

There are not many who do what Roland does in Our Community.
Usually, the only thing I hear about The Black Community is how we quiet often end up in jail or arrested or beat up by cops or have some other type of issue

interfering with quality of life. Maybe it's because I live in a black

city with an African-American based infrastructure, that I don't

understand much of what I see in the main news stream on the issue of the

Black Community. Then again, it is not necessarily their responsibility to

report to me through their eyesight on My Community. However, I heard what

Roland was saying.

Many people feel that way. Working people.

Even white people expect a bone or two to be thrown towards the Black Community from the current administration. They do it in Their Community. If anyone else

should somehow benefit from it, fine because they don't care. It's cool

because the bulk goes to them.
Example: If you have graduated from college, think of the number of offers

from African American companies compared to non-African American

companies. Can we not find work in our own community? Do we always have to

leave our community and beg another community for work? All the time? It

is an anomaly when non-African Americans can graduate from college and

find work in an African American company. It happens but they are not

dependent on Our Community for work as we are to them. If it were the

other way around, I would probably get irritated after a while--especially

if jobs were scarce.
Further evidence is a report by Wilhelmina Leigh, Ph.D Senior Research

Associate for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies--a think

tank.

Ms. Leigh testified before the Congressional Black Caucus on March 17,

2010 about reasons why certain people are chronically unemployed. She said

a part of the reason was that there is an education gap between the races,

persistent discrimination and a lack of access to "job acquisition

networks." Can the NAACP or the Urban League help with these issues? How

about some of the Black Leaders? I don't know if any of these quality-of-

life issues require presidential intervention. However, a grassroots approach to the problem might help.

People who don't have jobs usually don't date, marry or start families. If

45 percent of Black men who ARE NOT IN PRISON, are considered chronically

unemployed, how does one thinks this impacts the Black Community as a

whole? It degrades the community so that it is not so much a community

rather than a group of similar people with no cohesiveness whatsoever.
People are going half on a baby these days. Why? What if Black women who

are unmarried just stopped having babies all together? It too would have a

negative impact on the community.

But I digress.

People judge others through how they understand themselves to be, so when there is no visible authoritative connection between the President and Black Leaders it seems strange because other racial groups seem more cohesive.
However, there has never been a president of color in office in anyone's

lifetime. It is as if the rope on the other end of the tug-of-war was

suddenly released and there is a big "Now What" in the middle of things. (wink)

President Obama is a prototype of sorts. He is a lot of things and a

good representation of an American. Our cultures rub off on the other and

we are all a little blended. However, the Office of the President is a

part of a system. It is not a stand alone office. Black Leaders and the

President should be working together in that system, since the Civil

Rights Movement has placed a lot of Black Leaders in office and in many

instances, long term. But things unseen are things unknown.

Should we all be on one page as far as the state of the Black Community?

Do we listen when the President of the Urban League or National

Association for the Advancement of Colored People, speak? Do we read the

Black Press and what they have to say? Are members of the Black Press remembering their audience and saying relevant things? I distinctly

remember one of the President's campaign mantras of, "change comes from the bottom

up." That means me and others standing next to me should be taking this

time to affect change when and where we can.
Finally, can the President count on The Black Community to pitch in on his

re-election efforts? It's a lot of hard work everyday but it pays off.

Average People

Times have changed and so have Black people. The President only appears to

have lost connection with black leaders but he has not lost touch with the black community. Coming up, he got in where he fit in, just like all the

other Black People I know. He said so in his books. Did anyone read them?

I make this assessment based on actions and inactions of the President. (what he does and does not do)

Note: I live in a 85 percent Black city,
with a black mayor and where the Black Power Movement found it's footing and it's strength, so when I say, "Any Other Black Person I Know"--I know black generalizations. (in my peer group)
The President lived in Hyde Park, on the South Side of Chicago. He is familiar with Average People in the Black Community.
I am not from the suburbs nor the modern ghetto but from Average Avenue. I

attended Average Public School and Average State College. There is a big group of us Average Folks.

We are not ballers or wear grills or any other shiny jewelry in our faces

but we listen to the songs of those who do such things. Those who do

participate in the Glamorous Life, are not Average and are not in the

group. We have children and are for the most part, Average Parents. We are

Thirty and FortySomethings. And anyone who remembers that show is either

in The Group or actively avoiding the Group!
We are never found too far outside of Normal. We are not unlike conformists.

This blog post is a really an exciting and daring thing for me to be doing. Really.

However, when was the last time black leaders, whoever and wherever they may be, checked in with the black community on the same issues pressed upon the POTUS? I'm talking about kitchen table issues important to

Families and Individuals. I'm talking about Black Leaders paying attention

to their own community and all of our own business, outside of any talk show or mainstream newspaper column. There is a such thing as the Black Press. We used to get all of our news from the Black Church but I don't know too many people who have culled out the time to attend church every day. Things have changed.
Maybe the Black leaders are a little out of touch, then again who said all

Black People think the same? We all want different things out of our leaders. Until the Individual takes responsibility for his or her

community there will always be an "at issue" situation. That is a

description of change from the bottom up. No one agreement, train of thought or campaign will do for the entire black community--and

apparently, this is as close as we will get to a national conversation on

the issue--blogs and commentary.

What About the Black Agenda?

There is no Black Agenda that is promoted actively but there used to be

one. The idea is revived and batted around but no real press or marketing structure is involved. It has been rendered kitchen table discussion of

the past almost lore and in spite of conventions held in honor and

celebration of the Black Agenda, the Average Person has no idea of what

the Black Agenda is or who is involved in it and if they, are indeed

involved in it. Then, I ask, whose agenda is it?

Those who do know what the Black Agenda is, may want to avoid it and any

label of Black Nationalism. That's the thing about Average Folks. They

want to be Average and they have responsibilities and chores more so that

goals and dreams. They don't always pay attention to the news. Sometimes,

they are too tired to stay up for it or they are already at work. Maybe

they don't have cable or satellite.

Maybe they are not the voracious reader and settle for the local paper.

Sometimes, that is what Average People do: Go to work, read the paper,

listen to the radio in the car on the way to work as they sit in traffic.

After work, maybe they can snag a few minutes of their favorite show in

between household chores and children and spouse. That doesn't leave much

room for Agendas.

Average Folks have to make room for it and if no one bothers to explain

why they should sacrifice their valuable time to dedicate to moving

forward with the Agenda, then they won't do it. That is where Black

Leaders should step in. They can explain it to members of the Black Press

and they can in turn, write about it and write about it and write about

it. The Agenda does not have to be promoted in the mainstream as it is not

a message pertinent to everyone but to Blacks, thus, The Black Agenda.

If Average Folks hear or sense the attitude that no one should have to

explain the Agenda to them, then the attention of a very large and

influential group of people have been lost. What a loss.
It would be nice if interested people with MBAs and degrees in Marketing

and Advertising could help the Black Leaders advance the Agenda.

Out of Work but Not Out of Hope: Addressing the Crisis of the Chronically Unemployed

Roland Martin's Blog

Leslie's Truth

What Is Poverty? - Oregon Center for Public Policy

Grain o'salt: Super Congress Already Bought By Corporate Interests?

The Unemployed Aren't Invisible: Washington and the Media Just Aren't Paying Attention | | AlterNet

Internet Communications Firm Owners Plead Guilty to Employment Tax Fraud and Failure to Pay Tax

Congressional Black Caucus Members Criticize Obama On Unemployment

How the Debt Ceiling Issue Will Hit Ordinary Americans in the Wallet - DailyFinance

US Slave: Gullah Grub

Republicans Auditioned Well, Slapped Backs After Debate - YAHOO! Black News Junkie - All the news and black news junkie needs

Average Height Falls for Very Poor Women in Africa - NYTimes.com

Remarks by the President on the Situation in Egypt | The White House

2011 State of the Union Address Aimed at the American People

Atlanta Housewives Season Finale: Charges of ?Financial Abuse? against Peter by Cynthia?s mom, sister

Atlanta Housewives Season Finale: Charges of ?Financial Abuse? against Peter by Cynthia?s mom, sister

Why did I only have...

Tracey Hamilton-Montgomery Why did I only have 2 students today.... Parents when we have a snow blizzard, freezing weather, blowing and drifting snow & a 2 hour delay, keep ur children HOME!

Judge strikes down federal health care law | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

Vote Early, Vote Democrat

The Root: Which Votes Really Matter In Arkansas? : NPR

Iran was prime target of SCADA worm

Single-mother panhandlers may be new sign of times :: Jerry Davich :: Post-Tribune

Potential Policy Recommendations for Improving Journalism

What I learned about the Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Audio of Leslie McCloud's Last Day at Work

Texas Textbook Scandal and the Black Community

CNN Special Black and White: Kids on Color

Commentary on Roland Martin's blog

Tracey Hamilton-Montgomery
Why did I only have 2 students today.... Parents when we have a snow blizzard, freezing weather, blowing and drifting snow & a 2 hour delay, keep ur children HOME!