Washington, DC) – The NAACP submitted testimony to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights regarding impact of “Stand Your Ground” laws.
“The NAACP is staunchly opposed to “Stand Your Ground” laws,” said Shelton in his testimony. “They are applied in a racially biased manner, and the bottom line is, as we saw in Sanford, FL, that they make it easier for people to murder other human beings and not face any legal consequence. As such eviscerating any deterrent to gun related homicides, and even providing a road map to getting out of jail scot-free.”
In light of the tragic death of Trayvon Martin and the overwhelming national awareness around numerous issues surrounding this case, the NAACP developed a set of state policy principles called “Trayvon’s Law” which embody legislative responses that will greatly reduce the likelihood of another tragedy like the killing of Trayvon Martin. A key principle of Trayvon’s Law is repealing “Stand Your Ground” laws.
Yvonne Oliver,
Program Associate for Healthcare Justice
When the federal government shut down for 16 days, more than 800,000 “nonessential” federal employees became unemployed. No one believed it would go that far. After more than 41 attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health care reform became the scapegoat for the government shutdown. Was it a mere coincidence that opening day of enrollment for the health insurance marketplace was the day the government shutdown occurred? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.
The Patient Protection Affordable Care Act gives more than 40 million uninsured folks health insurance. Yet, ‘trusted leaders’ have taken a stand against the 2010 law, declaring, “We need to delay providing this benefit,” because giving poor and middle class hard working people another entitlement makes them rely too much on the government.
Having an illness or a chronic disease and not being able to get much needed care diminishes a person’s quality of life and can contribute to premature death. The ACA has created a new space for how we care for each other. Healthcare reform takes away the control insurance companies once held and holds hospitals accountable for the quality of care they deliver. Healthcare is a basic human right that all God’s children deserve, but right-wing extremists continue to spin exaggerated or inaccurate analyses which only serve to create anger, anxiety, blaming, uncertainty and more despair among hard working families.
Much can be said about a people by the way we care for the most vulnerable citizens, our babies and our elders. The United States ranks 38th in healthcare systems according to the World Health Organization. In May 2013, the Huffington Post reported that “the US falls behind 68 other countries in infant mortality.” As baby boomers mature, we now have more people over the age 50 than ever in our history. An aging population is one of the greatest challenges we face in the 21st Century. Health insurance coverage for all people should not be negotiable.
The ACA provides: no annual or lifetime caps of benefits; free preventive services like mammograms, prostate exams and colonoscopies; a 50 percent reduction on prescription drugs with elimination of the donut hole by 2020; allowance for children up to age 26 to stay on parent’s insurance; elimination of gender based pricing, elimination of denials based on pre-existing conditions; and additional resources for doctors to provide better care. ACA saves money from a reduction in waste, fraud, abuse and Medicare costs.
It is time to let our legislators know we need them to do their constitutional duty and provide for the well-being of their public. Where healthcare is concerned, the ACA is a good start. We need our legislators to help make it work for everyone, rather than create obstructions that serve no one.
The United Church of Christ has more than 5,300 churches throughout the United States. Rooted in the Christian traditions of congregational governance and covenantal relationships, each UCC setting speaks only for itself and not on behalf of every UCC congregation. UCC members and churches are free to differ on important social issues, even as the UCC remains principally committed to unity in the midst of our diversity.
An atheist was taking a walk through the woods. ‘What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!’ he said to himself. As he continued walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the bushes. Turning to look, he saw a seven foot grizzly charging towards him. He ran as fast as he could up the path. Looking over his shoulder he saw that the bear was closing in on him. His heart was pumping frantically and he tried to run even faster. He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up but saw the bear raising his paw to take a swipe at him. At that instant the atheist cried out: ‘Oh my God!’ Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent. It was then that a bright light shone upon the man and a voice came out of the sky saying: ‘You deny my existence for all of these years, teach others I don’t exist and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?’ The atheist looked directly into the light. ‘It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps, could you make the bear a Christian?’ ‘Very well,’ said the voice. The light went out, and the sounds of the forest resumed. And then the bear lowered his paw, bowed his head and spoke: ‘Lord, bless this food which I am about to receive and for which I am truly thankful, Amen.’
And so it goes for many of us, we do not turn to the mystery that God is until we are facing a life threating situation. One of the mysteries of life is how many times we are given the truth of God, yet we let it slip away. It is hard to understand the mysteries of this kingdom called by Jesus the “Kingdom of Heaven,” but there are two ways to understand it. The first way is by being available to receive the knowledge of God and second by heeding that knowledge when we obtain it.
The problem I see is that many of us fail to comprehend or understand the words of Jesus. Many of Jesus’ blessings are concealed in parables which are the essence of understanding the mysteries of the spiritual world. If we can’t appreciate the magnitude of Jesus’ words shared in parables we will miss the message Christ left to help us understand the mysteries of life. One of those parables was about a sower who went out and sowed seeds that fell along the path where birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away. Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some 60, some 30. This parable is a key to understanding the mysteries of the kingdom. There are two ways of understanding how to use this key. First we must be, available to God to comprehend His message. This is what Bible study is about. In order to understand Jesus we need to study, pray and meditate on His words. Jesus is like a diamond. Every facet of him contributes to the brilliance of the whole. When we experience sorrow, He brings comfort; when we seek Him, He brings spiritual knowledge; He brings the Kingdom of God. He is many things, yet when it comes to helping us understand the way to heaven and the mysteries of paradise, we have to become disciples first. Not hearers, like the masses or followers of Christ, like many of us, but true believers. Many of us claim to be disciples but are not willing to die, (be reborn in the Spirit) for Christ. Only then will the words of Jesus come clear. Then we will know that the good soil or ground in the “Parable of the Sower,” meant our salvation.
Second, we realize the mysteries of the realm of God by heeding and gripping Jesus’ Words. Jesus said, “As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; who is this he or she who hears the word and understand it? These are the ears of discipleship. To these ears the mysteries of the Kingdom are revealed. These mysteries are not available to the masses or to followers. To whom is it given to know the mysteries of Heaven? To whom is it not given? Those who seek, those who knock at the door of Heaven, those who heed and grip the Word of God – it is given for them. Those who are standing without knocking (followers) – or those whose back is at the gate of Heaven, or those who have become completely oblivious that Heaven exists (Masses) – for them it is not given.
Unless we move in the direction of God as disciples, God cannot move in our direction. This is the key that unlocks the secrets of God. These secrets are revealed to those who have ears to hear and are available to us when we become real Disciples of Christ and are ready to heed, seize, and follow His message.
INVESTMENT
May I ask what kind of investment you are making for your everlasting security? Why do I ask, well it is because life is so very short, and there is such a vast range of conglomerate investors pressing for information, which are leading many into confusion, and some are real and many are not. I really desire that you make the real and everlasting investment. Did you ask which investment is real? Yes, what do you have to offer? Oh, I am so glad you asked, because I have the greatest and most real and valuable investment than anyone can make. Have a seat, and let me tell you about the one I am sure about, because I am a member. Does being a member make you sure about it? Sure, I have had many family members and friends who have benefitted. Okay, tell me about it. I will tell you, but I want you to read the Most Holy and dependable Book that tells you all about its master plan. There is page after page, which explains in detail the Founder and Creator of the plan. Information is also in the Book about the author’s love and concern for each member is heart melting.
First, I would like to make it quite clear what will happen when you make your investment. You will receive an everlasting security plan as long as you live on earth. Second – you will receive a guarantee seal of an everlasting life with the Creator who is merciful and gracious to all the investors, who have committed their lives to investing in His Master’s Plan. [Ephesians 1:13]
The Creator of the investment plan is the life giver who gave His life for you that you may have eternal life with Him. Have you invested yet?
www.thealmightyeyes.com
by Marc H. Morial President and CEO National Urban League
“Extremes to the right and to the left of any political dispute are always wrong.” Dwight D. Eisenhower
After 16 days of a costly and unnecessary government shutdown, America is open for business again. More than 800,000 furloughed federal workers are back on the job. Nutrition programs for low income women and children are back in service. The CDC’s flu program and the FDA’s food safety efforts are back on track. Head Start programs are reopening their doors. NIH is resuming clinical trials for children with cancer. Our National Parks and Museums have reopened. And financing for thousands of small businesses is flowing again.
We join all Americans in applauding the compromise deal crafted by Senate Majority leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. But it is only a temporary fix. The bill passed by both chambers and signed by President Obama at 12:30 a.m. on October 17 only funds the government until January 15 and extends the debt ceiling until February 7. Congress now faces a “90-day sprint” to craft a balanced, responsible budget that works for the American people, maintains health care coverage for millions through the Affordable Care Act, and avoids another government shutdown. We urge our elected leaders to put aside partisan rancor and get this job done. They were sent to Washington to govern on behalf of all Americans and they have a special duty to prevent a repeat of a shutdown that cost our economy $24 billion and was especially damaging to middle class families, small businesses, the working poor and the unemployed.
A budget conference committee headed by Democrat Patty Murray in the Senate and Republican Paul Ryan in the House has now been formed to meet a December 13 deadline for a long-term budget agreement. This won’t be easy, with the House majority arguing for extending the onerous sequester cuts to important safety-net programs and resisting any new taxes, while the Senate majority wants to make smart investments to spur job growth, grow the economy and maintain support for vital programs that assist millions of Americans. Both sides say they share the goal of growing the economy and putting people back to work. The key to success will be finding common ground on the way to achieve those objectives.
We believe that any final agreement must put the needs of the American people first. We must protect programs that empower individuals and communities through good jobs, access to affordable housing and healthcare, and quality education. As President Obama said in his weekly address to the Nation, “We should sit down and pursue a balanced approach to a responsible budget, one that grows our economy faster and shrinks our long-term deficits further. There is no choice between growth and fiscal responsibility – we need both.”
We agree. And as we move forward, we must also avoid the kind of ideological rigidity that led to the shutdown. We are especially offended by the continued extremist comments of Representative Ted Cruz who has refused to rule out another government shutdown over his desire to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. We have a simple question for Mr. Cruz: How can you make the argument for spending cuts or rally against spending on a law that would actually reduce the deficit and ensure healthcare for all Americans and at the same time support a shutdown that cost the economy $24 billion…with nothing to show for it? Makes no sense.
Improved operations, great synergy and sustained growth will add to one of South’s best known brands
ATLANTA, Ga. – President and CEO Douglas R. Pendergast announced that Gary Clough has been named Chief Operating Officer of The Krystal Company. Clough joins one of the South’s best known brands after serving as Senior Vice President of Operations for the South Region with Arby’s. In that position, Clough had oversight of 380 company-owned and 540 franchised restaurants, which made up approximately 1/3 of the Arby’s system. He was responsible for 14 Senior Directors, 51 Area Managers, and 10 Franchise Training Leaders.
Clough has a strong record of success in the QSR (Quick Serve Restaurant) industry. Born into the family restaurant business, Clough moved south for college and later began working from the ground up for a North Carolina-based Domino’s franchisee and ultimately became Director of Operations for 33 units. After leaving Domino’s, Clough became Regional Director of operations for Boston Chicken where he opened 50 units in a five year period.
In 1988, Clough joined RTM and later, was promoted to Vice President of Operations. When the company merged with Arby’s in 2005, Clough was tasked with responsibility for over 700 restaurants in the Midwest, which soon became the top performing region in the company.
As COO, Gary Clough will be responsible for all company store operations.
“It’s an honor for me to join the Krystal team,” said Clough, “This is a very strong brand and the team I’m joining is nothing short of extraordinary. I’m looking forward to working with each of them as we grow the Krystal brand and provide a great experience for present and future Krystal Lovers.”
Pendergast said, “We are excited to welcome Gary Clough to the Krystal family. His extensive success in our industry makes him a perfect fit for the Krystal brand. Like each member of our team, Gary is dedicated to making sure we meet the standards set for us more than 80 years ago by our founders when they opened the first Krystal in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He shares the same philosophies of serving freshly prepared food in a spotless environment by a courteous efficient staff at the best price possible. These are high standards and we’re honored that Gary will be one of our leaders in achieving them.”
Clough, his wife Vicki and their children, Stephen and Lauren will reside in Atlanta.
The greatest partisan change in American political history has occurred during my lifetime. The transformation of Alabama and our sister Deep South states from an all Democratic region to an all Republican territory has been remarkable and historic.
Exactly 50 years ago today Alabama’s entire delegation in Washington was Democratic. Democrats held all seven constitutional offices. Every member of the Supreme Court ran as a Democrat. Sixty-six out of 67 sheriffs were Democrats and 138 of 140 members of the legislature were Democrats.
Fast-forward 50 years to October of 2013. You see just the opposite picture. All seven executive constitutional offices including governor are held by Republicans. Every member of the Supreme Court and all ten appellate judges are Republican. Six of our seven congressmen are Republican and both U.S. Senators are stalwart members of the GOP. Both the State House of Representatives and our State Senate are overwhelmingly Republican. That is quite a change.
This titanic shift began in the Fall of 1964 when Republican Barry Goldwater carried the Heart of Dixie. He not only broke the ice, he shattered the Democratic hold on the South. When it comes to presidential politics, we are the most reliable Republican region of the country.
Since the Goldwater landslide of 1964, the GOP candidate for president has carried Alabama in every presidential election with the exception of 1968 when George Wallace won the state as an Independent and 1976 when Georgia Democrat peanut farmer Jimmy Carter carried the state. It has been 37 years since a Democrat carried Alabama. In the last 50 years the score is Republicans 11 and Democrats 1.
I am not saying the Democratic Party is dead. However, the odds of a Democrat winning a statewide race in Alabama would be analogous to and have the same odds as Tulane beating Alabama in football.
The Democrats failed to even field a single candidate in our Supreme Court races in 2012. It looks like the same thing will occur this year. Our sister southern state of Louisiana had no Democratic statewide candidates for their constitutional offices in 2012.
However, some of our southern neighbors are seeing some brave souls seek statewide offices as Democrats in the upcoming 2014 elections. In Georgia, the daughter of their last Democratic U.S. Senator is seeking her father’s former seat as a Democrat. Sam Nunn was a very popular long term Senator from Georgia, the last of his breed of conservative Democrats from the South. His daughter Michelle Nunn is running a serious campaign. She is working to portray herself as a moderate to conservative candidate to Georgia’s rural voters who are overwhelmingly Republican. She takes heart in the fact that Atlanta is now a cosmopolitan melting pot. It has one of the largest gay communities in American and its significant African American population makes it a Democratic target in future years. In fact, Obama only lost Georgia by five percentage points in 2012.
Alison Lundergan Grimes, Kentucky’s Secretary of State, is taking a similar approach in her attempt to knock off U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
In Arkansas, former Rep. Mike Ross is running for Governor of Arkansas as a Democrat and is given an outside chance since popular Republican Governor Mike Beebe is retiring.
South Carolina boasts of being the most Republican state in the country. However, Vincent Sheehan is running against incumbent GOP Governor Nikki Haley. He ran against Haley four years ago and lost by 60,000 votes or about 5%. South Carolina voters fall almost exactly along racial lines with most whites voting Republican and most blacks voting Democratic.
All of these southern Democratic candidates are striving to distance themselves from President Barrack Obama and the national Democratic Party. They are stressing their lifelong roots in their respective states and portraying themselves as real southerners. They are also focusing on bread and butter issues and trying to sell themselves as problem solvers. These folks are facing an uphill battle in the Deep South. We will see.
See you next week.
Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His column appears weekly in more than 70 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. He may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
WE TV’s hit original series BRAXTON FAMILY VALUES returns with the Highly Anticipated Season 3 Conclusion
NEW YORK – The Braxton sisters are back and more diva-licious than ever in all-new episodes of WE tv’s hit original series BRAXTON FAMILY VALUES, premiering Thursday, November 14 at 9p.m. ET/PT. Sparks continue to fly amongst this sassy, outspoken and tight-knit group of women all striving for stardom while loving, laughing and feuding as only sisters can.
Viewers can pick up right where the series last left off – with the shocking revelation that Traci’s husband may have cheated on her and fathered a secret illegitimate child. Traci will not only confront her husband, but also her sisters, for the part they played in making the rumors even more public. Trina faces her own marital troubles and makes a heart-wrenching decision to file for a divorce from husband Gabe. This proves to be one of Trina’s hardest challenges, because Gabe isn’t willing to give up on their marriage just yet. Towanda, however, is in celebration mode as she approaches a milestone birthday, and is pulling out all the stops for her over-the-top party.
Meanwhile, Toni is in the midst of a career rebirth as she finishes up her new album “Love Marriage & Divorce” with Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and prepares for her first tour in over five years. Tamar is caught in the middle of her own very successful launch for her album “Love and War”, a blockbuster tour, and a newborn son, Logan. With Tamar’s career skyrocketing, the biggest question remains: is there enough spotlight for two superstars in the Braxton family?
Braxton Family Values on WE tv ranks as the network’s best series ever among the key demos of women 18-49 and 25-54. The most recent season ranked WE tv as a top two female cable network on Thursday nights during the season’s run and the show was #1 among African American viewers on Thursday nights. Season 3A reached a total of 8.2 million viewers.
Source: Nielsen, Live+SD. Best WE tv series ever: BFV S2 (11/10/11-3/22/12). BFV S3A: 3/14/13-6/6/13). AA ranks based on African American W18-49, W25-54 on Th 8p-11p, Excl Sports. Female networks (WE tv, LIFE, LMN, TLC, E!, OXYG, OWN, STYLE, BRAVO, & VH1) on Thur 9p-10p time period, all airings, min 3 tc. Reach based on Braxton Family Values S3 Premiere + Encore airings during prime (M-Su 8p-11p) based on a 6 min qualifier, P2+ 000s. Subject to qualifications by request.
RALEIGH, N.C. – On Tuesday Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. reported to a federal correctional facility in Butner, North Carolina to begin to serve his sentence. He was accompanied by his good friend and former colleague North Carolina’s United States Representative GK Butterfield, as well as his Atlanta-based Attorney CK Hoffler from Edmond, Lindsay & Hoffler, LLP.
“Congressman Jackson and I have been good friends for many years and I am happy to report that he is in good spirits, all things considered,” confirmed Congressman Butterfield.
As Jackson begins to serve his term, he is aware that many people have expressed an interest and desire to visit him while he’s incarcerated. Attorney CK Hoffler will coordinate these visits which may begin as early as November 8, 2013 with the arrival of Jackson’s family as well as Pastors Rick Warren and Anthony Miller from California. Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr. from Cleveland, Ohio, Minister Louis Farrakhan, United States Representative Marsha Fudge, Chairman of Congressional Black Caucus, United States Representative Hank Johnson of Georgia, and public relations/media magnet Judy Smith are also expected to visit in short order.
For those who have expressed an interest in writing the Congressman, his mailing address will be:
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.
Reg. No. 32451-016
FCI Butner Medium I Satellite Camp
P.O. Box 1000
Butner, North Carolina 27509
When he surrendered to the facility, Congressman Jackson apologized again and expressed sincere regret for causing so much pain and sadness to his family, his constituents and his friends.
Said Hoffler, “Jesse asked that his heartfelt thanks be extended again to all of those whose prayers and kindness towards him and his family have helped him through this extraordinarily difficult time. His only wish is that a community of love continues to embrace his family and his children, in particular.”
During the recent government shutdown, I learned that Congress had one key duty in the Constitution, which was to pass spending bills that fund the government. The failure to fund the government as appropriate, resulted in non-funding for most functions of the agencies, such as paying out small businesses and processing request for passports. In the midst of the government coming to a halt, Congress was still being paid while thousands were off from work during the shutdown.
So we ask the question “what was the hold up?” The reply to that question was, the House of Representatives insisted on a new spending bill that included the provisions to either, chip away, derail, or just defund the Obamacare Heath Plan. With deeper investigation, it shows the health care law is not directly tied into the funding of the government. I believe it’s just selfishness at an all time high.
Recently, President Obama signed a bill into law that allowed the shutdown to come to an end. As demonstrated by the Republicans over the last several weeks, it would appear they are against the Obamacare Health Plan and wants nothing to do with it.
Washington, DC) – The NAACP submitted testimony to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights regarding impact of “Stand Your Ground” laws.
