On Sunday I’ll be traveling to St. Petersburg, Florida to participate in a media conference at the invitation of the Poynter Institute and the Ford Foundation. The Poynter Institute is a school for journalists, future journalists, and teachers of journalism.
The conference is bringing together a relatively small group of folks from old an new media to discuss the direction of journalism. Some of the publications, outlets, and websites that will be represented include:
New York Times
BBC
Fark.com
Daily Kos
Huffington Post
Racialicious.com
Wire Tap Magazine
It will be business as usual at the website next week, but follow my Tweets in the sidebar where I will post updates on topics and discussions at the forum.
Join Kristin and I tonight on The Shawn P. Williams Show as we talk about solutions as it relates to “Black Males in America.” We will also discuss AIG and the fallout surrounding their executives receiving millions of dollars in bonuses.
Last weeks show was one of our best yet, and the chat room was going off with people weighing in on everything to male responsibility, excuse making, and what women do to help and hurt the situation.
Click here to listen to the show Thursday night a 9 PM. Also, check out last weeks show by clicking here.
I 100% understand why there is so much outrage towards AIG. If “earmarks” -which are a minuscule part of the overall budget- get people riled up ,then why not the AIG bonuses which make up a small portion of the bailout.
On Wednesday, reports surfaced that Democrats in the house are seeking to get exec bonus payouts by through taxes. Though I think AIG execs should give the bonuses back, Democrats taxation plans aren’t appropriate.
On Thursday their plans became more clear. Yahoo! and Politico report that House Democrats are looking to propose legislation that will place a 90% tax on bonuses paid by companies that received over $5 billion in TARP money.
Do everything legally possible to get the money back, no doubt. But taxes should never be used as a disincentive. Democrats should calm down, think logically, and not feed into the mob mentality that is starting to gather.
As President Obama did when Sen. John McCain left the campaign trail to solve the financial crisis, these times call for calculated actions, not spiteful reactions. Democrats, from Chris Dodd to Barney Franks, are running around Capitol Hill like their hair is on fire instead of stepping back and taking a broader look what’s really going on here.
Legislation to put an end to abuse of TARP funds is a good thing and would be well received by the American people. But I’m one who would want taxes to stay out of the equation. We should never use taxes as a deterrent….for anything.
House Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel was asked why not tax the bonuses 100%. He said he “figured that the local and state officials would take care of the other 10 percent.” The irony, from the party who can barely get cabinet nominees confirmed due to tax issues.
Rawlins Gilliland -who took me on an excellent tour of Southeast Dallas on Wednesday- wrote a nice article last weekend about Dallas Police Department Southeast Division Chief Patricia Paulhill. It’s easy to tell how much respect he has for the African-American female who is making things happen in Southeast Dallas.
You can read Rawlins’ entire article here which appeared in last Saturday’s Dallas Morning News. I’d like to post a few excerpts:
I had originally met Kunkle in his office after being exonerated by a 2006 Dallas jury following a predatory false arrest during former Chief Terrell Bolton’s era. After that experience, I joined the ranks of those who applaud Kunkle as an accessible and reasoned man with sufficient honor to redefine my hometown’s sense of justice.
Then I spotted among the uniformed mourners Patricia Paulhill, four-year deputy chief of the volatile Southeast Division, a trailblazer who has become a celebrated hero to many. Including me. Why, I thought, do we only hear about police officers when the department fires the bad ones or buries a good one?
When I first met Paulhill at a 2005 Piedmont/Scyene Homeowner’s meeting, she struck me as a new-age post-feminist wonder woman, powerful yet kind. Even with her hands on her holster, she looked like a tough and caring schoolmaster demanding scholastic achievement from her under-performing students. Who could not find that an arresting development?
Patricia Ann Paulhill, from Shiro, Texas (population 200), joined the force in 1981 “on impulse, after seeing a TV cop show.” By 1985, she had become the first black female SWAT team member – and told her first morning by her senior squad officer that “no one wants you here.” In 1992, she became SWAT’s first female commander. Bull’s-eye.
Southeast was once the highest call-load crime stat depot in the city. In 2008, it ranked second only to downtown’s Central District in boasting the highest reduction of overall crime among Dallas’ seven police divisions. Says Paulhill, “The old perception is not the new reality.”
And no mean feat for a woman who, according to Kunkle, was “a well-respected, knowledgeable and no-nonsense lieutenant for 16 years.” Later assigned to the Internal Affairs Division, she was “someone who would respect the citizens of Southeast Dallas and gain their trust.” Does this happiest warrior see herself as a role model? “I’m a woman and I’m black, and if that inspires anyone, that inspires me,” she says.
I listen to the Glenn Beck program on the radio from time to time and I have to say, the dude is so all over the place I’ve never understood why he matters. I see now (thanks to a TIP from a fellow Ticket P1) that he’s taken his 3 ring circus to Fox News. These are two videos worth watching.
First, Beck calls up some fake tears as he talks about his 9/12 Project where everyday people solve their own problems. In case he didn’t get the memo, real people solve real problems everyday with his (or the government’s) help.
Then is a video with Fox News anchor Shepard Smith where he openly mocks Beck, calling his studio a “fear chamber.” “We are here to celebrate worship and adore,” Smith says. Two good laughs.
In an article by Louise Story of the New York Times, N.Y. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says that seventy three people at AIG received at least $1,000,000 in bonuses. “A.I.G. made more than 73 millionaires in the unit which lost so much money that it brought the firm to its knees, forcing a taxpayer bailout,” Cuomo said in a letter to Representative Barney Frank.
Read Andrew Cuomo’s entire letter to Barney Frank here.
One of my first questions is, where is the U.S. Attorney General’s office on this one? I’m not suggesting Cuomo is overstepping his boundaries nor that Holder is negligent in his duties, but where does the top U.S. Attorney fit in on this?
The President said he is looking for Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to use “every single legal avenue” to get taxpayers money back from A.I.G. executives. Shouldn’t “every single legal avenue” involve the A.G.?
Anyway, here’s a portion of Cuomo’s letter to Frank:
AIG now claims that it had no choice but to pay these sums because of the unalterable terms of the plan. However, had the federal government not bailed out AIG with billions in taxpayer funds, the firm likely would have gone bankrupt, and surely no payments would have been made out of the plan. My Office has reviewed the legal opinion that AIG obtained from its own counsel, and it is not at all clear that these lawyers even considered the argument that it is only by the grace of American taxpayers that members of Financial Products even have jobs, let alone a pool of retention bonus money. I hope the Committee will take up this issue at its hearing tomorrow.
Furthermore, we know that AIG was able to bargain with its Financial Products employees since these employees have agreed to take salaries of $ 1 for 2009 in exchange for receiving their retention bonus packages. The fact that AIG engaged in this negotiation flies in the face of AIG’s assertion that it had no choice but to make these lavish multi-million dollar bonus payments. It appears that AIG had far more leverage than they now claim.
AIG also claims that retention of individuals at Financial Products was vital to unwinding the subsidiary’s business. However, to date, AIG has been unwilling to disclose the names of those who received these retention payments making it impossible to test their claim. Moreover, as detailed below, numerous individuals who received large “retention” bonuses are no longer at the firm. Until we obtain the names of these individuals, it is impossible to determine when and why they left the firm and how it is that they received these payments.
The outcry is too great, the spotlight is too bright. This is not going to end well for the 73 millionaires or the other 400 or so people who received these “retention bonuses” from A.I.G. They should have been good with their “retention jobs” after the bailout.
What are they being retained for anyway? For running A.I.G. into the ground? I’d like to see where they plan to go and get similar jobs in this market.
Gener8Xion Entertainment’s Latest Movie The Cross Opens Nationwide
March 27th
Feature documentary relates one man’s 40-year quest carrying
a 12-foot cross around the world
LOS ANGLELES, CA, March 2009–Gener8Xion Entertainment’s feature documentary “The Cross – The Arthur Blessitt Story” opens nationwide March 27, 2009. “The Cross” is the story of one of the most unique individuals to walk the face of the earth. For the past forty years Arthur Blessitt has done something no one else has ever done, carried a twelve foot wooden cross through 315 nations, territories and island groups – or in other words every inhabited place in the world.
“I wanted to explore exactly what it is that drives a man like this,” says director Matthew Crouch, who also produces the film along with Richard J. Cook and Stephan Blinn. “The guy’s in the Guinness Book of World Records! Is he just a nut? A crazed fanatic? Or something else? Maybe some Old Testament prophet come back to walk the Earth!”
The Cross Film Trailer
“Some people laugh when they see me carrying the cross down the street,” reminisces Arthur in the opening of the film. “They yell out, ‘Hey, you’re a nut!’” To which he jovially responds, “At least I’m screwed on the right bolt!”
“The Cross” is being both produced and distributed by Gener8Xion Entertainment. Over the years, the company has won the acclaim of critics and audiences alike with their grassroots marketed, box office hits, which range from 1999’s #1 independent release, “The Omega Code,” to their most recent “One Night With The King,” a lavish epic which included performances by screen legends Peter O’Toole and Omar Sharif.
Arthur has carried the cross through 52 war zones, met with Presidents and peasants, been greeted by hundreds of thousands in jammed packed squares and spent countless months walking alone down deserted highways – all the while never wavering in his self professed mission of sharing the love of Jesus with everyone he meets.
“All to often religion has caused the cross to become a symbol of conflict around the world,” says Arthur, “but it’s part of my life’s mission and hopefully the mission of this film to reinterpret the meaning of the cross for people so they can see that the cross is not something that’s against them, it’s the ultimate symbol that says God loves you no matter what.”
Arthur points to the fact that he’s still alive today, having survived wars, firing squads, beatings, deadly jungles, as well as the fact that he and his cross’s ability to gain access to most unreachable of places as proof that the world is open to his message. In 1982 Arthur even marched alone through five fighting armies into West Beirut to pray for Yassir Arafat. All of it was captured live by CNN’s Peter Arnet.
Now 68, Arthur first came to some notoriety back in the sixties when he was known as “The Minister of Sunset Strip,” feeding and witnessing to hippies, Hell’s Angels and Black Panthers during some of Hollywood’s most radical days. In December of 1969, felt God calling him to take the giant cross down from the wall of his “Jesus” coffee house, a hippies hang out called “His Place” and to carry it on foot across the county. Not even a brain aneurism two weeks before he was to begin his journey could hold him back.
Producer Stephan Blinn notes, “even if you’re someone who couldn’t care less about church, religion, Christianity, whatever, here’s a guy who’s just full-on gone for it! He’s been through some of the most mind blowing stuff and no matter who you are, you’re just sitting there in awe going, no freakin’ way he just said that!”
“I always find myself inspired by people driven to lead extreme lives,” says Crouch. “Whether they’re climbing
Everest, investing all they have into the world’s next great company, or giving it all away to care for destitute orphans in India. Arthur is just such a person. Besides, who wouldn’t want to make a film that can be summed up as ‘Survivor Man’ meets ‘Blue Planet!’
In addition to the March 27th release of “The Cross,” Arthur’s book of the same name is currently available, published through Authentic.
Gener8Xion Entertainment, Inc. is a film and television production and distribution studio engaged in various projects focused on life-affirming, family entertainment.
Philip was one of seven men chosen by the (Jewish People) to handle certain leadership duties while the twelve disciples focused on spreading the Gospel (Acts 6: 3-4). Philip and his counterparts were full of the Spirit and had great wisdom (Acts 6: 5).
In this lesson of inspiring bible characters, we will see how one man can have a great impact on the lives of others. Hopefully, through Philip, we will see how we, too, can do something powerful in the name of God.
Philip spreads the Gospel •Acts 8: 4-8
–The Bible says that Philip proclaimed Christ. Philip’s dedication to Christ and His Word is an example for us to follow. Do you proclaim Christ to others? What are some ways that you can personally spread the news of Jesus Christ to those you come in contact with?
–Philip ministered to the needs of the people and they were healed. We all know people who are hurting and in need. We have frequent opportunities to assist those who need our help. You can be a listening ear to someone who is dealing with a life crisis, give Godly advice to a loved one, or pray for someone in need. There are a number of ways that you can help another person, relieve their pain and help them find joy once again.
Philip and the Eunuch Cross Paths… •Acts 8: 26-29
–From scripture, it appears that the angel of the Lord arranged this meeting between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch.
–Question for Thought: Who has the Lord “arranged” for you to cross paths with? What is the Spirit of God telling you to do about them? •Acts 8: 30-35
–The Ethiopian eunuch is seeking knowledge about the Lord. He’s been to worship, he’s reading God’s Word, but he needs help to understand it.
–Philip is obedient to the Spirit of God and shares with the eunuch the good news about Jesus. Philip baptizes the Eunuch
Steps Leading to Baptism
•Hear the Word
–Romans 10: 14
•Believe that Christ is the Son of God -Hebrews 11: 6
•Repent of Your Sins
–Acts 3: 19
•Confess before men that you believe
–Matthew 10: 32
•Be Baptized for the forgiveness of your sins
–Acts 2: 38
Thanks to BibleLessonConnection.com for being a Dallas South Community Supporter.
President Barack Obama was very clear about how he felt regarding recent reports of bonuses paid out at AIG (American International Group), that surfaced over the weekend. “This is a corporation that finds itself in financial distress due to recklessness and greed,” the President said in remarks made at the White House with Secretary Timothy Geithner present.
Obama went on to talk about the money that AIG has received from the U.S. Treasury and the $165 million in bonuses the company paid out on contracts signed be fore receiving TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) money. “I’ve asked Secretary Geithner to use that leverage and pursue every single legal avenue to block these bonuses and make the American taxpayer whole,” Obama went on to say.
Hear President Obama’s Remarks from the White House.
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo sent a letter to AIG requesting who received the bonuses (sent out on Friday), their job description/title, and performance. Cuomo set a deadline of 4 p.m. on Monday as at deadline, but had not heard back from the company when the time came and went. He’s now in the process of issuing subpoenas.
There’s no doubt that AIG executives should make it easy on everybody and return their bonuses. A company who today was UP sharply to 83 cents should do everything it can to inspire confidence. As an owner of AIG, I hope these execs make the right call and give the money back.
AIG CEO Edward Liddy says there’s nothing that the company can (legally) do about the bonuses, yet as a leader he should be able to persuade these execs to give way to their true bosses – the American people.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was poised to end up for a 5th consecutive day, up triple digits at some part of the day. But just before the closing bell, stocks dipped, and the Dow ended down about 7 points. It was still another good day for the Dow as stocks in the positive outnumbered those that were down 3-1.
I was watching Rick Sanchez at Georgia State host an entertaining show on the economy and for most of the show the green arrow was pointing up. CNN is devoting the bulk of their coverage to the economy this week. Sanchez referenced letters/emails he’d received advising the station to cover topics that people want to see instead of catering to the “American Idol” crowd all the time.
One letter cited the ratings and overall media coverage John Stewart’s interview with CNBC’s Jim Cramer had received. The writer asserts that Mr. Stewart is actually using facts (something that the media is having to come to grips with) to call Cramer on the carpet.
Stewart also rightly argues that viewers are a lot smarter than these shows give them credit for, and should be more serious due to the fact that people are trusting their money to the advice of the hosts. I give Cramer credit for taking the heat for the entire TV Financial guru market.
Here’s an article that I wrote regarding Texas’ Top 10% rule which appears in Sunday Morning’s Paris News.
Is the diversity achieved by the top 10 percent rule in Texas Higher Education really that diverse? That’s one of many questions I’ve been asking myself as I ponder whether or not the state’s Top 10 Percent Law has achieved its original purpose.
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to participate in Orange and Maroon Legislative Day, an annual time for rivals from the University of Texas and Texas A&M University to lay aside their differences and advocate on behalf of higher education in front of state legislators. Even as the spirit of cooperation abounds, I’m sure the Aggies and Longhorns would squabble over which school gets top billing if the acronym for Maroon and Orange Legislative Day wasn’t MOLD.
This year, one of the hot topics in Austin was the Top 10 Percent Law, which guarantees Texas students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class automatic admission to any state-funded university. The University of Texas is lamenting the fact that in the 2008-2009 academic year 81 percent of Texas high school graduates entering UT were admitted under the Top 10 Percent Law.
One of the hopes of the law when it was enacted in 1997 was that it would help increase the number of African-American and Latino students at Texas A&M and the University of Texas, as well as give students from rural geographies a better opportunity to attend one of the flagship schools.
It seems that the law has at least helped UT move towards that goal. In 2007, the number of African-American undergraduates in Austin was up 32.4 percent from the levels seen in 1998 prior to the 10 Percent Law. The number of Hispanic students at UT has also increased with 29.3 percent more students from that population since the law was passed.
These are statistics that legislators can be proud of, especially Rep. Helen Giddings, D-Dallas, who co-authored theTtop 10 Percent Law. Many African-American students residing in Texas’ urban centers have benefited immensely. But I often wonder if there isn’t a group of college aspirants who may get missed in the numerical fallout — like black and Latino students who excel in schools where they don’t make up the majority.
When I was a senior at Paris High School, I finished ranked just outside the top 10 percent of my graduating class. That year I was student body president, a captain on the football and basketball teams, and scored in the 80th percentile on the SAT. But if I were to apply at the University of Texas with those same credentials today, I’d be fighting an uphill battle with long odds to obtain one of the few slots allotted to those who don’t finish at the top of their class.
As I travel back to Texas A&M from year to year, I’ve felt there is a certain homogeny to the African-American students that are on campus these days. All of the black students that I meet seem to hail from Dallas or Houston, and many attended the same high schools in those cities. I don’t meet many black students from towns like Giddings, Dickinson or Jewett. As the universities focus African-American and Hispanic recruiting efforts on urban campuses, students in small towns such as these may be a necessary casualties.
Efforts by the University of Texas to put a cap on the law are starting to make headway. The Senate Higher Education Committee voted by a 4-1 margin that no more than half of a freshman class could be admitted to a state university under the Top 10 Percent Law. The lone dissenting vote on the measure came from Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas. The Ten Percent Law is obviously not the be-all end-all when it comes to achieving diversity. If it were, Texas A&M, which only gets about half of its freshman admits from the rule, would have the same problem as UT.
There are a number of factors that have helped make Texas more desirable to all students, including their overwhelming success in sports during the past decade. Believe it or not in the early 90s, one of the reasons I chose to attend Texas A&M was the school’s accomplishments on the football field. Recent gridiron failures make it hard to explain to current students how a winning atmosphere enhanced the campus experience.
While I continue to sort out my own thoughts around the fate of this law, I do know that I would not want to see an erosion of diversity gains that have been made in the past decade. The 10 Percent Law should not be used as a crutch or a shield, but as one of a number of factors that helps increase the number of African-American students.
Twitter
Facebook
FourSquare
Youtube
GooglePlus
FriendFeed