The Weekly Press

BATON

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

Myrlie Evers Williams to Deliver Invocation During Inauguration

See EVERS, on page 2

See TILLAGE, on page 2

Commander Capt. Jean Turner

BATON ROUGE, LA- MayorPresident Melvin “Kip� Holden is applauding the promotion of the first African-American female captain ever assigned to command the Baton Rouge Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit (VCU).

Jean Turner has been with the department 29 years and she will make the rank of Captain on See TURNER, on page 3

70- t /0 t FREE

Keith Tillage, 14 other CEO’s Invited to the White House by President Obama

BALTIMORE, MD – The NAACP applauds President Obama for choosing civil rights icon and NAACP Chairman Emeritus Myrlie Evers-Williams to deliver his invocation during his inauguration on January 21st. “Myrlie Evers-Williams embodies the essence of the civil rights movement and the struggle toward the more perfect union our Constitution envisions,� stated Roslyn M. Brock, the current chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors. “We are thrilled she

BRPD Violent Crimes Unit gets 1st African-American Female Commander Capt. Jean Turner to take VCU’s

LOUISIANA

A PEOPLE’S PUBLICATION

LOS ANGELES, CA - As the owner of a rapidly expanding construction company, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Keith Tillage has always maintained that one should always ‘expect the unexpected.’ But even while being awarded the PTAC HUBZone Business of the Year, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2012 Region VI Minority Small Business Person of the Year, and as a finalist for the 2012 Black Enterprise Small Business of the Year Award, Keith Tillage, the owner of Tillage Construction, was not expecting a call from The White House.

The call from a White House Secretary was an invitation for Tillage, also received by 14 other distinguished small business owners, to discuss fiscal cliff fears at a summit with President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden at The White House. “I was excited about meeting the President but more honored

Myrlie Evers-Williams

ROUGE,

Southern University grad Keith Tillage was among more than a dozen CEOs from around the U.S. to listen to President Barack Obama discuss his effort to keep the country from heading over the so-called “fiscal cliff.�

FEMA Obligates $1.5 Million to Baton Rouge for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

The new joint FEMA and state Disaster Recovery Facility, located at 1500 Main Street, Baton Rouge, will provide office space for federal and state recovery partners as they continue to assist Louisiana in her recovery from hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. Photo, Paddy Buratto/FEMA.

BATON ROUGE, LA Baton Rouge will receive a $1.5 million federal grant to help the city recover from Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Wednesday.

The FEMA Public Assistance grant, totaling $1,529,871, helps reimburse the city for equipment and supplies used during the Hurricane Isaac response and recovery. Several

SOUTHERN TO HOST MEET COACH ODUMS

departments were involved in the effort, including the airport, police, fire, emergency medical services, public works and the Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness. “The work of local governments is crucial when disaster strikes,� said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar. “These FEMA funds help support Baton Rouge’s ef-

forts that protected the health and safety of citizens and city personnel during Hurricane Isaac.�

The grant covers the federal share of the parish’s eligible costs for the work. Under a cost-sharing formula, FEMA reimburses the state for 75 percent of the total costs, while the state and/or applicant pay the See FEMA, on page 2

Louisiana State Income Tax Filing Begins January 30, 2013 BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) will begin processing 2012 state individual income tax returns on January 30, 2013. On that date, 2012 state income tax forms will become available on the LDR website at www.revenue.louisiana. gov/taxforms and at LDR offices and public libraries throughout the state. Louisiana File Online, the state’s electronic filing application, will begin accepting returns on that date, as well.

The state income tax filing deadline is May 15.

LDR recommends the following steps to ensure the speed and accuracy of tax return and refund processing: File electronically – The average refund processing time for returns filed electronically is ten business days; for returns filed on paper, the delay is 12 to 16 weeks Update your personal information if you have moved or changed your name during the tax year Double-check return information – Ensure that all social security numbers and tax computations are correct;

HEALTH NEWS

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STATE & LOCAL NEWS

BUSINESS NEWS

math errors and incorrect tax table information are leading causes of delayed refunds Include all supporting information, such as W-2s; use paperclips, not staples, if filing a paper return Apply for extensions in a timely manner – Extension requests must be filed no later than the May 15 income tax filing deadline.

If additional tax is due, include the remittance coupon to ensure proper posting Make checks or money orders payable to the Louisiana Department of Revenue; do not send cash If filing on paper, attach the proper label to the mailing envelope Visit the LDR website for the locations of agency headquarters and field offices.

Louisiana File Online is the state’s free web portal for individual and business tax filers. With Louisiana File Online, taxpayers can: File returns and pay taxes electronically Check the status of individual income tax refunds Amend tax returns View business tax inforSee TAX, on page 3

RELIGION NEWS The Light of Christ Fellowship #II will be hosting their annual church anniversary on January 20, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. The church is located at 856 North Jefferson Avenue...See Page 6

INDEX

EXPUNGEMENT DAY IN BATON ROUGE One week and four days after the Southern Jaguars unveil it’s 2013 football signing class, head coach Dawson Odums will be honored during “Meet Coach Odums� night at the SU basketball game against Alabama A&M Feb. 18..See Page 8

The East Baton Rouge Public Defender’s Office, the Greater Baton Rouge Chapter of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society and the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers will present Expungement Day...See Page 3

COX EXPANDS COX TV CONNECT

Cox TV Connect app will now have access to 56 new national cable channels. Additionally, customers can access the app on the iPhone and iPod touch.See Page 5

HIGHER-RATED MEDICARE PLANS

First-time enrollees in Medicare Advantage plans and those switching plans were more likely to enroll in ones with a higher star rating, a study of nearly 1.3 million Medicare beneficiaries found....See Page 7

Local & State ...........................2 Commentary............................4 Business...................................5 Religion ...................................6 Health ......................................7 Sports ......................................8

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THEWEEKLYPRESS.COM Celebrating 37 Years Of Service To The Baton Rouge Community 225.775.2002

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STATE & LOCAL 2013 Martin Luther King Day of Service MARGE'S

Submitted by the office of State Senator Sharon Weston Broome BATON ROUGE, LA - The 2013 MLK Day of Service project will focus on several host sites in the 70805 community with the goal of promoting community pride and respect, family togetherness, volunteerism, litter prevention, and ultimately crime reduction. It will be held on Monday, January 21, 2013 from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include: at least three grade schools, area churches, and the homes of at least four senior citizens in the area.

Volunteers will register at Living Faith Christian Center at 6:30 a.m. have breakfast, and participate in an opening session at 8:00 a.m. that will focus on the goals for the day.

Following the opening session, MLK Day of Service volunteers will be transported to their designated host site.

The host site activities will in-

The Weekly Press Newspaper is a published weekly in Baton Rouge and distributed every Thursday with a circulation of 7,500.

Subscription rates are $65.00 per year for Louisiana residents; $72.00 for one year for out-of-state residents; half price for six months subscription: and $1.00 per single copy.

All money orders or checks should be made payable to The Weekly Press, P.O. Box 74485, Baton Rouge, La. 70874

1283 Rosenwald Road Baton Rouge, La. 70807-41 Phone: (225) 775-2002 Fax: (225) 775-4216 E-MAIL theweeklypress@yahoo.com thewpres@bellsouth.net Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed Saturday, Sunday and all Major Holidays

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clude painting, litter pickup, landscaping, minor repairs, and room organizing. Refreshments will also be provided throughout the day.

MLK Day of Service volunteers will be provided a mid-morning snack as they conclude their projects for the day. They will then return to

TILLAGE

tain the project through the year. Everyone will be asked to participate in smaller group discussions about issues ranging from the teachings of Dr. King, to crime prevention, and ultimately about other ways we can all work together to make MLK Day of Service a long-term project.

from various industries, gave me an holistic prospective of how catastrophic the fiscal cliff could be for the country as a whole.� Subsequent to the fated meeting, Tillage would go on to assert that “If you believe in the democracy of our country as I do, then you have to trust your elected officials and trust the fact that they understand this is not a democratic or republican issue but an American issue.“ Like President Obama, Tillage remains hopefully optimistic and acknowledges that “By expanding my business with a regional office in Dallas Texas, I gambled on this administration getting this issue resolved prior to the meeting

and after actually speaking with the heads of government and business... I feel even more confident in not only their ability but willingness to get it done!�

Since 2000, Tillage Construction has experienced significant growth as one of nation’s fastest-growing, 100% minority-owned construction companies. Tillage Constructions expertise ranges the full gamut of commercial construction services, with all employees dedicated to exceptional customer service from project acceptance to project completion.

For more information please visit http://www.tillageconstruction.com

who was murdered by a white supremacist in 1963 while serving as the NAACP’s first field secretary in Mississippi. She went on to become the founder of the Medgar Evers Institute in Jackson, Miss and currently serves as a Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence at Alcorn State University. “I am humbled to have been asked to deliver the invocation for the 57th inauguration of the President of the United States—especially in light of this historical time in America when we will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement,� Myrlie Evers-Williams said today. “It is indeed an

exhilarating experience to have the distinct honor of representing that era.�

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

Contact: Ben Wrobel at (917) 846-0658 or by e-mail at bwrobel@naacpnet.org @naacppress for more information.

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that I had been chosen to weigh in on this historic issue for our country� humbly divulged by Tillage.

The President, Vice President Biden, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett all listened keenly to the insights of all the entrepreneurs. While the prominent political leaders in the room listen so did the other entrepreneurs, gaining insight into the hardships faced by other industries. It was during the summit Tillage recognized that “As business owners we get tunnel vision of our own businesses but hearing from the other CEO’s in the room, each

EVERS

Living Faith Christian Center headquarters where they will be served lunch.

During lunch, volunteers will receive additional information about the purpose of the project and community leaders will deliver short greeting with time allowed for an open discussion about ways to sus-

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has received this honor and applaud President Obama for his inspirational selection.� “Myrlie Evers-Williams is a heroine,� stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “She represents the best qualities of the American people and the transformative possibilities of American democracy. Her selection for this sacred task will serve as a reminder to our nation that civil rights must remain at the forefront of our society.�

Evers-Williams is a highly respected civil rights icon who served as chairman of the NAACP from 1995-1998. Evers-Williams is also the widow of Medgar Evers,

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CHIT CHAT

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: “Keep Calm and Dream.� Xavier University MLK Committee GUN LAWS AND SCHOOL SHOOTINGS ARE HEADLINE NEWS. Our Constitution (second amendment) gives us the right to bear arms, but our forefathers were Marge not thinking ahead. Some were hunters Lawrence and that occupation was throughout the colonies, (to feed their families) but it is a different time now!! The love of many has waxed cold and the easy access to guns has provided a means to show that love does not exist, as it did when the laws were enacted.

While people have always had guns, the access and use of the guns by people who do not love is a different story. Think about it!

LOUISIANA SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE BERNETTE JOSHUA JOHNSON was honored by family and friends in Donaldsonville on last weekend. Her roots are in this city and many were brave to forget the rain and attend the regal event. She is a great role model and was a speaker at Istrouma High years ago when she first promoted to the bench. Thank, Chief Justice! You’re the best and we are very proud of you.

XAVIER UNIVERSITY’S MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY COMMITTEE wants you to attend their celebration as they convene a panel for a discussion of affirmative action for the 27th annual MLK week. Among the panel will be Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson.

THE INAUGURATION WATCH PARTIES are taking shape now for the January 21st date. Many are concerned about the MLK holiday but it is a great time to celebrate an African American president during this special time. It gives children something exciting to talk about if the party includes children and American history at this time.

MINORITY WOMEN IN THE FASHION BUSINESS are invited to attend this spring 2013 program. If interested visit the website and let your knowledge as the retail entrepreneurs and designers expand for your benefit.

CALLING ALL ORLEANIANS - YES, THOSE WHO ARE DISPLACED FROM NEW ORLEANS! You are asked to pay your property taxes by mail or online. You, if a former resident, have already received your bill by now, so Mayor Landrieu implores you to take care of it soon and before early February.

CONGRATULATIONS, AGAIN to our new councilmen and other elected officials. May your stay in the respective positions be a plus for us all? We implore you to remember your platform and the reason for your position.

GET WELL WISHES to all our friends who were or are bitten by the flu bug. One would think that a nation such as ours should know many preventative measures, but it does not seem so. The elders used to make us dress appropriately during the cold months and take many precautions, but everyone is not listening to the elders. So. . . We have almost an epidemic and it is costly: lots of chills, emergency visits at the hospitals, pneumonia, headaches, sneezing, etc. Yes, we are sick. Listen to the elders and take precautions, please.

SPECIAL WISHES to Mr. William Jones who has been sick for some months for The Weekly Press and sister Marge.

THANKS for the soup during my flu illness from Ms. Francine Saunders, my dear daughter, and Martin Luther King Academy teacher Ms. Ivy Jones who has a soup ministry. Both were different in flavor but good to the taste. (Smile) Southern University basketball is on a roll! Go Jags!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS to Mrs. Linnie Green, Aaron O’Quinn, Derek A. Payne, and Ms. Evelyn Edwards.

With love and Sympathy to the Eames family.

Have a blessed week.

Love, Marge

FEMA

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remaining 25 percent.

The newly obligated funds are a portion of the nearly $175.7 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recov-

ery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep. la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter. com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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Expungement Day in LSU Visual Arts Venues Come Together Baton Rouge Saturday BATON ROUGE, LA The East Baton Rouge Public Defender’s Office, the Greater Baton Rouge Chapter of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society and the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers will present Expungement Day, taking place at the Dr. Leo S. Butler Community Center, 950 E. Washington Street, Baton Rouge, LA, on Saturday, January 19, 2013, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

The sponsors are proud to bring Expungement Day to Baton Rouge and the Dr. Leo S. Butler Community Center again this year. Expungement Day is an opportunity for anyone who has a question about expunging an arrest or conviction to consult with an attorney free of charge.

An arrest or conviction (even of a minor offense) can prove to be problematic because increasing numbers of entities require the disclosure of convictions or arrests - even those that have been expunged. Unlike in the past, an expungement order does not completely destroy the record. It is, instead, made unavailable to many persons although it will be still be available to a number of licensing agencies as well as the police, sheriffs, judges and the district attorney. Complicating matters further, an expungement order does not apply to records held by private entities and correcting incorrect information contained in numerous private databases is difficult and expensive.

Attorneys will be available to answer questions related to why it is important to obtain expungements, how to file the necessary forms and if a particular charge is expungeable at all. In addition, attorneys specializing in employment and housing law will be on hand to answer any questions related to the impact of a criminal history on employment or housing op-

TURNER

See EXPUNGEMENT, on page 8

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Jan 15, 2013. She will then take command of BRPD’s Violent Crimes Unit. “This promotion represents an important milestone that is well-deserved,� Mayor Holden said. “I am confident that Capt. Turner will make us all proud in her new capacity.�

Police Chief Dewayne White said Turner has an exceptional work ethic, and is dedicated to her job and serving the citizens of Baton Rouge. “Capt Turner gives attention to every case and she is a confident, reliable, police officer

TAX

portunities.

Persons planning on attending should be aware that this is a purely informational event and participating lawyers will not be preparing or filing expungement applications.

The sponsors would like to give special thanks to City Councilwoman Tara Wicker and Mayor-President Kip Holden for allowing the use of the Dr. Leo S. Butler Community Center, to the Louisiana Law Institute and Judge Robert Morrison for providing material for the Expungement FAQ, and to Natasha George for organizational assistance.

The East Baton Rouge Public Defenders’ Office provides legal representation to indigent persons within East Baton Rouge Parish. In 1963, the United States Supreme Court in Gideon v. Wainwright held that indigent persons accused of a crime was constitutionally guaranteed the right to legal representation. The goal of the East Baton Rouge Public Defenders’ Office is to fulfill Gideon’s promise by providing high quality legal representation to those threatened with loss of liberty and unable to afford private counsel. Through clientcentered advocacy and trial excellence, the attorneys and staff ensure this goal is met for each client we are appointed to represent.

The Louis A. Martinet Legal Society traces its roots back to 1957. The society was organized for the purposes of combating racial injustices and inequalities that plagued the African-American communities during the Jim Crow era.

Early organizers concentrated their efforts not just in the city streets, but also in the hallways, corridors, and floors of our local courtrooms. Since its founding, Martinet has dili-

who is committed to making a difference,� Chief White said.

Turner said she appreciates all the help that she received to get where she is today. “I want to first thank God for this opportunity to serve the Baton Rouge community. I also want to thank those individuals who have encouraged me to be the best at my job and helped me make a difference for this department and community,� she said.

Please contact Scott Dyer with the Mayor’s Office at (225) 389-7957 for any additional information you may need.

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mation for current and previous years Louisiana File Online is a public service from the Department of Revenue. There are no fees associated with its use.

Visit www.revenue.louisiana. gov/fileonline.

Taxpayers may also use commercial tax preparation software to file their state income taxes.

to Present Retrospective Highlighting Works by Artist, Designer Peter Shire

BATON ROUGE – For the first time ever, a trio of LSU’s art galleries will join forces to present a three-part retrospective featuring the works of internationally renowned artist and designer Peter Shire.

The LSU Museum of Art, the LSU School of Art Alfred C. Glassell Jr. Exhibition Gallery and the LSU Student Union Art Gallery – working with the LSU College of Art & Design and the Department of Interior Design – will each hold respective exhibits as part of a program which presents an overall, in-depth study of Shire’s work over the past four decades.

The entire retrospective is set to run at various lengths between the three venues from Jan. 31 through April 14.

Shire was recently awarded the 2013 Nadine Carter Russell Endowed Chair, a rotating residency within the LSU College of Art & Design. The School of Interior Design will host this prestigious position, selecting Shire as their recipient. Shire will deliver a lecture on Wednesday, Jan. 30, in Room 103 of the LSU Design Building, as part of the LSU College of Art & Design’s Distinguished Lecture Series.

The lecture begins at 5:25 p.m.

The lecture is free and open to the public. “An exhibition of Shire’s remarkable oeuvre has been long overdue,� said LSU Museum of Art Executive Director Jordana Pomeroy. “We are excited to begin a new era of working on campus-wide collaborative projects among LSU’s art venues.�

Born in the Echo Park district of Los Angeles, where he currently lives and works, Shire is a graduate of the famous Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles and was a member of the Memphis Group. He has had more than 100 solo exhibitions nationally. His work can be found in more than 35 museums worldwide including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian, the Victoria & Albert Museum and The Israel Museum. He has

completed more than 25 public art works including the North Hollywood Gateway, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and many more.

Shire revolutionized the design of household objects, striving to confront issues of modernity while examining the practical needs of society.

The artist’s playful attitudes towards life translate well into his bold, colorful chairs, tables and other functional household constructions. “For the past 30 years, Peter Shire has created furniture bursting with unconventional funkiness and vessels with eccentric personalities,� said LSU Museum of Art Curator Natalie Mault. “His works are one-of-a-kind in terms of style and production. Each work is as unique and quirky as the artist himself. They begin as a series of conceptual sketches, some of which will be on display in the exhibit. These sketches lead to a final rendering. After materials are purchased, cut and welded,

the item is finished with an application of special automotivestyle paint and assembled with unique hardware, making each piece of furniture unique.�

Shire’s works transcend the boundaries of tradition design.

His teapots, for example, meld the usefulness of the traditional object with a uselessness of unusual shape and complex form.

Several of his famous teapots will be on display during the retrospective, including “Giant Torso� (1990), a large, metal teapot that looks more like industrial machinery than a piece of kitchenware. “Shire’s work evokes historical dialogues about form versus function,� Pomeroy explained. “By revolutionizing the design of household objects, Shire strives to confront the issues of modernity. A teapot is not just a teapot when it becomes an aesthetic object that challenges its core function as a vessel for hot water.�

The LSU Museum of Art – located on the fifth floor of the Shaw Center for the Arts,

100 Lafayette Street, in downtown Baton Rouge – will host its Peter Shire exhibit, titled “Practically Absurd: Art & Design by Peter Shire,� from Jan. 31-April 14. The display presents four iconic works from the artist’s time with the Memphis group, including the “Anchorage� teapot (1983), “Obelisk� armoire (1981) and “Cahuenga� lamp (1985); six quirky chairs; four geometrical, ceramic teapots and three giant teapots; two whimsical lamps and tables; three decorative laminate tables and bookcases; one flamboyant rug; two unique purses; one hanging, steel cherub; a dozen artist sketches; and a selection of unusual silverware, produced from 1980- 2009.

The exhibition will also feature Shire’s innovative “Bel Air� chair (1981). Although it is recognizably Memphis in style, the chair was heavily influenced by Los Angeles culture.

The chair’s shape was inspired by a beach ball, and the back is See ARTS, on page 5

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COMMENTARY 7KXUVGD\ -DQXDU\ Â&#x2021; The Weekly Press Â&#x2021; 3DJH

HEY WASHINGTON

Why the complete silence on the Easiest way to bring in Hundreds of Billions of Dollars in Revenue?

BY VICTORIA BRUCE Last January, when our documentary film, Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Not Broke, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, we were elated. The filmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s message about how multinational corporations are cheating the American people out of desperately needed tax revenue to the tune of $100 billion a year was sure to reach the masses. The night after it screened for the first time, we gathered around the television and watched President Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2012 State of the Union address.

Our jaws dropped. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No American company should be able to avoid paying its fair share of taxes by moving jobs and profits overseas,â&#x20AC;? he said to a round of tepid congressional applause. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From now on, every multinational company should have to pay a basic minimum tax.â&#x20AC;? It was as if our president had been at our film screening and was aghast from what heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d learned.

That speech was the last time we heard anything from The White House about making billion-dollar corporations pay their fair share. Obama campaigned in 2008 with the promise to close corporate tax loopholes.

And as a U.S. senator from Illinois, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been a co-signer on Sen. Carl Levinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CUT Loopholes Act. But in his first four years as president, Obama made zero attempts to reign in the tax dodging of GE, Verizon, Apple, Pfizer or any of the biggest 300 companies that squirrel profits offshore to avoid paying income tax to the U.S. Treasury. While multinational corporations experienced record profits, the American people suffered a recession that rivaled the great depression.

Last year saw the most public light ever shed tax inequality, with a big part of the Occupy Wall St. movement devoted to calling out tax dodgers. Still, Washington remained silent on changing the broken system. In mid-December, CEOs of the biggest multination-

als came to the White House for closed-door meetings. Two weeks later, a deal was drafted in the Senate, passed by Congress and signed by Obama that had a total of zero revenue from multinational corporations to help our staggering deficit.

The fact that the New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fiscal cliff avoidance package completely ignored any source of revenue from multinational tax dodgers is an abomination.

With the country scrounging for revenue only from the very, very wealthy, this â&#x20AC;&#x153;dealâ&#x20AC;? actually increases the deficit by $4 trillion over the next decade.

There wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a single mention of closing corporate tax loopholes, ending deferral (the practice that lets multinationals wait until they repatriate their profits to pay tax) or making them bring back the $1.5 trillion theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been stockpiling untaxed during the past eight years. Nothing was mentioned about this enormous rip-off that leaves domestic business scrambling to compete while multinational corporations are laughing all the way to their shareholder meetings.

Instead, middle-class families will see less in their paychecks and those living really well will take a much bigger hit. All the while billion-dollar corporations continue to ask for more favors, more tax breaks, and whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s even more obscene, a â&#x20AC;&#x153;territorial tax systemâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D;a permanent tax holiday where theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never pay any tax on the profits that they book offshore. Now that the fiscal cliff has been averted temporarily, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for Obama to close his ear to the Big Business lobby and open it to the American people.

Victoria Bruce is co-director/ producer of Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Not Broke; a film about how multinational corporations are cheating the American people out of desperately needed tax revenue. It will stream free on Hulu beginning on Jan. 15 www.werenotbrokemoive. com.

Statement of the National Fair Housing Alliance Washington, DC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lisa Rice, Vice President of the National Fair Housing Alliance, has issued the following statement in response to the Qualified Mortgage and Ability to Repay rule adopted today by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Rice is among a panel of experts set to discuss the new rule at a Baltimore field hearing this morning sponsored by the Bureau. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Consumer Financial Protection Bureauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intent in drafting this rule is to protect consumers from irresponsible mortgage lending. We appreciate that the QM is broadly defined and that there are no down-payment or credit score requirements for QM loans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But if our nation is to fully recover from our economic crisis we must put an end to the dual credit market which has relegated borrowers of color to nonprime and subprime markets and into higher cost loans, and was the root of the most devastating housing crisis in our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history.

The QM rule has a tiered system â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one where some mortgages have a safe harbor and others have a rebuttable presumption. The National Fair Housing Alliance strongly encouraged the CFPB to offer a rebuttable presumption for all mortgages.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the things we are heartened by is the prominence of the Office of Fair Lending and Equal Opportunity which is housed in the CFPB. This Office is charged with ensuring that rules like the QM Rule will be implemented in a fair manner and that the CFPBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s supervision and enforcement efforts are comprehensive and diligent so that we do not see an environment where under-served borrowers are steered to higher cost loans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The QM rule is being announced in Baltimore, a city that has suffered some of the worst effects of a dual mortgage market.

One of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest cases of discrimination was brought by the City of Baltimore on behalf of its African-American and Latino residents who received unsustainable higher cost mortgages when they actually qualified for lower cost, sustainable mortgages. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is also important to note that the safe harbor provision in the QM rule does not exempt lenders from discrimination or fair lending claims. Even borrowers who receive a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;safe harborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; loan or a Qualified Mortgage in general can be discriminated against. The fair housing comSee HOUSING, on page 7

WILLIAM REED NNPA Columnist

RGIII Takes Care of Business

African-American sports pundit, Rob Parker created a clamor and got himself suspended for saying on live television: â&#x20AC;&#x153;My question is â&#x20AC;Ś Is he a brother or is he a cornball brother? Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not realâ&#x20AC;Ś Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kinda Black, but heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;Ś off into something elseâ&#x20AC;Ś I keep hearing these thingsâ&#x20AC;Ś he has a White fiancĂŠâ&#x20AC;Śthereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s this talk â&#x20AC;Ś heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Republican.â&#x20AC;?

Robert Griffin IIIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reply to the criticism was: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be the best African-American quarterback; I want to be the best quarterback. But to fans â&#x20AC;Ś who think that way and look at me as an African-American, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important I succeed for them.â&#x20AC;?

Race is still a category that separates and divides us, but the image and illusion around RGIII is evidence that some of the historical boundaries that separate the races are breaking down. RGIII is that All-Ameri-

can guy next door that you root for even if he plays for a team not your own. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been an incredible National Football League (NFL) rookie campaign for the Redskin quarterback. The number of RGIII jerseys sold by the NFL is more than any other player in a single year since the NFL began keeping track. Griffin III broke the record previously held

by Brett Favre. Griffin wears number 10 for the Redskins, with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Griffin IIIâ&#x20AC;? on his back.

This makes him the first player in the history of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Big Fourâ&#x20AC;? professional sports leagues NFL, MLB, NHL and NBA to have a Roman numeral on the back of his jersey, as the NFL changed the rule in 2012 to allow players to include generational titles in their names. Griffin previously had â&#x20AC;&#x153;Griffin IIIâ&#x20AC;? on the back of his jersey while in college, which was actually necessary in order to distinguish him from the other Robert Griffin on the Baylor team.

After being drafted second

by the Washington Redskins, RGIII signed a four-year $21.2 million contract that had a $13.8 million signing bonus. Andrew Luck was drafted first by the Indianapolis Colts and got a slightly bigger team contract.

But, Griffin has made more money with the endorsement deals he has with Castrol Motor Oil, EA Sports, Subway, Gatorade, Nissan and Adidas. A Masters Degree candidate in communications, RGIII has become a media darling.

Griffin is a force to be reckoned with. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now the face of one of the most storied NFL franchises in one of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top 10 media markets. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got personality, skills, a big smile, and plenty of talent. Overall, marketers have been extremely impressed with Griffinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poise in interviews and remembering brand message points.

In regards to Griffinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;White fiancĂŠ,â&#x20AC;? studies say that interracial marriages â&#x20AC;&#x153;are good for society.â&#x20AC;? Among opposite-

sex married couples, one in 10 (5.4 million couples) are interracial. In 2010, multiracial Americans numbered 9 million, or 2.9 percent of the total population â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but 5.6 percent of the multiracial population is under 18.

Griffin III met his fiancĂŠe, Rebecca Liddicoat, at Baylor. He proposed to her in 2010. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s White, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;a total non-issueâ&#x20AC;? among the parents. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see him as African American; she sees him as a man,â&#x20AC;? Griffinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mom told the Washington Post.

Jacqueline. And Robert Griffin, Jr. say that in their household, â&#x20AC;&#x153;faith development was essentialâ&#x20AC;? and that â&#x20AC;&#x153;He doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see her as a Caucasian woman; he sees her as a woman.â&#x20AC;?

RGIII was born in Okinawa, Japan. In 1997 the family settled in Copperas Cove, Texas, were RGIII attended high school and was a three-sport star in basketball, football, and track and named to USA Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2007 AllSee BUSINESS, on page 7

NRA Maintains Stranglehold on Congress

BY GEORGE E. CURRY NNPA Columnist In the wake of the killing of 20 schoolchildren in Newtown, Conn. last month and just before Vice President Joe Biden presented a list of proposals to President Obama this week that includes banning assault weapons and limiting sales of highcapacity ammunition clips, the president of the National Rifle Association expressed confidence that new gun legislation will stall in Congress.

In an interview Sunday on CNNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;State Of The Union,â&#x20AC;?

NRA President David Keene said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would say that the likelihood is that they are not going to be able to get assault weapons ban through this Congress.â&#x20AC;?

When asked about placing limits on high-capacity ammunition clips, Keene replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think ultimately they are going to get that, either.â&#x20AC;?

Senator Chris Murphy (DConn.), referring to Keene, said on CNN, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wrong.â&#x20AC;?

Murphy explained, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Newtown fundamentally changed things.

The NRA doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get this.â&#x20AC;?

Rep. Elijah Cummings (DMd.) acknowledged that it will not be easy to get Congress to ban assault weapons.

He told CNN, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we have the possibility, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be difficult.â&#x20AC;? Cummings said the prospects are brighter for Congress to place restrictions on high-capacity magazines and require expanded background checks.

A 10-year ban on the sale

of assault weapons expired in 2004, largely as a result of pressure exerted by the NRA. The organization has risen from being founded in 1871 to help improve marksmanship to a powerful 4 million-member lobbying organization that takes in more than $200 million in annual revenue.

According to Opensecrets. org, NRA spent $20 million in the last election cycle, all on friendly lawmakers who score well on the NRAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political scorecard. The combination of big bucks and political pressure have made too many members of Congress fearful of bucking the powerful gun lobby, a group that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even want machine guns banned.

But there are growing indications that the NRAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political clout might be vastly overrated. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The gun lobby had an abysmal 2012 election cycle.

They spent more than $11 million to defeat President Obama, warning that on Election Day, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Americans will vote either to defend or surrender freedom in the most consequential national decision in U.S. history.â&#x20AC;?

They also failed to elect their preferred candidate in six of their seven top targets for the U.S. Senate. And more than two-thirds of incumbents who lost their seats in the House of Representatives were backed by the NRA, including four Democrats,â&#x20AC;? noted Media Matters, the watchdog group.

And the NRA got a poor return on its political investment.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;According to open government group the Sunlight Foundation, the NRA Political Victory Fund, the NRAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political action committee, received a less than one percent return on $10,536,106 spent on independent expenditures during the election cycle,â&#x20AC;? the media monitoring group also found. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The NRA spent 0.44 percent of its money supporting winning candidates and 0.39 percent opposing losing candidates. The NRA Institute for Legislative Action, the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lobbying arm, garnered a 10.25 percent return on $7,448,017 spent on the election. In seven Senate races where the NRA spent more than $100,000, six of the NRA-backed candidates lost.â&#x20AC;?

That trend did not start with the November elections, according to ThinkProgress, a liberal blog.

Paul Waldman, contributing editor at The American Prospect, analyzed data from the last four federal elections â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The conclusion to be drawn from these data will be surprising to many: The NRA has virtually no impact on congressional elections,â&#x20AC;? he wrote. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The NRA endorsement, so coveted by so many politicians, is almost meaningless. Nor does the money the organization spends have any demonstrable impact on the outcome of races. In short, when it comes to elections, the NRA is a paper tiger.â&#x20AC;?

Not exactly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been following

the issue of guns over the last few years, you know that these have been good times for gun advocates,â&#x20AC;? according to ThinkProgress. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In a landmark 2008 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court settled a longstanding question by declaring that the 2nd Amendment confers an individual right to own guns. Under Barack Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s administration, the only pieces of legislation on guns have expanded gun rights; for instance, gun owners are now allowed to bring firearms into national parks as a result of legislation Obama signed in 2009. The assault weapons ban passed under Bill Clinton expired in 2004, and despite early indications the Obama administration might try to renew it, they have made no moves to do so.â&#x20AC;?

Public opinion on gun control has moved, according to a Gallup poll released Monday.

It showed that 38 percent of Americans favor stricter gun measures, a 13-point increase from last year and the highest it has been in more than a decade.

Now is the time for Obama to make his move. If not, the NRA will do it for him.

George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine, is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. Curry can be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry.com. You can also follow him at www.twitter.

The views expressed in the editiorial columns are not necessarily the veiws of The Weekly Press or its staff. Address all opinions and comments to: Letters to the Editior, P.O. Box 74485 Baton Rouge, La. 70874 or E-mail them to: theweeklypress@yahoo.com com/currygeorge

7KXUVGD\ -DQXDU\ Â&#x2021; The Weekly Press Â&#x2021; 3DJH 5

ARTS

BUSINESS

from page 3

reminiscent of a shark fin or beach wave. Even the title was taken from the five-star luxury hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bel Airâ&#x20AC;? chair is Shireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most significant contribution to the Memphis design group and became an iconic symbol for the group.

The LSU Museum of Art will also present a series of exciting educational programs including lectures, workshops and interactive school tours for all ages designed to further explore the exhibition. These include a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gallery Talkâ&#x20AC;? event with Shire on Sunday, March 10, at 2 p.m. The event, where Shire will tour the gallery and discuss his works on display, is free with museum admission. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Coordinator of School and Community Programs Lucy Perera at 225-389-7207 or email lperera@lsu.edu.

Located on the first floor of the Shaw Center for the Arts, the Alfred C. Glassell Jr. Exhibition Galleryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Peter Shire exhibit is titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Serious Fun: Works by Peter Shire.â&#x20AC;? The exhibition â&#x20AC;&#x201C; on display Jan.31March 24 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; will include seven sculptures from Shireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hokkaido series, including â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Palace at 4 a.m.â&#x20AC;? (1993) and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gaijinâ&#x20AC;? (1993), as well as four of Shireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique teapots and 20 prints of Shire pieces.

A joint opening reception for the LSU Museum of Art and Glassell Gallery exhibits will be held on Thursday, Jan. 31, from 6-8 p.m. in the Shaw Center for the Arts.

The Union Art Gallery, located on the second floor of the recently renovated LSU Student Union, will present its Peter Shire exhibit, titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Peter Shire: A World of Geometrics.â&#x20AC;?

This exhibition will explore the many talents of the renowned and idiosyncratic designer. Shireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whimsical, postmodern style defies traditional categorization, incorporating elements of futurism, art nouveau and art deco. His of-

ten-utilitarian sculptures have been exhibited in the United States as well as Italy, France and Japan. Shire will also be on hand to give an informal tour of the exhibit during an opening reception on Sunday, Feb. 3 from 2-4 p.m. The Union Art Galleryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exhibit will be on display February 3-24.

A full-color catalogue, â&#x20AC;&#x153;L.A. to LA: Peter Shire at LSU,â&#x20AC;? accompanies the three-part retrospective.

Lamar Advertising Company and Nadine Carter-Russell, as well as the LSU Student Union Art Gallery, LSU School of Art, LSU Graphic Design Student Organization and the LSU Museum of Art underwrote the catalogue, in part. â&#x20AC;&#x153;L.A. to LA: Peter Shire at LSUâ&#x20AC;? will be available for purchase at all three locations during the exhibitions, and will also be distributed nationally through LSU Press.

The LSU Museum of Art seeks to enrich and inspire through collections, exhibitions, conservation and education, serving as a cultural and intellectual resource for LSU, Baton Rouge and beyond.

The museum represents one of the largest university-affiliated art collections in the South and serves as a vital anchor for the Arts District in downtown Baton Rouge. The museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s location in the Shaw Center for the Arts provides a world-class facility in which to present a diverse range of exhibitions and educational programs. The museum also offers a high-profile venue for rental events, as well as a museum store featuring work by local artisans. The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; and Sunday from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. For more information, contact Renee B. Payton, marketing director, at 225-389-7206, email renee@lsu. edu, visit www.lsumoa.com or follow the LSU Museum of Art on both Facebook and Twitter.

Cox Communications Expands Cox TV Connect Additional channels added to app, iPhoneÂŽ and iPodÂŽ touch round out capability to watch live programming in the home

BATON ROUGE -- Cox Communications in Baton Rouge announced today that its Cox TV Connect app will now have access to 56 new national cable channels. Additionally, customers can access the app on the iPhone and iPod touch. The application creates a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;second screenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience for customers to watch live television programming in their home on their iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch device.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cox is continuing to expand television viewing options for our customers, particularly with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;off-TVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience,â&#x20AC;? said Jacqui Vines, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cox Southeast Region. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The new enhancements to TV Connect give customers the choice and flexibility to watch their favorite programming anywhere in their home, without a TV.â&#x20AC;?

Access to live programming

through Cox TV Connect marks a significant expansion of Coxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s online offering. Introduced in December 2011, the original Cox TV Connect app for iPad has been downloaded more than 420,000

times from Apple iTunes. The new channel lineup adds 56 new cable channels including Bio, Encore, Fox Business Network, GaSee CONNECT, on page 7

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Church Anniversary at The Light of Christ Fellowship #II

PORT ALLEN, LA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Light of Christ Fellowship #II will be hosting their annual church anniversary on January 20, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.

The church is located at 856 North Jefferson Avenue and the public is invited to attend FREE. For additional information, please contact Pastor Elliot Brown, Sr. at (225) 485-7319 or the church at (225) 339-1755.

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RELIGION

God Must Strip Us Of Illusions That Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re The Ones In Control

BY DONALD LEE

Just the other day, I watched the movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Instinct,â&#x20AC;? starring Anthony Hopkins and Cuba Gooding Jr. For those who havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t yet seen it, the filmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about an anthropologist placed in an institution for the criminally insane.

Hopkinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; character, Ethan Powell, is the anthropologist. Goodingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; character, young psychiatrist Theo Caulder, spends time trying to understand Powellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s behavior.

This film is an excellent example of what happens to us when we get caught up in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;illusionâ&#x20AC;? that we, not God, are running things.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s this awesome scene in the movie in which Caulder interviews Powell.

Caulder speaks as if he has all power in his hands. Mind you, there isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t anybody else in this room but the interviewer and the interviewee.

The interviewee, Powell, is increasingly vexed by the young interviewerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrogance. Hence, this scene: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to say if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re competent for a hearing, a chance of getting out of here?â&#x20AC;? an arrogant Caulder asks Powell. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the one,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153; the young, visibly perturbed Caulder continues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m the one, Ethan.â&#x20AC;?

A much, much older, wiser, and calm Ethan Powell responds: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The one in control, huh?â&#x20AC;?

An overly confident Caulder answers: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes.â&#x20AC;?

At that point, Powell grabs Caulder with resounding force

and slams him to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;My freedom.â&#x20AC;? table, holding all power Powell balls in his hands. that up, adding: â&#x20AC;&#x153;You With an obvithink you were free? ously helpless Caulder â&#x20AC;Ś In the middle of the pinned down, Powell night when you wake asks authoritatively: up sweating, with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in control?!â&#x20AC;? your heart pounding Then Powell ---- what is it that has grabs some nearby you all tied up as you Donald duct tape and tapes are? Tied up in little Lee Caulderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mouth shut. knots. Is it ambition?

He then puts Caulder Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re no mister to in a choke hold and tells him that me, boy.â&#x20AC;? he (Caulder) has three chances With his arms still locked to write down (with a crayon around Caulderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neck, Powell on a sheet of paper) what it was tells the crying Caulder: â&#x20AC;&#x153;O.K. that Powell stripped from him. One last chance. You think I Powell, still applying unbearable wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it? Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one psypressure to Caulderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neck, says chiatrist less in the world.â&#x20AC;? that if he (Caulder) doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get it Powell, much calmer at right, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d snap his neck (with this point, adds: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last try. Get it no hesitation or remorse). right. What have you lost? What â&#x20AC;&#x153;Who is in control?â&#x20AC;? Pow- did I take from you? Write it.â&#x20AC;? ell asks the scared, defenseless Caulder picks up the Caulder. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Are you? Am I? The crayon and writes: â&#x20AC;&#x153;My ILLUguards outside? The warden in SION.â&#x20AC;? his office? Who is in control?â&#x20AC;?

A satisfied Powell rePowell tells Caulder: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This sponds: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yeah, congratulawill be a very simple test. Pass tions.â&#x20AC;? or fail. Life or death.â&#x20AC;?

Then Powell lets go of Powell continues: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now, Caulderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neck, kisses him on you write on this paper what I the cheek, and then snatches the have taken from you. What have duct tape off of his mouth. you lost? Write it! Write it!â&#x20AC;?

Powell, teaching Caulder Caulder writes: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Con- a lesson, walks around the room trol.â&#x20AC;? and says to him: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still a Quickly balling up Caul- student, after all. And youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve lost derâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s written response, Powell nothing but your illusions and a says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wrong! You never had little bit of skin.â&#x20AC;? control. You only thought you The scene ends with Powell had it --- an illusion.â&#x20AC;? winking at Caulder, an indication Powell asks again: â&#x20AC;&#x153;What that their interviewer-interviewee have you lost. What did I take? relationship can resume as long as Write it! Write it!â&#x20AC;? there is an understanding between Caulder writes in response: the two of them.

And so the Holy Spirit led me to use this movie scene as a way of showing a correlation between art mirroring life.

The way Ethan Powell deals with Caulder, to a degree, resembles how our heavenly Father deals with us. In order for us to truly have a relationship with Him, through Christ, we must first be stripped of our â&#x20AC;&#x153;illusions.â&#x20AC;?

We must realize that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not in control. We only think we are. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not free. We have personal issues that keep us in bondage. And weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll stay in bondage until weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re locked in a room with God. When he strips us of our illusions, then, and only then, will we be free.

Also, please rent the following movies: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bedazzledâ&#x20AC;? (parental discretion advised); â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tribulationâ&#x20AC;?; and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Left Behindâ&#x20AC;?. All of these movies talk about what happens when we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t conscientiously walk with Christ.

(Donald Lee, an author and free-lance journalist, is founderpastor of Kingdom Living Christian Center in Dallas. Kingdom Living Christian Center holds service via teleconference each Sunday at 10 a.m. at (218) 862-4590 [code: 279498#].

Intercessory prayer via teleconference is from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fridays. The church also has 3:30 p.m. service each Sunday at Millbrook Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, 1950 W. Pleasant Run, in Lancaster, a southern suburb of Dallas. Lee can be reached for prayer or comment at pastordonjlee@yahoo. com or [225] 773-2248.)

As My Luck Would Have It DR. JAMES L. SNYDER I am not superstitious [knock on wood] but some things happen to me that leave me a little bit suspicious. I am not sure if there is a connection between superstitious and suspicious, but if there were, that would explain a lot in my life.

I start every year with high hopes of making certain changes in my life. If I had a quarter for every change I wanted to make in

my life but didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, I would have all the change I need.

This past week was one of those weeks. I was minding my own business, which for me is a full-time job without benefits, and no matter what I did; I was either a day late or a dollar short.

I had to go across town for a business meeting and as my luck would have it, I hit every red light. I am not sure but it seemed that there were 1,937 traffic lights in route to my destination.

I had a gift card that I cannot remember when I got it, but I thought I would get a nice gift for myself. I selected my gift, went to the cash out counter and was informed that my gift card had expired â&#x20AC;&#x153;yesterday.â&#x20AC;? I think I have just too many yesterdays in my life. I would like a card once that would expire â&#x20AC;&#x153;tomorrowâ&#x20AC;?.

I have plenty of them.

The bookstore that I do my business was having a special on a book that I really wanted. I

got to the store, stood in line for well over an hour and, as my luck would have it, the person in front of me got the last one. Whereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my gun when I need it?

I believe if there are 100 people playing a $10 million lottery I would be number 101.

I come so close so many times, but you know what they say, an inch missed is like a mile missed.

When my wife and I started See MY LUCK, on page 7

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munity urges the CFPB to pay when they qualify for lower cost particular attention to the qualANTRUM from page 6 products, even if those higher ity of QM products serving cost mortgages fall within the communities of color and to parameters of the QM rule.

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IRU WKH WRS RQH SHUFHQW RI ULFKHVW ensure every a Healthy is going to break in the house.

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RI UDFH EDLWLQJ DQG QHJDWLYH VWH ZH FDQQRW VWDQG DVLGH DQG DOORZ down to it, I am really a genHe will always catch me.

UHRW\SLQJ RI $IULFDQ $PHULFDQV LQGLYLGXDOV WR XVH WKH DLUZDYHV erous person. I would give you Rev. James L. Snyder is DQG EODFN PHQ LQ SDUWLFXODU DV DQ RXWOHW IRU LQVHQVLWLYH DQG the%XW LW¡V KDUGO\ WKH ILUVW WLPH HL shirt off my back if you pastor of the Family of God FelPLVJXLGHGFRPPHQWDU\ II \RX needed it.

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DQG PDNH VXUH WKDW WKH WRWDO FKROHV The next application peWHURO LV OHVV WKDQ PJ G/ riod for organizations that wish Â&#x2021; HHDOWK\ OLIHVW\OH FKRLFHV LQFOXGH to participate in the Shared SavVWD\LQJ PHQWDOO\ DQG SK\VLFDOO\ DF WLYH VWD\LQJ VRFLDOO\ LQYROYHG UHGXF ings Program beginning in JanuLQJ \RXU LQWDNH RI IDW DQG FKROHVWHURO ary 2014 is summer 2013. More DQG QRW VPRNLQJ information about the Shared 9LVLW ZZZ DO] RUJ KHDUWEUDLQ RU Savings Program is available at FDOO WKH $PHULFDQ 6WURNH $VVRFLD https://www.cms.gov/MediWLRQ D GLYLVLRQ RI WKH $PHULFDQ HHDUW care/Medicare-Fee-for-Service$VVRFLDWLRQ DW RU Payment/sharedsavingsproWKH $O]KHLPHU¡V $VVRFLDWLRQ DW

gram/index.html?redirect=/ DQG \RX¡OO UHFHLYH D EUR sharedsavingsprogram/ FKXUH ZLWK KHDUW DQG EUDLQ KHDOWK Contact: HHS Press Office LQIRUPDWLRQ DQG D IUHH SHGRPHWHU at 202-690-6343 or by e-mail at ZKLOH VXSSOLHV ODVW media@hhs.gov for additional information.

Providers Form 106 New Accountable Care Organizations ing together to give people with cian-based or rural providers Medicare the high-quality care who would benefit from greater they expect and deserve.â&#x20AC;? access to capital to invest in staff, ACOs must meet quality electronic health record systems, standards to ensure that savings or other infrastructure required are achieved through improving to improve care coordination. care coordination and providing Medicare will recoup advance care that is appropriate, safe, and payments over time through futimely. The Centers for Medicare ture shared savings. In addition & Medicaid Services (CMS) has to these ACOs, last year CMS established 33 quality measures launched the Pioneer ACO proon care coordination and patient gram for large provider groups safety, appropriate use of preven- able to take greater financial retive health services, improved sponsibility for the costs and care care for at-risk populations, and of their patients over time. In patient and caregiver experience total, Medicareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ACO partners of care. Federal savings from will serve more than 4 million this initiative could be up to $940 beneficiaries nationwide. million over four years.

Also today HHS issued a The new ACOs include a new report showing Affordable diverse cross-section of physi- Care Act provisions are already cian practices across the coun- having a substantial effect on try. Roughly half of all ACOs are reducing the growth rate of physician-led organizations that Medicare spending. Growth in serve fewer than 10,000 benefi- Medicare spending per beneficiaries. Approximately 20 per- ciary hit historic lows during the cent of ACOs include community 2010 to 2012 period, according to health centers, rural health cen- the report. Projections by both ters and critical access hospitals the Office of the Actuary at CMS that serve low-income and rural and by the Congressional BudResearch shows a link between heart andget brain health,estimate which means communities.

Office thatimpaired MediThe group announced carefunction. spending per beneficiary heart function could lead to impaired brain today also includes 15 Advance will grow at approximately the Payment Model ACOs, physi- rate of growth of the economy

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SPORTS

Did Cold Weather Put Peyton Manning, Broncos Offense on Ice? Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s question about the Broncos comes from Rod Ridley. To submit a question for consideration, send an email to The Denver Postâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jeff Legwold.

Q: I noticed that (Peyton) Manning didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t throw deep at all (against the Ravens). Was the cold a reason for that? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m guessing it affected his neck and arm, and he just couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t throw the downfield passes to loosen up that defense. Your thoughts?

A: Rod, other than Kneegate, Peyton Manningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play in the frigid conditions Saturday may be the most talked about item on the discussion and rant pile that followed the Broncosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; upset loss.

The Denver Postâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NFL reporters post analysis, notes and more on this blog focusing on the Denver Broncos. if the cold prevented Manning from airing things out Saturday. Manning spent the season rehabbing his right arm and shoulder as part of his recovery from his neck surgeries. He had already admitted to wearing a glove on his throwing hand because his grip was different in his post-surgery career.

Manning had multiple surgeries to repair a disc issue in his neck that caused damage to the nerve grouping that affects his right triceps, which then impacted his ability to grip and throw the ball. He began wearing a glove on his throwing hand first in practice, then later in games as the season wore on.

Asked in the days before the Ravens game why he was wearing a glove on his throwing hand for the first time in his career, Manning said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I certainly donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think I would have had to wear the glove had I not been injured last year. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part of my injury, some things that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had to adjust. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been pretty consistent in kind of letting you guys know that all year long, that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m in a different body, some things are different for me. So Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had to adjust.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the reason for that as much as anything. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really kind of what it is.â&#x20AC;?

Saturday was a historically cold home game for the Broncos â&#x20AC;&#x201D; second coldest home game in team history, coldest home playoff game in team history. It was uncharted ground for both the Broncos and Manning.

He has said the cold didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t impact him physically, in terms of throwing the ball deep. And while coach John Fox didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t offer a definitive answer if the cold had an impact on the offensive gameplan and Manningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plays, he did say: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe so.â&#x20AC;?

A look at the video says it was likely a football decision to kneel down. But it may also have been a physical issue.

Most medical people Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve talked to about Manningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s injury and recovery have said it could well be into his second season with the Broncos before the nerves have regenerated fully and that there would always be some uncertainty about how much the nerves would regenerate.

Sacramento Kings to Seattle Looking More and More Likely

Sacramento Kings fan Darren Fitch calls on the Maloof family, owners of the Kings to sell the team to local buyers.

SU Hoops Slated For Several Broadcast Appearances Courtesy Southern U. Athletic Media Relations BATON ROUGE, LA Southern Jaguars basketball is off to a fast start in SWAC play and Jaguars fans can be there to #StandUnited with the teams during several television and radio broadcasts in 2013.

Southern menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball programs are

scheduled to make TV appearances on Cox Sports, ESPNU and SWAC TV, and will have four menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s games and two womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s games broadcasted live on Downtown Radio 97.7 FM. Southern makes its home television debut on Cox Sports, Monday, Jan. 14 when the Jaguars host defending SWAC regular season and tournament

champion Mississippi Valley in a doubleheader starting at 5:30 p.m.

Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball is slated for a nationally televised appearance on ESPNU Jan. 21 on the road against Alabama A&M, who joined Southern as the only SWAC team to post an upset over an SEC foe this season after defeating Miss State.

Southern to Host Meet Coach Odums on Feb. 18

Details of the proposed sale of the Sacramento Kings to a Seattle group was the topic of a conference call last week among the NBA and members of its relocation committee, Yahoo!

Sports reported, citing unidentified league sources.

The call last Tuesday, according to the report, detailed what NBA officials described as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a non-binding set of deal pointsâ&#x20AC;? on the purchase by the group led by Chris Hansen and Steve Ballmer for $525 million, Yahoo! Sportsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sources said.

And though the conference call was a week ago, no deal has been finalized. According to multiple media reports, talks have continued on the sale that if completed would clear the way for the NBA to return to Seattle as the Sonics.

Seattle lost the Sonics in 2008 when owner Clay Bennett moved them to Oklahoma City to become the Thunder. Ironically, Bennett is the chair of the relocation committee.

Among the points made on the call, according to Yahoo!

Sportsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sources: The Seattle

group would buy 65 percent of the Kings, the 53 percent majority owned by the Maloof family and another 12 percent from minority owner Bob Hernreich.

The sale price is considered an overall valuation of the franchise.

Throughout the negotiations, the Maloofs have sought to keep a small percentage of the team, sources told Yahoo!, but the Seattle group wants the family completely out of the organization.

The Kings have until March 1 to file for relocation to Seattle for the 2013-14 season.

According to multiple media reports, they would play two seasons in KeyArena while a new arena is built.

King County and the city have a deal with Hansen to build the $500M arena south of downtown Seattle once the sale is complete. Local officials already have approved funding of the project.

The new ownership group also would change the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name back to the Sonics.

Dwight Howard Back from Shoulder Injury

Dwight Howard is averaging 17.3 points and 12.4 rebounds this season.

Southern To Honor Avery Johnson Feb. 2

Lakers center Dwight Howard has been cleared to play on Sunday night against the Cavaliers.

Howard has been battling with a shoulder injury since Jan. 4, after colliding with Clippers forward Caron Butler. The Lakers big man tried to play through pain but aggravated it the following Sunday against the Denver Nuggets.

The injury was reported as a torn labrum by the Lakers. Howard later corrected the report, saying the labrum was just pulled away from the bone, not torn.

Howard missed three

games this week, all losses.

The Lakers have dropped six straight.

Pau Gasol was also seen at Staples Center and while he wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play (concussion), he did seem improved since getting hit in the nose by Nuggets center JaVale McGee. Gasol said he was â&#x20AC;&#x153;feeling better.â&#x20AC;? He still has to pass through the leagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strict concussion tests before a return.

The Lakers are expected to start Earl Clark in place of Gasol, and rookie Robert Sacre will come off the bench with Howard returning to the starting lineup.

EXPUNGEMENT

from page 3

Southern University will commemorate the outstanding playing career of SU basketball alum and NBA head coach Avery Johnson in a court naming ceremony Feb. 2 in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

The ceremony will take place during halftime of the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball game against Grambling. Tipoff for the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game is slated for 2 p.m., immediately followed

gently worked to ensure that the poor and neglected of the community, regardless of race, received fair and equal access to the justice system, election protection, and equal treatment under the law.

Criminal defense lawyers, for criminal defense lawyers, founded the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 1985. LACDL protects

the individual Constitutional rights of those accused of criminal offenses, encourages cooperation among criminal defenders through educational programs and other assistance to promote justice and the common good, and assists the courts, the legislature and law enforcement agencies in crafting criminal justice policies that are fair, just and reasonable.

Coach Odums

BATON ROUGE, LA - One week and four days after the Southern Jaguars unveil itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2013 football signing class, head coach Dawson Odums will be honored during â&#x20AC;&#x153;Meet Coach Odumsâ&#x20AC;? night at the SU basketball game against Alabama A&M Feb. 18.

Odums and his wife, Audrey, and their daughter, Jasmine, 9 and son, Jaiden, 1, will be introduced to the Jaguar Nation. Members of Odums newly minted coaching staff will be present as well.

Southern will also offer the 2013 football schedule posters

by the men. The game will be televised live on Cox Sports Television (Ch-37, HD Ch1037). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alumni contributions separate great programs from good ones, and allow great programs to stay on top,â&#x20AC;? said Dr. William Broussard, SU athletics director. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The accelerated restoration of SU Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball in the past two years is due,

autographed by Odums to the first 200 fans to arrive for the Jaguars home game at the FG Clark Activity Center.

Tipoff for the Alabama A&M game is slated for 2 p.m. and will be televised live on Cox Sports Television (Ch. 37, HD Ch. 1037)

in no small part, to alumni contributions--big and small-and none have been more significant thus far than Coach Johnsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.â&#x20AC;?

Southern has also deemed Grambling game on Feb. 2 as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alumni Nightâ&#x20AC;? and encourages alumni from both Southern and Grambling to attend. Tickets are available at the SU ticket office and are $7 for general admission.