The Baton Rouge Weekly Press Week of Feb 2, 2012

baton

THURSDAY, february 2, 2011

rouge,

louisiana

Vol. 36 • No. 37

a people’s publication

Don Cornelius Dead at 75

Leroy Davis Candidate for Mayor of Baker

Louisiana Civil Rights Family Threatened By Hate Crime

‘Soul Train’ Host, Creator Dies After Apparent Suicide

Leroy Davis

Former Baker Mayor Leroy Davis announces his candidacy for Mayor of the City of Baker. The election will be held March 24. Davis will put Baker first by focusing on Economic Development to bring new businesses and jobs to Baker, La. He will immediately reduce skyrocketing water and utility bills; and he will reinstate Senior Citizen discounts for water and sewer.

Davis has served as mayor, interim mayor and has served on the Baker City Council. He has nearly four years experience as mayor and nine years experience as a councilman. Davis is the only candidate with experience as a mayor and as a councilman.

As mayor, Davis was a proven job creator bringing hundreds of new jobs to Baker.

He improved public safety by equipping the Police and Fire Department with the necessary resources; and Davis improved the city’s infrastructure by paying and fixing roads and streets. Under his leadership as mayor, Super Wal-Mart, Exxon On The Run, Murphy’s Discount Gas, Subway and Wendy’s came to Baker, along with other businesses.

Davis considers his experience as mayor and councilman, his knowledge of Baker city government, its ordinances, rules, and procedures, as well as his accomplishments in community service to be some of his most important qualifications. He knows the importance of this position in the Baker city government; and he understands the needs of the community and the need to put the citizens of Baker first when making decisions.

Davis earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois. Davis had a distinguished career as a college professor and administrator; and was a nationally recognized economist. He retired from Southern University with 23 years of service, where he served as s Professor and Dean. He is also retired from Alcorn State University after serving eight years as a ProSee davis, on page 3

Don Cornelius, the creator and longtime host of the groundbreaking music show ‘Soul Train,’ has died. He was 75.

According to the New York Times, the police responded to reports of gunshots at Cornelius’s Sherman Oaks home. They found Cornelius with a gunshot wound to the head that appeared to be self-inflicted, according to the Los Angeles County coroner.

A radio news announcer by trade, Cornelius began moonlighting at WCIU-TV in the 1960s. While there, he toyed with the idea of creating an AfricanAmerican version of “American Bandstand,” Dick Clark’s influential music show, with live dancing five days a week. On August 17, 1970, the first episode of Soul Train premiered on the station, and by the following year, it was being syndicated in other markets.

“If I saw `American Bandstand’ and I saw dancing and I knew black kids can dance better; and I saw white artists and I knew black artists make better music; and if I saw a white host and I knew a black host could project a hipper line of speech – and I did know all these things [then it was reasonable to try],” he told the Associated Press in 1995.

“Soul Train” would go on to become the longest-running nationally syndicated show in history, airing from 1971 through 2006. Cornelius held down the hosting duties for most of that run, before stepping away in 1993. He remained as the program’s executive producer and expanded the brand into an annual awards show.

“It’s just so sad, stunning and downright shocking and a huge and momentous loss to the African-American community

Car boomed in front of Hicks family home.

BOGALUSA, LA - At approximately 3:00AM on the day of the official holiday honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King-Monday, January 16, 2012 -- the daughter of Louisiana Civil Rights icon Robert Hicks heard a loud, frightening knock on the door of her family’s home in Bogalusa. Barbara Hicks Collins ran to open the front door, only to see her car in flames. By noon of that day, fire marshals determined that in addition to Ms. Hicks Collins destroyed car, the burned roof of the Hicks’ home had been an attempt to burn the house down. The Office of Chief Investigations of the Louisiana Fire Marshal, Donald Carter, said early Tuesday January 17th that the fire was intentionally set, and is under investigation as a hate crime.

The FBI is now involved in the investigation.

The fact that the 2012 fire was intentional is best understood by knowing the legacy of Robert Hicks. Civil Rights lion, who died in 2010 was 81. He played a pivotal role in Louisiana’s Civil Rights Movement during the 1960’s

Don Cornelius, the creator and longtime host of the groundbreaking music show ‘Soul Train,’ has died. He was 75.

and the world at large,” Aretha Franklin said. “Don Cornelius singlehandedly brought about a melding and unity of brother and sisterhood among young adults worldwide and globally with the unforgettable creation of Soul Train.”

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who was a protegé of James Brown, echoed those sentiments.

“I have known him since I was 19 years old and James Brown had me speak on ‘Soul Train,’” Sharpton said in a statement. “We have maintained a friendship for the last 38 years.

He brought soul music and dance to the world in a way that it had never been shown and he was a cultural game changer on a global level. Had it not been for Don Cornelius we would not have ever transcended from the Chitlin circuit to become mainstream cultural trendsetters.”

Cornelius recently told the Los Angeles Times that there were early plans to create a

movie based on the franchise.

“We’ve been in discussions with several people about getting a movie off the ground,” he said.

“It wouldn’t be the ‘Soul Train’ dance show, it would be more of a biographical look at the project.

It’s going to be about some of the things that really happened on the show.”

In 2008, Cornelius was arrested and charged with spousal battery and dissuading a witness from making a police report, and assault with a deadly weapon.

He was sentenced to three years probation.

During his rocky divorce battle with his ex-wife, Viktoria, TMZ reported that Cornelius made a morbid request in the couple’s divorce papers. “I am 72 years old. I have significant health issues,” Cornelius said.

“I want to finalize this divorce before I die.”

Cornelius is survived by his two sons, Anthony and Raymond.

and beyond. His legal victories helped to topple segregation in Bogalusa (known as “Klantown, USA”) and change discriminatory practices throughout the South.

Robert Hicks is remembered for his role as a founder of the Bogalusa Chapter of Deacons for Defense and Justice, established to protect his family and unarmed civil rights demonstrators from the Ku Klux Klan. The following is an account from an April 2010 New York Times obituary for Robert Hicks: On February 1, 1965, Hicks received a call to say the KKK was coming to bomb the Hicks’ home . . . . The Klan was furious that Mr. Hicks, a black paper mill worker, was putting up two white civil rights workers in his home. It was just six months after three young civil rights workers had been murdered in Philadelphia, Mississippi.

Mr. Hicks and his wife, Valeria, made phone calls. They found neighbors to take in their children, and reached out to friends for protection See crime, on page 2

Scotlandville Scouts Among First All-Black Troop To New Mexico Joseph G. Dorsey, 60, and Woodrow Arthur Jr., 60, can recall the details of 1966 like it was yesterday.

“We rode a yellow school bus from Scotlandville, Louisiana, to Cimarron, New Mexico, in the summer,” Dorsey recalled, “There was 21 youth and the trip was sponsored by Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Scotlandville.”

“We stayed in our uniforms the entire time and that’s what kept conflict down,” said Arthur.

Instead of hotel stays, the troop “stopped at military and air force bases to spend the night,” said Arthur.

During a time when racial tension reached its peak in this country and segregation was being practiced in the South,

Sisterhood Held Worshipping Service

Boy Scout Pack 492 leader Earl ‘Molee’ Sims and others organized Boy Scouts from across Louisiana to participate in what the American Boy Scouts calls the ultimate Scout experience.

Their voyage took them to Philmont Scout Ranch, the largest national camping facility for scouting in America.

Once there, the Pack became the first all-Black scout troop from Louisiana to arrive.

They were competing to win the highest honor possible: Eagle Scout; and in the process, they made history.

“At 13 and 14 years old we knew exactly what we were getting into; although there were not many of us who could come up with the money for the trip, we were able to strengthen our

local & state news

Photo from the Willie Harris Collection provided by James Terry III photojournalist

brotherhood and help break a barrier that Black Boy Scouts faced,” said Dorsey.

“Under the direction of our

leader, (Sims), we learned everything there was to learn about Boy Scouts, “, Dorsey said.

Pack 492 was represented

Business NEWS

Health news

at the national Boy Scout Jamboree at Valley Forge Penn.

See scouts, on page 3

Religion

The Williams Family will hold their 9th Year Anniversary celebration February 10th through February 12th at the New St. Luke Baptist Church pastored

by Reverend Joseph Armstrong...See Page 6

INDEX

BREC Hosts Softball League The Sisterhood Ministry of Greater Mt. Carmel Baptist Church (Scotlandville) held Worship and Fellowship Services for the residents of Sterling Place Nursing Home recently..See Page 3

BREC will host its spring softball league meeting Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at BREC’s Womack Ballroom, 6201 Florida Blvd. The softball league includes men, women and coed divisions....See Page 3

Small Business Education Series

Small Business Education Series presents information on school district’s Fair Share Program at tomorrow’s Small Business Education Series KickOff at Southern University’s Global Conference Cente...See Page 5

Health Risk you can not smell

Wiping your hands at work could expose you to lead, cadmium and other heavy metals at levels that exceed health guidelines...See Page 7

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

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Local&State Pretty Girls Rock! Princess Pageant 2012 Casting Call

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Baton Rouge – Does your daughter have a winning personality? Does she belong on stage? Does she enjoy being in the spotlight? Does she have talent? Perfect -- she could be a contestant in the 2012 Pretty Girls Rock! Princess Pageant.

This friendly competition aims to provide a platform for African-American girls to display their accomplishments, talent and beauty while mentoring and focusing on a humanitarian spirit, and excellence of the mind, body and ability.

The Pretty Girls Rock! Princess Pageant Casting Call will be held on Sunday, February 12

from 12 Noon to 3 PM at Pinkolicious Birthday Party Spa, 10066 S. Choctaw Drive, Baton Rouge, LA and is a fun experience for all involved. No pageant experience is necessary. Attendees will be photographed.

Applicants are expected to show a one-minute talent with or without music or props, a short run way modeling and answer a preliminary interview.

Age Divisions: Tiny Princess (ages 5 - 6yrs) • Little Princess (ages 7- 9yrs) Young Princess (ages 10 -11 yrs) • Junior Princess (ages 12 -13yrs) Highlights include: • Appearance by Ashley

Hebert, Miss Black Louisiana USA 2012 • Appearance by Vitoria “Tori” Turner, Miss Black Louisiana USA Talented Teen 2012 • Entry to win a Kindle Fire If you would like to attend this event, send an email to missblacklouisianausa@gmail.com with “Princess Pageant Casting Call” in the subject line.

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The Pretty Girls Rock!

Princess Pageant is sponsored by Miss Black Louisiana USA.

Lecture by SU Professor ”Louisiana’s First Crusade for Civil Rights”

BATON ROUGE, LA - Peter J. Breaux, Ph.D., professor, Southern University Department of History, will lecture on “Louisiana’s First Crusade for Civil Rights” on Thursday, February 9. Breaux’s talk will highlight the historical aspects of civil rights in a crucial period of the 19th Century in Louisiana.

The event is the second in a series of heritage lec-

Crime

tures held monthly at the Old Governor’s Mansion. The event, sponsored by the Foundation for Historical Louisiana (FHL), is free to organization members and $10 for guests. The public is invited to attend.

A reception, hosted by Calandro’s Fine Wines and Select Cellars, begins at 6 p.m. and the lecture at 6:30 p.m.

Breaux has also taught

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(including Deacons from African American nearby churches).

Soon, armed black men materialized . . . (Weeks later), Mr. Hicks took the lead in forming a Bogalusa chapter of the Deacons for Defense, recruiting many of

the men who had gone to his home to protect his family and guests . . . .

Mr. Hicks’ role in the Civil Rights Movement also included leading daily protests for months in Bogalusa to demand rights

GEAUXD

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at Florida A & M and Savannah State University. In Baton Rouge, he was an active participant in the Scotlandville Community Comprehensive Development Plan process and in Future BR and is now volunteering with Together Baton Rouge.

The lecture will be held in the East Room of the Old Governor’s Mansion, 502 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge. guaranteed by the 1964 Civil Rights Act. He filed suits that integrated schools and businesses, reformed hiring practices at the mill, and put the local police under a federal judge’s control.

Decades later, on October 24, 2007, a fire destroyed the Hicks family home. There was no investigation of that fire, just a report stating that the fire was of “undetermined cause.” The family rebuilt the home at the same location. Four years later, there is no question that this January 2012 fire was intentional and a hate crime.

The family of Mr. Hicks, including his wife of 62-years Valeria Hicks, daughter Barbara Hicks Collins, and son Charles (Chuck) Hicks are very active in keeping the legacy of Mr. Hicks alive. Valeria Hicks and Barbara Hicks Collins continue to live in the Bogalusa family home that was threatened by arson on Monday January 16.

In 2010, the Hicks family established a “Robert ‘Bob’ Hicks Foundation for Human and Civil Rights.” Daughter Barbara Hicks Collins gives presentations throughout the region on the legacy of her father, the Civil Rights Movement, and is continuing to document her father’s history for this generation and generations to come. Son Charles (Chuck) Hicks is a prominent community and labor activist in his Washington, DC home. On August 28, 2010, 48 years after Dr. King’s March on Washington, a street in Bogalusa was named after Robert ‘Bob’ Hicks.

The National Congress of Black Women (NCBW) has stepped up to bring national attention to what has occurred.

NCBW’s National Chair, Dr. E. Faye Williams says: “Getting the word out across the nation is one of the best protections for the family since there is a strange silence thus far on the part of national media about this hate crime. Additionally, we must contact the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Thomas Perez, Assistant Attorney General, at 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530, urging him to find the culprits and bring them to justice. “ Activist Dick Gregory, who knows the Hicks family, says: “This attack on the Hicks Family is an attack upon the spirit of a community. It is an attack on all of us. We cannot stand idly by and allow these perpetrators of domestic terrorism to act without consequences.”

Chit Chat

benefit the surroundTHOUGHT FOR ing areas. Women are THE WEEK: Brains trained to handle the working? Show what diverse stock of clothyou are working with. ing, accessories, and Banks other products to help It’s African themselves. Sounds American History like a winner!

Month!

THANKS TO ANOTHER FIRST STATE FARM INSURIN BLACK HISTORY MARGE ANCE for partnering is the selection of NanLAWRENCE with Our Lady of the nette Olivetti Brown as Lake and holding a the first Black woman to serve on the federal bench in recent blood drive. The goal Louisiana as a federal judge. A was to raise community awaregraduate of University of Louisi- ness because January was Blood ana at Lafayette and Tulane Law Donor Wellness Awareness School, she is hailed as one who Month. Give blood to somepossesses a wealth of knowledge one to save a life. Blood is the and legal expertise. Congratula- key to life for all human beings; its function is vital to our lives. tions Judge Brown.

RED TAILS, the story of the Lack of blood donations means a pioneering Tuskegee Airman, high impossibility to help those shows the plight and heroic ex- in times of accidents, transfuploits of the all-Black fighter pilot sions or blood cancers. Save a squadron that helped America life. Donate blood.

ARE YOUR BOXING defeat the Nazis in World War II. Did you see the actors? They GLOVES ON? You may need include Cuba Gooding, Terrance them or someone you know may Howard, Nate Parker, David need to borrow them. The eduOyelowa, and Neyo. The key cation debate at the state legisroles they play help spotlight the lature is getting heated. A plan historic contribution and public for teachers without teachers in service of Black Americans. It’s the planning is the heart of this debate, which promises to be worthwhile viewing.

FLIP A COIN. Is HIV - quite a showdown. Members AIDS close to a cure? No, not of the Legislature are urged to yet!! Health professionals admit visit schools before the March that getting the word in the com- debate. Your visits would be munities is on a rise along with an eye opener.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Carthe virus. In our state there is legal services to low-income olyn Blevins, James Denman, persons living with HIV and Patrick Caldwell, Edith Johnson, AIDS. For information, check Michael R. Scott, Walter Dixon, with your primary care physi- Jr., and Lisa Scott.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHcian.

FOR THOSE WHO FOL- DAY to Steven Jerome and Mr. LOW THE MARDI GRAS SEA- Joseph Dixon.

GET WELL WISHES are SON, the king and queen of the Zulus are Elroy James and Tan- extended to Dr.Thelma Cobb, yanika Philips respectively. He Mrs. Helen Prescott, Mr. Joseph is a New Orleans attorney, while Hubbard, Ms. Leatrice Silas and she is a medical doctor. They Monroe Myles.

WITH LOVEAND SYMPAwill reign during this season.

William Cox, formerly of THY to the Malver Herson famNew Orleans, has been named ily. Our thoughts and prayers president of the Allegheny West are with you during this time.

THE JAGS men and women Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He is the nephew of are on a roll!! Go Jags. Lets go the late Dr. C. J. Gilliam and LSU. Have a very blessed weekresident Mrs. Gilliam of Baton end. The weather has been Rouge.

TULANE UNIVERSITY’S beautiful and accommodating IN EXCHANGE PROGRAM for any activity.

Love, has a great slant for women Marge who are working out their homes. Yes, the organization has about 10 vendors who are in the New Orleans area and

Wearing Many Hats, Holding Much Responsibility By: Norman J. Dotson Jr. Tasha Clark-Amar is a woman of many titles and many responsibilities ranging from wife and mother of two to executive director of the East Baton Rouge parish Council on Aging responsible for a staff of over 80 people and demographic of people widely over looked, senior citizens.

Amar who had just recently taken over the job of executive director a few months ago has much on her to handle with trying to make improvements in the council on aging in the midst of statewide cuts to the budget. However she does not let this affect her ability to serve the senior citizens of EBR, as one of 80 African-American certified to write grants she plans on bringing in money outside of the state mandated funds.

“At my previous job I was able to become certified to write grants and left there with a $50 million grant portfolio,” said Amar. “I worked as the grants administrator for the Dallas/ Fort Worth Salvation Army and they trained me to write these grants.”

The council on aging is specifically tailored to assess and meet the needs of all the senior citizens in this parish. Amar has built up her staff from five people to 80, has incorporated a meals on wheels programs, maintains 13 senior centers, and has even raised money to assist with medical and utility bills for the seniors in her parish.

“Many of my seniors don’t have a family that can watch over them and make sure that they get what they need so that’s where we come in,” Amar sympathetically.

Amar notes that the biggest difficulty that they face is getting

out to the seniors as many of them either cannot get around on their own or don’t know about the services offered by the council nor seek it out.

“The centers are our best way to reach the seniors and I am in the process of creating more centers to further our reach,” said Amar. “It also allows them to keep their independence and form bonds with one another. They really make these centers their own and they even create small groups with themselves.”

Amar remarks that the centers also makes it seem as though they are not just giving hand outs to the seniors which also helps comfort them. Each center is used to assess senior and open up ways for them to keep in touch with them as well as give them what they need with services ranging from medication management programs to legal services all at no expense seniors. Much of the money used to support these services are donations or obtained through special partnerships.

Just as the seniors have made this [the council] their own, I make them my own as well which is why I refer to them as ‘my seniors’,” Amar said. “I’m hoping to take the department through a major re-branding with new logos and a totally new identity in the community.”

Currently Amar and her staff service about 10 to 15 percent of the seniors in the parish due to the severe slashes in the budget but is optimistic with the direction the council is going. In 10 years she sees their being a “mega center” as well as more partnerships and money outside of the state mandated funds coming into the council’s budget.

Thursday, February 2, 2012 • The Weekly Press • Page 3

BREC Hosts Spring Softball League Meeting Feb. 7 BATON ROUGE - BREC will host its spring softball league meeting Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at BREC’s Womack Ballroom, 6201 Florida Blvd. The softball league includes men, women and coed divisions.

Teams must register and submit their league fees and forms by Wednesday, March 7 at BREC’s Eugene A. Young’s Administration Offices, 6201 Florida Blvd.

League fees: • Men’s division: $395 per team • Women’s division: $300 per team • Coed division: $295 per team for the Sunday league, and $395 per team for the weekday

Davis

league Teams must submit complete rosters by March 26 at 5 p.m.

Coed Sunday league participants will play at BREC’s Perkins Road Community Park, 7122 Perkins Road, beginning March 25. Men, women and weeknight coed league participants will play at BREC’s Oak Villa Sports Complex, 2615 Oak Villa Blvd., beginning the week of March 26.

BREC will schedule postponed games at the end of the season.

To learn more about BREC’s spring softball leagues, contact Marc at 225-273-6401 or mpalmer@brec.org.

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fessor, Dean, Research Director and Extension Administrator.

Davis has served as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Baker Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, and has been a member of the Executive Council of the Istrouma Area Boy Scouts of America. He is the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award – Boy Scouts of America. He served on the Baker High and Bakerfield Elementary Schools Advisory Committees. He is a member of the Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church. He is an U.S.

Army veteran, a member of American Legion Post 502, and a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Davis has been an active member of the Baker community for 35 years.

He is married to Elaine Griffin Davis, a retired Assistant State Director of Special School District in the State Department of Education. They are the parents of twin sons: Griffin Leroy Davis, M.D., M.P.H. and Garvin Henderson Davis, M.D., M.P.H. and have four grandchildren.

Sisterhood Held Worshipping Service

Scouts

The Sisterhood Ministry of Greater Mt. Carmel Baptist Church worshipping with the residents of Sterling Place Nursing Home.

The Sisterhood Ministry of Greater Mt. Carmel Baptist Church (Scotlandville) held Worship and Fellowship Services for the residents of Sterling Place Nursing Home recently.

A service to include selections from the Voices of Adonai (GMCBC Youth Choir) under the direction of Loneka Battiste; welcome and opening statement

by Janifer Peters, president of the Sisterhood Ministry; reading of the scripture by Rita JackLewis; and prayer was rendered

by Edna Crocket, chaplain of the Ministry. Minister Valarie Oliver, Associate Minister at GMCBC,

delivered a dynamic and most inspirational sermon. Following the Invitation to Discipleship by Crockett and Closing Remarks

by Peters, all in attendance joined in singing what has become the Sterling Place National Anthem, “This Big Light of Mine”. A wonderful fellowship followed the service.

The Sisterhood of GMCBC has been rendering Worship Services at Sterling Place every second Sunday of the month for the past 12 years; the first service was conducted on March 11, 2001. Fred Jeff Smith is Pastor of Greater Mt. Carmel Baptist

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Church.

GMCBC Sisterhood Ministry gathered for Worship and Fellowship Services at Sterling Place Nursing Home are from left: President Janifer Peters, Rita Jack-Lewis, Minister Valarie Oliver, Carolyn Breaux, Elaine Simmons, Mary Wilkinson, Barbara Hawkins, Edna Crockett.

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“Our expedition was significant to us because of the time and the era in which it happened; and from that point on we were always networking with other scouts informing them of what was missing from their Boy Scout experience: Philmont Ranch,” Dorsey said. “Our trip made it possible for other Black Boy Scouts to visit Philmont, such as the camp in Scotlandville led by Donald Share Myer,” he said.

Philmont Scout Ranch is the Boy Scouts of America’s largest national high-adventure base. The Ranch provides an experience in backpacking country along hundreds of miles of rocky trails.

Program features combine Old West experiences such as horseback riding, burro packing, gold panning, chuck wagon dinners, and interpretive history with thrilling challenges for today, such as rock climbing, burro racing, mountain biking, and .30-06 rifle shooting. It is the ultimate Boy Scout experience, said Dorsey.

We had the unlimited amount of “scout spirit,” we sang and put on skits when we were all at base camp together, we “turned it out,” he said. “What I remember most about the experience resulted from the hike up the mountain, we were so high up in elevation that we were literally next to clouds,” said Arthur who lives in St. Gabriel.

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Commentary Thursday, February 2, 2012 • The Weekly Press • Page 4

The Way I See It

The Way I Projected SUV in Haiti. That is a crying shame.

The money that Now get this: so many Governments Tax records show that pledged as of this date “Save the Children’s has never showed up Haiti” financial direcin Haiti. That is what tor’s – just one of the I am getting from news 1,200 Haiti employees reports. As I have stated - earns $200,00.00 anbefore. I simply did not nually. Now, if that and do not trust the leaddo blow you mind I William ership in Haiti. do not know what else Jones Each country that can. pledged and have not I proposed in reported their pledge should the beginning that a group combe reported and known to the posed of contributors should world. Those countries that have be sent there to overlook the made up to their promise should spending process for the Haitian be known to the world. people. Those people should not Something just does not be living in plastic tents today. add up.

Shells could be made consisting It is said that some of the of plywood could have been in money had been spent on soaring place by now. The inner walls rents and over priced supplies. could come later.

Consider this: project Medishare, The United Nations should the University of Miami hospital, address itself to the extensive spends $30,000.00 a month on damages such as in Haiti and electric alone. It cost another Japan. $3,500.00 a month to rent an That Is The Way I See It.

By William Jones

State Of Union Reaction From NAACP Leader: ‘I’m Angry’ Leadership. Commitment. Unity As I sat in the House of Representatives chamber this evening, these were the themes I heard President Obama speak to in his State of the Union address.

But as I listened to President Obama, I looked at obstructionist leaders in Congress and I couldn’t help but get angry.

It is past time to throw aside partisan differences, put America first and embrace the American values of equal opportunity and fairness for all.

In communities across the country, the NAACP has marched, rallied, and raised our voices to let our leaders know job creation can’t wait. President Obama has heard our call, and tonight he laid out his ambitious blueprint for continuing to improve the economy and put people back to work.

Unfortunately, too many members of Congress are com-

mitted to nothing but blocking the president’s work. They are more concerned with scoring political points than getting us out of the worst economic slump since the early 20th century.

Every day, NAACP leaders nationwide speak with people who are working harder than ever before, and still struggling to make ends meet. Just this week our North Carolina NAACP leadership conducted a tour throughout the state to chronicle the effects of joblessness, underemployment, and poverty.

We know many of you have similar stories, and we want to hear them. Will you share with us your story on how the economic crisis has affected you and those you love? http://action.naacp.org/ job-crisis-stories Marcellus Brown is 43 years old. He doesn’t have a steady job, See leaders on page 5

The Importance of STEM in Encouraging the Next Generation of Tech Leaders

By Andrea L. Taylor Director of North America Community Affairs at Microsoft Corporation

The importance of science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM as it’s commonly known, can’t be underestimated in preparing students for an increasingly technological tomorrow. By 2018, the U.S. will have more than 1.2 million job openings in STEM-related fields according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Regretfully, there is likely to be a significant shortage of qualified college graduates to fill them.

Consequently, Microsoft has established several initiatives to help improve student skills in STEM and to encourage youth to pursue careers in the technology industry.

The state of STEM education has been a leading topic of conversation in recent years in the public and private sectors.

More than 100 CEOs, including Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer, came together in 2010 to launch Change the Equation; an historic effort to scale up effective models for improving STEM education.

President Obama in his State of the Union address in January 2011 said, “Maintaining our leadership in research and technol-

ogy is crucial to America’s success. But if we want to win the future — if we want innovation to produce jobs in America and not overseas — then we also have to win the race to educate our kids.”

Microsoft has made significant investments in STEM education to inspire young people to consider these fields in an effort to win the future.

Blacks at Microsoft, an employee resource group, annually hosts Minority Student Day for area high schoolers from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds to highlight the opportunities available to them in technology fields. Other programs supported

by Microsoft include Imagine Cup to help students and the public understand the transformational role that technology can play in our daily lives and DigiGirlz, to dispel gender stereotypes and to help increase the number of women in STEM careers. Partners in Learning, Games4Learning, and Kodu Game Lab provide educators and students with innovative new approaches to STEM education. Locally, Microsoft partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Boeing Company and other area companies to create Washington See STEM, on page 7

The 10 Worst Moments of Disrespect Towards President Obama

By Lauren Victoria Burke Special to the NNPA from the Washington Informer It starts with the Superiority Syndrome: People acting as if they’re more important than a U.S. President — when they clearly are not. To fingers in the face. To people questioning his already established and proven citizenship.

The incidents of disrespect towards President Obama continue.

When people criticize Administration policy, that’s just politics. But several incidents directed at this President appear to find new lows. Of course, people can disagree with the President.

But, why can’t people respect the Office of the Presidency?

The very public nature of disrespect towards President Obama is noteworthy. Did Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ) have to conduct business with the President in front of reporters?

Wasn’t there a better time and place? Would a visiting leader from a foreign country be greeted with a finger in his face by a Governor? If not, why would it happen to the leader of our own country? Could a hockey goalie have executed a quiet no-show for a White House invitation honoring his team?

See Facebook for the answer on that one.

It wasn’t the end of the world when Speaker John Boehner refused the President’s date

to speak to a joint session on jobs in September 2011. And yes, the White House picked that date to steal attention from a GOP debate. But like so many moments of disrespect towards the 44th President: No one can find another example in American history where a U.S. President requested a date to address Congress and was refused. Can anyone find another incident like the Brewer one? That the list below can even be compiled is telling.

1. The birther fiasco (20092011). No evidence. No proof.

No documentation. But the story traveled on for years. Yes, Hawaii is part of the United States of America.

2. “You lie” (Sept. 2009).

That any individual — no less a member of Congress watching a U.S. President during a joint session on live national television — is so lacking in self control that this moment was made possible is incredible — even in an age of incivility. Remember this happened only nine months into Obama’s presidency and is another “we can’t remember that ever happening ever before” moment. Close your eyes and pretend Rep. Maxine Waters was Wilson doing this to President Bush and image the reaction.

3. Signs of the Tea Party (July 2010) and Naked Racism (April 2011). Anyone remember California GOP official Marilyn Davenport’s racist e-mail? Did she ever resign for that? I re-

member all the criticism of the NAACP – particularly from Black Republicans — for their “Tea Party resolution” of 2010.

Where was that indignation regarding what can be viewed in this video? Click here.

4. Donald “unchecked ego” Trump inflames birther fiasco, media assists (April 2011). The mouth of Donald Trump is a powerful thing when joined with a 24-hour cable news cycle desperate for viewers. That news organizations invited Trump on the air unchallenged with zero proof of what he was saying speaks volumes on the state of journalism. That Trump was completely comfortable demanding that a U.S. President “show him his papers” displays a superiority complex that exists among those who can’t accept someone they view as “lesser” in a position of power over them.

4 (tie). Deadbeat dad and probable one-termer thinks his presence before the President actually matters and needs to tell everyone (Sept 2011). The disrespect isn’t that probable one term Congressman Joe Walsh (R-IL) wouldn’t attend the President’s Sept. 8 speech.

The disrespect is that Rep. Walsh actually believed that everyone knowing he wasn’t attending was important. That he needed to announce he would not attend on national television, as if anyone cared, was yet another delusional superiority episode.

That proudly showing public disrespect towards the President is a winning strategy in some political circles reveals a lot.

5. Newt Gingrich’s “Kenyan anti-colonial behavior” comment (Sept 2010). Even Washington Post columnist and conservative thinker George Will slammed this attempt to define the President as “foreign.” Never mind the facts: President Obama wasn’t reared by his father in Kenya with whom he spent only a month of his 50 years on this earth. The strategy to define the President as a “foreign” or “alien” being was started by Sarah Palin in 2008.

6. One of the underlying premises of disrespect towards the President is that he can be ordered around and dictated to like he’s Tipi the laundry boy. The presumption that a U.S. President can be ordered around is a new phenomenon that appears to have gotten underway around January 2009. From big mouth Congressmen to millionaires with nothing to do, you name it — they all inherently believe they can order President Obama around. At least Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is an actual leader of something.

Regardless, read this and ask yourself if you think this would have happened to Presidents Bush, Reagan or Clinton.

7. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer puts her finger in the President’s See obama on page 7

Constitutional Amendment to Stop the Lynching of Democracy

By Dr. Benjamin Chavis NNPA Columnist The growing Occupy the Dream movement for economic equality and empowerment emerging across the United States has correctly determined that one of its top priorities is to support fervently the passage of a Constitutional Amendment to make all federal elections publicly financed. Getting corporate money out of politics will stop and prevent the fatal lynching of our democracy. The Constitutional Amendment will be effective in the expanding national campaign to confront income inequality and economic injustice that is a direct result of the cruel manipulation of the political process by the greed and avarice of the 1%.

Democracy in the United States especially from the experience and perspective of the African American community has always been on the one hand a reflection on the history of how Black people in America have had to struggle to get the right to vote, and on the other hand there has always been a crucial need to focus on the contemporary challenges

and opportunities to fulfill the American dream of a quality life, equal liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and economic empowerment.

But the truth is that this is not just a matter of urgent concern for Black people alone.

If democracy is not for all, then it is really not a democracy.

Economic discrimination and inequality is just as wrong and devastating as racial discrimination and inequality. That is why the valiant sacrifices and struggles of African Americans, Latino Americans, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, Native Americans and others to overcome the debilitating realities and consequences of racial and social injustice have also inured transformative benefits to all Americans across the lines of race, class and ethnicity.

There is a clear correlation between the rise in poverty, income inequality and the bastardization of American democracy by the 1%. The systematic denial of the democratic right to equal economic opportunity has already consigned millions of Americans to the severe hardships of unemployment, housing foreclosures, inadequate

health care, cynicism, and massive hopelessness. For far too many Black Americans and Latino Americans, the moneycontrolled political system that aids and abets the hijacking of democracy in the United States has also led to the apartheid-like disproportionate incarceration of men, women and juveniles across the nation.

Thus the priority need for the Constitutional Amendment on this issue cannot be overstated. American democracy is now in serious jeopardy from the political abuse and neglect of the economic interests of the 99% by the 1% who disproportionately control the wealth of the nation. Too many of our elected officials are brought out and paid off to do the regressive bidding of their financial masters. Democracy is being undermined more and more each day as a result of the Supreme Court decision in the case of Citizens United v.

Federal Election Commission two years ago. Since that backward 5-4 decision, corporations have been permitted to use their money to pay for the unlimited broadcasting of game-changing political advertisements that

determine the defeat or election of candidates for the office of the President, members of Congress and other elections. The ‘conservative’ Supreme Court cancelled a 63-year ban on the use of direct corporate money in federal elections.

That is exactly why we have to free the life and future of American democracy from the despicable hands of the 1% hangmen’s noose by passing the following Constitutional Amendment: • Section1. All elections for President and members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate shall be publicly financed. No political contributions shall be permitted to any federal candidate, from any source, including the candidate.

No political expenditures shall be permitted in support of any federal candidate, or in opposition to any federal candidate, from any source, including the candidate. Nothing in this Section shall be construed o abridge the freedom of the press • Section 2. The Congress shall, by statue, provide limitaSee lynching on page 5

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

Thursday, February 2, 2012 • The Weekly Press • Page 5

Leaders

business

from page 4

but he wants one. He’s from Scotland Neck, North Carolina, but travels 30 miles to apply for unemployment and look for jobs. There are no resources or living wage jobs in his community.

Davette Bulluck, a mother of three, is unemployed in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. She cleans yards, washes dishes, and collects cans in the streets for money. Her utility bill exceeds her monthly income by $500. She’s skipped many meals so her children can eat, and often faces the prospect of choosing between electricity, water, and food.

President Obama’s American Jobs Act would create 1.9 million jobs for people like Marcellus and Davette in places like Scotland Neck and Rocky Mount. His summer jobs and tourism initiative will create hundreds of thousands more, and stimulate an economy built to last and designed for sustained prosperity.

Lynching

I applaud President Obama for adopting our long-standing priority of economic stability in communities of color, for his bold stand on job creation, and for leading the charge on reversing the economic crisis.

But Congress must match his leadership. Millions are suffering, and systemic poverty persists in almost every corner of the richest nation on earth.

In moments like this, extreme partisanship is a luxury our nation cannot afford.

It is time to pass muchneeded legislation to foster workforce training and create the kinds of jobs that allow Marcellus, Davette, and countless others to thrive, not just survive.

It is time for cooperation to trump personal political agendas.

And until it does, we must continue to speak out, stand up, and be heard.

Benjamin Todd Jealous President and CEO NAACP

from page 4

tions on the amounts and timing of the expenditures of such public funds and provide criminal penalties for any violation of this Section.

• Section 3. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

• Section 4. This article shall be inoperative unless it is ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in several States, as provided by the Constitution.

Members of Congress, including Dennis J. Kucinich, Keith M. Ellison and Jesse L. Jackson Jr and many others, are in the process of affirming their sponsorship and support of this important Constitutional Amendment. Let your member of Congress know that you support the legislation.

Our call to action is for you join us in raising consciousness about this legislative ‘solution’ that will require a strong grassroots movement in every state.

Occupy the Dream, www.occupythedream.org , is mobilizing across the country to support the Constitutional Amendment.

Let’s work to fulfill Dr. King’s dream of economic equality for all. Let’s stop the lynching of American democracy.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. is President of the HipHop Summit Action Network (HSAN) and of Education Online Services Corporation, as well as the National Director of Occupy the Dream.

Small Business Education Series Presents Information On School District’s Fair Share Program

Metro Councilwoman Ronnie Edwards

BATON ROUGE, - Small Business Education Series presents information on school district’s Fair Share Program at tomorrow’s Small Business Education Series Kick-Off at Southern University’s Global Conference Center, attendees will hear from area experts and small-business owners on various aspects of running a business.

This will include information on the East Baton Rouge Parish School System’s new Fair Share Program for women and minority

This is a group photo of the Small Business Education Series at Southern University’s Global Conference Center.

owned businesses. The series use of social media to business starts at 8am. planning, securing loans and Session topics range from preventing fraud, among others. government procurement op-T:8.5”Speakers will represent the city portunities and the effective of East Baton Rouge, the School

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Weekly Press • Thursday, February 2, 2012

“Singing in the Old Time Way” The Williams Family

BATON ROUGE, LA –The Williams Family will hold their 9th Year Anniversary celebration to be held February 10th through February 12th at the New St. Luke Baptist Church located at 538 South Boulevard which is pastored by Reverend Joseph Armstrong.

The members of the Williams Family Gospel Singers extend an invitation to local gospel groups to come and share with them in their 9th Year Annual Anniversary.

On Friday, February 10th

will be their “Blue Jean Night” which kicks off their anniversary.

This night will feature Pastor Willard Nixon, Sr., along with the Apostolic Gospel Singers and Tonya & The Daughters of Destiny. The time of this event begins at 6:30 p.m.

That Saturday, February 11th at 5:00 p.m. will the big Black History Musical Celebration. Featuring many of the local singers as the Williams portray many famous African Americans from the past. For instance, the See family, on page 7

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Singles: When It Comes To Relationships, The Heavenly Father Knows Best

By Donald Lee

In 1st Corinthians 2:14 (Amplified), the Apostle Paul offers great insight from our heavenly Father, But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.

Another passage of scripture (2nd Corinthians 6:14, KJV) tells us: Be ye not yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial?

Christian singles, be diligent in the time you spend with your

heavenly Father. The quality time with the depths of His love for Father enhances your you are so great that spirit man’s ability to your natural mind discern (or accurately can’t begin to comjudge) whether the prehend them, save person who is showfor revelation by His ing an interest in you Holy Spirit (1st Coris someone committed inthians 2:9, 10). So, to God. when the Father tells You see, when Donald you He knows the type God tells you He Lee of mate who best suits knows the end from the you, trust Him. beginning, He already It is so important for singles knows (you can infer) before that desire spouses to practice Sheila marries Mike how their living lives of consecration — story ends. The Lord knows — holy, set apart for true devotion even when Mike is declaring his to God. undying love for Sheila — that Your time with God make he’d (eventually) be saying to you less likely to be deceived by her: “It’s over. I’ll be more than a devil approaching you in the fair, but I want a divorce. form of a good-looking, charm“Hey. You can have the ing person. rental property. I’ll have Paco First John 4:1 says: Beloved, put bars on it for you. So, don’t believe not every spirit, but try thank me or nothing. It’s a rough the spirits whether they are of neighborhood. You can have God … your car and … I’ll figure evPut another way, spending erything else out.”

This dialogue — taken from filmmaker Tyler Perry’s hit movie “Why Did I Get Married?” — is a powerful depiction of what ultimately happens in many marriages. It’s a crushing, albeit accurate, portrayal of what happens (or what can happen) when children of Light, the Christ, connect with children of Belial, the devil.

If God doesn’t approve of the person you desire, remember: Father knows best.

Donald Lee, founder of Kingdom Living Christian Center in Dallas, is co-author of “Married to Commitment,” a powerful book on commitment that ministers to married couples, singles and divorcees. To order your copy, call Xulon Press toll-free at (866) 909-2665 or purchase it online at http://www. xulonpress.com. E-mail Pastor Lee at pastordonjlee@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter at @donaldj_lee.

Trying To Go Somewhere, I Ended Up Nowhere

It was one of those weeks where, if I accomplished anything that delicious slice of information has completely eluded the tiny gray cells floating in my cranium. It is not as if those little gray cells had anything else to do.

As I suffused my weary body into my La-Z-Boy chair, I knew I was tired but I could not figure out what I had done during the week to make me this tired. After all, it did not seem like I had accomplished anything of significance this week.

I was trying to do something, of course, but I had absolutely nothing to show for it. What was I trying to do this past week?

A verse of Scripture began

haunting me as I thought about this. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). What was I supposed to “doeth” that I did not get around to “doething”?

Of course, there was that funeral I had this past week. Unfortunately, I opened my book to the wrong page and begin the funeral by saying, “Dearly beloved we are gathered together here to unite these two in holy matrimony.”

Holy macaroni!

What a difference the wrong page makes. At least I was not officiating at a wedding and said, “Ashes to ashes, and dirt to dirt.” Although, to be

honest about it, I have had some weddings where I thought that phrase fit.

I was tempted, only for a moment, to query the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage but I feared she would tell me. There is

something to say about mystery.

Nothing is more mysterious than the feminine side of the marriage equation. Odd isn’t it that the marriage equation is not always See nowhere, on page 7

The Holy Trinity Baptist Fellowship Association will be Hosting Pastor’s Conference BATON ROUGE, LA - The Holy Trinity Baptist Fellowship Association invites all church leaders and the community to attend “Pastors’ Conference 2012: promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ”, February 20-23, at the New Rising Sun Baptist Church, 16444 Highland Road,

Baton Rouge, La 70810.

Classes and worship will be held nightly beginning at 6:30 pm.

Dynamic speakers will deliver powerful messages each night.

For more information, please call 225-324-9946.

Church Directory

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. - Hebrews 10:25

The Baton Rouge Weekly Press Church Directory is a great place to let the community know about your church!

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Ask about internet radio broadcast specials.

cans. Nooses not only robbed some of their lives but many of their peace of mind. ‘’As a civil society, we must understand that noose displays and lynching jokes are deeply offensive. they are wrong. And they have no place in America today,’’ he said.

Neither o’reilly nor ingraham has been reprimanded by their respective employers even though the Fox News personality did offer a half-hearted apology.

At least ingraham didn’t drop the l-word but her suggestion that Sharpton, a former presidential candidate and respected member of the African-American community ryllium is not commonly used in and beyond, is sites, a petty thief manufacturing but wasreeks presof race-baiting negative steent in a numberand of the towels. reotyping of African-Americans Because workers cannot see, and black in particular. smell or feelmen heavy metal contamiBut it’s hardly the first timeshop einants on “clean” laundered ther has they ventured towels, areinto notquestionable aware that andtowels offensive territory. can the could containhow elevated levels of heavy metals.

If workers must use laundered shop towels, yStem from they page should 4 take the following precautions:

‘M-Fer, i want more iced tea,’’’ he said.

As the Washington Post’s robinson sadly observed on MSNBC in February, ‘’All you can go by is his words and his actions. And he keeps saying these things that sound pretty darn racist to me.’’ has talk radio learned anything from imus’ decline and fall? of course not, because it didn’t take imus too terribly long to get a new gig. our nation’s media outlets should not provide a platform for racialhostility and hateful speech now or in the future. What kind of messageare we sending to our children, our nation and ourtheir world?

• Always wash hands in such an historic election year,esafter handling a shop towel, we cannotbefore stand aside and allow pecially eating. individuals to use the airwaves • Avoid wiping their hands asoran outlet insensitive and face withfor a shop towel—even misguidedcommentary. if you one that is laundered. hear something you, • Never that takeoffends shop towels speak homeup. for personal use or wash them with clothes at home.

For more information, visit www.thedirtonshoptowels. com.

cally pointed out that changes which occur in a human being is redirected to pull from the core of his own humanity to reaffirm self worth and purpose. he will then by nature acquire the will to do for himself and others. more (NAPSI)—Although Space is notpeople available to65 cover than 5 million age and concerns ofU.S. so many people older in the are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and while that number is expected to jump to 13.5 million by 2050, there is reason to hope.

That’s good news for the almost 15 million more Americans—family members, friends, neighbors and volunteers—currently caring for their loved ones with AD without any real options to help them get better.

Alzheimer’s is the only disease in the top 10 causes of death without a way to prevent, cure or even slow the progression of the disease. In fact, between 2000 and 2008, deaths from AD increased by 66 percent, while deaths from HIV, stroke, heart disease and prostate cancer all declined significantly.

Scientists have learned a great deal about potential underlying causes of AD, and advancements in treatments have been accomplished in recent years. To spur more breakthroughs and speed discoveries, scientists are focusing on early detection through neuroimaging of the brain.

“We have to understand Alzheimer’s from its earliest signs in order to treat it effectively,” said Michael Weiner, M.D., principal investigator of the Alzheimer’s

concerned with the conditions at Jetson. it is happening there.

What i do know is that most of these youth can be changed, from contrition in a prepatory school for Angola to rehabilitation for aDisease positiveNeuroimaging life that may lead to a Initiative life of meritorious glory.

(ADNI).

“If we can get a That fullerispicthe Way I See It!and identify signs ture of the brain of the disease before someone gets ill, we can develop better treatment options, which could slow the progression and one day even prevent or cure Alzheimer’s.”

ADNI, the largest Alzheimer’s study of its kind, is now in its second phase (ADNI 2). Scientists are looking for volunteers ages 55 to 90 to participate in the study to allow them to continue their research at the pace needed to be successful against the disease. They are seeking healthy individuals, those with some memory concerns and people with diagnosed AD. Participants will not only be contributing to the search for treatments and a cure for AD, they will also have the benefit of access to leading medical experts in the field. In many communities, it is difficult to find someone who knows specifically about Alzheimer’s disease, so clinical trials can be a great way to work with specialists.

“We cannot cure what we do not understand,” said Dr. Weiner.

“But with the help of volunteers across the nation, we’re on the right path and making great strides to end the Alzheimer’s epidemic.”

health

A Health Risk You Cannot See, Smell Or Feel Wiping your hands at work could expose you to lead, cadmium and other heavy metals at levels that exceed health guidelines.

Every day, millions of Americans working in manufacturing and industrial settings use laundered shop towels-the red, blue or white fabric towels that are so commonly seen in a worker’s hand or pocket—as part of their daily tasks. The towels are delivered by launderers, used throughout the day, then collected, washed and sent out again for delivery to other companies.

Gradient, an environmental and risk science consulting firm, studied the amount of heavy metal residue found on laundered shop towels and discovered that metals remained on these towels after washing. Over time, exposure to these metals could result in various negative health effects, including cancer and reproductive problems.

The Gradient study, “Evaluation of Potential Exposure to Metals in Laundered Shop Towels,” commissioned by Kimberly-Clark

Family

from page 6

following persons will portray the following person: • Sister Mary Thompson-Robertson will be Cicely Tyson; • Reverend Charlie Fisher, Sr., will be Sam Cooke; • Mama Francis Coleman will be Lena Horne; • Sister Schantel Colman will be Etta James; • Reverend Thelma Pearl will be Rosa Parks, and • Brother Edward Ausbon will be Thomas Dorsey. And other surprise guest will be there

STEM

to share in this program.

On Sunday, February 12th will be their Climax Service, which begins at 3:00p.m. Reverend Sterling Wrights, who is pastor of Beachum Grove and New Charleston Baptist Churches, will give the message.

For more information, please contact Sister Felecia Williams at (225) 335-2424, Sister Michelle Williams at (225) 778-0198 home and cell (225) 223-1738 or Sister Sandra Faye Williams at (225) 358-1855.

from page 4

STEM, a nonprofit focused on improving STEM teaching and learning in Washington state.

Recently, Microsoft announced the findings of two national surveys of college students currently pursuing STEM degrees and parents of K–12 students. The goal of the surveys was to gain insight

Obama

Professional, analyzed results of laundered shop towels submitted by various manufacturing industries, including automotive, metal manufacturing, printing and transportation. Research confirms that 100 percent of the towels tested contained toxic heavy metals, with 26 heavy metals appearing in over 90 percent.

In the course of a day’s work, the residue on shop towels may be transferred onto workers’ unprotected hands as they use the towels. Workers can then transfer metals from their hands to their faces and mouths, and once heavy metals are on workers’ faces, they may be swallowed.

Workers using the typical number of towels, 12 per day, may be exposed to levels exceeding U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), California EPA and ATSDR toxicity standards for lead, cadmium, antimony, beryllium, cobalt, copper and molybdenum.

The research found it unlikely that metals found in the tested towels could come from a single industry source. For instance, be-

about what can better prepare and inspire students to pursue post-secondary education in STEM subjects. Based on the college student survey findings, many students indicated that the decision to study STEM starts before college. Indeed, the next great engineer is not developed overnight.

from page 4

face (January 2012). The photo speaks for itself. Of course there are strong political disagreements between President Obama and Gov. Brewer. But is it just possible there was a better time and place for this conversation? Brewer said she felt “a little threatened” by President Obama. Please.

8. GOP House, prompted

by Tea Party — refuses to raise debt ceiling (Aug 2011).

Sounds like this was just hardball politics right? Let’s review the facts: The debt ceiling had been raised 69 times since 1962 without incident. Seven times during Bush II and 18 times during Reagan. Suddenly, with President Obama, a shiny new precedent is set with regard to raising the debt ceiling. Another never before seen incident is born.

9. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Publicly Announces His Top Political Priority (Dec 2010). McConnell wants the President out

of office? No news there, but, wait, there’s more to it. “Our top political priority over the next two years should be to deny President Obama a second term,” Sen. McConnell told the Heritage Foundation. Of course the Senate Republican Leader doesn’t want the President to be re-elected. But what’s with the public announcement? In July 2010 McConnell acknowledged his single most important political goal: President Obama being a one-term President. Again: In public and on national television.

10. Speaker Boehner refuses speech date request (September 2011). No it is not the end of the world. Of course, the White House intentionally wanted to step on a GOP debate that same night. But, this is yet another first in American history. Once again, no one can find another instance where a President of the United States requested a date to address Congress and was refused.

S

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could easily earn her an Oscar.

I once presented her with an Oscar Meyer wiener, but she did not enjoy the joke. Personally, I thought it was a great joke and I really did not appreciate her reaction. Needless to say, I have not repeated that sin, although temptation is what it is.

I suppose I did do things and accomplished something this past week, but it really does not explain why I am as tired as I am tonight. I can remember there was a time that I did not even know the meaning of tired. I got tired all right; I just did not know the meaning of the word tired.

Then the whole thing dawned on me. It was almost like being hit on the head with an iron skillet by you knows whom. The lights flashed. The light bulb went on. I had an epiphany to end all epiphanies.

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from page 6

even.

As I reflected upon my week past, I duly noted the activities that occupied most of my week.

Apart from the funeral, I had several hospital visits to make. As is usually the case, people conspire to go to the hospital at the same time but never at the same hospital. One even went out of town to go to a hospital.

Other visits were made and other activities attended.

Certain deadlines were staring me in the face and I stared right back at them defiantly. I am not sure who won.

Services and Bible studies needed to be prepared for which can take up a lot of time. Then, don’t you know it; my truck is always out of gas when I am in a hurry. I suppose I could fill my tank up when it got down to a certain level, but where would the fun be in that? Nothing compares to the adrenaline of being in a hurry and late for an appointment and then running out of gas.

Do not get me wrong here.

It is not that I do not enjoy giving my wife a call on the cell phone when stranded along the side of the road. It is the highlight of the stranded experience. Usually, her response to my phone call is what stresses me out.

“What,” she declares in that sarcastic tone of hers, “have you run out of gas again?”

It is her theatrical use of the word “again” that I believe

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Page 8 • The

Weekly Press • Thursday, February 2, 2012

other news

SU Begins Laying Off Employees BATON ROUGE —The financial emergency that Southern University declared in October is showing up now as the Baton Rouge university begins to lay off tenured faculty members and staff.

Chancellor James Llorens said Friday that the immediate layoffs include fewer than 10 staff employees and tenured architecture professor John Delgado, who will lose his job as of Feb. 15.

A few more tenured faculty cuts were expected this month, Llorens said, but a few resignations and retirements offset that need.

The Advocate (http://bit. ly/yrHWOW) reports that 30 more tenured faculty members could receive termination notices in March, The chancellor said the extra cuts this month were required because of an extra $2.94 million state budget cut to Southern that came down in December because of declining state revenues.

Delgado, who said he plans to appeal his firing, informed the Southern Faculty Senate on Friday that he is being let go. Delgado said he was surprised and saddened.

The termination letter was dated Jan. 10, but Delgado said he did not get it until Monday because it was placed in his campus mailbox without any other notification. The letter states the termination was necessitated by the “current financial state of Southern ... resulting largely from decreased state funding ...�

Southern declared a financial emergency, called exigency, in October as a result of ongoing state budget cuts and student enrollment losses. Exigency, which

is generally considered a serious blemish to a university, allows Southern to more easily lay off tenured faculty and ax degree programs.

The expedited layoffs of an estimated 52 non-faculty staff members are being “staggered� throughout the semester, Llorens said. In addition to eliminating more than 10 percent of the Southern faculty, the plan calls for staff layoffs in human resources, information technology and campus maintenance and then other terminations around the rest of the university, Llorens said in December. The academic college consolidations also will mean fewer deans and academic department heads, he said.

Faculty leaders on Friday continued to criticize Llorens and his administration for an alleged lack of transparency and faculty involvement in the campus reorganization process. “Right now, they have the license to get rid of anyone they want to,� said Faculty Senator Jacqulin Jacobs, who minutes prior argued, “There’s too much

corruption on this campus.�

The Faculty Senate is demanding to know the procedures and criteria for terminations and that a proper appeals process is used. In the short term, Llorens said student credit hours and classes taught by each professor are being considered, as well as an academic department’s ability to overcome the personnel losses.

The larger reorganization effort is taking a more comprehensive approach to the reviews, he said.

Southern physics professor and Faculty Senate member Diola Bagayoko said Llorens is “administrating by manipulation.�

The Southern “retrenchment and reorganization plan� approved in December also means consolidating many of the university academic colleges and departments. The draft plan would have the five colleges as the College of Education, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology; College of Business; College of Natural Sciences and Agriculture; and College of Nursing and Allied Health.

But the “target� goal also is to consolidate the number of academic department from 44 to 13, although Llorens said the number could change by the time the decisions are finalized at the end of the spring semester.

Bagayoko said most community colleges have more than 13 academic departments.

Faculty Senate Vice President Thomas Miller said such an “astounding structural change� would certainly mush differing academic programs that do not belong with each other into the same departments. “No sane person would make such a major change without nefarious purposes ... to radically transform the institution,�

Miller said.

Southern Faculty Senate President Sudhir Trivedi also reiterated plans to sue the university while alleging that the university and the Southern Board of Supervisors ignored their own bylaws and guidelines for declaring and implementing exigency. The faculty has raised more than $10,000 for legal fees, he said.

Llorens has emphasized that the reorganization should eliminate the need for faculty and staff furloughs for the next school year.

Employees are required to take 10 percent of their job time off without pay for the current fiscal year that ends June 30.

After another school year of anticipated enrollment losses in 2012-2013, Southern’s plan is projecting to start growing student enrollment. Continuing tuition increases also should offset some state budget cuts, according to the reorganization plan.

Oil is burned off the surface of the water near the source of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana, in this June 19, 2010 file photo. BP alleges that Halliburton, a subcontractor on the doomed Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, destroyed data after the Gulf oil spill.

Judge: BP Contract Shielded Halliburton in Spill

NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge has ruled that Halliburton, the Houstonbased company that supplied cement for the ill-fated Macondo well that blew in the Gulf of Mexico, may not have to pay many of the pollution claims that resulted from the catastrophic spill because it was shielded in a contract with well-owner BP. Still, U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier said Tuesday that Halliburton is not ex-

empt from paying punitive damages and civil penalties that arise from the April 20, 2010, blowout off the Louisiana coast. Those penalties could amount to billions of dollars.

The judge also said Halliburton’s indemnity could be voided if the company is found to have defrauded BP. He did not rule on BP’s allegations that Halliburton committed fraud by declaring the cement safe to use.

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