Florida Courier, June 29, 2012, #26

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Frederick Douglass’ famous speech about Fourth of July A5

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JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2012

VOLUME 20 NO. 26

A CHANCE AT FREEDOM FROM WIRE AND STAFF REPORTS

The U.S. Supreme Court this week rejected mandatory life without parole for juveniles. The ruling could mean hope for hundreds of Florida inmates sentenced as teenagers.

H

undreds of convicted murderers in Florida could get a chance to convince a judge that their terms should be reduced because they were juveniles when sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

The decision on Monday in two cases, Miller v. Alabama and Jackson v. Arkansas, struck down laws in 28 states that give mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole for minors convicted of homicide.

The 5-4 ruling, hailed by civil-rights activists, doesn’t mean Florida judges can’t still impose a life sentence on youths for first-degree murder – but they must now at least consider a defendant’s age.

More than 2,000 people are in U.S. prisons under such a sentence.

The first case involved Kuntrell Jackson, who as a 14-year-old in 1999 participated in the robbery of an Arkansas video store in which a clerk was shot and killed. Jackson did not fire the weapon, but was convicted of felony murder for participating in an armed robbery that led to a death.

The second case involved Evan Miller, who in 2003 beat an Alabama man to death with a baseball bat. Miller, 14 at the time, had been in and out of foster care because of his tumultuous family life.

Both teenagers – who under an earlier Supreme Court ruling are not eligible for the death penalty – were charged as adults.

Troubled past not considered

Cruel and unusual punishment FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Of the 77 juvenile offenders serving life without parole for a non-homicide offense in Florida when the above graphic was originally published, 76 were Black males.

Judge refuses to block voter purge

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan noted that Miller “deserved severe punishment” but that the automatic life senIn Monday’s decision, the Supreme tence did not allow a judge to consider his Court said life without parole for ju- troubled past. veniles violates the Constitution’s ban See CHANCE, Page A2 against cruel and unusual punishment.

TROPICAL STORM DEBBY 2012

Ready for some sunshine

BY BRANDON LARRABEE THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

TALLAHASSEE – A judge rejected an effort to bar the state from resuming a voter purge that is already on hold, issuing a ruling that could severely undermine the U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit against an initiative aimed at removing suspected non-citizens from the election rolls.

At the same time Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle said his ruling was driven in part by assurances from the state that it would not forward any more names to county elections supervisors based on a list of potentially ineligible voters that even the state concedes is inaccurate. That list is drawn from driver’s license and voter-registration records.

“One message I did want to send along is, I’m still here,” Hinkle said.

But for the most part, the ruling served as a major victory for the state in the first significant ruling in the complicated legal battle over the effort to remove allegedly ineligible voters from the rolls.

See VOTERS, Page A2

SNAPSHOTS

GRANT JEFFERIES/BRADENTON HERALD/MCT

After days of high winds and rain from Tropical Storm Debby, a man relaxes Wednesday on a Southwest Florida beach under clear, blue skies. After pounding Florida for days, the slow-moving Debby left the state near Jacksonville on Wednesday, leaving behind a soggy trail of damage.

Investigator was skeptical of Zimmerman’s account Watch captain’s injuries weren’t life-threatening, lead investigator states

BY ANDREAS BUTLER FLORIDA COURIER

ENTERTAINMENT | A3

Out & About at American Black Film Festival FLORIDA | A3

Group criticizes justices up for retention NATION | A6

Black Press: Lack of access to Obama disturbing FINEST | B3

Meet Sue

New documents released Tuesday show that George Zimmerman passed up two chances to let Trayvon Martin know he was a neighborhood watch volunteer.

Among the documents released by Special Prosecutor Angela Corey include a 29-page investigation report by the Sanford Police Department.

The report shows law enforcement had some doubt about Zimmerman’s story of what happened on Feb. 26. Zimmerman, 28, fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in a Sanford gated community.

Missed chances to identify self The first opportunity to identify himself as a neighborhood

watch captain in the community came when Zimmerman rolled up the window of his truck when he saw the young Black man approaching. Zimmerman told police that he rolled up the window because he was afraid.

The second came when the two found themselves face to face on a sidewalk.

Martin asked Zimmerman, “Do you have a problem?” Zimmerman replied “No” according to reports.

The report then states that Zimmerman reached into his jacket.

Police doubt injuries The investigation also states that law enforcement believed Zimmerman followed Martin as he ran through the gated community toward the townhouse where he was staying.

The lead investigator also didn’t believe that injuries Zimmerman received were lifethreatening.

“The investigative findings show physical injuries displayed

by George Michael Zimmerman were marginally consistent with

GARY W. GREEN/ORLANDO SENTINEL/MCT

George Zimmerman, left, talks to his attorney Mark O’Mara during his initial bond hearing on April 20 in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester’s courtroom in Sanford. A second bond hearing for Zimmerman was scheduled on June 29. a life-threatening episode as described by him. His actions are inconsistent of those of a person who has stated he was in fear of another subject,” wrote Chris Serino, Sanford Police investigator.

Tuesday’s report released a list of injuries sustained by Zimmer-

ALSO COMMENTARY: RAYNARD JACKSON: Romney’s terrible strategy | A2 INSIDE COMMENTARY: Lucius Gantt: Presidential Bo-Peep is losing his sheep | A4

man, which included a closed nose fracture and an open scalp wound.

Video reenacts incident More video evidence on the See ZIMMERMAN, Page A2

FOCUS

A2

JUNE 29 - JUly 5, 2012

Mitt Romney’s refusal to engage Black voters is a terrible strategy Now that Mitt Romney is the de facto nominee for the Republican Party, I have been reflecting on the state of the presidential race as it enters the final stretch. As a political strategist, I understand the necessity to run “to the right” during the Republican primary and then migrate to the center during the general election.

It is common knowledge that Romney has no intention of focusing on the Black vote during the general election. From a raw political perspective, I agree with his approach, but from a strategic perspective, I disagree.

Let me tell you why this is a terrible strategy.

Smaller Black vote There is no question that President Obama will get in excess of 90 percent of the Black vote (in 2008 he received 96 percent). But this time, he will receive 90 percent-plus of a smaller

RAYNARD JACKSON NNPA COLUMNIST

number of Blacks.

There will be fewer numbers of Blacks voting because they are disillusioned with him. The first Obama run made history, but his governing is a mystery when it comes to Blacks.

Obama’s recent endorsement of homosexual marriage and support for amnesty for illegals has infuriated the Black community. The NAACP, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, etc. have not represented the views of the average Black for decades. The NAACP will continue to hemorrhage support from within the Black community.

Many Blacks are publicly withdrawing their memberships and support from

this group.

Underskilled Blacks are livid that Obama wants to legalize more than 1 million new people into the workforce to compete with them for jobs. It’s hard enough competing with Americans for jobs. Now you have to compete with those in the country illegally?

Who in their right minds feeds the neighborhood while their own children are starving? Nobody but Obama.

Opportunities for Romney These issues give Romney an opportunity, by engaging with the Black community, to reach out to White, suburban, middle-class women voters to let them know that it’s OK to support the Republican Party.

Independent voters will determine the outcome of the election. These voters want to support a can-

didate and party that are not perceived as racist or mean-spirited. These voters don’t support homosexual marriage or amnesty for illegals, but they don’t want to see or hear harsh rhetoric, either.

Romney, are you aware that Obama has never met with any Black entrepreneurs to discuss the high unemployment rate within the Black community?

When will you meet with Black entrepreneurs to listen to them, not to preach to them?

Romney, when will you sit with Black ministers who are with you in your opposition to homosexual marriage and underskilled Blacks who will be hurt by giving work permits to illegals?

Ask for concessions Why are you going to address the NAACP and the National Urban League at their respective annual conventions this summer

Search continues for missing Palm Bay woman

ZIMMERMAN

BY ANDREAS BUTLER FLORIDA COURIER

re-enactment of the shooting was released as well. Earlier, the defense team had released the video.

This video shows Zimmerman talking with law enforcement showing what happened during the incident.

“Just scrapes there. I had a longsleeve shirt and a jacket on top. No, he was just focused on my head. Bruising there,” said Zimmerman in the video.

Authorities in Palm Bay are continuing their search for a 22-year-old Black woman who has been missing for a week.

As of Wednesday, the Palm Bay Police Department was still searching for Marsharie Lemons-Garrett, who has not been seen or heard from since June 22.

A search on Wednesday included the wooded area near Fallon Boulevard and Turkey Creek Sanctuary in Palm Bay, which is located in Brevard County. Officers scoured over the area in all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

“We are working the case and still investigating. We have interviewed people and will continue to do so,’’ said Yvonne Martinez, public information officer for the Palm Bay Police Department.

Last seen wearing purple pajamas The last person to see Lemons-Garrett was her mother, Marsha Muhammad at home on June 21.

Other reports indicate that Lemons-Garrett left her home in the 2000 block of Oakland Street the morning of June 21 around 9 a.m. wearing purple Winnie the Pooh pajamas.

Her mother returned home around 6:30 p.m. and found her daughter missing. She called police on June 22.

Lemons-Garrett is 5’8’’ and weighs 150 pounds.

She also is described as having black hair with braids. She also had no money and no cell phone, which has made the search more difficult.

Marsharie Lemons-Garrett “This definitely raises a level of concern in this particular missing person’s case,” added Martinez.

No foul play indicated Palm Bay police have recovered socks and shoes belonging to the woman.

“We will do a followup search in a particular area. We are looking at bringing in dogs. We are actually waiting on the dogs’ availability, which we will soon have,’’ Martinez explained.

Officers say that there is no indication of foul play but they are concerned about her safety.

Search continues As the search continues, detectives are interviewing family members and canvassing the area of her last-known movements.

“We are using every available resource and following every lead.

There is concern for her well being. She has no friends, cell phone or cash so we don’t have many leads,” stated Sgt. Ken Arnold of the Palm Bay Police Department.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lemons-Garrett is asked to contact the Palm Beach Police Department at 321-952-3456 or Crime Stoppers at 800423-8477.

CHANCE

from A1

Lead investigator off On Tuesday, Serino was transferred from detective work to regular street cop work.

“He will become a uniform police officer and work the night shift,” confirmed department spokesman Sgt. David Morgenstern.

Reports state that Serino had asked for the transfer. He is a 15-year veteran of the Sanford Police Department and is expected to be a witness at the trial.

Shooting sparked outrage When the Feb. 26 shooting oc-

VOTERS from A1 Way paved for more scrubbing At least two other lawsuits have been filed against the state, which is in turn suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to gain access to a federal database that officials say would make future efforts more accurate.

One key element of the ruling – that the state could pursue the removal of non-citizens within 90 days of a federal election – seemed to pave the way for some version of the scrubbing to continue, especially if the state gains access to the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements database and can prove the effort isn’t dis-

curred, Zimmerman wasn’t immediately arrested, which resulted in a wave of civil rights protests, activism and marches that descended upon Sanford and spread nationwide.

Gov. Rick Scott then appointed Corey as special investigator on the case.

A month later, Corey issued an arrest warrant for Zimmerman, charging him with second-degree murder a month later. Zimmerman soon after was released after posting a $150,000 bond.

Bond revoked Zimmerman’s defense team has claimed that he only acted in selfdefense after being attacked by the teenager. He cited the state’s controversial “stand your ground law’ as grounds for his defense.

The law allows citizens to defend themselves with deadly force when they feel threatened. It has come under intense scrutiny since Martin’s shooting.

Later, Zimmerman’s bond was revoked by Judge Kenneth Lester after authorities say Zimmerman and his wife, Shellie, lied about their finances. It was reported that she moved money around from her husband’s

criminatory.

DOJ had argued that the federal National Voter Registration Act’s ban on removing formerly eligible voters from the rolls within 90 days of a federal election also barred the state’s current program.

“We are pleased with today’s decision because it is further confirmation that we are doing the right thing and following the law,” Secretary of State Ken Detzner said in a statement issued after the ruling. “The court agreed that identifying ineligible voters who have never had a right to vote will help prevent the votes of eligible citizens from being neutralized.”

An honest election?

Hinkle did suggest that he thought the state was too cavalier about the mes-

ity of parole. But Florida lawmakers abolished parole in 1983, and with 115 defendants affected, the state was in a bind. Many of those 115 defendants have since been re-sentenced, and some have been released from custody.

Justice: Consider mitigating circumstances

portunity to consider mitigating circumstances before imposing the harshest possible penalty,” Kagan said.

“We therefore hold that mandatory life without parole for those under age 18 at the time of their crimes violates the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on ‘cruel and unusual punishments.’”

Monday’s opinion follows the Supreme Court’s 2010 decision, based on a Jacksonville case that ruled that sentencing minors to life without the possibility of parole in non-homicide cases constituted “cruel and unusual punishment.”

The teenager in that case, Terrance Graham, received probation for a robbery, but was later arrested for another armed robbery and sentenced to life in prison for violating probation.

New sentences for Florida inmates

Third major juvenile ruling in decade

In the case of young persons who take part in a homicide, “a judge or jury must have the op-

In most states, the Graham ruling meant simply amending a life sentence to include the possibil-

Justices Anthony M. Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor sid-

from A1 The law “prevents taking into account the family and home environment that surrounds him – and from which he cannot usually extricate himself – no matter how brutal or dysfunctional,” Kagan wrote.

Kagan said the decisions of the past decade have established the principle, or restored it, that “children are different” when it comes to criminal punishments.

“Our decisions rested not only on common sense – on what ‘any parent knows’ – but on science and social science as well,” she said. Juveniles are immature and are less deserving of the harshest punishments, she said.

without obtaining concessions from them? For example, if these groups want you to speak before their membership, then they must have Black Republicans as speakers and panelists or you won’t agree to speak. Do you have any Blacks on your campaign or consultants who can negotiate concessions on behalf of your campaign?

Because Republicans typically have no diversity on their staffs, they don’t know to extract these types of concessions, nor can they afford to send a White staffer to do this. Republicans are the only people I know who will send a White male to speak to a group of women about women’s issues!

Romney, when you go before these Black groups, will you also have a White speechwriter to draft your remarks?

Anyone can write a great speech, but do they understand the nuances when talking with

Monday’s high court decision drew heavily on the reasoning in Graham.

Noted Mami-Dade Assistant Public Defender Stephen Harper after Monday’s ruling: “Kids are different. They are very impulsive. They follow other people. They don’t have a full understanding of the consequences of what they’re doing. Harper estimates that some 225 Florida convicts could get new sentences.

“The court found it is important for a judge to consider all these factors.”

the Black community? A White speechwriter can’t help you with that.

This is why Republicans typically receive tepid responses when speaking before a Black audience.

Meanings are in people, not in words.

So, what I am saying to you, Romney, is that by engaging with the Black community, you are simultaneously engaging independent voters. You get a “two-fer” out of this approach and you, being the businessman that you are, should see the potential for a nice return on your investment of time.

Raynard Jackson (www. raynardjackson.com.) is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. Click on this story at www.flcourier. com to write your own response.

account. The Zimmermans had testified that they did not have access to money.

According to officers, the couple spoke in code on the phone about money that they had. Zimmerman had received money from a website set up for his defense.

Shellie was charged with perjury on June 12 but was released the same day. Zimmerman was due in court on June 29 for another bond hearing.

Police chief fired In other news relating to the case, Sanford City manager Norton Bonaparte fired Police Chief Bill Lee on June 20 for his handling of the case.

Bonaparte said Lee had lost the support of the city commission while Lee argues that his dismissal was without cause.

Lee was placed on a leave of absence after the shooting. He faced heavy criticism for not immediately arresting Zimmerman. Lee tried to quit in April but Sanford’s city council would not let him.

Captain Darren Scott, a Black officer, was named acting chief before Richard Myers was put in as the interim chief.

sage that could be sent to newly naturalized citizens who might have done nothing wrong and gotten caught up in the purge.

“It’s not nothing and it’s not trivial,” he said. “But having an ineligible voter on the list is not a solution. ... People need to know we are running an honest election.”

The ruling, which was only on a restraining order and does not end the case, seemed likely to intensify the battle over access to the SAVE database – especially with the state saying repeatedly that it was no longer using the state system to find questionable voters.

“We are not doing it today,” said Michael Carvin, who represented the state at Wednesday’s hearing.

“We aren’t doing it based on the [state] data.”

ed with Kagan on Monday.

The decision in Miller v. Alabama was the third in a decade that puts new constitutional limits on punishments for young criminals. All have come by 5-4 votes, with Kennedy joining the court’s liberal bloc.

In 2005, the court abolished the death sentence for those under 18 who are convicted of murder.

Then in 2010, the justices went further and said the life terms with no parole are unconstitutional for juveniles who commit crimes short of murder.

The recent pair of cases involving the 14-year olds asked the Supreme Court to abolish life prison terms for such young offenders. But the justices opted for a narrower ruling that targeted only mandatory laws.

Dissenters included Roberts, Thomas Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. dissented. “Put simply, if a 17-year old is convicted of deliberately murdering an innocent victim, it is not unusual for the

Scott presses for database In a statement responding to the ruling, Gov. Rick Scott continued turning up pressure on Homeland Security.

“Today’s ruling puts the burden on the federal government to provide Florida with access to the Department of Homeland Security’s citizenship database,” Scott said. “We know from just a small sample that an alarming number of noncitizens are on the voter rolls and many of them have illegally voted in past elections.”

But John “Bert” Russ, who argued the case for DOJ, said it wasn’t a sure thing that simply getting a better database would fix the problems with the purge.

“Errors will still creep in,” he said. “People will still get caught up in the process.”

murderer to receive a mandatory sentence of life without parole,” he said.

The fact that 28 states have such laws prove it is not unusual punishment. “Perhaps science and policy suggest society should show greater mercy to young killers. … But that is not our decision to make.” Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr. joined in dissent.

Alito also delivered a stinging dissent in the courtroom. He spoke of the “incredibly brutal” crimes perpetrated by 17-year olds, and he accused the majority of exposing “members of society … to the risk that these convicted murderers, if released from custody, will murder again.”

Kagan replied in a footnote that the court’s decision did not tell judges to ignore the “most heinous” crimes, but rather to reserve the harshest punishment for just such crimes.

A report by David G. Savage from McClatchy Tribune and one by the Miami Herald were used in compiling this story.

june 29 - JULY 5, 2012

FLORIDA

A3

Conservative activists target justices up for retention Restore Justice group takes aim at rulings of Lewis, Pariente, Quince

BY JOSH GOODMAN STATELINE.ORG

WASHINGTON — Robin Rorapaugh has managed two gubernatorial campaigns and two U.S. Senate races, and she was a senior adviser to Barack Obama in 2008.

But she has never been in a campaign quite like the one she’s involved in now.

The three candidates Rorapaugh represents this year won’t be appearing at fundraisers or speaking at party events. They won’t be explaining their policy views or what they plan to do if they win another term. They won’t be debating their opponents. In fact, they don’t have any opponents.

That’s because Rorapaugh’s candidates — R. Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente and Peggy Quince — are Florida Supreme Court justices. The three judges are facing retention elections, in which voters will decide whether to keep them or replace them with yet-to-be-named appointees.

Lewis, Pariente and Quince want to retain their posts, but ethics rules strictly limit how they can campaign.

“These are judges,” Rorapaugh says.

“They are not politicians.”

Retention vote every six years In many states, the difference between the two is increasingly blurry. In 2010, judicial retention elections across the country were more competitive and expensive than ever before. The most dramatic example was in Iowa, where voters removed three Supreme Court justices targeted by social conservatives for legalizing gay marriage.

Some worry that taking aim at judges to punish them for controversial rulings will politicize the judiciary — not least because it forces judges to step, however gingerly, into the world of politics. But others welcome the shift as a way to keep otherwise unaccountable judges from ignoring the public will.

In most of the 20 states with judicial retention elections, governors fill judicial vacancies by picking from a list of candidates provided by a commission that is supposed to be insulated from politics.

In Florida the Florida Bar, the state’s professional lawyers’ organization, helps choose the members of the commission.

Once appointed, judges on Florida’s highest court face a retention vote after their

Difficult question for judges

first year on the bench and every six years after that.

System in place since 1976 The merit-selection and retention system is supposed to be a middle ground between conventional elections and the federal judicial selection system, which lacks any election component. The idea is that legal experts play the primary role in selecting the judges, while the voters provide a measure of public accountability.

Florida adopted merit-selection and retention in 1976, replacing a system in which Supreme Court candidates ran in conventional elections. Scott Hawkins, president of the Florida Bar, says the old system was marred by politics, patronage and scandals. “There used to be a joke in Florida, ‘How do you become a judge? Become a friend of the governor,’” Hawkins says. “That used to be a joke. I don’t find it very funny.”

In Florida, which holds retention elections for all of its appellate court judges, no judge has ever lost. The state holds regular elections for its trial court judges.

Majority of judges face no opposition Many supporters argue the system is working as it should, because retention votes only exist to remove judges who are unfit for the job.

“You ought to have an opportunity to vote out a judge,” says Stephen Grimes, a former chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court who is defending Lewis, Pariente and Quince, “but not just on a basis that you disagree with one decision or a couple of decisions or you think the judge is a little too liberal or a little too conservative or something like that.”

Competitive retention votes are exceptionally rare — in fact, the vast majority of judges face no organized opposition at all.

Before 2010, the most famous example of a hotly contested judicial retention election was in California in 1986, when Chief Justice Rose Bird and two of her colleagues were removed after overturning dozens of death penalty verdicts.

“It’s probably one of the least active areas of American democracy,” says Charlie Hall, deputy director for public education and communications for Justice at Stake, a group that advocates for impartial courts.

Florida judges rulings criticized In 2010, however, conservatives organized opposition to Supreme Court justices in several states. In addition to Iowa,

R. Fred Lewis

Barbara Pariente

Peggy Quince

they targeted judges in Alaska, Colorado, Kansas and Illinois because of controversial rulings. Ultimately, only the Iowa justices were defeated.

Florida could be the next Iowa. While it hasn’t explicitly called for their removal, a group called “Restore Justice” is leading the criticism of Lewis, Pariente and Quince. One of the group’s videos, for example, asks, “What if we could shake the establishment to its core and take back the last liberal stronghold?”

The three justices have supported a series of misguided rulings, according to Jesse Phillips, president of Restore Justice.

Phillips points to Bush v. Gore, when the recount the Florida Supreme Court ordered was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court for violating the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause.

Setting a dangerous precedent?

He criticizes the judges for their 2000 decision to strike down a death penalty ballot measure voters had overwhelmingly approved two years earlier. And he argues they were wrong to remove from the ballot a constitutional amendment challenging the individual mandate in Obama’s health law. The Florida legislature attempted to put the measure before voters in 2010.

To Phillips, the state’s highest court has run roughshod over the voters and the legislative and executive branches of government. “There has been a long history,” Phillips says, “of the Supreme Court not respecting our right to vote.”

But defenders of Lewis, Pariente and Quince argue that all three have led distinguished careers and that the court has a moderate record. They also argue that by casting retention votes as referendums on specific court rulings, groups like Restore Justice are setting a dangerous precedent.

Says Barry Richard, a lawyer who helped win approval for Florida’s current judicial selection process as a state legislator in the 1970s: “You don’t want judges holding their finger in the wind to determine the public sentiment before they make decisions in a case.”

Judges who face contested retention elections have to answer a difficult question: How can they make the case to voters that their opponents are politicizing the courts without becoming immersed in politics themselves?

In 2010, the justices that faced retention votes answered that question in different ways and with different results. The Iowa justices preferred purity, refusing to form campaign committees to raise money and work on their behalf. They lost.

In contrast, Thomas Kilbride, the chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, raised $2.8 million for his 2010 retention vote, with much of it coming from the Illinois Democratic Party. According to a report by Justice at Stake and the Brennan Center for Justice, that was more than the combined money that every judge in every state raised for every retention elections from 2000 to 2009. Kilbride won.

Some observers see a lesson in those disparate results, including David Wiggins, an Iowa Supreme Court Justice who faces a retention vote this fall and who was also part of the court’s unanimous decision legalizing gay marriage. “If someone wants to attack me, I’m not going to let them bully me,” Wiggins told the Des Moines Register in May. “If asked to, I’ll speak up for myself.

The others didn’t do that last time. I will.”

More than jobs on the line In Florida, judicial ethics rules mean that the justices can’t appear at partisan events, personally solicit campaign dollars or speak about their views on prospective cases. Still, it’s clear the justices are making the same choice as Wiggins. Despite a $500 individual contribution limit, their campaigns have together raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. The campaigns have mobilized support from some of the heavyweights of Florida politics.

To Phillips, that’s hypocrisy. The justices’ campaigns have raised far more money so far than their critics, yet his group is the one that’s accused of bringing politics into the process.

To the defenders, though, it’s a necessary evil. Their view is that much more is on the line in the November retention votes than the careers of Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente and Peggy Quince and that, as a result, the justices would be remiss if they didn’t do everything they possibly could to beat back the challenge.

“The stakes are the independence of the judiciary,” Rorapaugh says. “Those are the stakes.”

EDITORIAL

A4

june 29 - JULY 5, 2012

Presidential Bo-Peep is losing his sheep Little Bo Peep once lost her sheep and didn’t know where to find them. Well, the Bo Peep commanderin-chief appears to be losing some of his Black sheep, and efforts to bring them back into the fold seem to be failing miserably!

If you read America’s Black newspapers, visit Black Internet sites or listen to the conversations at the neighborhood barber shops and beauty salons, the enthusiasm for Barack Obama’s reelection bid is far from what is was when he was elected four years ago.

Nothing for loyal supporters Black bloggers, editorial columnists and political pundits are especially outspoken when it comes to discussing the attitudes of Black voters in regard to their interest and participation in the 2012 election process. Many Black media folks have been quick to point out how every racial, sexual, professional and independent voting group has gotten something specific that they wanted, except for the president’s and the Democratic Party’s biggest and most loyal block of historically supportive voters – Black people.

Some people argue that African-Americans catch more hell today in America than gays, Hispanics and

Lucius Gantt THE GANTT REPORT

If you read America’s Black newspapers, visit Black Internet sites or listen to the conversations at the neighborhood barber shops and beauty salons, the enthusiasm for Barack Obama’s reelection bid is far from what is was when he was elected four years ago.

White women ever saw, together and individually!

We can’t get jobs, we can’t get contracts, we can’t get loans, we can’t buy houses, we can’t finance businesses and we can’t get justice!

Opponents of President Obama even want the nation’s top policeman, Attorney General Eric Holder, to face selective prosecution

VISUAL VIEWPOINT: ‘CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS’

and somewhat trumpedup charges for continuing a program that began under a previous presidential administration.

A different light When Obama was elected, people around the world began to look at Black Americans in a different light. World leaders thought that if a Black man could be president of the United States, Black Americans could be qualified and able to excel in areas other than politics such as in science, medicine and philosophy.

Black Americans were even welcomed by traders to participate in previously all-White professions like commodity trading, where billion dollar transactions are commonplace.

But in the American political system, all Blacks are good enough to do is to vote. No Black man or woman is qualified to orchestrate or coordinate a presidential election campaign. No Black is educated enough or smart enough to produce campaign media or to place a billion-dollar campaign media buy. Hell, Black people can’t even cater and cook chicken for a campaign lunch or dinner event.

Anybody can design and print a political campaign sign – that is, anybody but a Black person. If you did not

JOHN COLE, THE SCRANTON TIMES-TRIBUNE

ple that a candidate spends money with during a campaign are the people the candidate will spend money with after the candidate is elected.

Trick Black voters once and it may be someone else’s fault. But trick them, bamboozle them and mislead them time after time and year after year, then it becomes the Black voters’ faults if they get no political gain at all, and other less supportive voting groups get everything they want.

Tricked again?

In the pasture, the sheep The most apolitical Black can always recognize and person in the United States respond to the voice of is fully aware that the peo- the shepherd. In politics,

know, the sign printers or t-shirt makers for a national presidential campaign could easily make a million dollars.

I’ve said it before and I’ll write it again. The upcoming election will be closer than you think. President Obama will need an extraordinary turnout of African- American voters that in the very least must match the African-American voter turnout four years ago.

What color makes you mad?

When I hear about a Black person being mad with President Barack Obama, I ask what the problem is. The answer usually questions what he has done for Black people. That makes me want to scream, wondering in which century they are living!

Do I think this president has solved all the problems of all the years of neglect and setbacks left by his predecessors? No. But it’s grossly unfair to judge this president without considering all he inherited, along with the rudeness, racism, jealousies and pushback he receives from Republicans – and from some Democrats who look to Black voters to pull them through, time after time.

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq. TRICE EDNEY WIRE

this president should read and reflect on some of the questions raised herein. A bit of reflection might cause you to say you really hadn’t thought about all the things this president has done to impact our community.

Maybe everything didn’t have the word “Black” written on it, but his accomplishments do impact us.

For years, we’ve voted for people who didn’t even pretend to like us or do anything for us, and called it “voting for the lesser of two evils.”

Read and reflect Since President Obama’s in Those who are mad at office, suddenly some of us

didn’t even think about him on a daily basis. We didn’t get mad when energy officials dictated energy policy or when we invaded It’s grossly unfair to judge this president Iraq without provocation. didn’t get mad when without considering all he inherited, along weWespent over $800 billion on that illegal war, while with the rudeness, racism, jealousies and borrowing more money pushback he receives from Republicans from foreign sources than the previous 42 presidents – and from some Democrats who look to combined. We didn’t get mad when over $10 bilBlack voters to pull them through, time lion dollars disappeared in Iraq, nor when Bush and after time.

Mitt Romney embraced trade and outsourcing polhave gotten mad, siding with Court stopped a recount icies that shipped millions those who talk about “taking in Florida in 2000 and ap- of jobs out of the country. back America.” Those who pointed a president, sendexpect this president to per- ing him to the White House Bush tax cuts form miracles don’t even ask without promising us anyWe didn’t get mad when what the other side is taking thing or giving us anything.

Bush rang up $10 trillion back and how that’s going to We had no reason to supdollars in combined budimpact us. port him, but we didn’t get and current account get mad enough to push deficits, nor when we gave Didn’t get mad back against the setbacks people with more money Those mad because the brought to us by him. than they could spend over We didn’t get mad at him $1 trillion in tax breaks. We president hasn’t solved all of our problems didn’t get when he didn’t get Osa- didn’t get mad when over mad when the Supreme ma bin Laden and said he 200,000 people lost their

Good advice from John H. Johnson An article in the November 20, 1990 issue of the Richmond Times-Dispatch that was supplied by the New York Times Service opens as follows: “John H. Johnson, the owner of Ebony of Jet magazines and one of the richest Black Americans, is not altogether happy that 12 percent of his readers are White.

‘That is more than I would like to have’, he said, ‘I want to be king of the Black hill, not the mixed hill.’” The article also noted that Mr. Johnson “says he would never invite a White person to dinner unless that person had first invited him.”

Those must have been somewhat startling statements to the “nothing-willdo-but-total-integration” advocates and to those Black power advocates who considered Mr. Johnson as basically a White man with Black skin. What it demon-

A. Peter Bailey TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM

strates is that Mr. Johnson – despite what we sometimes saw in Ebony – was, to use the very old school term I first heard from my grandfather and his friends, a race man. He never put Whites on the cover of his magazines in order to get their subscriptions.

Rare events In fact, Whites on Ebony’s covers are so rare that serious collectors at the annual Black memorabilia show held every spring in Gaithersburg, Md. eagerly seek those magazines. The only White to ever be on an Ebony cover alone was Carroll

A group of people needs leadership whose goal is to be an effective representative of their people to other racial, ethnic or nationality groups.

O’Conner from the “Archie Bunker” television program.

I once sold one of those for a nice piece of change.

Unfortunately, most of those who are either in positions of Black leadership or who aspire for such positions don’t want to be kings of the Black hill. They want to hustle “leadership” of Black folks into elected or appointed political offices, corporate jobs, television hosts or faculty positions at Harvard, Yale or Princeton.

Can one imagine where we would be as a people if Brother Malcolm, Dr. King, Dorothy Height, Fannie Lou Hamer, Medgar Evers and others like them had

Opinions expressed on this editorial page are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of the newspaper or the publisher.

THE CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that Americans can best lead the world away from racism and national antagonism when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person. The Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief...that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

been motivated to Black leadership only as a stepping stone to a position with some major White institution, corporation, university or an appointed or elected political office?

‘Temperamentally unsuited’ A group of people needs leadership whose goal is to be an effective representative of their people to other racial, ethnic or nationality groups, leaders who will not be hesitant about promoting and protecting their people’s interests because of fear of losing their positions.

Serious attention should be paid to the advice to young people offered by Mr. Johnson in the article: “If you are satisfied with

the Black sheep are never called. They are taken for granted and blamed if the political shepherd is beaten and run out of office!

Michelle, help your husband out. Tell him to do things for Black people like he does things for everyone else, and the African-American press will be much kinder to his campaign.

Buy Gantt’s latest book, “Beast Too: Dead Man Writing” on Amazon.com and from bookstores everywhere. Click on this story at www.flcourier. com to write your own response. lives because they had no health insurance. Nor did we get mad when thousands of children had no money for simple exams and treatment, or when New Orleans was allowed to drown.

After years of struggle for basic human rights, some of us finally decided to get mad when a Black man is president. Illegal wars, lies, corruption, torture, 8 years of job losses by the millions, our tax dollars going to the rich, the worst economic disaster since 1929 caused by others are okay.

I don’t get it. Is Black the only color that makes some of us mad?

Dr. E. Faye Williams is national chair of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. Click on this story at www.flcourier. com to write your own response. vice president, fine. But if, like me, you are temperamentally unsuited to that and want to reach the top, do something else.”

In other words, don’t just strive to work for the New York Times and its equivalents in other arenas. Instead, learn all you can and set up your own institution or business.

Contact A. Peter Bailey at apeterb@verizon.net, or 202-716-4560. Click on this story at www.flcourier.com to write your own response.

W W W.FLCOURIER.COM Central Florida Communications Group, LLC, P.O. Box 48857 Tampa, Fl 33646, publishes the Florida Courier on Fridays. Phone: 877-3524455, toll-free. For all sales inquiries, call Lynnette Garcia, 877-352-4455 ext. 4; e-mail lgarcia@floridacourier.org.

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Charles W. Cherry, Sr. (1929-2004), Founder Julia T. Cherry, Senior Managing Member, Central Florida Communicators Group, LLC Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Cassandra CherryKittles, Charles W. Cherry II, Managing Members Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Chief Executive Officer Charles W. Cherry II, Esq., Publisher Dr. Valerie Rawls-Cherry, Human Resources Lynnette Garcia, Marketing Consultant/Sales Linda Fructuoso, Marketing Consultant/Sales, Circulation Angela VanEmmerik, Creative Director Chicago Jones, Eugene Leach, Louis Muhammad, Lisa Rogers-Cherry, Circulation Jenise Morgan, Senior Editor Starla Vaughns Cherin, Karin Davis-Thompson, James Harper, Andreas Butler, Ashley Thomas, Staff Writers Delroy Cole, Kim Gibson, Photojournalists MEMBER National Newspaper Publishers Association Society of Professional Journalists Florida Press Association Associated Press National Newspaper Association

JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2012

EDITORIAL

A5

EDITOR'S NOTE: On July 5, 1852, anti-slavery crusader Frederick Douglass spoke at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Rochester, N.Y. Excerpts appear below.

What to enslaved Africans is the Fourth of July?

The Fourth of July...marks the beginning of another year of your national life...Nations number their years by thousands. You are...still lingering in the period of childhood. Were the nation older, the patriotís heart might be sadder, and the reformerís brow heavier.

Our eyes are met with demonstrations of joyous enthusiasm. The ear-piercing fife and the stirring drum unite their accents with the ascending peal of a thousand church bells. Prayers are made, hymns are sung, and sermons are preached in honor of this day; while the quick martial tramp of a great and multitudinous nation, echoed back by all the hills, valleys and mountains of a vast continent, bespeak the occasion one of thrilling and universal interests nationís jubilee.

Why am I here? ...(W)hy am I called upon to speak here today? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us?

And am I, therefore, called upon to bring our humble offering to the national altar, and to confess the benefits and express devout gratitude for the blessings resulting from your independence to us?

I say it with a sad sense of the disparity between us, I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us.

The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought life and healing to you has brought stripes and death to me.

This Fourth [of ] July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony. Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak today?

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yea! We wept when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there, they that carried us away captive, required of us a song; and they who wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

How can we sing the Lordís song in a strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.

Fellow-citizens; above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are, today, rendered more intolerable by the jubilee shouts that reach them. If I do forget, if I do not faithfully remember those bleeding children of sorrow this day, “may my right hand forget her cunning, and may my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth!”

To forget them, to pass lightly over their wrongs, and to chime in with the popular theme, would be treason most scandalous and shocking, and would make me a reproach before God and the world.

From the slave's perspective Standing, there, identified with the American bondman, making his wrongs mine, I do not hesitate to declare, with all my soul, that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this Fourth of July!

Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting.

America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future. Standing with God and the crushed and bleeding slave on this occasion, I will, in the name of humanity which is outraged, in the name of liberty which is fettered, in the name of the Constitution and the Bible, which are disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call in question and to denounce, with all the emphasis I can command, everything that serves to perpetuate slavery-the great sin and shame of America!

yet, you cling to it, as if it were the sheet anchor of all your hopes.

Oh! Be warned! A horrible reptile is coiled up in your nationís bosom; the venomous creature is nursing at the tender breast of your youthful republic; for the love of God, tear away, and fling from you the hideous monster, and let the weight of twenty millions crush and destroy it forever!

Frederick Douglass JULY 5, 1852

I will not equivocate; I will not excuse; I will use the severest language I can command; and yet not one word shall escape me that any man, whose judgment is not blinded by prejudice, or who is not at heart a slaveholder, shall not confess to be right and just.

No persuasion needed But I fancy I hear some one of my audience say, it is just in this circumstance that you and your brother abolitionists fail to make a favorable impression on the public mind. Would you argue more, and denounce less, would you persuade more, and rebuke less, your cause would be much more likely to succeed. But, I submit, where all is plain there is nothing to be argued. Must I undertake to prove that the slave is a man? That point is conceded already.

There are seventy-two crimes in the state of Virginia, which, if committed by a Black man, (no matter how ignorant he be), subject him to the punishment of death, while only two of the same crimes will subject a White man to the like punishment. What is this but the acknowledgement that the slave is a moral, intellectual and responsible being?

It is admitted in the fact that Southern statute books are covered with enactments forbidding, under severe fines and penalties, the teaching of the slave to read or to write. When you can point to any such laws, in reference to the beasts of the field, then I may consent to argue the manhood of the slave.

Is it not astonishing that, while we are plowing, planting and reaping, using all kinds of mechanical tools, erecting houses, constructing bridges, building ships, working in metals of brass, iron, copper, silver and gold; that, while we are reading, writing and ciphering, acting as clerks, merchants and secretaries, having among us lawyers, doctors, ministers, poets, authors, editors, orators and teachers; that, while we are engaged in all manner of enterprises common to other men, digging gold in California, capturing the whale in the Pacific, feeding sheep and cattle on the hill-side, living, moving, acting, thinking, planning, living in families as husbands, wives and children, and, above all, confessing and worshipping the Christianís God, and looking hopefully for life and immortality beyond the grave, we are called upon to prove that we are men!

Would you have me argue that man is entitled to liberty? You have already declared it. Must I argue the wrongfulness of slavery? Is it to be settled by the rules of logic and argumentation, as a matter beset with great difficulty, involving a doubtful application of the principle of justice, hard to be understood? There is not a man beneath the canopy of heaven that does not know that slavery is wrong for him.

What, am I to argue that it is wrong to make men brutes, to rob them of their liberty, to work them without wages, to keep them ignorant of their relations to their fellow men, to beat them with sticks, to fl ay their flesh with the lash, to load their limbs with irons, to hunt them with dogs, to sell them at auction, to sunder their families, to knock out their teeth, to burn their flesh, to starve them into obedience and submission to their masters? Must I argue that a system thus marked with blood, and stained with pollution, is wrong? No! I have better employments for my time and strength than such arguments would imply.

Fire and thunder O! Had I the ability, and could I reach the nationís ear, I would, today, pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke. For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder.

We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake. The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crimes against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced.

What, to the American slave,

I still have hope

Photo courtesy of The Library of Congress

is your Fourth of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelly to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy ñ a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of these United States at this very hour.

Go where you may, search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms of the old world, travel through South America, search out every abuse, and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the everyday practices of this nation, and you will say with me, that, for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival.

Defiled Christianity (T)he church of this country... takes sides with the oppressors.

It has made itself the bulwark of American slavery, and the shield of American slavehunters. Many of its most eloquent Divines who stand as the very lights of the church, have shamelessly given the sanction of religion and the Bible to the whole slave system.

They have taught that man may, properly, be a slave; that the relation of master and slave is ordained of God; that to send back an escaped bondman to his master is clearly the duty of all the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ; and this horrible blasphemy is palmed off upon the world for Christianity.

For my part, I would say, welcome infidelity! Welcome atheism! Welcome anything! In preference to the gospel, as preached by those Divines!

These ministers make religion a cold and flinty hearted thing, having neither principles of right action, nor bowels of compassion. They strip the love of God of its beauty, and leave the throng of religion a huge, horrible, repulsive form. It is a religion for oppressors, tyrants, man-stealers, and thugs.

But a religion which favors the rich against the poor; which exalts the proud above the humble; which divides mankind into two classes, tyrants and slaves; which says to the man in chains, stay there; and to the oppressor, oppress on; it is a religion which may be professed and enjoyed by all the robbers and enslavers of mankind; it makes God a respecter of persons, denies His fatherhood of the race, and tramples in the dust the great truth of the brotherhood of man.

All this we affirm to be true of

the popular church, and the popular worship of our land and nation ñ a religion, a church, and a worship, which, on the authority of inspired wisdom, we pronounce to be an abomination in the sight of God.

Inconsistency, hypocrisy Americans! Your republican politics, not less than your republican religion, are flagrantly inconsistent.

You boast of your love of liberty, your superior civilization, and your pure Christianity, while the whole political power of the nation (as embodied in the two great political parties), is solemnly pledged to support and perpetuate the enslavement of three millions of your countrymen.

You invite to your shores fugitives of oppression from abroad, honor them with banquets, greet them with ovations, cheer them, toast them, salute them, protect them, and pour out your money to them like water; but the fugitives from your own land you advertise, hunt, arrest, shoot and kill.

You are all on fire at the mention of liberty for France or for Ireland; but are as cold as an iceberg at the thought of liberty for the enslaved of America.

You can bare your bosom to the storm of British artillery to throw off a three-penny tax on tea; and yet wring the last hardearned farthing from the grasp of the Black laborers of your country.

You profess to believe “that, of one blood, God made all nations of men to dwell on the face of all the earth,” and hath commanded all men, everywhere to love one another; yet you notoriously hate, (and glory in your hatred), all men whose skins are not colored like your own.

You declare, before the world, and are understood by the world to declare, that you “hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal; and are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; and that, among these are, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;” and yet, you hold securely, in a bondage which, according to your own Thomas Jefferson, “is worse than ages of that which your fathers rose in rebellion to oppose,” a seventh part of the inhabitants of your country.

I will not enlarge further on your national inconsistencies.

The existence of slavery in this country brands your republicanism as a sham, your humanity as a base pretence, and your Christianity as a lie. It destroys your moral power abroad; it corrupts your politicians at home. It saps the foundation of religion; it makes your name a hissing, and a byword to a mocking earth.

It is the antagonistic force in your government, the only thing that seriously disturbs and endangers your Union. It fetters your progress; it is the enemy of improvement, the deadly foe of education; it fosters pride; it breeds insolence; it promotes vice; it shelters crime; it is a curse to the earth that supports it; and

...(N)ot withstanding the dark picture I have this day presented of the state of the nation, I do not despair of this country...I, therefore, leave off where I began, with hope.

No nation can now shut itself up from the surrounding world, and trot round in the same old path of its fathers without interference.

The time was when such could be done. Long established customs of hurtful character could formerly fence themselves in, and do their evil work with social impunity. Knowledge was then confined and enjoyed by the privileged few, and the multitude walked on in mental darkness.

But a change has now come over the affairs of mankind.

Walled cities and empires have become unfashionable. The arm of commerce has borne away the gates of the strong city. Intelligence is penetrating the darkest corners of the globe. It makes its pathway over and under the sea, as well as on the earth.

Oceans no longer divide, but link nations together. From Boston to London is now a holiday excursion. Space is comparatively annihilated. Thoughts expressed on one side of the Atlantic are distinctly heard on the other. No abuse, no outrage whether in taste, sport or avarice, can now hide itself from the all pervading light.

In the fervent aspirations of William Lloyd Garrison, I say, and let every heart join in saying it: God speed the year of jubilee The wide world o'er!

When from their galling chains set free, Th' oppress'd shall vilely bend the knee, And wear the yoke of tyranny Like brutes no more.

That year will come, and freedom's reign, To man his plundered rights again Restore.

God speed the day when human blood Shall cease to flow!

In every clime be understood, The claims of human brotherhood, And each return for evil, good, Not blow for blow; That day will come all feuds to end, And change into a faithful friend Each foe.

God speed the hour, the glorious hour, When none on earth Shall exercise a lordly power, Nor in a tyrant's presence cower; But to all manhood's stature tower, By equal birth!

That hour will come, to each, to all, And from his Prison-house, to thrall Go forth.

Until that year, day, hour, arrive, With head, and heart, and hand I'll strive, To break the rod, and rend the gyve, The spoiler of his prey deprive -So witness Heaven!

And never from my chosen post, Whate'er the peril or the cost, Be driven.

TOj A6

NATION

JUNE 29 – JULY 5, 2012

Black Press: President Obama still doesn’t get it Denial of interviews, lack of access will impact election, publishers say

reau Chief Hilary Shelton, who said that he is on Capitol Hill and in the White House at least once a week, said he also has witnessed a breakdown in communi-

cations.

“They don’t know how to talk about all of the great things they’ve done. We do a better job at the NAACP of talking about what [Pres-

ident Obama] has done for us,” he said.

“We talk about the health care bill. The first bill the president signed into law around health

care was S-CHIP. Four million children added to the health care roll, 35 percent of them were AfricanAmerican. They should have claimed that victory.

We did. I know Broderick gets it, but there are a lot of people in the White House press office who don’t. And they’re going to have to fix that problem.”

BY AKEYA DICKSON WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT NNPA NEWS SERVICE

ATLANTA – A panel discussion last week at the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s annual convention titled, “Get Out the Vote” should have been renamed “Get Out the Anger” as Black newspaper owners expressed their displeasure over the Obama administration’s failure to accommodate the needs of the Black Press.

“We don’t think the president has ever spoken to us. He’s spoken to the Latino community and he’s been specific,” said Robert W. Bogle, publisher of the Philadelphia Tribune and a former NNPA president.

“This is the first president since Franklin Roosevelt that has not invited the Black press to the White House [for an interview].”

Although Obama has met several times with Black newspaper publishers at the White House, he has never addressed an NNPA convention. The NNPA News Service has made repeated requests for a one-on-one interview with the president, but those requests have been denied.

Other African-American media outlets cited similar experiences. Heart & Soul magazine, a health and fitness magazine for women of color, offered to place Michelle Obama on the cover but they were denied an interview with the first lady.

Time for comedy

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Black media executives, many of them strong supporters of President Obama, are puzzled by the Obamas’ frequent appearances on late-night comedy shows yet his staff can’t – or won’t – find time for them to be interviewed by the Black Press.

Dorothy Leavell, immediate past president of the NNPA Foundation, which operates the NNPA News Service, and BlackPressUSA.com, said the last time the NNPA was granted an interview with Obama was before he assumed office.

“I have made several requests that we be allowed to have an interview. All 200 of us cannot get an interview with the president.

That’s unreasonable,” she said. “But for a national organization such as NNPA to not be allowed to interview the president, that’s unacceptable.”

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More complaints Disillusionment with the president and his staff is not limited to the Black press.

“They (the Black community) feel that they’re being taken for granted; they don’t feel included,” said Jaime Cain, publisher of the Times Weekly newspaper in Joliet, Ill. Broderick Johnson, a campaign senior adviser to Obama, said at the June 21 session: “I also honestly won’t apologize for defending the president’s record.

“So I’m okay with people saying you’re being kind of defensive about his record because I want to defend his record, that’s my responsibility. And I hope that I’m conveying that there’s a lot that the president is doing that needs to be articulated with your help in ways that your readers and your communities hear and appreciate.

So I hear you.”

But some said that record is not being effectively communicated.

Breakdown in communications NAACP Washington Bu-

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HEALTH FOOD || HEALTH TRAVEL | |MONEY SCIENCE | BOOKS | MOVIES | TV | AUTOS LIFE | FAITH | EVENTS | CLASSIFIEDS | ENTERTAINMENT | SPORTS | FOOD June 29 - July 5, 2012

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Summer getaways in Florida, nationwide See page B4

SHARING BLACK LIFE, STATEWIDE

Female African entrepreneurs get business advice in US See page B5

SOUTH FLORIDA / TREASURE COAST AREA www.flcourier.com

American Black Film Festival

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SECTION

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1. Boris Kodjoe 2. Mara Brock-Akil and husband Salim 3. Eddie Griffin 4. J.B. Smoove 5. Tracee Ellis Ross

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Premieres presentations parties 2

PHOTOS AND STORY BY KIM GIBSON/FLORIDA COURIER

The 16th Annual American Black Film Festival took place June 20-23 on Miami Beach and attracted plenty of entertainers, filmmakers and moviegoers. The four days were filled with movie premieres, film workshops, panel discussions and star-studded parties.

Highlights included a panel conversation featuring “Think Like A Man’’ filmmakers Will Packer, Rob Hardy and Tim Story as well as actor Terrence J. A presentation of the ABFF Hall of Fame award was presented after that event to Packer and Hardy.

The premiere of an upcoming documentary film on CNN about AfricanAmericans and the voting process was hosted by CNN’s Don Lemon. That panel included “Grey’s Anatomy’’ actor Jesse Williams.

Another session was “A Conversation with Hollywood’s Power Couple’’ Salim Akil and Mara Brock-Akil.

6. Porscha Coleman 7. Don Lemon and Jesse Williams 8. Michael Beach

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9. Malinda and Vanessa Williams

‘True Blood’ stars among guests Other celebs in attendance at the festival were Sufe Bradshaw, Nelson Ellis and Adina Porter of “True Blood;’’ Michael K. Williams of “The Wire;” and J.B. Smoove from “Curb Your Enthusiasm.’’

Also at the festival were veteran actor and film director Bill Duke along with Mekhi Phifer and Robert Townsend.

Although rain from Tropical Storm Debby tried to dampen the weekend, the ABFF didn’t skip a beat. Outdoor festivities were moved inside, including a red carpet event for the premiere screening of “Raising Izzie,” a TV movie due out on GMC in July starring Vanessa Williams and Rockmond Dunbar of the “Soul Food’’ series.

For more information on the American Black Film Festival, visit www.ABFF.com.

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CALENDAR

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JUNE 29 - July 5, 2012

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FLORIDA COMMUNITY CALENDAR Miami: Ice Cube, T.I., Young Jeezy, Wale, DJ Khaled, Fat Joe and Waka Flocka Flame will be at the Klipsch Amphitheater in Miami on July 7 for the Radio One Fest.

FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS Key Biscayne parade Enjoy a parade of floats, high school marching bands and street entertainers in the style of a traditional small-town celebration on Crandon Boulevard, Village Green, Key Biscayne at 11 a.m.

Speedway race The City of Homestead will celebrate the Fourth of July with the annual Race to the Fourth event inside the Homestead-Miami Speedway offering live music, children’s rides, and food and drink vendors. A limited number of $10 tickets are available for sale and include VIP parking, food and drinks and a preferred view of the fireworks from the VIP Champion’s Club. More information: 305-224-4580.

Coconut Grove picnic Celebrate the Fourth at an old-fashioned picnic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Barnacle Historic State Park, 3485 Main Hwy., Coconut Grove. Kids can make their own kites, toy boats and paper dolls. Take a blanket and a picnic lunch.

Bayfront Park bash Downtown Miami’s Bayfront Park, 301 N. Biscayne Blvd., will be site of a fireworks display, children’s activities, food and drinks on the

Fourth. A kids zone will be open from 3 p.m.

– 7 p.m. with a fireworks show at 9 p.m.

Peacock Park fireworks Visit Coconut Grove’s Peacock Park for live music, food, kidz zone and fireworks beginning at 4 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m. at 2820 McFarlane Road, Coconut Grove.

Fort Lauderdale games Family activities, beach games and competitions will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and entertainment continues throughout the day on Fort Lauderdale Beach at A1A and Las Olas Boulevard. A fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m.

Doral celebration The City of Doral hosts its annual Independence Day Celebration beginning at 7 p.m.

Festivities include a concert and fireworks show at 9 p.m. at J.C. Bermudez Park, 3000 NW 87th Ave. More information: www. cityofdoral.com.

Miami Beach fireworks The City of Miami Beach presents its annual free Fourth of July patriotic celebration of music and fireworks at 7:30 p.m. at Eigth Street and Ocean Drive. No coolers or bottles will be permitted on the beach.

Miami: The Dance NOW! and Little Haiti Cultural Center is hosting a summer dance intensive training local teens over the summer in ballet, modern, jazz, musical theatre, hip-hop, Afro-Brazillian, West African and Haitian Folklore dance styles. The Summer Intensive Show culminates with a performance which shows off the students’ gifts as performers on July 7 at 7 p.m. 212 NE 59th Terrace.

Tickets: $10 at the door. More information: 305-960-2967 or www.dancenowmiami.org Fort Lauderdale: A threehour cooking class with professionally trained chefs is scheduled at City College Fort Lauderdale, 2000 W. Commercial Blvd. The class is 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. MondaySaturday. Cost: $39.99 per person per class. More information: 954-703-6745 or www.chef954.com.

Miami: The Funkshion Fashion Week Miami Beach will be held from July 17- July 22 at various locations throughout Miami and Miami Beach.

More information: www. fashionweekmiami.com or 305-673-2756.

Boca Raton: An open mic night for 18 and up featuring comedy, poetry and music is held every Monday at the Funky Biscuit in the back of Royal Palm Plaza, 303 SE Mizner Blvd. Sign up is at 8 p.m.; show time begins at

one of the

DMX

DMX will be at Firestone Live Orlando July 7 for a 10 p.m. show.

8:30 p.m. More information: Richy Lala 561-512-8472.

Miami: Fantasia, Keith Sweat, Guy, K-Ci & Jo-Jo will be at the American Airline Arena for the Fresh Music Festival July 12 for an 8 p.m. show.

Miami: Nicki Minaj will be at the James L. Knight on July 24 for an 8 p.m. show.

Miami: Tickets are now on sale for a show featuring Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez at the American Airlines Arena on Aug. 31.

Miami: The King’s Men Tour with Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin and Israel Houghton is scheduled at the American Airlines Arena on Sept. 30.

Miami: Miami-Dade County hosts a Downtown Harvest Market every Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Residents and visitors have the opportunity to purchase seasonal produce directly from MiamiDade growers, handmade artisanal foods and crafts, green products, healing arts and plants, and more at the Stephen P. Clark Center’s Courtyard, 111 NW 1st St. More information: www.earthlearning.org.

Miramar: Jeffrey Osborne, Millie Jackson, Ken Boothe and more will be at the Miramar Regional Park in Miramar July 8 for a 3 p.m. show.

Hollywood: Al Green will perform at Hard Rock Live Hollywood July 2 at 8 p.m.

“

funniest

T:7 in

movieS of all time!

”

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Mark S. Allen, CBS-TV

Who would have thought? Alfred L. Cralle did in 1897. The Ice Cream Scoop, developed by Alfred Cralle,

TAMPA COURIER FRI 6/29 1/4 PG. (4.93" X 10") ALL.TED.0629.TFCEMAIL

is just one of the many life-changing innovations that came from the mind of an African American.

We must do all we can to support minority education today, so we don’t miss out on the next big

idea tomorrow. To find out more about African American innovators and to support the United Negro College Fund, visit us at uncf.org or call 1-800-332-UNCF. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND MEDIA RIGHTS CAPITAL PRESENT A FUZZY DOOR PRODUCTION A BLUEGRASS FILMS PRODUCTIMUSICON A SMART ENTERTAIEXECUTIVE NMENT PRODUCTION A FILM BY SETH MACFARLANE MARK WAHLBERG MILA KUNIS SETH MACFARLANE “TED” JOEL MCHALE GIOVANNI RIBISI BY WALTER MURPHY PRODUCER JONATHAN MONE STORY SCREENPLAY PRODUCED

BY SETH MACFARLANE & ALEC SULKIN & WELLESLEY WILD

BY SCOTT STUBER SETH MACFARLANE JOHN JACOBSJASON CLARK BY SETH MACFARLANE DIRECTED A UNIVERSAL RELEASE

BY SETH MACFARLANE SOUNDTRACK ON UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC RECORDS

© 2012 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

staRts fRiDaY, June 29

CheCK loCal listinGs foR theateRs anD shoWtimes MOBILE USERS: For Showtimes – Text TED with your ZIP CODE to 43KIX (43549)! No charge from 43KIX, Msg&data rates may apply. Text HELP for info.

©2008 UNCF

STOJ

FINEST & ENTERTAINMENT

June 29 - JULY 5, 2012

Meet some of

Think you’re one of Florida’s Finest?

E-mail your high-resolution digital photo in casual wear or bathing suit taken in front of a plain background with few distractions, to news@flcourier.com with a short biography of yourself and your contact information. (No nude/glamour/ fashion photography, please!) In order to be considered, you must be at least 18 years of age. Acceptance of the photographs submitted is in the sole and absolute discretion of Florida Courier editors. We reserve the right to retain your photograph even if it is not published. If you are selected, you will be contacted by e-mail and further instructions will be given.

FLORIDA'S

finest

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submitted for your approval

A Florida Courier photojournalist was onboard Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas with thousands of “Tom Joyner Morning Show” fans on the Fantastic Voyage 2011 & 2012. We’re featuring some of the “Finest” cruisers.

sue

roddrick

50 Cent released from hospital ASSOCIATED PRESS

A representative for 50 Cent says the rapper is out of the hospital after being injured in a car accident in New York on Tuesday morning.

The rep says 50 Cent was taken to New York Hospital Queens where he was treated for “minor neck and back injuries” and is

now “doing fine.”

Bruce Miller, who was driving the car, also was injured and has been released from the hospital.

Photos of the 36-year-old rapper on a stretcher are posted on his website. The Grammy winner, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, appears in a neck brace in two photos on the website www.

ThisIs50.com.

50 Cent

Faith Evans joins four other ‘R&B Divas’ in new reality show Faith Evans is shown at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 13, 2011.

She will be featured in a new reality show on TV One.

EURWEB.COM

UNIVERSAL PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH RELATIVITY MEDIA A MORITZ BORMAN PRODUCTION AN OLIVER STONE FILM “SAVAGES” TAYLOR KITSCH BLAKE LIVELY CASTING AARON JOHNSON AND JOHN TRAVOLTA BENICIO DEL TORO SALMA HAYEK BY SARAH HALLEY FINN CSA MUSICBY ADAM PETERS MUSIC EXECUTIVE PRODUCER BUDD CARR PRODUCED BASED ON EXECUTIVE

BY MORI T Z BORMAN & ERI C KOPELOFF THE NOVEL BY DON WINSLOW PRODUCERS FERNANDO SULI C HI N SHANE SALERNO TODD ARNOW SCREENPLAY DIRECTED

BY SHANE SALERNO & DON WINSLOW & OLIVER STONE

BY OLIVER STONE A UNIVERSAL PICTURE SOUNDTRACK ON BACK LOT MUSIC AND VARÈSE SARABANDE

© 2012 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

STARTS FRIDAY, JULY 6

CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES

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This summer, TV One will debut a new reality series strictly based on women in music.

“R&B Divas” documents the real-life stories of five multi-talented singers including Faith Evans, Nicci Gilbert, Monifah Carter, Syleena Johnson and Keke Wyatt.

The ladies have seen it all – ups, downs, success, and failures. As veterans in the industry, they know what they need to take their careers to the next level. Equipped with wisdom and a few years under their belts, they are ready to make moves in music no one has ever seen before.

These friends come together, at the instigation of Faith Evans, to produce a charity album inspired by her friend, Whitney Houston. In honor of the late singer, proceeds from the album will benefit the Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts, an institution that Houston attended, located in her home-

Drake, Chris Brown offered $1 million each to duke it out EURWEB.COM

Chris Brown and Drake have been offered $1 million each to continue their feud in a boxing ring.

The pair and their entourages were involved in a brawl at a New York club earlier this month

LIONEL HAHN/ ABACA PRESS/MCT

town of East Orange, N.J. At the same time, they are all juggling myriad personal challenges and responsibilities in addition to making music – including raising families.

“R&B Divas” is an eight-episode onehour series that is filmed primarily in Atlanta. It debuts Aug. 20 on TV One.

in which several people were injured. Now, a promoter for Celebrity Boxing has revealed that billionaire Alki David has offered to pay them each $1 million, and give another $1 million to charity if they take part in a public fight.

“Obviously they have a grudge.

It’s just three one-minute rounds.

No one will get seriously hurt,” Damon Feldman told the New York Daily News.

Their feud reportedly started over Rihanna, who had a fling with Drake after splitting up with Brown after he beat her three years ago.

Chris Brown

Drake

TRAVEL

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3 Hot ideas in 5 sizzling varieties

5 sizzling getaway ideas

T

his time of year, summer travel is at the forefront of people’s thoughts — but the planning itself can be a headache.

Looking to kick start the process?

Take a look at the Oyster.com editors’ top picks for where to go and what to bring, and get inspired! — Oyster.com Staff

5 pretty pools 1. Mondrian South Beach (Miami)

1. Napa: Napa, Calif., is best known for its wine tasting and romantic, sprawling vineyards, but its top-notch spas and incredible dining shouldn’t be overlooked. One of the country’s top restaurants, French Laundry, by famed chef Thomas Keller, is located here.

Hotel Splurge: The 5-pearl Calistoga Ranch (above), an Auberge Resort in Napa Valley has gorgeous, romantic rooms complete with working fireplaces, private Jacuzzis, and outdoor rain showers.

Hotel Steal: The EuroSpa & Inn in Calistoga has free Wi-Fi, amazing views from the pool and hot tub, and spacious units furnished with wet bars and microwaves. Plus, breakfast is on the house.

2. Hotel Gansevoort (New York City)

3. St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort (Orange County, Calif.)

4. The Joule, A Luxury Collection Hotel (Dallas)

5. Market Pavilion Hotel (Charleston, S.C.)

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june 29 – JULY 5, 2012

2. Cape Cod: This peninsula off of northeastern Massachusetts is a storied summer vacation spot — for a reason. Its sand dunes, quaint fishing towns, old lighthouses and rich colonial history (Provincetown is where the pilgrims first landed) make it an idyllic seaside destination.

Hotel Splurge: Nestled near the heart of Chatham on 25 scenic acres overlooking Pleasant Bay, Chatham Bars Inn (above) has been a local staple since 1914. Don’t let the term “inn” fool you, this property is big and amenitiespacked, with a beautiful spa, modern fitness center, scenic beach, fine dining, private chartered boats and classic clay tennis courts.

Hotel Steal: The quaint B&B Snug Cottage is one of the best deals in Provincetown, with eight rustic, cozy rooms, free afternoon treats such as lemonade and cookies, and a can’t-be-

beat location.

3. San Juan Islands: The islands in this archipelago off the coast of Seattle are postcard perfect, with dense forests, rocky beaches and impressive wildlife — visitors can spot Orca whales, bald eagles and seals. Outdoor activities include hiking, biking, kayaking and sailing.

Hotel Splurge: Lakedale Resort at

Three Lakes (bottom, left) on San Juan Island is an 82-acre lakefront property with picnic spots and a range of accommodations — from camping to luxury lodge rooms. The lodge rooms have gas fireplaces, patios and Molton Brown toiletries.

Hotel Steal: The Outlook Inn on Orcas Island is aptly named: The hotel has stunning views of Eastsound from almost anywhere you stand. This property is the only full-service hotel in Eastsound and its romantic ambience, on-site chapel and excellent food from the New Leaf Café make it a popular spot for wedding parties.

4. The Hamptons: This string of beach towns on the South Fork of Long Island, N.Y., is famous for its moneyed residents and glamorous party scene, but visitors can also find laid-back surfing towns, quaint villages, a range of outdoor activities and, of course, beautiful beaches.

Hotel Splurge: The elegant East Hampton Art House Bed & Breakfast (above) is, as its name suggests, a house full of art. It has only four rooms, but the amenities of a larger property, including a lovely outdoor pool and a fitness center.

Hotel Steal: Prices at Sea Crest on the Ocean are among the least expensive in the Hamptons, especially considering the location steps from the beach.

This two-level condo property between Amagansett and Montauk offers multibedroom units with kitchens.

5. Florida Panhandle: The Florida Panhandle is laid-back and familyfriendly, and its miles of white-sand beaches, beautiful state parks, historic sites and great fishing attract millions of visitors every year.

Hotel Splurge: The Margaritaville Beach Hotel in Pensacola, right on a beautiful stretch of sandy coastline, offers sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico from the sleek outdoor pool. Rooms are sophisticated, clean and airy with huge balconies, flat-screen TVs and free Internet.

Hotel Steal: The Carillon Beach Inn in Panama City Beach is a 70-room, all-suite property with modern furnishings and sharp decor located on Lake Carillon in a sprawling, villagelike resort complex. While the location doesn’t offer direct beach access, the sand is less than a five-minute walk away and guests get access to the many amenities of the Carillon Beach resort community.

Oyster Staff Picks: 5 summer essentials 1. “I carry my Kindle with me everywhere — and this includes the beach and the pool. Having a waterproof case for it has proven essential for me. There are also great options for iPads, Androids, and any other device that needs protection.” — Kelsey Blodget, editorial director (TrendyDigital WaterGuard Plus Waterproof Case for Kindle, $20; amazon.com) 2. “As a music junkie, I like to have my tunes ready to play on the go.

This boom box is battery-operated, equipped with FM radio, and is iPhoneready, doubling as a charger if plugged into the wall. And how cute is the retro design?” — Rachel Jacoby, senior editor (iHome iP4PZ Portable FM Stereo Boombox for iPhone in Pink, $198; amazon.com)

3. “Love the Camelbak — it proved indispensible while hiking through Zion National Park last summer! It holds the standard two liters for a day of hiking and has convenient storage pockets for power bars, keys and other small necessities.” — Devon Antonetti, editorial intern (CamelBak Aurora Hydration Pack 70 fl. oz., $65; rei.com) 4. “Keep yourself and your favorite drink cool with this cold-cup kit from Starbucks. The reusable straw is super eco-friendly and the domed lid allows for a large dollop of whipped cream on top of any beverage.” — Ariel Charytan, cofounder and chief creative officer (Star-

bucks Cold Cup Kit 16 oz., $14; starbucks store.com) 5. “Go-Toob’s soft bottles are perfect for toting toiletries on any trip. There are many different sizes available, plus the large opening makes each tube easy to fill and clean.” — Elie Seidman, cofounder and chief executive officer (GoToob 3 oz. 3 pack, $20; ebags.com)

About Oyster.com Popular travel website Oyster.com is dedicated to making trip planning simpler by sending investigators to objectively review and photograph hotels around the world.

5 great water slides

1. The Tank Slide at the Golden Nugget (Las Vegas): As the most elaborate slide of the bunch, the Tank Slide offers up an adrenaline-pumping experience thanks to its winding path through a 200,000-gallon tank aquarium that’s filled with sharks. And despite being off Vegas’s main strip, the Golden Nugget has plenty of entertainment at a fraction of other hotels’ prices.

2. The Water Parks at the Nickelodeon Suites Resort (Orlando, Fla.): Two over-the-top water parks, tricked out in Nickelodeon’s signature orange hue, are perfect for families looking to get wet and soak up the summer sun. Parents needn’t worry about safety either, as the resort has several security measures including gated entries, security staff and guestidentifying wristbands.

3. The Water Slide at Disney Port Orleans Resort Riverside (Disney World): Beautiful grounds and riverfront scenery make the Port Orleans a top pick for families looking to save at the otherwise pricey Disney World. The typical perks of staying within Disney (like extended hours at the various amusement parks) and the hotel’s oversize pool complex with ropes course, playground and, of course, slide are all fun extras at this value pick.

4. Blue Monster Waterslide at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa (Coral Gables, Fla.): With a name like Blue Monster, how could this slide not be awesome? Even though it’s named after the eponymous on-site golf course, this 125-foot slide gives kids of any age a thrill. The Doral Resort, recently purchased by the Trump group, also has a serene spa and ample-sized rooms, and is within reasonable driving distance of Miami’s city center.

5. Waterslide at the San Luis Conference Center and Spa (Galveston, Texas): This 16-story, 30-acre resort is located across the street from the beach on Galveston Island. For families, there’s a kids’ club and free-form pool with fun waterslide that shoots guests into a smaller heated pool. For adults, there’s a swim-up bar, secluded grotto Jacuzzi overlooking the water, and a 21-plus lounge offering poker, darts and billiards.

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JUNE 29 - jULY 5, 2012

BUSINESS

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GARY FRIEDMAN/LOS ANGELES/MCT

Tanya Gabriella Aab, second from left, listens to a lecture on business strategy in the fashion industry at Fashion Business Inc. in Los Angeles on June 8.

Female African entrepreneurs building their busineses Women visit US, get advice on exposing their brands during event hosted

by State Department

BY LAURA HAUTALA LOS ANGELES TIMES (MCT)

LOS ANGELES – Fashion designer Tanya Aab says she feels lucky: Few businesswomen from Swaziland can travel to the United States to learn how to build their companies and sell their brands overseas.

For several days this month, Aab was walking through the Los Angeles garment district as part of a State Department program aimed at helping African countries build their economies and rely less on U.S. foreign aid.

“You can really expose your brand,” said Aab, 32, who runs a company called Arrum Lilly in her hometown of Mbabane. “It is absolutely fantastic,” she said, to be learning and traveling with women from other African countries.

She was one of 47 women from 37 African nations sponsored by

Import growth

Value of imports from Africa to the U.S., in billions of dollars: 120

113.5

90

93

60

Fashion forward

30

’08 ’11

’99 ’02 ’05

the State Department under its program for female African entrepreneurs. The annual event began three years ago after the agency found that a 2000 law to help build the economies of African countries had been tapped mostly by men.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act gives duty-free status to specific African exports, especially textile and garment products, and increased access to U.S. credit.

internationally, she said, including access to credit and financing.

They don’t move in the same networks and don’t have the same contacts or mentors that men have. And, in some places, they “can’t enjoy property rights and inheritance.”

Number of barriers

‘Missing middle’

African businesswomen could be a key economic force in their countries, especially since females make up 85 percent of the household consumers in African nations, according to the State Department.

“Women who run small and medium businesses are accelerators for economic growth and jobs creation,” said Melanne Verveer, U.S. ambassador at large for global women’s issues.

So why aren’t they taking advantage of the 2000 law? “Their businesses aren’t export-ready,” Verveer said.

African businesswomen face a number of barriers in expanding

value bounced back to $93 billion last year, according to the U.S. Census.

The 47 African women arrived earlier this month in New York, where they got advice from fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg before they split up to go to various cities.

Aab’s group of 15, which included women running fashiondesign and home-decor firms, headed for Los Angeles. They continued to Washington, D.C.

Source: U.S. Census Graphic: Khang Nguyen, Los Angeles Times

© 2012 MCT

Verveer said the lack of a middle class was a significant hurdle to economic development in many African countries.

“This ‘missing middle’ is where genuine growth and job creation and opportunities for societies really lie,” she said.

Overall, African countries have increased total exports to the U.S. steadily since the federal law took effect in 2000. That year, the value of exports from Africa soared 62 percent from the previous year to $27.6 billion. It more than quadrupled to $113.5 billion in 2008.

The worldwide recession gutted exports by 45 percent, but the

Aab’s timing couldn’t be better for her business. Interest in African fashions has surged with First Lady Michelle Obama and celebrities, such as singer Beyonce Knowles, wearing clothing created by African designers.

And Aab wears clothing she designed herself as she meets with L.A.’s fashionistas.

Among those Aab and others met was designer Tina Tangalakis, who had quit her job and in 2009 went to Ghana, where she fell in love with the homemade fabrics. She created her company, Della, in Los Angeles to sell a line of fashion accessories produced by the women of Ghana.

It’s the kind of story that the African businesswomen are hoping they can write for themselves.

But it’s not just serendipity. At the nonprofit Fashion Business Inc., the women learned about branding, working with investors and controlling growth, among other topics.

New connections What Aab took away was the likelihood that the more people the African women met, the more likely their businesses would find ways to export their goods to the U.S. and beyond. She plans to share her new connections and ideas with other Swazi business-

women.

“Honestly, it’s contacts,” said Aab, who has seven employees at her company. “In Swaziland, it’s hard to stand up on your own, to be trusted as a woman entrepreneur.”

Some of Aab’s colleagues on the trip already export home decor, garments and agricultural products to other African countries, but they want to expand into other continents, including North America.

This would require some major shifts in business strategies for some of the women. Kenyan custom designer Monica Kanari, for instance, is trying to figure out how to make her designs work in the ready-made clothing business — an essential step before she can export.

“It’s taking my business to the next level,” Kanari, 40, said of the training she’s receiving.

Making awareness fashionable Nigerian-born Adiat Disu helps to promote U.S. imports of African luxury items through her consulting and public relations firm Adiree in New York.

“Things that are made in Africa are beautiful and luxurious,” she said. “Designers are tapping it and sourcing from these countries.”

And businesses that give back to the community – Della provides training for its Ghana suppliers and sewing classes to children at a nearby orphanage – are growing in popularity, Disu said.

Aab wants to add a similar element of social responsibility to her business as well, with a focus on improving schools and increasing environmental awareness in Mozambique.

“I want to expand it one day into something more than fashion,” she said. “I want to make awareness fashionable.”

Higher airfares, crowded flights expected this summer

BY HUGO MARTIN LOS ANGELES TIMES (MCT)

Here’s what airline travelers can expect this summer: higher fares, long lines and jam-packed planes.

And if you wait too long to buy a ticket, you may be out of luck. With airlines loath to add flights in an uncertain economy, getting a seat at any price on some routes could be tough during peak travel times.

“I’ve been calling my fencesitters and telling them they better book their flights now if they really need to go, otherwise they may be left with no options,” said Jay Johnson, president of Coastline Travel Advisors in Garden Grove, Calif.

“I’ve been on over 20 flights within the past three months, and I would say almost every flight has been at or close to 100 percent occupancy.”

The average domestic airfare this summer is up 5 percent over last summer and international flights are about 11 percent higher, according to an analysis by travel website Kayak.com.

That’s on top of a 15 percent average rise in airfares last year.

Fewer flights When Peter Finie of Glendale, Calif., searched for tickets to take his wife to Maui in July, the prices shot up and down every few days, he said. He ended up paying about $760 for each round-trip ticket, compared with the $400 or so he paid last summer.

Part of the reason for higher prices is pent-up demand

by Americans who cut back on travel spending during the depths of the recession and are ready to spend again.

But even with growing demand, airlines are adding very

few extra flights and routes, leery of another economic downturn or a surge in fuel prices. The merger and consolidation of several airlines in the past five years also has cut down on the number of available airline seats.

U.S. carriers filled 82.1 percent of all available seats last year — the highest annual rate in more than a decade, according to federal statistics.

“Everybody is pushing the system to capacity,” said Tom Parsons, who runs BestFares. com.

“There are less planes in the sky now.”

Airlines flying near-capacity jets also are less likely to offer big discounts. This is a far cry from the recession, when air travel demand dropped steeply and airlines sold tickets at bargain prices.

Demand started coming back

after the recession, but then jet fuel prices surged nearly 30 percent in 2011. Fuel prices rose 10 percent more this spring but have been falling in the last few weeks, according to federal statistics.

International flights up If fuel prices suddenly surge again this summer, airlines will not hesitate to push fares even higher, said Jonathan Kletzel, a transportation and logistics expert with accounting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

“A surge in fuel prices will impact the bottom line,” he said.

“And if that changes, you will see higher prices.”

Fares for international flights shot up even higher this summer, on average. For example, the average cost of a round-trip ticket from San Diego to Barcelona is $1,265, up 11 percent over last summer’s average of

$1,144, according to CheapOair. com.

London has been a strong draw for tourists this summer because of the queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration and the upcoming Olympics.

Just about the only bargains to be had this summer are on routes served by several competing airlines.

For example, travelers can find lower rates on travel to Las Vegas this summer, partly because Florida-based Spirit Airlines has added several flights to Vegas compete with carriers such as Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways.

A one-way flight from Los Angeles to Las Vegas costs an average of $98 this summer, a drop of about 5 percent compared with $103 last summer, according to CheapOair.com.

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june 29 – JULY 5, 2012

– Chef Cassandra Loftlin Personal Chef, “Celebration” Caterer | Augusta, GA Good food brings families together. These ribs are my grandmother’s recipe. All that I do in the kitchen today is everything she taught me. That’s why I’m sharing this and other recipes so you can celebrate special family moments too, whether it’s the 4th of July or just a Sunday afternoon.

Publix makes it easy for people to sit down and connect over real food that’s really good.

Pictured

Chef Cassandra’s Slow Cooked Short Ribs with Roasted Fingerling Potato Salad

Don’t forget your neighborhood Publix will be open during regular store hours Independence Day, Wednesday July 4, 2012.

© 2012 Publix Asset Management Company

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