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FEBRUARY 19 – FEBRUARY 25, 2016
VOLUME 24 NO. 8
DEATH, UNCERTAINTY, OPPORTUNITY The unexpected death of U.S. Supreme Court justice may have far-reaching impact, both legally and politically. COMPILED FROM WIRE REPORTS
WASHINGTON – President Obama will select a nominee to succeed the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, despite fierce opposition by Republican leaders who prefer the seat be left vacant for nearly a year so that it can be filled by the next president. Scalia, 79, who was found dead at a resort in Texas on Feb. 13, was one of four justices who formed a reliable conservative block, although that broke down on some contentious issues, notably the health care law of 2010. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Clarence Thomas are the other three. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy is often the swing
vote who could determine whether the court would rule with the conservatives or the four liberal justices. Scalia’s absence means five votes are less likely to be found for a conservative majority.
Doing his duty Obama said in a statement last week, “I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time. There will be plenty of time for me to do so, and for the Senate to fulfill its responsibility to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote. These are responsibilities that I take seriously, as should everyone. They’re bigger than any one party. They are about our democracy.”
Scalia, one of the most conservative members of the court, died of an apparent heart attack over the weekend while on a hunting trip in Texas. He was part of the 5-4 conservative majority on the nation’s highest court. Were he to be replaced by a moderate or liberal jurist, that would shift the balance of the court – something Republicans had pledged to fight against. Under the constitution, the president has an obligation to appoint the Supreme Court justice, who must then be confirmed by the Senate. However, conservatives who normally boast of being strict adherents of the U.S. Constitution, are altering that stance in a presidential election year.
FILE PHOTO
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, (bottom row, second from left) was one of the court’s most reliably conservative votes.
No action Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who had already pledged to block any Obama nomina-
tions prior to Scalia’s death, urged President Obama not to submit a nominee and said if Obama does, the Senate will not act on the nomination prior to the ex-
58TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS
‘We gonna be alright’
piration of Obama’s term next January. “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next SuSee COURT , Page A2
Playing doctor for real Teen accused of giving medical advice BY KATE JACOBSON SUN SENTINEL / TNS
FORT LAUDERDALE – A South Florida teenager is in jail after he played doctor with real patients for the second time in just over a year, authorities say. Malachi Love-Robinson, 18, known as “Dr. Robinson” to his patients, was arrested after he allegedly gave physical exams and medical advice to people – including an undercover officer – at a “holistic medical clinic” he founded in West Palm Beach.
Second time
ROBERT GAUTHIER/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS
Kendrick Lamar and crew put on a legendary performance Monday during the 2016 GRAMMY awards in Los Angeles. Lamar’s album, “To Pimp A Butterfly,” won the Best Rap Album award – one of seven awards Lamar won this year.
Sources say Love-Robinson is the same teen caught in January 2015 masquerading as a doctor at St. Mary’s Medical Center, peeking in on gynecology exams and keeping a wardrobe of lab coats in his car. Dr. Sebastian Kent, an OB/GYN whose office is on the St. Mary’s Medical Center grounds, said he was amazed to hear that the same teen who had introduced himself as a doctor a year ago had been accused of impersonating a doctor a second time. “I’ve been in practice for 36 years, this is the first time something like this has happened,” he said. “It’s very strange. Very, very strange.” See TEEN, Page A2
SNAPSHOTS
Black Americans disproportionately poor, hungry SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA COURIER
WASHINGTON – African-Americans continue to suffer disproportionately high rates of hunger and poverty compared to other Americans, according to a new analysis released Wednesday by Bread for the World. Unemployment and low wages, lack of access to healthy and affordable food, and higher incarceration rates are just a few of the factors that contribute to this problem. “African-Americans continue
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hold low-wage jobs with few or no benefits. The median income for African-Americans in 2014 (latest data) was $35,398, which is $20,000 less than the median income for other households. Almost 50 percent of Black children younger than 6 live in poverty. Only 8 percent of them live in areas with a supermarket, and almost 94 percent of the nation’s majority African-American counties are food-insecure. Kids living in poverty “Food-insecure” means that a African-Americans are more person or household does not likely to be unemployed, and to have regular, reliable access to
to suffer from some of the highest rates of hunger and poverty in the U.S.,” said Eric Mitchell, director of government relations, Bread for the World. “Unemployment and the lack of good-paying jobs are primary causes. But we also have to look at issues like mass incarceration and access to healthier food options to get a complete picture of why this persists.”
foods needed for good health. The lack of nutritious food causes serious medical conditions, including obesity and diabetes. The problem is worsened by mass incarceration. AfricanAmericans are more likely than others charged with similar offenses to be incarcerated. Soaring incarceration rates deplete family resources though court fees and lost work hours. Many states deny returning exfelons access to such government aid programs even while they See HUNGRY, Page A2
FLORIDA | A3
Detzner appeals Brown’s case NATION | A6
Report: Voter ID laws suppress Dems, minorities BUSINESS | B3
Study: Blacks participating more in stock investing
COMMENTARY: GLEN FORD: THE WEST’S WAR AGAINST SYRIA IS OUT OF CONTROL | A4 COMMENTARY: DR. WILMER J. LEON II: TRUMP IS GOP’S FRANKENSTEIN MONSTER | A5