LAWT-12-31-09

Vol. XXX, No. 1160

December 31, 2009

SERVING LOS ANGELES COUNTY WITH NEWS YOU CAN USE

FIRST COLUMN KWANZAA IN LEIMERT — Kwanzaa dancers perform for the audience during an annual celebration in Leimert Park on Dec. 26.

Celebrations began with a gwaride (parade) on Crenshaw Boulevard. The first day of Kwanzaa is known as Umoja, which means unity in the Kiswahili language. Kwanzaa was created by Maulana Karenga in 1966.

The principle of Umoja is, “To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race,” according to “Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture,” written by Karenga and published in 2008.

Kwanzaa traditionally ends with family gatherings in the home on Jan. 1, known as Imani, or faith.

Attorney-Author MacLean Examines Racial Struggle

BY EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Harry MacLean was a daily spectator in 2007 when federal prosecutors put part of Mississippi’s troubled racial past on trial in a courtroom in downtown Jackson.

A tall, lean figure with a notebook always at hand, the Denver lawyer recorded his impressions as reputed Ku Klux Klansman James Ford Seale was tried and convicted for kidnapping and conspiracy in the abductions and killings of two black teenagers, who disappeared from the deep woods of southwestern Mississippi in May 1964.

Harry MacLean

MacLean, the author of other true-life crime thrillers, now has a new book, “The Past Is Never Dead: The Trial of James Ford Seale and Mississippi’s Struggle for Redemption.”

The book uses the Seale trial as its centerpiece, but takes a broader look at how the state has dealt with its odious history of slavery and segregation. MacLean writes about how smaller communities are choosing to either confront or ignore the complexities of relations between blacks and whites.

See RACIAL STRUGGLE, page 8

Photo by MARTY COTWRIGHT

Black Advocates Want More Help for the Unemployed

BY JESSE WASHINGTON AP NATIONAL WRITER

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In the battle against black unemployment, places like the Opportunities Industrialization Center are ground zero.

Savory aromas wafted from a king-size kitchen one recent day as the instructor demonstrated a fish recipe to a dozen aspiring cooks.

Nearby, a mock hotel room was waiting to be cleaned. Downstairs, electrical fixtures hung from an exposed wall, ready to be wired.

New Laws to Take Effect in 2010

BY CHICO C. NORWOOD STAFF WRITER

The ringing in of the New Year brings with it new laws that will go into effect on Jan. 1.

Californians can expect changes pertaining to several areas including the real estate and housing market, transportation, dog fighting, cosmetic surgery, nooses, consumer protection and more.

Several measures have been enacted in response to numerous foreclosures that have taken place in California.

• When SB 239 takes effect, violators could be sentenced to prison for a year if they commit fraud on a mortgage loan application, which will be a felony. Fraud includes purposely leaving out or misrepresenting something in the mortgage-lending process.

• AB 329, the Reverse Mortgage Elder Protection Act, amends California’s reverse mortgage law to strengthen existing counseling and cross-selling provisions, according to info.sen.ca.gov.

• SB 120 will require utility companies to notify residential tenants if a landlord is past due on accounts and of impending utility shutoffs. The bill allows tenants to place the utility in their own names and deduct payments from their rent.

The arrest and conviction of NFL star Michael Vick drew more attention to the world of dog fighting and California has answered with two pieces of legislation: AB 242, which will make watching a dog fight, once a misdemeanor, a felony; and if someone has a dog fight take place on their property, SB 318 will allow it to be forfeited.

The hanging of a noose will draw stiff penalties to offenders.

In light of AB 412, first-time offenders could be fined up to $5,000 and jailed for one year; repeat offenders could spend the same out of time in jail but get a heftier fine: $15,000.

Mechanics will no longer be able to slap a lien on a homeowner without proper notification. AB 457 will require that claimants intending to file mechanic’s liens to notify homeowners that a mechanic’s lien is being recorded against their property, according to leginfo.ca.gov.

Due to the bill, property owners must be given a copy of the lien and told how to deal with it. The preliminary notice also has to be made easier to read and more prominent.

Many child pornographers will no longer be able to hide in California. Because of SB1187,

their information — including many things such as address, name, criminal history, and more — will be made available for the world to view on California Megan’s Law Web site.

California is a leader in the nation in cosmetic surgery. The death of Donda West, mother of rapper Kanye West, has brought changes to the cosmetic industry with the passage AB1116. Because of the bill, a licensed physician has to examine and clear patients at least 30 days before an elective cosmetic surgery.

Other new regulations include: • SB 340 protects consumers who respond to television, radio, Internet, printed or telephone advertisements that involve automatic renewals on credit or debit cards.

• AB 530 reauthorizes two pilot programs, allowing city attorneys and prosecutors in Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Palmdale, Sacramento and San Diego to bring eviction proceedings in the name of the people against a tenant for unlawful activities regarding controlled substances, firearms, and ammunition, according to info.sen.ca.gov.

• AB 383 increases the time See NEW LAWS, page 10

Here, the goal is “helping people help themselves” through literacy programs and training for hotel, clerical, building, retail and other jobs.

“We have to give people transferable skills,” said Robert C. Nelson, president and CEO of the Philadelphia OIC. There is a growing outcry among black advocates for the Obama administration to target black joblessness with similar training programs and direct job creation.

Black unemployment has climbed from 8.9 percent to 15.6 percent since the recession began in December 2007. In comparison, the nation’s overall rate has risen from 4.9 to 10 percent.

The white rate climbed from 4.4 percent to 9.3 percent.

Although the gap between black and white unemployment has narrowed, there has been a 1.2 percent decline in the black labor force participation rate, more than any other group — which means that fewer blacks are even looking for work. That has held down the black

unemployment rate, because such “discouraged workers” are not included in unemployment statistics.

The Congressional Black Caucus recently sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking for $139 billion in unused bank bailout funds to be spent on a long list of training programs and job-creation efforts, including jobs directly created with federal dollars.

It would be unconstitutional to designate aid or jobs specifically for blacks, so the CBC is asking for at least 10 percent of various funds to be spent in areas where 20 percent of the population is below the poverty line.

There are more than 40 nonprofit OIC offices around the country, where the focus is on learning basic trades — plus intangible “soft skills” such as a positive attitude, punctuality, and conflict resolution.

Philadelphia is one of 11 OIC affiliates that are part of a $22 million proposal to the Labor See BLACK ADVOCATES, page 11

NEWS IN BRIEF THE SOUTHLAND High-Tech Vehicles Pose Trouble for Some Mechanics (AP) — As cars become vastly more complicated than models made just a few years ago, a growing number of independent mechanics say they have had to turn down jobs and refer customers to auto dealer shops.

That’s because they lack the thousands of dollars to purchase the online manuals and specialized tools needed to fix the sophisticated cars.

Access to repair information is at the heart of a debate over a congressional bill called the Right to Repair Act. Supporters of the proposal say automakers are trying to monopolize the parts-and-repair

HAPPY NEW YEAR ~ 2010

industry by only sharing crucial tools and data with their dealership shops.

Automakers, however, say they spend millions in research and development and aren’t willing to give away their intellectual property.

THE STATE Senate Leader Wants to Split Sessions SACRAMENTO (AP) — The leader of the state Senate said Dec. 26 he will propose splitting California’s legislative sessions, concentrating one year on the budget and the next on new laws.

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg said legislators have become preoccupied with See BRIEFS, page 8

Page 2

L.A. WATTS TIMES

December 31, 2009

OPINION EARL OFARI HUTCHINSON

Blacks, Hispanics Still Biggest Losers in Health Care Bill Gutting President Barack Obama, Democratic and Republican Congress members, private insurers, pharmaceutical companies, liberals, progressives and many conservatives are virtually unanimous in claiming that the big reason for waging the health care reform war is to insure all, most, or many of the estimated 40 million to 50 million uninsured Americans.

Blacks and Hispanics have the most to gain from real reform.

They make up more than half of America’s uninsured. Private insurers, pharmaceuticals and major medical practitioners fought a sevendecade battle against national health care regulation, in large part out of horror at having to treat millions of uninsured, unprofitable, largely unhealthy blacks and Hispanics.

The overwhelming majority of black and Hispanic uninsured persons are far more likely than the one in four whites who are uninsured to experience problems getting treatment at a hospital or clinic. A study by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies found that they are far more likely than whites to suffer higher rates of catastrophic illness and disease, and are much less likely to obtain basic drugs, tests, preventive screenings and surgeries.

They are also more likely to recover slower from illness, and they die much younger.

The cost of treatment and care for the millions who suffer chronic and major diseases — cancer, diabetes, asthma and heart disease treatment — is exorbitant. Blacks and Hispanics have far greater inci-

dences of these ailments than whites.

According to a Kaiser Foundation study, a family of four without insurance currently would spend an estimated 15 percent of their total income on health insurance, if they had the money.

A fully functioning and funded public option might have covered a moderate number of those totally shut out of access to affordable, quality medical coverage.

Obama and top Senate Democrats snatched it off the table in back-door talks at the White House with private insurers and members of the major pharmaceutical industry.

The House version of the public option is cautious, moderate, and would not fully kick in for a decade.

Even then, it would cover only a small number of the uninsured.

The House public option almost certainly will be the first casualty in the second round of warfare when House-Senate conference negotiators try to reconcile their two wildly at-odds health care reform bills. The lightly floated and quickly tossed plan to extend Medicare coverage to millions more would have made a small dent in the number of uninsured. But the Medicare extension had even less chance of getting Senate traction than the public option.

The still-undetermined number of uninsured will have to buy health insurance at a still-undetermined cost from private insurers, and they’ll have to rely on the major pharmaceuticals for their prescription drugs.

The government promises to provide subsidies to those too poor to pay, which will almost certainly be virtually all of the uninsured; to enforce a mandate to private insurers that they must provide coverage to any and all; and to keep the cost of their coverage and drugs down.

That’s the promise.

How much the government can and will pay is vague and tenuous.

And with the dueling cost numbers on the end cost of health reform creating even more jitters, any dollar figure put forth on the amount the government will outlay to subsidize the poor is just guess work.

But even if the government has the billions promised to underwrite insurance for those too poor to buy it, even under the most generous provisions of the subsidy plan, more than 40 percent would still not get a nickel of government help, according to a Congressional Budget Office Report. Yet they’d still have to pay the estimate hikes in premium coverage that they’d be forced at penalty to buy.

The ban on denial of coverage due to pre-existing conditions won’t go into effect until 2014. The unanswered question when it finally does take effect is: Just how tough will the government be in policing the private insurers to make sure they don’t wiggle out of their agreement not to deny anyone coverage on medical grounds, or to arbitrarily raise the cost of coverage?

The House and Senate bills are filled with talk of commissions, panels, task forces, integrity councils, See HUTCHINSON, page 3

Stimulus Needs Better Reporting

BY GREG LEROY

Aside from health care reform, probably the most divisive issue in Washington today is the $787 billion economic stimulus program.

One camp argues that the Recovery Act has done a good job in preventing the country from plunging into a more serious crisis than the one we’ve got, while another camp says the whole effort has had little effect and was an expensive mistake. We suspect the former conclusion is correct, but would like better evidence.

Most arguments are based on differing assessments of the first round of jobs data released in October. The Recovery Act’s exemplary transparency provisions cover direct federal contracts and some of the grants to states — a limited part of the overall stimulus program.

They counted about 640,000 jobs created or saved so far.

There’s been much media attention given to instances in which job numbers seem to have been seriously exaggerated. Yet, there also are cases in which they were apparently understated. More than 2,000 contract and grant recipients report that their stimulus projects are more than 50 percent complete — yet they claim not to have

created or saved a single job.

Clearly, there is confusion about the right way to report stimulus-related jobs. This is not surprising, given that tens of thousands of companies, government agencies, and nonprofits are being asked to do this for the first time.

But the blame is not entirely with the recipients.

Instructions given by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) did not adequately consider the variety of situations reporting entities would face. For example, exactly how does an employer determine which existing workers put on stimulus projects should be counted in computing the number of saved jobs?

Should they include only those who were about to be laid off before recovery act money was received — or should they also include those who might have been let go at some later point in the absence of those funds?

The furor over the quantity of stimulus-related jobs has obscured the question of their quality. Despite efforts of the Coalition for an Accountable Recovery (CAR) and others, the OMB decided not to collect data on wages, benefits, or the number of full-time-versus-part-

time positions. Without this information, we cannot tell to what extent the Recovery Act is generating jobs that allow workers to support their families in a decent fashion.

Nor can we tell who is getting Recovery Act jobs. CAR also argued strongly for collection of data on the demographic characteristics and residential area of workers on stimulus projects. With information on factors such as race, gender and neighborhood of residence, taxpayers would be able to determine whether all communities are getting a fair share of Recovery Act employment.

The Recovery Act is a manysided law meant to lessen what has turned out to be a more serious economic downturn than anyone expected. In the same way it may need to be adjusted because of the magnitude of the crisis, so must its reporting and transparency provisions be refined to reveal how well it is working and who it is serving.

Greg LeRoy is executive director of Good Jobs First, a nonprofit resource center on economic development accountability that is cochairing the Coalition for an Accountable Recovery.

This opinion article was provided by the nonprofit American Forum, an educational organization.

Not Health Care, but ‘Wealth Care’

BY MUMIA ABU-JAMAL

As Congress wrestles over the parameters of a health care bill, I am reminded of the experience of John Black, an old trade unionist, revolutionary activist and journalist.

Black, a fervent supporter of the Cuban Revolution, joined the Venceremos Brigade in an annual trek of foreigners to Cuba who assisted in harvesting the sugar crop and other agricultural work.

Although he was in his midto-high 70s at the time, Black did his part until the searing tropical heat, or perhaps the work, or both, took its toll.

Black was taken to a nearby hospital and received what he called “excellent treatment.” As he was leaving, he reached for his wallet, and began pulling out some bucks. The doctor looked at him quizzically — and then told him to put his money away.

“We treated you because you were sick, señor,” the doctor explained, “not for the money.”

These words blew Black away, and this experience with socialist medicine moved him deeply.

What is even more remarkable is that Cuba was doing this during its “Special Period,” a time of economic chaos when its biggest trading partner, the Soviet Union, stopped bartering things for things (as in oil for sugar, for example) and began demanding cold cash for trade.

As of 2006, Cuba had a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $45

billion — about the same as the Congo or the Sultanate of Oman ($44.1 billion).

The GDP measures the market Mumia value of goods and Abu-Jamal services purchased within a nation over a given period of time — usually a year.

Do you want to know what the U.S. GDP was for 2007?

More than $13 trillion. $13 trillion.

Guess which country provides free medical care?

The richest nation in earth’s history can’t agree on how to insure that its citizens get good health care, balking over the economic interests of insurance and pharmaceutical companies.

One of the poorest nations on earth (Cuba) not only provides free, universal health care, but it provides well-trained, humanistic doctors to developing and poor countries all over the world. In fact, there are more Cuban doctors helping people overseas than there are from the United Nations’ World Health Organization.

We need to stop rapping about so-called health care and call it what it is: wealth care.

Mumia Abu-Jamal, an awardwinning journalist, is on death row in Pennsylvania and has been since 1982. He was involved in a controversial 1981 shooting in Philadelphia, a case still debated today. To find out more about AbuJamal, visit www.freemumia.org.

Facts Dec. 31, 1953 The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Spingarn Medal is presented to Paul R. Williams for his achievements as an architect.

Jan. 1, 1804 Jean-Jacques Dessalines proclaims the independence of the island nation of Haiti from France. It is the first black republic in the Western Hemisphere.

Source: blackfacts.com

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December 31, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 3

BUSINESS New Year’s Money Resolutions for 2010

BIZSHORTS Jobless Claims, Goods Orders Signal Modest Rebound WASHINGTON (AP) — A fitful economic recovery is drawing strength from a stabilizing job market and signs that manufacturing will contribute to the rebound.

The Labor Department said the number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for unemployment aid fell more than expected in mid-December. The four-week average for claims, which smoothes out fluctuations, fell for the 16th straight week, to its lowest point since September 2008, when the financial crisis hit with full force.

Further evidence of a gradually healing economy was a Commerce Department report that shows orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket durable goods rose in November.

Shoppers Give Stores Last-Minute Sales Surge NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers appear to have given the nation’s stores a needed lastminute sales surge.

Early readings from Toys “R” Us, Sears Holdings Corp., and several mall operators show packed stores on Christmas Eve following a busy week fueled by shoppers who delayed buying, waiting for bigger discounts that never came or slowed by the recent big East Coast snowstorm.

Stores are counting on these stragglers in a season that so far appears slightly better than last year. The jury was still out, because the week after Christmas accounts for about 15 percent of sales as gift-card-toting shoppers return to malls.

Mortgage Rates Inch Above 5 Percent McLEAN, Va. (AP) — The average fixed-rate for a 30-year mortgage climbed above 5 percent for the first time in two months, leading to a decline in mortgage applications.

The average fixed rate on a 30-year mortgage was 5.05 percent

HUTCHINSON Continued from page 2 and a big role for the Justice and Health and Human Services departments to prevent fraud and abuse.

There’s absolutely no mention of enforcement procedures, or what fines and penalties will be imposed for skirting the ban.

The House bill partly addresses some of the massive problems the uninsured face in getting coverage.

last week, up from 4.94 percent about two weeks ago, Freddie Mac said Dec. 24. The last time rates were above 5 percent was the week ending Oct. 29, when they were 5.03 percent.

Mortgage rates have risen since they hit a record low of 4.71 percent the week of Dec. 3. They are closely tied to yields on longterm government debt, which have gone up since then.

Funding for SBA Programs Will Support $4.5B in Small Business Lending WASHINGTON (sba.gov) — President Barack Obama signed the U.S. Department of Defense appropriations bill Dec. 19, which included $125 million to continue through Feb. 28, 2010, the enhancements made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to SBA’s two largest loan programs.

The Small Business Administration estimates the additional funding will support $4.5 billion in small business lending.

New approvals of loans with the higher guarantee and reduced fees made possible by the act were expected to begin by Dec. 28.

Loan applications from borrowers who chose to be placed in the SBA’s Recovery Loan Queue will be funded first, followed by new loan approvals beginning on or before Dec. 28.

Hollywood’s Domestic Box Office Tops $10 Billion (AP) — Hollywood is crossing a new milestone as domestic revenues top $10 billion for the first time.

Box-office analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Hollywood.com projected that 2009 receipts would pass that mark Dec. 22.

The box office already surpassed the $9.7 billion total in 2007, which had been the previous record year for domestic ticket sales.

Dergarabedian estimates the movie industry could finish this year with revenues in the $10.5 billion range.

The Senate bill addresses almost none of them. As it now stands, health reform is still not the cure for the chronic absence of health care that ails the millions of uninsured blacks and Hispanics.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His weekly radio show, “The Hutchinson Report,” can be heard in Los Angeles, Fridays on KTYM Radio 1460 AM, and streamed live nationally on ktym.com.

This time of year, many Americans start to ponder the year that just passed and the year to come. You might be among them.

You just might be among those looking at last year’s New Year’s resolution list, checking off the things you accomplished and the items not yet accomplished.

Lose weight and exercise more are typical resolutions.

This coming year, however, your resolutions might not be so typical. In fact, your resolutions are influenced by the economy, according to a recent poll.

Financial planners suggest that you consider adding the following to your 2010 list.

How Do You Want to be Remembered?

“I believe the resolution that can make the most difference on a daily basis is to consider how you want to be remembered when you are gone and treat every day as if it were your last,” said Financial Planning Association member Glen Thiessen of Transition Planning Inc. “This perspective should impact every aspect of your life, such as how you treat people, making sure that your loved ones will be OK when you are incapacitated or no longer there by owning sufficient disability and life insurance, and making sure that asset ownership, beneficiary and guardianship

arrangements are the way they should be.

“The resolution to maintain this very selfless motivational perspective can indeed make things happen that otherwise may never occur,” Thiessen said. “It can make us more thoughtful, caring people who are more considerate of the needs of those around us.”

Save, Don’t Spend Despite a tough economy and the fact our government wants you to spend, don’t. That’s the advice of FPA member Michael Brent Hanson of Retirement Unlimited.

“Keep paying down debt, live well within your means, and save,” Hanson said.

But don’t just save. According to FPA member Duffy G. Elliott of Elliott & Associates Wealth Advisors Inc., resolving to increase your savings by 10 percent is one of the best resolutions you can make.

One way to do that is through dollar-cost averaging, whereby a fixed dollar amount is saved every month in some sort of investment.

Let’s say you are saving $500 per month in your 401(k) plan. Consider increasing your contribution to $550.

Learn more about budgeting, dollar-cost averaging and Roth IRA conversions by searching for those terms on the Internet.

Spend Time on Your Finances “Spend an hour each month, say on the first Saturday of the month, reviewing your finances, including savings, investments and insurance allocations,” Elliot said.

“This can be done with a planner or as a do-it-yourselfer.”

In addition, he recommends writing your representatives in the House and Senate about the laws that affect your finances.

“Let them know that the uncontrolled printing of dollars has to stop — their jobs depend on it,” he said.

Consider Tax Diversification It’s important not to put all your eggs in one basket. But that’s not what most people do who are saving for retirement. Most save money in a traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or 401(k) accounts, in which distributions will be taxed as ordinary income. For his part, Hanson recommends a strategy referred to as tax diversification — investing money in accounts in which distributions, withdrawals, or sales yield the largest after-tax amounts.

For instance, Hanson recommends converting your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA and contributing as much as possible to Roth IRAs. (The contributions to Roth See RESOLUTIONS, page 7

C ITY OF CARSON AND THE C ULTURAL A RTS C OMMISSION PRESENT TRIBUTE TO

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INCLUDES DELICIOUS DINNER BUFFET AND A SOCIAL HOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE FINE ARTS OFFICE (310) 952-1705

Join us as we pay honor to a man whose ideas continue to unite us as a city and community.

Page 4

L.A. WATTS TIMES

December 31, 2009

COMMUNITY

WHAT’S GOING ON?

COMMUNITY MEETINGS, FORUMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS City Offers Christmas Tree Recycling Program

Information Technology Agency Seeks Feedback

(City of L.A.) — The City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation is now expanding curbside collection for Christmas trees. If your Christmas tree is too big to cut and fit inside the green waste bin, place the tree next to the bin on collection day.

If you are using your green bin to recycle a Christmas tree, remove all ornaments, decorations, tinsels and the stand from the tree.

In addition, cut the tree into pieces to fit it inside the green bin.

Collected Christmas trees will be recycled into compost and mulch.

There is also a multifamily residential recycling program participation available for those who live in multifamily residential buildings and want to get rid of Christmas trees. To take part, place Christmas trees next to the street’s curbside for collection on collection day by the Bureau of Sanitation.

Lastly, recreation and park and fire station locations will accept Christmas trees from Jan. 2 to 3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check city listings to find out which locations will be open. There will be no giveaways.

More information: www.lacity. org.

(City of L.A.) — The Information Technology Agency of the City of Los Angeles and the Municipal Access Policy Board are soliciting feedback on the programming and format of LA CityView Channel 35 and its Web site. The Information you provide on this survey will help improve the content and delivery of L.A. city-related media. The survey will be posted on the city’s home page, www.lacity.org, in the highlight section.

Volunteers Needed for the Crisis Response Team (City of L.A.) — Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s Crisis Response Team is seeking volunteers to respond to traumatic incidents such as homicides and suicides at the request of the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Fire Department to provide immediate on-scene crisis intervention to victims and their families. The eight-week training begins Feb. 2, 2010, at the Los Angeles Police Department Academy in Westchester.

Forward resumes to lacrt@ lacity.org.

Information: Jeff Zimmerman, (213) 978-0697.

Deadline for receipt of What’s Going On listings is Friday, 12 p.m., at least two weeks prior to activity.

Fax to: (213) 251-5720, e-mail us at lawattsnus@aol.com or mail to: L.A. Watts Times, 3540 Wilshire Blvd., PH3, Los Angeles, CA 90010.

KUUMBA MEANS CREATIVITY — Kicheko Sykes will lead a Kwanzaa workshop entitled “African Arts’ Role in Maintaining Cultural Connectedness� on the night of Kuumba, Dec. 31, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Afiba Center, 5730 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles. Information: (323) 292-5550.

IMANI MEANS FAITH — The Rivers Run Deep Institute will host a “Children’s Kwanzaa� Jan. 1, 1 to 4 p.m., at the Afiba Center, 5730 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles. A donation of $10 per family is requested. Information: (323) 292-5550.

HAITIAN INDEPENDENCE — In observance of Haiti’s independence, Set Etwal will present a soiree of entertainment featuring lectures, dances and live music. Also, food and drinks will be for sale. This event will take place Jan. 2, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., at the Afiba Center, 5730 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles. The doors will open at 7 p.m. and admission is $10.

Information: (310) 903-3932.

VOLUNTEERS — The Pan African Film and Arts Festival will hold its 2010 volunteer orientation

L.A. Police Commission IG Nominated for U.S. Attorney (AP) — Andre Birotte, the inspector general for the Los Angeles Police Commission, has been nominated to be the U.S. attorney for the Central District of California.

President Barack Obama nominated Birotte on Dec. 23 for the spot of top federal prosecutor in the nation’s most populous district, which covers a huge swath of Southern California.

Birotte, who was on vacation with family, told The Associated Press on Dec. 24 he was “honored and humbled� by the nomination but said he did not want to appear

Facts Jan. 1, 1916 The first issue of the Journal of Negro History, created by Carter G. Woodson, is published.

Source: blackfacts.com

Photo Courtesy of THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL/LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT

Andre Birotte

presumptuous or discuss any plans he might have for the position.

If the Senate confirms the 43year-old Birotte, he would be responsible for all federal litigation in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside,

San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

He would replace Thomas O’Brien, who left in August.

Birotte’s role as inspector general for the police commission is to oversee internal investigations within the Los Angeles Police Department and make sure it is compliant with various policies and mandates.

Birotte was an assistant U.S. attorney from 1995 to 1999 and worked as a deputy public defender in Los Angeles County from 1991 to 1995.

He graduated from Tufts University in 1987 and Pepperdine University School of Law in 1991.

Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., called Birotte an “outstanding candidate� with strong support in the local community.

meetings Jan. 9, 16, and 23, 2 to 3:30 p.m., in the Media Conference Room of the Yvonne Burke Senior and Community Center, 4750 W. 62nd St., Los Angeles. Light refreshments will be served, and women, students, and seniors are encouraged to apply.

Volunteer applications can be submitted online by logging onto www. paff.org. Information: (310) 3374737, volunteer@paff.org.

BIKE RIDE FOR HOMELESS — The East Side Riders Bike Club will “caravan� through the Watts area and feed the homeless Jan. 2, 10 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m. The group will meet at 8815 S. Bandera St., Los Angeles, and ride to Wilmington Avenue and Imperial Highway where club members will distribute food to people under the bridge of the 105 freeway. The group will then continue

on to El Segundo and Avalon boulevards, Central Avenue and 108th Street and then to Ted Watkins Park at 103rd Street and Central Avenue where members will feed people under the pavilion. The final part of the bike ride will then travel to 88th Street and Central Avenue and end the bike ride at Col. Leon H. Washington Park at Maie Avenue and Firestone Boulevard. Information: (323) 8950368, eastsidebikes@gmail.com.

ULTRAWAVE NEW YEAR’S EVE — Ultra Wave Entertainment will host a New Year’s Eve Party, along with a birthday party for Gregory “MC G Bone� Everett, on Dec. 31, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., at Fu’s Palace, 8751 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. Dinner will be available earlier in the evening at 8 p.m.

Information: (323) 422-4405.

Developments in the Mitrice Richardson Case Here are some recent developments in the case of Mitrice Richardson, the South Los Angeles woman who went missing Sept. 17 after leaving a police station in the early morning without a purse, car or cell phone: • Congresswoman Maxine Waters is asking for a federal investigation to be done. In a recent Mitrice Richardson letter to FBI Director Robert Mueller, Waters writes that at as a member of “ ‌ the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives, which is responsible for oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), I am also concerned about the failure of the FBI Los Angeles Regional Office to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mitrice’s disappearance.â€?

The letter also states, “Based on reports I have read, there are questions as to whether the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station acted properly in releasing this young woman during the predawn hours without money or transportation, all while she was suffering from what the Los Angeles Police Department’s doctors have concluded to be bipolar disorder.â€? • About mid-December, Michael Richardson, father of Mitrice Richardson, began selling his cars to raise funds to find his daughter. The cars were a 1999 customized Cadillac Escalade with sound and interior video systems and custom rims and a 1966 fully restored pearl white classic Chevy Impala. • A homicide investigation has been opened by the L.A. County Sheriff’s department. Although there were no signs that Richardson has been murdered, the decision allows top investigators from the department to look into the case.

Mitrice Richardson was arrested at Geoffrey’s Malibu restaurant Sept. 16 after not having money to pay her $89 bill. It has been reported that the 24-year-old was dining with strangers and acting in what some said was a bizarre manner. Mitrice Richardson was taken to the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Malibu/Lost Hills station in Agoura. After processing, she was released about 1 a.m. Sept. 17 and has been missing since then.

More information: www.bringmitricehome.org.

Information on Michael Richardson’s vehicles: craigslist.com, keywords, Central L.A./Cars and trucks by owners. — From staff reports

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December 31, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 5

COMMUNITY Gone, But Not Forgotten: World Says Goodbye, or, Gone Too Soon

BY DARLENE DONLOE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Every year the world bids a sad farewell to politicians, community leaders, celebrities and other noteworthy individuals who impacted our lives in some way.

2009 is no different. Some deaths were expected; others, like that of Michael Jackson, shocked the world. A lot of talent has left the building.

JANUARY OSCAR GRANT, 22 — Jan. 1; killed by a Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer while laying on his stomach, unarmed, on an Oakland subway platform.

IDA B. KINNEY, 104 — Jan. 1; longtime community activist; reportedly oldest living African American in San Fernando Valley.

WILLA MAE DORSEY, 75 — Jan. 5; gospel singer recorded five albums; nominated for a Grammy.

CHARLES MORGAN JR., 78 — Jan. 8; lawyer, represented Julian Bond and Muhammad Ali; helped redraw political maps in arguing for “one man, one vote” principle.

PEDRO “CUBAN PETE” AGUILAR, 81 — Jan. 13; once named greatest mambo dancer by Life Magazine.

DAVID “FATHEAD” NEWMAN, 75 — Jan. 20; saxophonist played with The Ray Charles band.

VEATRICE RICE, 59 — Jan. 21; security guard/sidekick on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”

AVE MONTAGUE, 64 — Jan. 24; founded San Francisco Black Film Festival.

HANK CRAWFORD, 74 — Jan. 29; saxophonist played with Ray Charles’ and Jimmy McGriff’s band.

FEBRUARY ROBERT CHURCHWELL, 91 — Feb. 1; first black journalist to work at a prominent Southern newspaper, beginning at Nashville Banner.

ORLANDO “CACHAITO” LOPEZ, 76 — Feb. 9; was a member of Cuba’s legendary Buena Vista Social Club.

ESTELLE BENNETT, 67 — Feb. 11; was a member of The Ronettes singing group.

LOUIS BELLSON, 84 — Feb. 14; jazz drummer, performed with Duke Ellington.

JAMES FLOURNOY, 93 — Feb. 21; black Republican; first African American nominated for partisan statewide office in 1970 for California secretary of state.

WILBERT TATUM, 76 — Feb. 26; former publisher and editor of The Amsterdam News in New York.

MARCH JOAO BERNARDO “NINO” VIEIRA, 69 — March 2; president of Guinea Bissau, assassinated by soldiers.

SUSAN TSVANGIRAI — March 6; wife of Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai; in car accident.

WILLIE KING, 65 — March 8; Alabama blues singer and guitarist; created the Freedom Creek Festival.

ANNE WIGGINS BROWN, 96 — Mar. 1; soprano, played Bess in George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.”

ALTOVISE DAVIS, 65 — March 15; widow of Sammy Davis Jr. DARNELL “KING TUT” BRITTINGHAM, 23 — March 18; known for his association with hiphop group Dipset.

URIEL JONES, 74 — March 24; one of the original members of the Funk Brothers, a Motown group.

JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN, 94 — March 25; scholar of American and African American history.

SONNY BRADSHAW, 83 — March 28; trumpeter and fixture of the Jamaican music scene beginning in the 1940s.

APRIL DAVID “POP” WINANS SR., 74 — April 8; nominated for a Grammy in 1999 for his solo CD “Uncensored.”

RANDY CAIN, 63 — April 9; a founding member of the soul group the Delfonics.

RUTH BOWEN BRYANT, 84 — April 21; first black female booking agent and first black female to establish a theatrical booking agency.

ERNIE BARNES, 70 — April 27; former professional football player became successful figurative painter.

GREG PAGE, 50 — April 27; former heavyweight boxing champion.

TIMOTHY WRIGHT, 61 — April 23; Grammy-nominated gospel singer and composer.

MAY THE REV. VERNON C. KING, 48 — May 1; son of A.D. King Sr., brother of Martin Luther King Jr. MAYME HATCHER JOHNSON, 95 — May 1; widow of Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson, the legendary Harlem gangster depicted in some movies.

WAYMAN TISDALE, 44 — May 15; former basketball player and best-selling musician.

RODERICK ANTHONY “DOLLA” BURTON II, 21 — May 18; Atlanta-based rapper was part of the rap group Da Razkalz Cru; gunned down in Los Angeles.

LEO JACKSON, 83 — May 24; former mayor of New London, Conn., was credited with being the first black mayor in New England.

EXODUS TYSON, 4 — May 26; daughter of Mike Tyson; suffocated after becoming tangled in a cord dangling from a treadmill.

RONALD TAKAKI, 70 — May 26; taught the University of California systems’ first black history course.

GERARD JEAN-JUSTE, 62 — May 27; the Haitian Roman Catholic priest fought for the rights of Haitians.

JUNE KOKO TAYLOR, 80 — June 3; born Cora Walton, she was known as The “Queen of the Blues.”

OLA HUDSON, 62 — June 5; mother of rock guitarist Slash (Saul Hudson); was a costume designer.

GERALDINE “GERRI” WARREN, 62 — June 8; was copublisher and managing editor of the San Diego Voice and Viewpoint newspaper.

OMAR BONGO, 74 — June 8; reportedly the longest-serving president in African history, ruling

the country of Gabon for 41 years.

SHERYL FLOWERS, 42 – June 8; was the producer of “The Tavis Smiley Show” on radio and the director of communications for The Smiley Group.

GAY IRIS PARKER, 60 — June 24; worked for main stage productions at the Pasadena Playhouse.

MICHAEL JOSEPH JACKSON, 50 — June 25; music legend known by many as the King of Pop; died before his comeback concerts in London.

JULY STEVE MCNAIR, 36 — July 4; the football player led his team to their first Super Bowl in 2000.

JUDI ANN MASON, 54 — July 8; a playwright and a television/film writer.

E. LYNN HARRIS, 54 — July 24; famous for his novels, which

often depicted gay African American men.

VERNON FOREST, 38 — July 25; a two-division world champion boxer.

FREDERICK J. “REV. IKE” EIKERENKOETTER II, 74 — July 28; known for preaching prosperity and first opened a church in Ridgeland, S.C. AUGUST NAOMI SIMS, 61 — Aug. 1; first black supermodel on the cover of Ladies Home Journal in 1968.

MARGARET BUSH WILSON, 90 — Aug. 10; a pioneering civil rights lawyer and former national chair of the NAACP. TONYA ALSTON BURNS, 48 — Aug.12; first African American female firefighter for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

RASHIED ALI, 76 — Aug. 12; jazz drummer played with John Coltrane, Archie Shepp, Pharoah Sanders and others.

MARY B. HENRY, 82 — Aug. 14; civil rights activist was instrumental in helping establish national Head Start program.

BURL TOLER, 81 — Aug. 16; before becoming the first African American official in the National Football League, became a star player at the University of San Francisco.

ROBERT DECATUR, 88 — Aug. 19; former Tuskegee Airman went on to become a judge and civil rights lawyer.

VERNON HOPSON, 84 — Aug. 28; Tuskegee Airman entered military service in July 1943 and applied for Aviation Cadet Flight Training in Biloxi, Miss.

See NOT FORGOTTEN, page 9

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Page 6

L.A. WATTS TIMES

ARTS & CULTURE Celebs Talk About Their Hope for Coming Year

SHORT TAKES BOOK • Deborah Owens, a wealth coach who draws on the experience of working in the financial services industry for more than 20 years, has written “A Purse of Your Own: An Easy Guide To Financial Security,” published by Simon and Schuster Dec. 29. Owens puts forth a

BY DARLENE DONLOE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“Passing Strange”

PBS • “Passing Strange,” the Spike Lee-directed film featuring the award-winning Broadway rock musical of the same title, will air in primetime Jan. 13 at 9 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, making its broadcast debut on THIRTEEN’S “Great Performances” on PBS (check local listings). “Passing Strange” is the semi-autobiographical story of a young black man who leaves behind his middleclass, church-ruled upbringing in mid-1970s Los Angeles to travel to Europe in search of his artistic and personal identity, or what he calls

✁

“the real.” There he finds he can exploit a “South Central” persona, playing the cool, black expatriate-musician who speaks for his people. The Broadway show won a 2008 Tony Award for “Best Book of a Musical,” and in total, it received seven Tony nominations, including “Best Musical.” Information: www. pbs.org.

MIXER • The Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles will have a community mixer Jan. 14, 5 to 8 p.m., at Crenshaw Live Bar and Grill, 3888 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles. This event is free and open to the public and is part of the organization’s annual King Week celebration. The theme for King Week 2010 is “Justice Must Be Universal.” Information: (909) 949-7585, www. sclclosangeles.org, e-mail events@ personalservicesplus.com.

speeches and songs sung throughout the Civil Rights Movement.

Admission to this event is $15 and $8 for children under 12. Information: (323) 964-9768, www. itsmyseat.com/ebonyrep.html.

• “Orpheus Descending” is a modern version of Tennessee Williams’ rarely produced classic, the story of “Orpheus and Eurydice,” set in the American South of repressed desires. The work explores the power of passion, art, and imagination to redeem life and return it to meaning. The play opens Jan. 15 and runs through Feb. 21 at Theatre/Theater, 5041 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. Showtimes are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., and general admission is $25. Information: (800) 838-3006, www.BrownPaper Tickets.com/ event/92508.

• The Ebony Repertory Theatre will present “A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” Jan. 16, 8 p.m., at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles. This event is the theater’s second annual, onenight- only celebration that will feature noted actors, musicians and a gospel choir performing inspirational excerpts from King’s words,

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Facts Jan. 1, 1997 The former prison of Nelson Mandela and many other South Africans is turned in to a museum at Robben Island.

Source: blackfacts.com

Jonathan Butler (R&B/gospel singer) — “Renewed vision.”

Anthony Hamilton (R&B singer) — “Everybody get back to their Bibles and do it the way God intended. And, bring about peace the right way.”

James Pickens Jr. (“Grey’s Anatomy”) — “I hope the economy changes. A lot of people are hurting.

I don’t think we know how bad they are hurting. Outside of the entertainment business, there is a whole other world out there that is really feeling it. God willing, our president will be supported.”

Ruben Santiago Hudson (“Castle”) — “My hope is just a hope and prayer that people who want jobs can get jobs and people who need food can eat. I want to see the hard-working, salt-of-the-earth people of this country get their due.

That’s the people I came from in Lackawanna, New York. I want to see the economy change and people get more opportunities.”

Tavis Smiley (“Tavis Smiley”) — “The short answer is that we would turn in the spirit of Dr. (Martin Luther) King (Jr.). That we would turn to the least of these. We are already focused too much on the elite — that is to say on Wall Street, banking and the auto industry. I’m hoping we’re going to turn the focus of the maltreatment of everyday people. I celebrate Barack Obama as our president. He has gotten caught up in an agenda that is too focused on the elite. … I’m sick of economists telling me jobs are coming.”

Margaret Avery — (“The River Niger”/“The Color Purple”) “Learn to respect our differences instead of being fearful of them. All this dissension comes from a disrespect and insecurity within ourselves. We need to practice what we preach.”

Tanika Ray (“Extra”) — “I think people need to concentrate on hope. Concentrate on the path that we’re on and realize we’re See CELEBS, page 7

This is personal.

She was the cornerstone of our family. But my mother died of colon cancer when she was only 56. Let my heartbreak be your wake-up call.

Colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cancer killer in the U.S., but screening helps prevent this disease.

Terrence Howard, actor/musician

If you’re 50 or older, please get screened. Screening saves lives.

1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) s www.cdc.gov/screenforlife

Saturday & Sunday please park at El Camino College Lot

Visit us on the web at: www.roadium.com

Anika Noni Rose (“The Princess and the Frog”) — “My hope is that we can get past all the bipartisanship and come together as a country. Also, that health care reform happens.”

THEATER

COMMEMORATION

Need A $ Bailout?

Lots of us agree that 2009 was a tough year for the nation.

Two wars still loom, the economy tanked, schools weren’t up to par, health care reform was challenged, long-standing businesses closed, politicians faltered, unemployment hit double digits and hundreds of thousands lost their homes.

As 2009 quickly comes to an end, it’s time to look forward to the new possibilities in 2010. The L.A. Watts Times asked some celebrities the following question: What is your hope for the country in the coming year?

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Photo: Andrew Macpherson

simple yet practical approach for women: You can take control of your life and purse by leveraging “the feminine powers of intuition, creativity, and empathy” to build personal wealth. The book contains quizzes known as “Pursercises,” resource guides known as “Pursessentials,” and examples of real women who have drastically changed their lives are included in the “Purseonality Profiles” section.

The 320-page paperback book retails for $15. Information: www. simonandschuster.com.

December 31, 2009

December 31, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 7

ARTS & CULTURE ‘SHAQ-A-CLAUS’ — Former Los Angeles Laker Shaquille O’Neal stopped by the Challengers Boys and Girls Club Dec. 24 to spread some holiday cheer.

About 150 youth from the Vermont Avenue center were treated to lunch donated by Wendy’s, and toys were donated by Jakks Pacific and Toys “R” Us. O’Neal has been participating in Christmas toy giveaways since 1992.

CELEBS

RESOLUTIONS

Continued from page 6

Continued from page 3

going to go forward. The pendulum swings all the time. We’ve already swung as far as we can to the right and it’s finally coming back. We have to believe in (President Barack) Obama. He hasn’t done everything he promised he was going to do, but he’s doing it one day at a time. It’s going to take some time. Just continue to have hope. Utopia is a little much. We have a long way to go, but we’re getting closer.”

accounts are made with after-tax dollars and the distributions, assuming you meet the requirements, are not taxed at all.)

In addition, Hanson suggests contributing as much as possible to Roth 401(k)s and Roth 403(b)s, if available, in your workplace. Why? Hanson says there’s a strong likeli-

Buddy Lewis (“Black Dynamite”) — “Less acrimony in the country. We have so much tension.

We can’t seem to come together on issues. And better economic conditions. That will help everyone.”

hood of income tax increases over the next 10 years.

“And owning a Roth IRA makes it less expensive for many to pay their taxes now versus later,” he said.

Consider or Reconsider Long-term Care Insurance “This is one area of health care

that is not likely to be addressed by any government program and (although) costs continue to rise, it poses a huge threat to retirement,” Hanson said.

This column is produced by the Financial Planning Association, the membership organization for the financial planning community.

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and the

Empowerment Congress Present

2010 Annual Summit Dawnn Lewis (“A Different World”) — “The ugliness and the viciousness against our president will cease so he can get down to running the country with the class, integrity and vision he has. We’ll be a stronger nation, stronger people.

And to be more economically sound.”

We are the Second District: Educated, Engaged, and Empowered for Action Saturday, January 23, 2010 • 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

California State University, Dominguez Hills For more info: 213-743-7200

www.empowermentcongress.org Kali Hawk (“Couples Retreat”) — “I’d like to see everyone come into an agreement with the health care situation. For myself, remain healthy enough to not worry about it.”

Page 8

L.A. WATTS TIMES

December 31, 2009

EDUCATION NOTEBOOK African Activist Association Seeks Symposium Submissions (AAA) — The African Activist Association is seeking abstract submissions for “Changing the face of Conflict: Africa and its Diaspora,” its fifth annual African Studies Graduate Student Symposium, taking place May 14 to 15, 2010, at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The purpose of this conference is to attempt to shift the frames of reference on questions related to conflicts in Africa and its Diaspora.

The aim is to showcase paradigm-shifting work on a wide range of issues so as to broaden the scope of discourse on proposed solutions to various problems. Topics may be related to public health, history, arts, education, political science, economics, women’s studies and more.

Abstracts and papers must be submitted in English. Individual presentations may not exceed 15 minutes.

Submit abstract of 250-500 words by e-mail to africanactivists@ gmail.com no later than March 1, 2010.

The e-mail should contain the title of the presentation, your name,

institutional affiliation, address, email address and phone number.

The abstract should be sent as a Microsoft Word attachment. Participants will be notified of acceptance via e-mail.

Information: (310) 825-3686.

Union Sues L.A. School District Over Charter Plan (AP) — A teachers union has sued the Los Angeles Unified School District over a plan to allow a new campus to be run as a charter school.

The lawsuit was filed Dec. 21

by United Teachers Los Angeles on behalf of a group of instructors at the overcrowded Garfield High School.

The suit says the district violated state law by not allowing teachers to vote on whether a school built to relieve overcrowding at Garfield should be a charter.

The new Esteban Torres High School in east Los Angeles is among 24 new schools set to open in September that school officials have proposed handing to charter operators.

School board President Monica Garcia released a statement

BRIEFS Continued from page 1 passing laws while spending too little time reviewing the effects of their legislation. He said that, plus the fallout from a poor economy, has helped push lawmakers to new lows in opinion polls and triggered a ballot drive to return California to a part-time legislature.

“I think there is a general recognition there is a whole lot that needs to change in how we do business,” Steinberg said in a telephone interview. “Let us commit ourselves to looking at all the laws we’ve passed in, say, the last three years and use this year to evaluate and assess the success of those laws.”

Steinberg, a Democrat from Sacramento, said he will call for the changes when the Legislature returns in January. He’s not yet sure if he will seek a constitutional amendment to formally return the state to a two-year budget cycle, or work with the Assembly to make the change informally through rules.

THE NATION Jackson Wants Federal Probe of Rockford Shooting ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) — The Rev. Jesse Jackson is urging Rockford residents to push for a federal investigation into the police shooting of an unarmed man inside a church-run day care.

At a news conference at the

PAFF Presents STUDENTFEST (PAFF) — The Pan African Film and Arts Festival has announced that it will continue its Black History Month programming that draws more than 18,000 Los Angeles city and county students annually.

Known as the PAFF’s STUDENTFEST, each year city and county students and their teachers attend this free program featuring age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and relevant films.

The PAFF takes place Feb. 10 to 15, 2010. It will present and showcase a broad spectrum of black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes of Africans and African Americans.

Information: www.paff.org, (310) 337-4737.

Lt. Scott Evans told The Commercial Appeal the graffiti included a “you’re going to meet your God” list, names of mostly black students and a coach.

Investigators, who apprised the FBI of the incident after learning of it Dec. 16, believe they are looking for a juvenile.

DeSoto County Schools spokeswoman Katherine Nelson said the district is conducting an internal investigation and reviewing a surveillance recording of the area in an effort to identify who put the graffiti on the wall.

She said the student will be expelled.

U.S. Professor Among 5 Sentenced to Die in Ethiopia

HORN LAKE, Miss. (AP) — Authorities are trying to determine who left graffiti with racial overtones on a wall of a girl’s bathroom in Horn Lake High School.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — An Ethiopian court sentenced five people to death — including an Ethiopian professor teaching at a U.S. university — and 33 to life in prison Dec. 22 for being members of a terror group and conspiring to assassinate government officials.

Those convicted have been accused of being members of the Ginbot 7 — May 15 in the Ethi-

ily reported that he turned off their water after the black boyfriend of a family member spent the night.

According to a HUD complaint issued Dec. 17, Maze, who is white, told a HUD investigator: “I do not have any blacks on my prop-

erty and I am aware that we have a biracial president, but no federal law will make me rent to anyone I do not want to.”

“This was a 4th (sic) generation business; Arab, Alabama has very few blacks,” the complaint

Racial Graffiti Found at Horn Lake School

opian calendar — which refers to Ethiopia’s election day in 2005 when postelection violence killed close to 200 people.

Among those sentenced to death was Berhanu Nega, an exiled opposition leader who was elected mayor of Addis Ababa in 2005.

Berhanu is currently an associate professor of economics at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.

Three of the other five sentenced to death are also living in exile outside Ethiopia; one is in custody.

The prosecution asked the court to impose severe penalties because many of the accused were members of the army.

All but two of the defendants in Ethiopian custody have proclaimed their innocence. Two defendants cooperated with the prosecution and were sentenced to 10 years.

Berhanu and more than 100 other opposition politicians were arrested after the 2005 election and put on trial for treason.

Berhanu and others were pardoned and freed after 20 months, but the government recently revoked Berhanu’s pardon.

said Maze told the investigator.

In an interview, Maze said he did make the statements about race.

But, he said, the investigator was trying to intimidate him.

See BRIEFS, page 10

RACIAL STRUGGLE Continued from page 1 The Rev. Jesse Jackson

Darrell Steinberg

after the suit was filed calling for cooperation on school reform.

day care center, Jackson criticized a grand jury for ruling that the shooting was justified during the week of Dec. 21.

He urged residents to push for an outcome that’s “just and fair.”

The Aug. 24 killing of 23year-old Mark Anthony Barmore at the church-run facility in Rockford has heightened racial tensions in the community. The two officers are white and Barmore was black.

Witnesses say Barmore surrendered. But police have said Barmore tried to attack the officers.

Barmore’s father, Anthony Stevens, says the grand jury decision made for the worst Christmas he’s ever had.

HUD: Ala. Landlord Cut Water Over Black Visitor ARAB, Ala. (AP) — The federal government accused a north Alabama landlord of illegally discriminating against a white family by cutting off water to their mobile home after a black person spent the night there.

A complaint filed by the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development said Phillip Maze, 59, violated the family’s rights.

Maze, of Arab, denied violating anyone’s rights and said the government was exceeding its power with the claim.

The Birmingham News reported Dec. 23 that an investigator went to Maze’s home after the fam-

His title comes from a quote

by Nobel laureate William Faulkner, a Mississippian: “The past is not dead. In fact, it’s not even past.”

MacLean, 66, said recently that he had long wanted to write about Mississippi because it’s widely seen as “the worst of the worst.” The state often ranks as the one of the unhealthiest and the least educated in the nation, and MacLean said many outsiders’ impression of Mississippi still comes from the violent confrontations over civil rights in the 1960s.

“Nothing stays the way it was for 40 years,” MacLean said. “The mere fact that there was kind of a monolithic view of it was a challenge.”

MacLean found a peg for a book when Seale was indicted in January 2007. It is among more than a dozen civil rights-era cold cases that state and federal prosecutors across the South have brought to trial since the early 1990s. Seale was arrested on a state murder charge in 1964, but the charge was later dropped.

Federal prosecutors said that at the time Henry Hezekiah Dee and Charles Eddie Moore disappeared, local law enforcement officers were in collusion with the Klan.

Seale was indicted after Moore’s brother, Thomas Moore, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and a Canadian Broadcasting Corp. documentary maker, David Ridgen, uncovered evidence about the

killings in 2005 and shared the information with prosecutors 40 years after the decomposing bodies of the teens were dragged from a Mississippi River backwater.

Thomas Moore, who has a federal civil lawsuit pending against the Mississippi county where his brother was abducted, said he has not read MacLean’s book.

Journalist Bill Minor, who has covered Mississippi for more than 60 years, said the slayings of Dee and Moore were overshadowed by the massive FBI search for Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman, the civil-rights workers who disappeared from Neshoba County in June 1964 in what became known as the “Mississippi Burning” case.

According to law officers’ testimony during the 2007 Seale trial, authorities initially thought they might have found the Neshoba victims when they pulled the remains of Dee and Moore from the river about 120 miles away.

Minor said the slayings of Dee and Moore were “as heinous as any that was committed.”

“It’s typical of the many really overlooked, forgotten hate crimes against black people,” Minor said.

“It was part of the mania, I guess you’d say, that gripped the state at that time.”

At the beginning of the 2007 trial, potential jurors from across southern Mississippi were asked detailed questions about their backgrounds, including whether they or any of their relatives had ever

belonged to the Klan. Several, black and white, were dismissed after saying they couldn’t set aside their thoughts that prosecuting a 43-year-old case was a good thing or a bad one.

“That’s when I really realized that the conversation in Mississippi is different about race,” MacLean said. “First of all, it’s on the table in Mississippi. It’s talked about.”

MacLean, who is white, acknowledged it took him months to overcome his own squeamishness so he could have frank discussions with black Mississippians about race relations.

A mixed-race jury convicted Seale, and the U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate — who happens to be Mississippi’s only black federal judge — sentenced Seale to the maximum of three life sentences.

Seale, now 74, is in a federal prison in Indiana, and his conviction is under appeal.

MacLean received the Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime in 1989 for his first book, “In Broad Daylight,” about the 1981 vigilante-style killing of a town bully in northwestern Missouri.

His second book, “Once Upon a Time: A True Story of Memory, Murder and the Law,” recounted the tale of a northern California woman who in 1989 claimed to have recovered repressed memories about her father killing one of her friends two decades earlier.

Emily Wagster Pettus covered the 2007 trial of James Ford Seale.

December 31, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 9

HEALTH House and Senate Look to Final Health Care Talks

THE PULSE Why the U.S. Lacks Universal Coverage (AP) — The issue: Why is the United States the only wealthy industrialized nation that does not have universal health coverage?

The politics: Health insurance in the United States is provided primarily by employers. The government picks up coverage for retirees and the disabled through Medicare, for the poor through Medicaid, and for military veterans and members of Indian tribes. That still leaves many people without coverage, estimated at 40 million to 50 million. The U.S. system was shaped by a World War II government policy that imposed wage controls when much of the nation’s work force was off at war. Barred from wage increases, employers turned to health insurance benefits to attract workers, and job-related health benefits became a staple in the post-war years.

President Barack Obama takes note of the patchwork nature of the U.S. health care system, but argues it’s politically impossible to throw out the entire system and start from scratch.

What it means: Any overhaul of the U.S. system will be built on a foundation of employer-provided health care. Industrialized countries that provide universal coverage do so because those systems evolved from their own unique histories.

Britain, for example, found it necessary to provide government-run care to its military and civilians alike when it came under attack in World War II, and that gave rise to its current, largely governmentowned, system.

Hampton U Gets Grant for Cancer Center HAMPTON, Va. (AP) — Hampton University is getting some extra help to fund its Proton Therapy Institute.

The Department of Health and Human Services has awarded the school a $380,000 grant to staff the institute, which is set to open in August. Officials say the grant will help fund the center’s 127 staff positions, including nurses, physicists, and X-ray technicians.

The 98,000-square-foot center is expected to treat more than 2,000 patients with prostate, breast, lung, and pediatric cancers per year.

Study: Vaccine Means More Holiday Hugs, Fewer Bugs (AP) — Holiday visits have become safer for grandparents thanks to a childhood vaccine that has dramatically curbed infections spread by kids, a new study found.

For years, serious bacterial infections spiked among older adults around Christmas and New Year’s, presumably because of contact with germy children. However, only one such spike has occurred since 2000, when the vaccine, Prevnar, came on the market, researchers reported.

The vaccine is advised for children under 2. It fights common types of strep bacteria that cause illnesses ranging from mild ear infections to severe pneumonia and meningitis.

Scientists studied illness pat-

terns between 1995 and 2006.

Infections surged among older adults every year during the holidays before the vaccine was available. Scientists suspected the increase came from contact with contagious kids during family gatherings. Women were most at risk, possibly because they were around kids more.

The illness is spread by direct contact with an infected person.

Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache or ear pain.

Study: Swine Flu Poses a Threat to New Moms (AP) — Swine flu is a threat to new mothers too, the first study to document this risk shows.

An analysis of pregnant women and new mothers who were hospitalized with swine flu in California found that those who had a baby in the previous two weeks were at higher risk of severe flu complications.

The report, released by the New England Journal of Medicine, is the first to look at the risk to women who recently gave birth.

As a result of the research, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently revised its guidelines, recommending that flu drugs be given to women who show signs of the flu soon after they give birth.

The study involved 94 pregnant women and eight new mothers who were hospitalized during the first four months of the pandemic before a vaccine became available, in October.

A total of 22 women — 18 pregnant and four who had delivered — needed intensive care.

Eight died including two new mothers. The study found all eight women who died did not receive prompt treatment with flu drugs.

Experts: NY Dog is 1st in Nation with Swine Flu WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) — A dog in suburban New York is the first in the nation confirmed to be carrying the same strain of swine flu that is infecting humans, experts said Dec. 22.

The 13-year-old mixed breed male, which is recovering, apparently caught the virus from his owner. But Michael San Filippo, a spokesman for the American Veterinary Medical Association, said there’s no evidence that the flu strain can be transmitted from a pet to a person.

Dr. Anne Schuchat of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Dec. 22 that animals can carry and spread flu viruses, but such cases are rare and people should not be afraid to enjoy their pets.

The CDC said swine flu is waning among humans. It said infections were widespread in 11 states, down from 48 in late October.

San Filippo said the diagnosis of the 2009 H1N1 virus was confirmed at two labs, including Iowa State University’s.

The dog, suffering breathing problems, was taken to the Katonah Bedford Veterinary Center in Bedford Hills, N.Y., on Dec. 13.

BY RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

WASHINGTON (AP) — How many Americans will get subsidized medical coverage — plus who will pay for it — will be front-burner issues when Congress returns next month to complete President Barack Obama’s health care remake.

Pocketbook concerns join abortion and whether Uncle Sam should peddle insurance as the top bones of contention for negotiators who must resolve differences between the House and Senate bills.

The negotiations are the last chance for Democrats to shape the legislation to deliver concrete benefits to Americans skeptical that it will help control skyrocketing premiums as it expands coverage to millions more.

“People will really begin to focus on some of the core issues that have received less attention,” said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, a member of the House leadership. “These are the bread-and-butter issues that will have the most significant impact on people’s pocketbooks.”

The Democratic-controlled White House and Congress are now closer to achieving near-universal health care than any of their predecessors. Extending health care coverage to 30 million out of nearly 50 million uninsured Americans brings the president close to achieving his top domestic priority.

Hard work still remains: the Senate bill must be harmonized with the version approved by the House of Representatives.

Broadly speaking, both bills would gradually expand coverage, while banning objectionable insur-

ance industry practices such as turning down people with health problems. Eventually, all Americans would be required to carry health insurance, with government subsidies to make premiums more affordable for many of them.

Those covered by big employers wouldn’t see major changes, but individuals buying their own policies and small businesses would be able to shop for competitively priced plans in an insurance supermarket called an exchange. Medicare cuts and an assortment of taxes and fees would pay for the bills.

Democrats are under pressure to reconcile the House and Senate versions before Obama’s first State of the Union speech. Not yet scheduled, it’s usually delivered in late January or early February. Republicans could wage legislative guerrilla warfare to delay an agreement.

There’s not much time, and apparently not much give either.

Senate moderates say they won’t vote for a bill that changes the basic terms they agreed to with Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and conservative Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson have drawn a line against reintroducing a government-run insurance plan to compete with the likes of Aetna and Wellpoint. The House bill includes it, but Reid needs every member of his 60-vote coalition to overcome Republican procedural hurdles.

More difficult to solve is the issue of how to restrict taxpayer funding for abortions. Abortion opponents disagree among themselves over the Senate’s approach.

NOT FORGOTTEN Continued from page 5 EDWARD MOORE “TED” KENNEDY, 77 — Aug. 25; elected to the senate nine times, Kennedy, who represented Massachusetts, was first elected in November 1962.

SEPTEMBER SKIP MILLER, 62 — Sept. 4; became president of Motown Records; managed singer Lionel Richie.

ROBERT SEARCY, 88 — Sept. 7; former Tuskegee Airman was a longtime Los Angeles businessman and Republican who campaigned for Barack Obama and attended his inauguration.

GERTRUDE BAINES, 115 — Sept. 11; took over the title of world’s oldest woman in January and celebrated her birthday April 6.

ZAKES MOKAE, 75 — Sept.

11; Tony-winning South African actor appeared in numerous feature films and television shows and plays.

TREVOR RHONE, 69 — Sept. 15; award-winning Jamaican playwright, director and actor.

MARGUERITE JUSTICE, 88 — Sept. 17; member of the Los Angeles Police Commission; first black woman to serve in that capacity in the United States.

DERRION ALBERT, 16 — Sept. 24; murder of the Chicago student during an after-school brawl was caught on video and relayed around the world.

OCTOBER TONY FEIN, 27 — Oct. 6; former linebacker for Baltimore Ravens

and Iraq War veteran.

MAHABOOB BEN ALI, 82 — Oct. 7; opened well-known Ben’s Chili Bowl in the District of Columbia in 1958.

CULLEN BRYANT, 58 — Oct. 13; played with the Los Angeles Rams for 11 of his 13 seasons in the NFL. HANK SPANN — Oct. 14; known as the “Soul Server;” legendary radio disc jockey in New York.

ROY DECARAVA, 89 — Oct. 27; famed photographer known for having recorded Harlem; taught advanced photography at Hunter College.

NOVEMBER TOMMY JACQUETTE HALIFU, 64 — Nov. 16; longtime executive director of the Watts Summer Festival.

MARVIN JACKSON, 64 — Nov. 21; member of Black Panther Party’s Los Angeles chapter; longtime educator.

AVERY CLAYTON, 62 — Nov. 26; established Mayme Clayton Museum based on his mother’s collection of African American books and artifacts.

DECEMBER NELLE BECKER SLATON, 88 — Dec. 1; founded groups to encourage black youth to study science and aim for higher education.

MARIE HARRIS, 87 — Dec. 2; known as the honorary “Mayor of Pacoima;” helped organize 1998

Many abortion rights supporters are against the more restrictive House language and are divided on how the Senate has handled it.

Obama will probably have to step in to settle disputes and keep things moving.

Democrats have options on how to handle the negotiations.

They could agree to a limited set of changes, allowing each chamber to pass identically amended bills. Or they could set up a formal conference committee to resolve differences. Leaders have made no decision yet. Naming a conference committee would signal that the issues have proven difficult.

Yet the longer Democrats argue, the more suspicious the public could become about remaking the health care system.

“The making of salami and legislation is not pretty for people to watch,” said Harvard professor Robert Blendon, who tracks public opinion on health care. “It has left them nervous that the interests of middle-income people are not being served.”

That’s one reason leading Democrats are arguing for a focus on pocketbook issues in the homestretch.

“There will be a certain amount of replaying issues that have been hotbutton issues, but I think there will also be a refocusing, especially on cost,” said Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad. “At the end of the day, when all of us go home, what we hear about is the everincreasing, ever-escalating costs.”

Associated Press writers David Espo and Erica Werner contributed to this report. secession movement of the San Fernando Valley.

EDWARD “UMAGA” FATU, 36 — Dec. 4; WWE wrestler and cousin of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

NAPOLEON JONES, 69 — Dec. 12; one of the few black federal judges in San Diego.

DALE R. WRIGHT, 86 — Dec. 13; award-winning journalist; first black reporter to integrate the New York World-Telegram and Sun newspaper.

MANTO TSHABALALAMSIMANG, 69 — Dec. 16; former South African minister of health; claimed garlic and other natural things helped combat AIDS. ALAINA REED HALLAMINI, 63 — Dec. 17; “227” actress/singer; played Olivia on “Sesame Street.”

CHRIS HENRY, 26 — Dec. 17; wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals for the past five seasons.

ANN NIXON COOPER, 107 — Dec. 21; longtime community activist in Atlanta; Barack Obama mentioned her in his victory speech the night of his election.

PERCY SUTTON, 89 — Dec. 26; media mogul and founder of the Inner City Broadcasting Corp., political power broker; civil rights attorney represented Malcolm X. DENNIS BRUTUS, 85 — Dec. 26; South African poet and activist; helped encourage boycotts on South Africa’s all-white sports teams.

Assistant Editor Thandisizwe Chimurenga contributed to this report.

Page 10

L.A. WATTS TIMES

December 31, 2009

SPORTS BRAD PYE JR.

SPORTS BEAT Notes, quotes and things picked up on the run from coast-to-coast and all the stops in between and beyond.

Which school has the best college football team in America? Is it the Oklahoma Sooners or the Alabama Crimson Tide, led by Mark Ingram, the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Heisman Trophy winner?

That answer should be forthcoming Jan. 7 in the BCS title game.

The Southland-laden Oregon Ducks and the Terrelle Pryor-quarterbacked Ohio State Buckeyes will tangle in the Rose Bowl game on Jan. 1.

The University of Southern Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future looked mighty bright in that 24-13 win over Boston College in the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco the day after Christmas.

Emerging as a pair of star running backs for the Trojans were Stanley Havili (three touchdowns) and Allen Bradford. The Trojans ended the season 9-4. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not acceptable in Trojanville.

The University of California at Los Angeles (6-6) goes against Temple (9-3) Jan. 5 in the Eagle

Facts

Bank Bowl game in Washington, D.C. The Bruins will be led on defense by tackle Brian Price and defensive back Rahim Moore, who leads the nation in interceptions with nine. Moore is only a sophomore.

And the beat continues...

Serra made its record a perfect 15-0 with a 24-20 win over Kentfieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marin Catholic to cop the Division III state championship.

And the beat continues...

The honors keep coming: Tiger Woods and Serena Williams picked up The Associated Pressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Athlete of the Year awards.

Continued from page 8

Jim Hill

Sportscaster Jim Hill will be inducted into the Southern California Sportscasters Hall of Fame on Feb. 1 at the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual luncheon at the Lakeside Golf Club.

Coach Marvin Lewisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cincinnati Bengals are producing their second winning season since 1990 and appear playoff-bound. The trio responsible for the Bengalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; success

Jan. 1, 1808 A federal law prohibiting the importation of African slaves goes into effect within the United States.

Chad Ocho Cinco

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Continued from page 1 frame in which DNA evidence (rape kits) can be tested from two years to five years in order to preserve statutes of limitations, according to info.sen.ca.gov. â&#x20AC;˘ AB 576 improves local gov-

Jim Caldwell

BRIEFS

Serena Williams

Source: blackfacts.com

And the beat continues...

Coach Jim Caldwellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Indianapolis Colts undefeated streak came to a 14-l stop as the New York Jets upset them 29-15 Dec. 27. Meanwhile, the formerly unbeaten New Orleans Saints lost their second straight to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-17 in overtime.

And the beat ends.

Brad Pye Jr. can be reached at switchreel@aol.com.

are Carson Palmer, Cedric Benson and Chad Ocho Cinco. The Bengals (10-5) recently beat the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 to clinch the AFC North title.

And the beat continues...

The L.A. Clippersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Baron Davis looked like the Lakersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Kobe Bryant as he shot down the Boston Celtics 92-90 with one second left. ernmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to recover costs of graffiti clean-up, according to democrats.assembly.ca.gov. â&#x20AC;˘ AB 636 increases penalties for charter bus companies and drivers for failure to comply with safety and licensing regulations, according to democrats.assembly.ca. gov.

SCLC Leadership Removed Amid Mismanagement Claims ATLANTA (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; As the daughter of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. prepares to take the helm of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the civil rights organization co-founded by her famous father is embroiled in an internal investigation that is distracting leaders from the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission.

A statement issued Dec. 21 by an SCLC spokeswoman announced the removal of the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chairman, the Rev. Raleigh Trammell, and its treasurer, the Rev. Spiver Gordon, pending an internal investigation into alleged mismanagement.

A telephone call to Trammell in Dayton, Ohio, was not answered.

Gordon, of Alabama, did not immediately return a phone call.

In October, Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter, the Rev. Bernice King, was elected the eighth president of the SCLC and has pledged to be a bridge between the civil rights and hiphop generations. A date for her installation has not been set.

In June, a former SCLC board member asked for a federal investigation into the alleged disappearance of more than $1.4 million in SCLC funds. And last year, the group clashed with the president of its Los Angeles chapter, the Rev. Eric Lee, over his support for gay marriage in California.

The statement released Dec. 21 in the name of the SCLC board said the investigation was launched in October concerning mismanagement of organization funds.

The SCLC said a personnel matter involving an Ohio employee also is being investigated.

The release stated that the SCLC board named the Rev. Sylvia Tucker as acting chairman and attorney Randall Gaines as interim treasurer.

Ga. Ethnic, Faith Leaders Urge Census 2010 Answers ATLANTA (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A multiethnic coalition of Georgia pastors and community leaders summoned the biblical image of Joseph and Mary Dec. 22 to urge residents of color to participate in the 2010 Census or risk forfeiting federal aid to states based on population.

They urged black, Latino and Asian communities, which they say were undercounted due to low participation during the last census, to view participating as a civic duty and a biblical mandate.

Multilingual posters lined the room depicting a man and woman trekking across a desert and the words, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Joseph and Mary partici-

pated in the Census. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid.â&#x20AC;?

The Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials organized the event.

THE DIASPORA Nigerian Broke Family Contact Before Bomb Attempt LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A young Nigerian man who allegedly tried to bring down a trans-Atlantic flight broke off contact from his worried parents only a few months before the attack, apparently trading a world of wealth for the calling of a jihadist.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab abruptly told his family he would

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab

abandon the life that took him from a $25,000-a-year private school in Togo to a degree at an illustrious London university. That message pushed his father, a prominent banker from Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Muslimdominated north, to contact state security officials and later the U.S. Embassy in hopes of someone bringing home his missing son. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We provided them with all the information required of us to enable them do this,â&#x20AC;? a family statement read Dec. 28, without elaborating.

Instead, the family said it awoke to news of the attempted Christmas Day attack on the Detroit-bound Northwest Airlines flight carrying 279 passengers and 11 crew members.

His familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wealth made Abdulmutallab an educated Nigerian expatriate, and he continued to travel after he allegedly turned to extremism. The 23-year-old told U.S. officials who arrested him after the failed attempt to bring down the plane that he had sought extremist training in Yemen.

Nigerian officials said the manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s round-trip plane ticket was bought on Dec. 16 in Accra, Ghana, for $2,831 in cash.

Facts Dec. 30, 1960 Langston Hughes is presented with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spingarn Medal and cited as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the poet laureate of the Negro race.â&#x20AC;?

Source: blackfacts.com

December 31, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

CAREERS PRINT ADVERTISING SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE The L.A. Watts Times, the most widely distributed African American newspaper in Los Angeles has an immediate full-time opening for a Print Advertising Sales Account Executives. The right candidate will sell advertising solutions to corporations and industries locally and nationwide over the telephone and by mail.

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Prior successful sales experience required, preferably in a media environment Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, able to establish rapport with all levels of clients/prospects and must be able to effectively close sales Ability to produce an effective call volume that exceeds goals Goal oriented and results driven Motivated, self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit Superb follow-up, strong organizational and planning skills Must be flexible and maintain a positive attitude

We offer a positive work environment and excellent compensation and benefits package.

If you possess the above qualifications, we’re looking for you. Please e-mail your resume to willa@lawattstimes.com.

L.A. WATTS TIMES “News You CanUse” 3540 Wilshire Blvd., PH3, Los Angeles, CA 90010 Phone: (213) 251-5700 Fax: (213) 251-5720 Website: www.lawattstimes.com

BLACK ADVOCATES Continued from page 1 Department, submitted by the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation, to train as many as 12,000 people for jobs in health care, infrastructure improvement and renewable energy.

“Sometimes we think, ‘Because I’m black I deserve a job,’ ” Nelson said. “No, we deserve a job if we’re qualified. And who’s going to qualify us? Us!” Obama, walking a tightrope on minority issues as the nation’s first black president, has long maintained that he needs to focus on improving employment for everyone, not just for blacks.

“I cannot pass laws that say ‘I’m just helping black folks.’ I’m the president of the entire United States,” Obama told American Urban Radio Networks on Dec. 21.

“What I can do is make sure that I am passing laws that help all people, particularly those who are most vulnerable and most in need. That in turn is going to help lift up the African-American community.”

Obama recently proposed some small business tax credits and tax breaks to encourage hiring. A $174 billion jobs package approved recently by the House includes $2 billion for job training, summer jobs for teenagers and Americorps.

But the disproportionate lack of skills and education among blacks requires a unique solution, Nelson said.

“I’m in a city where there’s a 45 percent dropout rate for black and Hispanic students,” Nelson said.

“We have to go well beyond saying, ‘Here’s a job.’We are the products of a failed public school system, of institutional racism. We have to direct dollars to organizations and community groups who serve at-risk folks.”

Others say the best way to help unemployed blacks is not through job training programs, but by creating jobs in the private sector through tax breaks and lowering the minimum wage.

“These (job training) programs aren’t usually worth much,” said June O’Neill, an economics professor at Baruch College and former director of the Congressional Budget Office. She said they are often distributed based on politics rather than need and offer training that is not useful.

Diana Furchtgott-Roth, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and former chief economist for the U.S.

Department of Labor, says lowering the minimum wage would immediately boost black employment. And instead of jobs funded by the federal government, focusing on education is a better idea, she said.

“About 70 percent of black children are born out of wedlock; they have a tough time not just getting an education, but it’s hard for their parents to make sure they do their homework, to make sure they succeed ... those children have a hard time getting skills,” she said.

But numerous studies show that when white and black workers with identical qualifications apply to the same job, “they consistently favor the white applicants, even though the black applicants are equally qualified,” said Algernon Austin, director of the Race, Ethnicity and the Economy program at the Economic Policy Institute.

Among workers with a college education, for example, blacks have a higher unemployment rate, which shows that discrimination is still a major barrier to black employment, said Austin, author of a recent paper titled “Getting Good Jobs to America’s People of Color.”

He thought the CBC proposals would help close the black-white unemployment gap, “but I don’t know what they have in there to address discrimination.”

Jesse Washington covers race and ethnicity for The Associated Press.

On the Net: Opportunities Industrialization Center: www.OICof America.org; Philadelphia OIC: http://philaoic.org; EPI paper on “good jobs”: http://epi.3cdn.net/ ab4fbeca3021741679_9om6bnbp8. pdf.

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF CLAUDETTE MACK Case No. BP116686 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of CLAUDETTE MACK. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by JAMES MACK JR. in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that JAMES MACK JR. be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on DECEMBER 22, 2009 at 8:30 A.M. in Dept. 11 located at 111 N. Hill Street, Room 258, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided in Probate Code section 9100. The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court.

If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

PETITIONER JAMES MACK JR. 2015 N. Castlegate Ave. Compton, CA 90221 Phone#310-404-3441 12/17/09, 12/24/09, 12/31/09 LAWT395-PROBATE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20091895258 The following person is doing business as: Haymon Realty & Investments 8306 Wilshire Blvd., #302 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Haymon Property Management 8306 Wilshire Blvd., #302 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Raymond Haymon 8306 Wilshire Blvd., #302 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 This business is conducted by an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is Raymond Haymon. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on December 14, 2009.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. NOTICE: This Fictitious Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before that time.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code).

First Filing: 12/17/09, 12/24/09, 12/31/09, 1/7/10 LAWT 396

DBA’s and Legal Notices, Call (213) 251-5700

Dec. 31, 1862 Residents of Rochester, N.Y., join Frederick Douglass in a “Watch Night” service, a vigil in anticipation of the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves in the states that have seceded from the Union, which goes into effect at midnight.

Source: blackfacts.com

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE CALIFONIA LEAST TERN COLONY MONITORING AND ASSOCIATED STUDIES The City of Los Angeles Harbor Department (Harbor Department) is requesting proposals from qualified firms to monitor the least tern colony within the jurisdiction of the Harbor Department and to prepare associated environmental studies.

The deadline for RFP submittals is January 15, 2010. The Request for Proposals (RFP) is available on the Port of Los Angeles’ website at http://www.portoflosangeles.org/business/rfp_proposals.asp. If you would like to receive a printed copy of the RFP, please call the Environmental Management Division at (310) 732 3675. Any questions regarding this RFP must be submitted via email to Guadalupe Diaz at gdiaz@portla.org by Wednesday, January 6, 2010. Answers that affect the RFP will be compiled and posted on the Harbor Department’s website, www.portoflosangeles.org, on Friday, January 8, 2010. It is the responsibility of the proposers to review the website for any RFP information prior to submitting a proposal.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20091859197 The following person is doing business as: Rhythm Records 2217 W. 25th St. Los Angeles, CA 90018 Mad Gear Clothing Co. P.O. Box 191087 Los Angeles, CA 90019 Angela E. Woods 2217 W. 25th St. Los Angeles, CA 90018 This business is conducted by an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is Angela E. Woods. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on December 8, 2009.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. NOTICE: This Fictitious Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before that time.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code).

First Filing: 12/24/09,12/31/09, 1/7/10, 1/14/10 LAWT 397

Facts Jan. 3, 1984 The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson secures the release of naval pilot Lt. Robert O. Goodman Jr., whose plane had been shot down over Damascus, Syria, on Dec. 4.

Source: blackfacts.com

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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20091878498 The following person is doing business as: Primeview Properties 24126 Silver Spray Dr. Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Primeview Group P.O. Box 151945 Los Angeles, CA 90015 Kevin Webb 24126 Silver Spray Dr. Diamond Bar, CA 91765 This business is conducted by an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is Kevin Webb. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on December 10, 2009.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. NOTICE: This Fictitious Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before that time.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code).

First Filing: 12/24/09,12/31/09, 1/7/10, 1/14/10 LAWT 398 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20091811295 The following person is doing business as: DeJa’s Praise 925 W. 156th Street Compton, CA 90220 Retha Meredith 925 W. 156th Street Compton, CA 90220 This business is conducted by an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is Retha Meredith. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on December 4, 2009.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. NOTICE: This Fictitious Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before that time.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code).

First Filing: 12/31/09, 1/7/10, 1/14/10, 1/21/09 LAWT 399 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20091811295 The following person is doing business as: Mus1c Notes, LLC 505 West 5th Street #216 Long Beach, CA 90802 Mus1c Notes 505 West 5th Street #216 Long Beach, CA 90802 James Pascascio 505 West 5th Street Long Beach, CA 90802 This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is James Pascascio.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on December 1, 2009.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. NOTICE: This Fictitious Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before that time.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code).

First Filing: 12/31/09, 1/7/10, 1/14/10, 1/21/09 LAWT 400

Page 12

L.A. WATTS TIMES

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January 15,

Vol. XXX, No.

SERVING LOS

1110

2009

G AREAS

te, n, a Confidan Xernona Clayto Legacy g’s Reflects on Kin

ANGELES AND

SURROUNDIN

System Inc. She Broadcasting of the oneis also the originatorin History” s minute “Moment is a ball of broadcasts televised annually Xernona Clayton History Month. during Black schedule is a minute, the Although her Moving a mile and former found Clayton recently a man veteran is full, civil rights King, to talk about King Jr. confidante time Luther for severMartin calls, respected, knew Atlanta fielding the she with durin her office in , and putting years, and worked the Civil doing interviews Trumpet Awards, al of the ing the height With a venfinal touches on accomt. highlights the Rights Movemen knowledge, an affair that ions of of wealth contribut and erable at plishments admittedly “never s.

African American founder and CEO Clayton, words,” has a million a loss for Clayton is the n to tell.

Awards Foundatio Times pro- stories of the Trumpet and executive The L.A. Watts get her to Inc., and creator Awards, which with Clayton ducer of the Trumpetand will air on spoke the nation’s upcoming year take on is in its 17th One. to King.

Atlanta on TV but tribute is the best April 12 from ents are vast, LAWT: What ty activist, Her achievem horn. dge King’s preacher, communi and one to toot her the way to acknowle Baptist isn’t — husband, Clayton KING son, brother, woman in who HONORING birthday? wouldn’t Nobel Prize winner, The first black Luther King Jr., televiXC: He definitely like all a prime-time intellectual, author, and more, describe Martin were it not for an South to host a vice He didn’t 15, words, Clayton was Tenn., father. These old today, Jan. want the hoopla. in Memphis, sion talk show, been 80 years at Turner April 4, 1968, would have urban affairs sanitation workers He was killed president of assassin’s bullet. in support of the city’s black rest of the counthe gone where he had Watts Times joins our Special Edition. strike. The L.A. this man with who were on — in honoring try — and world

PRESIDENT OB AMA INAUGU RATION EDIT IO N

E DONLOE

BY DARLEN WRITER CONTRIBUTING

fire.

Assembly Speaker

Karen Bass

Parade founder

1111

SERVING LOS

Giant Steps: Ba rack

Xernona Clayton

him as that pinpointed the activities go into of our time. I the great savior N, page 22 See CLAYTO

ANGELES AND SURR

OUNDING AREA

S

Obama America ’s 44th Presid ent January 22,

Larry Grant

2009

BY TERENCE HUNT AP WRITER

Civil Rights ‘Little Rock 9’ Inauguration Icon to Attend

of violence from taunts and threats adults opposed MN and FIRST COLU white students BRISCOE

BY ANDRE of Central High.

WRITER the integration CONTRIBUTING Roberts has lecObama is sworn Over the years, When Barack college stuUnited high school and president of the in as the 44th s may tured at seminars, and has been 20, American ly about what States on Jan. finally dents the nation has year interviewed extensive conclude that the turbulent racist past. it was like during He uses his Roberts overcome its Dr. Terrence psychology pro- he spent in high school. to teach But for retired Roberts, 67, one experiences as a platform e in as many and intefessor Dr. Terrence e of education ips at events, and participat .” teenagers who the importanc as possible, Roberts Today and Tomorrow of nine black Rock Central how to best improve relationsh inaugural balls ld great grandD Little to speak to 11-year-o NORWOO Arkansas’ “My C. grated He also plans Williams,

BY CHICO people of color. the Sidwell to said. in 1957, the ceremony Neeko Anthony in among this and faculty at leading up High School STAFF WRITER Speak- son, 7 cleared hurdle the theme for In the days Rock students ROCK 9, page “Little E. California Assembly as the came up with will be just another for equal rights. the Larry Day, See LITTLE organizer battle will serve Inauguration the continuing luncheons, speak J. year,” said er Karen Bass validates force behind the and Norris Nine” will attend Obama’s election Grant, the driving tried to grand marshal grand Nine” Rock the celebrity parade. the Los Angeles what the “Little Bishton Jr. and Bishton Roberts, a former Association and In his the 25th annual Joining Bass NEWS IN BRIEF Psyaccomplish, said Commerce.

P. Val19 marshal for Master’s in as Chamber of Gen. David the Parade on Jan. Lt. of be Day service role will co-chair offiKingdom at Antioch Uniprevious public year’s reviewing Day THE SOUTHLAND for Real Estate chology program in Los Angeles. celebration of court, this who has been deputy director state of in Los Angeles and 2009 Kingdom as the cer, The largest versity cerefor Serve to ent Taylor. holithe inaugural King Jr. Developm Rosenfeld Queen Wyvetta is credited in invited to attend the Martin Luther California, the Parade a, Rosenfeld s and offifirst black president Other celebritie Planning Deputy Supervisor Californi to create about mony for the 11 day in Southern to attend include with helping will begin at ctor jobs, Second District cials slated U.S. history.

2.5-mile parade Stanis of to what we homas has chosen 72,000 new private-se Avenue and urban Bern Nadette “It adds substance Mark Ridley-T “When a.m. at Western Boulevard. It actress to serve as which revitalized struggling fame; jazz legend Roberts said.

King Daniel A. Rosenfeld “Good Times” tried to do,” history, a State Martin Luther areas. this country’s west to Crenshaw Herby Hancock; Californi to a Senior Deputy you look at Instrucon will proceed Disat the opposition at turn south nds of L.A. ndent of Public for the Second and you look in Superinte Boulevard and District: Thousa ll; members of then you look Vernon Avenue Lose Jobs trict team. Rosention Jack O’Conne integration, and Crenshaw onto Council; with Obama’s Teachers Could where a festival the Los Angeles City ds of Los feld will be responwhat has happenedapparent that the Leimert Park, — Thousan (AP) quite planning, sible for and more. and other emelection, it is will follow. include 14 enKABC Telecrumbling.

Angeles teachers laid off this The parade will in transportation, Set to air on old system is teams to could be , what we did fits and ployees t secbands, 20 drill 7 from 11 a.m. retrospect annel “In A. nation’s vironmen marching 4 chip Daniel vision-Ch as the , page were able to parade theme school year grapSee MLK PARADE economic developRosenfeld that pattern. We system — weak1 p.m., this year’sLives On For st school district old of ond-large a $250 million deficit, ment. now away a bit at the is “The Dream than 35 years with — to the point He has more and ples officials recently said. en it if you will faster than ever.” assessment Ramon Corprivate sector co- school where it’s crumbling the election and is the Superintendent Legislature Roberts said developm ent Partners LLC, blamed the state anything, because founder of Urban entrepreneurial tines potential cutbacks, saying doesn’t change elements that the for the solve to an award-winning there are “systemic fabric of this focusing on devel- that lawmakers need if the Los the real estate firm are woven into crisis investment opportu- state’s budget District is opment and society.” ds the harm western United Angeles Unified School If anyone understan Roberts. In nities in the force intact. it is to keep its work , page 6 States. segregation causes,age 15, he and the as a board See BRIEFS at He has served City who the fall of 1957, the Central black teenagers the member of eight other as to be known would come insults, Nine” braved “Little Rock

s on in The Dream Live of Year This Historic ade Par Day Kingdom

Vol. XXX, No.

‘HOPE OVER FEAR’ — Barack John Roberts Obama, joined to become the by his wife Michell 44th presiden e and t of the United States at the U.S. daughters Malia, third from left, and Capitol in Washing Sasha, takes the ton Jan. 20. oath of

FIRST COLU MN

Not Just a Dre am: Obama Sparks Black Men to Action

BY LUCAS L. JOHNSON II AP WRITER

The Son of Our Soil

AP Photo/RON

EDMONDS

office from Chief

Justice

WASHINGTO into history, Barack N — Stepping Hussein Obama grasped the reins of power as America’s first black presiden t on Jan. 20, declarin g the nation must choose “hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord” to overcome the worst econom crisis since the ic Great Depress ion.

In frigid temper atures, an exuberant crowd of more than million packed a the National Mall and parade route Obama’s inaugur to celebrate ation in a highnoon ceremony.

With 11 million Americans out of work and trillions of dollars lost in the stock market’s tumble, Obama emphas ized that his biggest challen ge is to repair the tattered econom y outgoing Preside left behind by nt George W. Bush.

“Our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and See OBAMA, page 6

they say they

BY REMA REYNO might not have LDS SPECIAL TO NASHVILLE taken without L.A. WATTS , Tenn. (AP) his example.

TIMES — An actor NAIROBI, Kenya Van Jones, turns 40, founde d — I sent one inner-city mosque a dilapidated, Green For last e-mail to my All, a into a theater Kenyan friend in just a few asking her what I gram that seeks national prodays. A 20-year should expect. to create -old energy buckles down I would be teaching jobs. His Oaklan clean on in Nairobi d-based historically black his studies at a program during the time , which employ college after his of Preside nt Barack s 25 peomother dies of Obama’s inaugur ple and has an cancer. A commu ation. I wonder nity organizer - of $4.5 million operating budget ed Kenyans were decides his plan excited as I was, if , was instrum create thousan to in passing ental excited as the as ds of green jobs a portion of a majority of Amerinational too modest and is energy bill cans, as excited as enlarges it twencalled the Green ty-fold.

Jobs cans particularly. African AmeriAct. It will use up Barack Obama to train 30,000 to $125 million My BlackBerry people in jobs flashed her the White House ’s election to such as reply just as HOME PRIDE installing solar is I boarded the — Kenyans react ization of what the very real- and retrofit panels plane: a large screen, “Kenya is full AP Photo/SAY as U.S. Presiden ting buildings so many black as thousands of Obama mania t Barack Obama YID AZIM to make of people fathers have don’t be surprise them more so guration ceremony appears on told their sons — from Nairobi, gather to watch the U.S. enviro nment d if Jan 20th aspire to for to friendly. presidential inaually another nationa Kenya — that is D.C., Jan. 20. Across the years, even l holiday. Kenyan took place country, if it often was just are extremely s year ago came together to celebrat neighbors divided by political in Washington, With Obama’s proud of this election, Jones e the inaugura violence only booster not meant a confidence- decided son of our soil!” tion of its favorite a to shop a $33 to be taken litson, Obama. billion erally. And proposal before Congre Another nationa long before NEWS IN BRIE l holiday? Yes, ss that would he wrapped up the another.

F contest, his can- hire about 600,000 people didacy had over the next two When Obama driven these THE SOUTHLAND years for similar three Top police official black men and ident of the United was elected presothers to actions work.

States, Kenyan edged that minorit s acknowlwere granted See BLACK Los Angeles Police a day off, a holiday s MEN, page 3 frequently subject ies are more commemorate to Reject ed to searche the occasion.

Study on Racial but they told As I turned off my the commission s, Bias phone the statistics do not (AP) — A commi the flight attendan in obedience to prove racial prossion that filing oversees the is rampant in me, in my jealousy t hovering over Los the departI thought, “Now Department told Angeles Police ment. why didn’t we police on Jan. get a day off?” to investigate 13 Information whether data While waiting from Times, http://w from: Los Angeles in London to a recent study board the last ww.latimes.com. can be used plane of the identify officers to trip, Kenyans spoke who discriminate L.A. Gang has with against minorit $5 Million asm and animate great enthusiies. d gestures Tab to Pay The commission’s Americans as to they decision came after hearing (AP) — City symbol of hope pontificated the hours of testiofficials said Obama embodi mony about the they secured with proud, boomin es a $5 million study, which was judgment g voices. They conducted by civil couldn’t have against a Los a Yale Univer cared Angele sity street gang professor, and flight was delayed less that our whose 11 membe s published in Oct- control the five hours — ober by the Americ rs more time to brag heroin an Civil Liber- downto trade in the about Obama ties Union of wn area. their relative.

Southern Califor nia.

The City study Attorne When we finally found that Los y Rocky DelgaAngeles police HE’S GOT dillo and other arrived at Jomo Kenyatt MOVES — officers are more law enforcement a International A parade participa the many perform Photo by HGSTAR1 likely official to stop and search Airport s announced in Kenya, everyon nt nearly does /UNW ances that took the judgment black and against 19. Go to page the splits as part e Latino residen 17 to view more place at the 2009 Kingdom the 5th and Hill of ly Kenyan passeng— even the livets than they Day Parade on parade photos. gang are week. Officia whites, even last Jan. subdued, exhaust ers — seemed though whites ls ed from the journey are obtained againstsaid it is the first more often found . a gang in Calicarrying guns See KENYAN and contraband. fornia.

SON, page 6 See BRIEFS, page 7