Bulletin102517

WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2017

AN AMERICAN PRINT MEDIA PUBLICATION

Photo courtesy of Open Road Films (From left-right) Josh Gad, Chadwick Boseman and Sterling K. Brown star in “Marshall.”

Film Review: Marshall’s legacy prevails in must-see new film

By Dwight Brown Considering all of his major accomplishments, why hasn’t someone made a film about Thurgood Marshall’s life that was comprehensive? He was the lawyer who won the Brown v. Board of Education United States Supreme Court case, the founder of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, a United States Solicitor General and the first African American Supreme Court associate justice. But that’s not what the father/son writing team of Connecticut lawyers Michael Koskoff and Jacob Koskoff had in mind when they wrote this slice of life script. It’s a tactic that worked for the movie “Selma,” which only focused on one facet of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life.

In 1940, 32-year-old Thurgood Marshall (Chadwick Boseman) heads to tony Greenwich, Conn., to defend Joseph Spell (Sterling K. Brown, NBC’s “This Is Us”) a Black chauffeur who has been accused of raping and trying to murder his rich, White socialite employer (Kate Hudson). The case is dubbed “The State of Connecticut v. Joseph Spell,” and the presiding Judge Foster (James Cromwell) refuses to let an out-of-state lawyer defend Spell. His reluctance is more out of hostility towards the upstart Black lawyer than for procedure’s sake. Marshall is forced to partner with a young Jewish insurance lawyer, Samuel Friedman (Josh Gad), who has no experience in criminal law. The judge won’t let Marshall speak in court. Friedman is his mouthpiece. The cards are stacked against them.

The good points: Though this is not the bio-film Marshall deserves, this glimpse does offer a view of the ingenuity, perseverance and courage that propelled the Howard University law student into becoming a crusading attorney, who was an integral part of the Civil Rights Movement. This case is just one of many that he championed and it serves well as a barometer of the times in regard to how African Americans had to deal with blatant discrimination, racism and segregation.

Boseman is making a career out of bio-films (“Get on Up” and “42”). His interpretation of the civil rights advocate is shrewd and strong. Gad maintains an  Marshall, see page 3

Photo by Freddie Allen High school students listen during a forum on the Every Student Succeeds Act during the NNPA’s 2017 Mid-Winter Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

States ignore social competency for students in ESSA plans

By Lauren Poteat According to a recent report

by Education Week, states have largely ignored a critical mandate of the Every Student Succeeds Act that calls for schools to measure the social and emotional competencies of their students.

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NOT a single state’s plan to comply with the federal education law— and its broader vision for judging school performance—calls for inclusion of such measures in its school accountability system,” according to Education Week.

However, advocates for measuring social-emotional

learning have said that the current tools need more refinement, before the U.S. Department of Education weighs in.

“Existing measures of social and emotional development, which largely rely on students’ responses to surveys about their own character traits, are not sophisticated and consistent enough to be used for such

purposes, they have long argued,” the Education Week article said.

Even as school districts in Anchorage, Alaska; Austin, Texas; Chicago, Ill.; Nashville, Tenn.; Oakland, Calif.; and Sacramento, Calif., are actively engaged in incorporating socialemotional learning into their curriculums, civil rights leaders  ESSA, see page 2

Everyone knew Houston’s reservoirs would flood-except for the people who bought homes inside them

By Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune and Reveal, Kiah Collier, The Texas Tribune, and Al Shaw, ProPublica, October 12, 2017 This story was co-published with The Texas Tribune.

When Jeremy Boutor moved to a master-planned community in Houston’s booming energy corridor, he saw it as idyllic.

Lakes on Eldridge boasted waterfalls, jogging trails and a clubhouse. It was upscale, secure and close to the office. A bus even picked up his two young sons in front of their house and took them to a nearby international school.

“This neighborhood was a paradise,” said Boutor, who moved to Houston from Paris two years ago after his employer, a French-based energy company, asked him to relocate.  Houston, see page 3

Family of Sonny Messiah-Jiles, the publisher of The Houston Defender, is rescued by boat from their home as a result of rising floodwaters in Houston.

Eight honored with leadership awards

By Stacy M. Brown Congressional Black Caucus Chair Cedric Richmond and Federal Communications Commission Chair Mignon Clyburn were among eight honored with the National Newspaper Publishers Association 2017 National Leadership Awards.

Curley M. Dossman Jr., the president of Georgia Pacific Foundation; William Hawthorne III of Macy’s; former education secretary John B. King Jr., CBC Foundation Chair and Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Rep. Robin L. Kelly (D-Ill.), were also honored at the awards reception held at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. Tawanda Jones, a community activist from Camden, N.J., probably received the greatest praise during the evening. Jones serves as a mentor to the Camden Sophisticated Sisters Drill Team, a dance-based, nonprofit youth organization that she founded to help

Photo by Freddie Allen

Dorothy Leavell, chairman of the NNPA, Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) chairman of the CBC and 2017 NNPA Leadership Award recipient, and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., the president and CEO of the NNPA pose for a photo during the 2017 NNPA Leadership Awards Reception in Washington, D.C. children avoid negative activities in the community.

“I was thinking about how many untold stories there are,” said Jones, who, just before ascending the stage

to accept her award, was honored with a video tribute created by the Ford Motor Company that depicted her hard work in the community.

“I can remember our humble

beginnings, asking people for donations and how many doors slammed in our face,” she said. “Nothing will stop us from moving forward or paying it forward.”

According to Jones, the group has educated more than 4,000 members and has a 100 percent high school graduation rate, about 30 percent above Camden’s average.

King, the president and CEO of the nonprofit Education Trust, praised the Black Press and urged newspaper publishers to continue their vigilance in being the watchdog for their communities.

“This isn’t an ordinary start to a new school year,” King said, noting many of the changes that have occurred during the new administration.

“This year, kids come back to school seeing Nazi and [Ku Klux Klan] marches…a travel ban on folks practicing a different religion than theirs and wondering if someone might get deported,” King said,

adding that, “As truth tellers and story tellers, the role of the [Black Press] is critical.”Clyburn, a former publisher and general manager of the Coastal Times in Charleston, S.C., also praised the Black Press.

“There will always be a need for the Black Press,” Clyburn said. “A world without the NNPA and its publishers is not a world I want to be a part of.”

Richmond, the Louisiana Democrat who was elected the chairman of the CBC in November 2016 and who also serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Judiciary Committee, said that the renewed attempt by Republicans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act is cause for concern.

It’s also a cause for vigilance, he said.

“For us to continue progress, to keep us from losing the gains we had, we cannot do it without you [the NNPA],” Richmond said.  Awards, see page 3

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THE BULLETIN, WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2017

NEWS Body cameras, now gun cameras? Some police trying them out

By Dave Collins A small number of police departments are showing interest in a new type of video camera that can be mounted directly on officers’ guns, saying it may offer a better view of officer-involved shootings than body cameras. Some law enforcement officials and civil rights groups are skeptical.

Among the cons, they point out, is that gun cameras start recording only after weapons are removed from holsters and won’t capture what led to officers drawing their guns, or other interactions with the public. They also say they should be used only as a complement to body cameras.

Besides the better view, supporters say the pros include lower video storage costs because gun cameras record much less often than body cameras, and a feature in some models that instantly alerts dispatchers and nearby police via wifi and Bluetooth when officers draw their weapons and may need help.

Officers’ arms, walls and other objects can get in the way of body cameras, as they did in the New York City Police Department’s fatal shooting of Miguel Richards last month.

Officers’ body cameras also may not be turned on, gun camera proponents say.

“It’s kind of cutting-edge technology now,” said Assistant Chief Michael Kovacsev, of the St. Petersburg, Florida, Police Department, which tested gun cameras this year and is also deciding whether to use body cameras.

“One thing about the gun camera is you can actually see what’s going on,” Kovacsev said. “You actually get to see the viewpoint of the officer where the weapon is pointed.”

Gun-mounted cameras have been around for years, mostly for sport shooting enthusiasts, but have not caught on with law enforcement. Some police departments are using cameras mounted on their stun guns that activate when the safety switches are turned off.

The cameras cost around $500, about the same as some body cameras, and mount under the gun barrel. Some also have high-powered lights so officers do not have to hold both a gun and a flashlight.

Other departments planning to test gun cameras include the West Hennepin Public Safety Department, which serves Maple Plain and Independence, Minnesota, about 20 miles west of Minneapolis, and police in Williams, Arizona, about 30 miles west of Flagstaff, according to manufacturers.

Executives at two companies that make gun cameras, Viridian Weapon Technologies in Minneapolis and Centinel Solutions in Palm Beach, Florida, said that several departments have tested or plan to test their devices, and that many more have expressed interest. But they would identify only a few of their clients.

There doesn’t appear to be any gun camera footage of a police shooting yet because police agencies have not formally approved use of the cameras and no shootings happened during trials.

Officials at larger police departments, including New York and Los Angeles, said they have no plans to use gun cameras.

“If you put a camera on a gun, it’s only going to work when you pull your gun,” said Deputy Chief Timothy Trainor of the NYPD, which is expanding its use of body cameras. “We’re more concerned about capturing (all) interactions between the community that we are tasked to serve and the officers.”

The NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union both say gun cameras should not be used instead of body cameras.

“I think there’s a lot of context you’re going to be missing with the gun-mounted cameras,” said Ngozi Ndulue, senior director of criminal justice programs at the NAACP. “I think we need to focus more on the policies for implementing body cameras and making sure officers are turning on their body cameras.”

There have been several instances of officers’ body cameras not being turned on or malfunctioning in highprofile shooting cases, including the fatal shooting of an Australian woman by Minneapolis police in July, Ndulue said.

Justine Damond, who had called 911 for help, was shot by one of two responding officers whose body cameras that were not switched on. A prosecutor is considering charges, and body camera footage would have been key in determining any wrongdoing.

“There’s no guarantee that the gun cameras are going to be better than other cameras,” said Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst for the ACLU. “If there was a shooting, I would want more video than just the gun camera video.”

In the New York police shooting Sept. 6, officers’ body cameras showed the tense buildup to the killing but did not capture a clear picture of the moment when officers opened fire on Richards. Officers’ arms and walls partly obscured their body cameras. Police said they opened fire when Richards pointed what turned out to be a fake gun at them.

A prosecutor is investigating.

The New York shooting shows the potential value of a gun camera, said Max Kramer, chief executive officer of Centinel Solutions.

“It shows the final mile of what happened,” he said. “It potentially gives you peace of mind. This is just another tool to enhance that transparency.”

Brian Hedeen, president and chief executive of Viridian Weapon Technologies, said gun cameras can also save police departments money in video storage costs because they produce less than 1 percent of the data body cameras do because they’re not activated as much.

Video storage costs for body cameras, cited by some departments as a reason for not deploying them, can run tens of thousands of dollars a year for mid-size departments and hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for larger agencies.

We need a values revolution in America RECLAIMING OUR MORAL VALUES AND CRITIQUING THE SO-CALLED VALUES VOTERS SUMMIT

By Reverend Dr. William J. Barber, II On Friday, October 13, Donald Trump went before the annual Values Voter Summit hosted by the Family Research Council and declared America “a country that never forgets that we are made, all of us, by the very same God in heaven.” In the name of Jesus, Trump vowed to “stop cold the attacks on Judeo-Christian values,” but the Values Voter Summit no more represents Jesus than did the church authorities that backed slavery.

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RON IC A L LY , Trump invoked the name of Jesus in virtually the same breath that he announced his executive order to stop the federal government’s cost sharing reduction payments, which subsidize healthcare for lower-income families under the Affordable Care Act. Throughout the Scriptures, virtually every story of Jesus admonishes us to see to the needs of the poor and vulnerable among us, but Trump vowed at the Values Voter Summit to defend those who use religion to discriminate.

The Christian nationalists Trump has emboldened do not follow the Jesus I know and preach. Their values are not Christ, but cash; not grace, but greed. As the Princeton historian Kevin Kruse has chronicled in his book, “One Nation Under God,” they are the heirs of preachers, who were purchased by the robber barons of the early 20th century to resist the New Deal and the Social Gospel. During the Civil Rights Movement, they spoke against Rabbi Abraham Heschel and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. These Christian nationalists contradict Jesus, who said that, “as you have done it unto the

ESSA continued from page 1

continue to encourage Black parents to get involved with the implementation of ESSA. “We have noticed that, under the Trump administration, there has been a shift in priorities concerning the implementation of some practices of ESSA, since its inception in 2015,” said Elizabeth Olsson, a senior policy associate for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

“However, state and district officials still have to comply with the law.”

Olsson continued: “The U.S. Department of Education needs to make sure that it continues to scrutinize state programs to ensure that states are recruiting effective educational strategies, reducing practices that push students of color out of school systems, and identifying support programs, including professional teacher development and funding for alternative classes, like restorative justice.”

Olsson said that restorative justice programs really help get to the root of student behavior.

Liz King, the senior policy analyst and director of education policy for the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human

Photo by Freddie Allen

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II says that President Trump has brought about a devolution of values, not a revolution of values. Photo taken during an NNPA rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 2015. least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.”

They serve only the interests of the wealthiest Americans and take every opportunity to deny any provision of care or encouragement to the poor.

They have elected far-right extremists in the country’s legislatures, who have become paid puppets of a White supremacist corporate oligarchy. Elected with the support of wealthy despots, these men (and a few women) pass voter suppression laws that make them accountable to the voters. These peddlers of piety deliver huge tax cuts for the superrich, permit corporations to spew poison into the environment, and fund a military budget so enormous and sacrosanct, that American citizens are no longer even welcome to know what that budget is. All of this in the name of the Prince of Peace.

Their poisonous mix of racism and religion hurts all of us, but the irony is that it hurts more poor, White people in raw numbers. The agenda they are pushing in Washington and in state houses will hurt Southern, so-called “red” states, the worst, but at the Values Voters Summit, lead organizer Tony Perkins put on duck hunting waders and pretended to “wade into the swamp” as a man of the people.

The Southern Poverty Law

Center calls Perkin’s Family Research Council “a hate group.”

Perkins denies that Islam is a religion and regularly rails against gays and warns that LGBT citizens plan to round up the Christians in “boxcars.”

His vice president, William “Jerry” Boykin, Jr., claims that Islam is “pure evil” and should not be protected under the First Amendment. Boykin has threatened to physically attack anyone not using the bathroom that he thinks they should use.

We have to stop calling these leaders White Christians or evangelicals. Why should we listen when they p-r-a-y in public and p-r-e-y on the people?

These attacks on healthcare will become devastating to the poor.

Even a Republican governor said Trump’s executive order will hurt the mentally ill, damage the poor and distress families.

Trump has brought about a devolution of values, not a revolution of values. They did not have a values conference in that D.C. ballroom; it was a vicious conference where they clapped and applauded a president, who would undermine healthcare for the poorest and most needy people in our country and then attempt to claim that somehow he has rescued Judeo-Christian values. Nothing could be further from the truth, and nothing

could be more of a sign that this president and those who go along with him suffer from a values and moral bankruptcy.

Now, more than ever, we see the truth of what Dr. King said: we need a “moral revolution of values.” I have been crossing this country for the past eight weeks with Rev Dr. Liz Theoharis, meeting in churches and synagogues and community colleges with thousands of people, who know we need a values revolution in America.

We are building a Poor People’s Campaign and Moral Revival to not only reclaim our time, but also to reclaim our values, which been hijacked by extremists.

Corporate sponsorship has bloated the public image of extremism, but there are far more people of faith and conscience, who want to revive the heart and soul of our democracy. We are inviting that moral majority to speak out and stand up for a #ValuesRevolution.

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, is the President of Repairers of the Breach, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, and author of The Third Reconstruction.

Rights, said that there are still a lot of open questions about how Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is going to implement ESSA. Earlier this year, after a hearing with a House Appropriations subcommittee, DeVos was roundly criticized by the civil rights community, when she seemed to endorse a state’s right to discriminate against children.

During the hearing, when Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) asked DeVos, if her Education Department would require states, like Indiana, to end the practice of funding schools that openly discriminate against LGBTQ students and families, “DeVos didn’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no,’” Slate.com reported. “She just smiled and stuck to the generations-old cover for violent oppression in America. ‘The states set up the rules,’ she said.

‘I believe states continue to have flexibility in putting together programs.’”

King called those comments “deeply concerning.”

King continued: “What we need to hear from the president and the secretary of education is a commitment to the law, the Constitution, and the rights

of all children in the United States, focusing particularly on historically marginalized students.”

King said that the biggest difference between the way that ESSA was handled during President Obama’s administration versus the way the law is being handled now is the commitment to protect the civil rights, dignity, safety and respect for all children in this country. King added that children feel less safe and feel like their rights are being taken away, under the Trump Administration.

Education Week reported that, “DeVos rescinded the Obama administration’s transgender guidance to schools designed to give students more protection.”

In a letter to Senator Patty Murray (D-Was.), DeVos claimed that the way that the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) handled “individual complaints as evidence of systematic institutional violations,” under the Obama Administration, “harmed students.” DeVos also promised to return OCR to a “neutral, impartial investigative agency.”

As minorities continue to enroll in schools across the

country at higher rates than their White peers, King said that parents and community members need to act now to make sure that the myriad needs of students of color are fully addressed in ESSA state plans, that includes access to advanced English and math courses and addressing the disparities that exist between how Black students are disciplined compared to White students.

The Education Department has approved ESSA state plans from Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont.

“We have to address the issue of ESSA now, because decisions that are being made will have consequences for years to come,” King said. “One thing that is important to remember is that the implementation of ESSA does not happen in a vacuum.”

King continued: “ESSA is the opportunity for parents to work together with various coalitions, the press and grassroots organizations to shape the way the educational system will look for their children and for their futures in their own states.”

Follow Rev. Dr. Barber on Twitter on Twitter @RevDrBarber.

Follow Repairers of the Breach on Twitter @BRepairers.

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THE BULLETIN, WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2017

NEWS Kaepernick files grievance against NFL, alleging collusion

Awards continued from page 1

Photo by Freddie Allen

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee speaks during the 2017 NNPA Leadership Awards Reception at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C.

“Your partnership by far is the most important one that we have at the CBC,” he said.

Later, Richmond said Republicans are just one vote shy of being able to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama’s signature legislation, the ACA. “The latest health care bill is a travesty. Out of all the bills, this is the worst,” Richmond said.

Dr. Ortha Thornton, a retired Army Lieutenant, received an honorable mention award from the NNPA. Thornton served over two decades in the military and was chief of Personnel Operations for the U.S. Forces-Iraq in Baghdad; Thornton also earned the Bronze Star Medal for exceptional performance in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Several representatives from the award reception sponsors addressed the large gathering.

The sponsors included: Ford; General Motors; RAI Reynolds American; the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; AARP; Macy’s; Ascension Health; Honda; Koch Industries; Nexus Service; Pfizer Rare Disease; Volkswagen and JP Morgan Chase.

Meanwhile, Leon Russell, the chairman of the board of directors of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, attended the reception and announced a renewed relationship with the NNPA.t’s time for the NAACP and the NNPA to renew its partnership,” Russell said. “You have to be the voice to the people and let everyone know what’s happening in our communities.”

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Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL on Sunday, alleging that he remains unsigned as a result of collusion by owners following his protests during the national anthem.

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AEPERNICK started a n at i on a l convers ation about political activism by athletes last season when he decided to sit, and then kneel, during the anthem to bring attention to mistreatment of African-Americans by police.

Other players have continued the protests this season, prompting an angry response from President Donald Trump, who said players should be fired for not standing during the anthem.

Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers at the end of last season and remains a free agent despite a rash of injuries and poor play at the quarterback position.

I’ll have to follow up with him,’’ Reid said after the game. “It sure does seem like he’s being blackballed. I think all the stats prove that he’s an NFL-worthy quarterback. So that’s his choice and I support his decision. We’ll just have to see what comes of it

Mark Geragos, one of Kaepernick’s attorneys, said in a statement posted on Twitter on Sunday that he filed the grievance “only after pursuing every possible avenue with all NFL teams and their executives.’’

“If the NFL (as well as all professional sports leagues) is to remain a meritocracy, then principled and peaceful political protest—which the owners themselves made great theater imitating weeks ago—should not be punished,’’ Geragos said in the statement,

“and athletes should not be denied employment based on partisan political provocation by the executive branch of our government. Such a precedent threatens all patriotic Americans and harkens back to our darkest days as a nation.’’

San Francisco safety Eric Reid, Kaepernick’s former teammate, has been kneeling during the anthem before games, including Sunday’s 26-24 loss at the Washington Redskins.

“I’ll have to follow up with

him,’’ Reid said after the game.

“It sure does seem like he’s being blackballed. I think all the stats prove that he’s an NFL-worthy quarterback. So that’s his choice and I support his decision. We’ll just have to see what comes of it.’’

The NFL players’ union said it would support the grievance, which was filed through the arbitration system that’s part of the league’s collective bargaining agreement.

“Colin Kaepernick’s goal has always been, and remains, to simply be treated fairly by the league he performed at the highest level for and to return to the football playing field,’’ Geragos said.

This photo shows Colin Kaepernick talking during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in 2016.

Marshall continued from page 1

around his character that gives him room to grow. The biggest surprise is Kate Hudson as the duplicitous socialite, whose understated performance may be one of the best of her career.

Andra Day plays a chanteuse and the audience gets to hear her Grammy-nominated voice.

The weak points: Every

single interior looks like it was shot on a back lot. None of it looks real. The costumes (Ruth E. Carter) represent the times well, but look far too new and not lived in. The direction (Reginald Hudlin, “House Party”) doesn’t take the story to a higher level.

Every plot twist comes at the right time, but lacks the embellishments that take good

courtroom dramas to another stratosphere. Director Robert Mulligan found that extra gear with “To Kill a Mockingbird”; Rob Reiner did with “A Few Good Men”; Sidney Lumet accomplished that with both “12 Angry Men” and “The Verdict”; and Jonathan Kaplan succeeded with “The Accused.”

What’s on view looks and feels like a made-for-

TV movie. That would be a compliment for original programming designed for the smaller screen. Not so much for a theatrically released film that needs a touch more drama, tension and suspense, a higher level of direction and stronger technical elements.

There’s a line in the film that says, “If you want your freedom you’re going to have

to fight for it.” Wish someone had fought long and hard to give one of America’s most historic lawyers, courageous civil rights pioneers and respected Supreme Court justices his due.

Regardless of the trappings, Thurgood Marshall’s spirit prevails and his legacy is being passed on. That makes this film a must-see, even if it

doesn’t have the epic grandeur and significance of “Selma.”

Dwight Brown is a film critic and travel writer. As a film critic, he regularly attends international film festivals including Cannes, Sundance, Toronto and the American Black Film Festival.

Read more movie reviews by Dwight Brown here and at DwightBrownInk.com.

when the reservoirs were surrounded by prairie and rice fields. But in recent decades, development has encroached from all sides. Today, about 14,000 homes are located inside them. During Harvey, when more floodwater accumulated behind the dams than ever before, 5,138 of those homes flooded.

The Army Corps gradually released Harvey’s floodwaters from Addicks and Barker down Buffalo Bayou to the GulfEdge of reservoirEdge of governmentowned landBuffalo Bayou watershedTo Downtown Houston → Some local government officials, like Harris County Commissioner Steve Radack, say they’ve warned residents for years about the risks of living in or around the reservoirs during town halls and other public events.

“It is very difficult to make people believe the unbelievable,” Radack said.

“No one ever believed the reservoirs would fill.”

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, the county’s top elected official, said residents must know they live in the reservoirs — the dams, he said, are right there.

“You’ve got a group that bought homes if not in, then on the very edge of reservoirs behind the dams, so that’s pretty obvious,” Emmett said.

But it’s clear after Harvey that it wasn’t obvious to a lot of people. None of the more than half a dozen residents

interviewed by The Texas Tribune and ProPublica after the floods say they knew they were living inside Addicks or Barker — many of their neighborhoods are several miles away from the dams.

Several local officials — including Houston’s “flood czar” and a neighboring county executive — said they had no idea the neighborhoods had been built inside the flood pools. Several real estate agents said they didn’t realize they were selling homes inside the pools.

“When I started to rent this house, nobody told me,” Boutor said. “Even the insurance company told me that it was not a flooding area.”

But critics say those officials and developers had to know they were putting people and property at risk.

“They had full knowledge.

They knew exactly what they were doing,” said Phil Bedient, a professor of engineering at Rice University who studies flooding in the Houston area. “It’s a huge geopolitical mistake. How are they going to fix it?”

The question of who’s to blame has reignited longsimmering tensions between Harris County and the city of Houston.

In recent interviews, Emmett, the county judge, claimed that the city regulates development inside the reservoirs. But the city’s “flood czar,” Stephen Costello, called that “outrageous” and said the county plays a role, too.

Ultimately, all of them blame Congress. For more than a decade, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has identified a number of major needs for Addicks and Barker — including a comprehensive study of how development affects the reservoirs — but hasn’t gotten enough funding to address all the issues.

No matter whose fault it is, Fort Bend County Judge Robert Hebert — who has a portion of Barker Reservoir in his jurisdiction — said “you can’t take all that developed property off that land. It’s there. Whether it should have been allowed to be built the way it did ... that wasn’t on my watch.”

But now that the homes and streets are there — instead of the prairieland that used to absorb rainwater — scientists, along with Harris County and federal officials, say they are sending more runoff into the reservoirs during heavy storms. That means the reservoirs are getting fuller with each big rain event, threatening not just neighborhoods inside the reservoirs but the integrity of the earthen dams, too. The dams have been considered at risk of failure for years.

As Addicks and Barker reached historic levels during Harvey, the Army Corps sent an unprecedented torrent of floodwater downstream to ease the stress on dams. That caused thousands of additional homes to flood — homes that the reservoirs were initially

built to protect.

Ed Taravella, a longtime Houston developer, said he hasn’t seen any credible studies showing that development has sent more runoff into the reservoirs. “Things people say are largely anecdotal,” he said.

Jeremy Boutor at his flooddamaged rental home in one of the neighborhoods flooded in Addicks Reservoir in Houston on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017.

(Michael Stravato/The Texas Tribune) But scientists say the impact of replacing prairie with pavement is clear: More water ends up in the reservoirs, rather than being absorbed into the ground. The Army Corps has said as much for years.

“As development continues, we’re going to see more water coming to the reservoirs,” Richard Long, who oversees Addicks and Barker for the agency, told The Texas Tribune and ProPublica last year. “It means we have a harder job to do.”

Long added that the Army Corps doesn’t have the power to control development on land the agency doesn’t own.

“That would require the act of politicians, and they’ve chosen not to do it,” Long said.

For at least six years, the Army Corps has sought $3 million to study the risks that development poses to the reservoirs, but Congress hasn’t approved it — and no local government agreed to sponsor the study until recently. Last week, Texas officials asked

Congress to provide $10 billion for a variety of Army Corps projects as part of Harvey recovery efforts.

The Army Corps is now referring media inquiries to the U.S. Department of Justice as it faces mounting lawsuits from residents who live upstream and downstream of the reservoirs. Some also are suing the city and county.

Local officials like Hebert said they never considered the possibility that the reservoirs would hold so much water — until Harvey set national records by dropping up to 50 inches of rain in parts of southeast Texas.

“To be perfectly honest with you, nobody had ever discussed with me the risk of inundation to the degree we had,” he said.

“I was vaguely aware that if we got high enough, we could get water in those streets ... It was just something that was incomprehensible.”

He said he still considers it a “unique event” and doesn’t think it’s likely those homes will flood again any time soon.

Before Harvey, the neighborhoods inside the reservoirs had been some of the most desirable places to live in Houston. In Boutor’s subdivision, home prices range from $300,000 to $1.5 million.

But for Boutor, Lakes on Eldridge is not so desirable anymore.

“I don’t want to stay in this community,” he said. “I have to go far away from these reservoirs.” don’t think we need to stop.”

Houston continued from page 1

Then, Hurricane Harvey changed everything.

As the downpours began and Boutor studied maps flashing on his TV screen, he realized that his home wasn’t at risk of flooding just because of record rainfall; it was also located inside one of two massive reservoirs that had been built west of Houston decades ago to protect the city.

Boutor ended up with more than a foot of water in his house and was forced to wade out of his home in knee-deep water with his 10-year-old son clinging to his back.

He and his neighbors are now coming to terms with the fact that in big enough rainstorms, their neighborhoods are actually designed to flood. And nobody told them about it.

When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the two reservoirs known as Addicks and Barker on what was then mostly empty prairie, their chief goal was to protect the center of the city, 20 miles downstream.

The vast basins are dry most of the time, dotted with wooded parks and sports fields, and are contained on their eastern boundaries by large, earthen dams. During rainstorms, floodwater accumulates behind those dams in areas known as “flood pools” and backs up to the west; how far it goes depends on how big the rainstorm is and where it hits.

That system worked well

4

THE BULLETIN, WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2017

OPED Healing the gaping open wound: An urgent call for more aid and fair treatment for Puerto Rico

By Marian Wright Edelman A National Public Radio story this week described a visit to Escuela Gaspar Vila Mayans, a public elementary school in the Rio Piedras neighborhood of San Juan, Puerto Rico: “‘PRESENTE!!!’ about 40 kids shout on cue - they’re the ones who are able to be present. More than three quarters of the student body isn’t here. Communications are spotty, so some may not be aware that this school has reopened. Principal Rita Barreto says many kids and their families are still dealing with the storm’s devastation, after losing ‘almost everything,’ she says, ‘the clothes, the furniture, the food.’ For some students, even their homes. The school is open during mornings now, as of last Wednesday, and it’s not clear when it will be back to full capacity. It has water, but no power. ‘This is a safe place,’ Barreto tells the students. ‘We are going to have breakfast, we are going to have lunch, we are going to have fun activities just so that you can have fun.’ The principal says some kids told her [their lunch of oatmeal and apple sauce] was their first full meal since the storm . . .”

T

HREE weeks after Hurricane Maria ravaged the entire island of Puerto Rico, the children who have returned to school for a few hours a day in a building with no power are some of the lucky ones. Most of Puerto Rico’s 1,113 public schools have not reopened yet.

Some are still being used as emergency shelters for families who lost their homes in the storm. Eighty-four percent of Puerto Rico remains without power and some areas may stay that way for at least six months. More than a million people still lack access to clean drinking water. Food, medicine, cash, and fuel are in short supply. Disease outbreaks have begun and medical emergencies are widespread but hospitals have not regained full power or capacity. The death toll continues to rise. In the very hardest hit rural areas some communities have not been able to make contact or receive any relief supplies or help at all.

Sick people, older people, and the very young are especially vulnerable right now. Current island conditions seem unfathomable but the sad reality is Puerto Rico’s children were some of

the most at risk in America long before the storm. Nearly 6 in 10 of Puerto Rico’s children were poor in 2016 – more than 390,000 children. This child poverty rate was almost double that of New Mexico and Mississippi, the two states with the highest child poverty rates. Between 2011-2015, Puerto Rican child poverty exceeded 60 percent in 44 of the 78 towns and cities. More than 4 in 10 of Puerto Rico’s children under 6 lived in extreme child poverty at half the poverty line or lower, a rate more than four times our national average. In 2016, 38.9 percent of households in Puerto Rico received benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – formerly food stamps – compared with 12.4 percent of all mainland U.S. households. About 1.7 million people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in Puerto Rico in 2015, nearly half of the total population, but 20,000 children lacked any health insurance. More than three-quarters of Puerto Rico’s children who were eligible for Head Start were not enrolled in the program and nearly 100 percent of students in 4th and 8th grade performed below grade level in math!

Puerto Rico has struggled with a massive economic downturn since special exemptions that made it a tax haven for U.S. businesses, especially pharmaceutical companies, ended in 2006. The ongoing financial crisis led to an historic number of people migrating to the mainland in search of jobs and economic opportunity. The island’s overall population declined by more than 300,000 people between 2010-2016, including many students, doctors, and skilled workers. As young professionals fled the island they left behind an older and poorer population more dependent on social welfare programs although Puerto Rico now has a smaller tax base to support those programs. So many doctors leaving for the mainland led to such a shortage of doctors that some people had to wait more than a year to receive medical care. These were all preexisting conditions before Hurricane Maria made landfall pouring salt on the open wounds from the island’s financial turmoil and making everything much, much worse.

So how will we help Puerto Rican children and families recover and heal? To date some in our federal government have treated the island as if it were America’s stepchild and should be grateful for the crumbs received from the table of federal disaster

Taxes should go on postcards, not accomplishments

By Natalia Castro Did you know one of the most ineffective methods of debate is spending more time explaining your opponent’s arguments than your own?

Evidently, the House Republicans do not. With the newest House Republican website Didyouknow.gop, Congressional Republicans attempted to highlight their successes of this term but ended up doing precisely the opposite, feeding into the media chaos that has distracted the American people from the real action going on in Congress and enabling them to do less.

It started with a postcard.

Featured above, the GOP actually paid someone to have a postcard made that details all of their extraordinary achievements during the Trump Administration so far. While the message is essential, it is quite unbelievable that the GOP can fit all of their accomplishments on a single postcard.

Imagine walking into a potential employer’s office for an interview and being asked to produce a resume, but instead of a detailed account of your successes, you hand them a glorified index card with seven bullet points on the front and eight on the back.

Chances are you will not get the job.

Nonetheless, the House Republicans thought plastering legislation, most of which failed in the Senate, on a postcard to give to the American people was a good idea. The card promotes true achievements such as “Landmark Department of Veteran Affairs Reform” alongside “Stronger Border Security” which the Senate has stalled on consistently.

If there is any more significant symbol of government disconnect, I have not seen it.

That is until I went to the website the

postcard directed me to, Didyouknow. gop. The front page begins with a video — the first 20 seconds feature the liberal media trashing President Trump for Russia collusion that so far as we know never actually happened.

After that, it explains how the House has not allowed this to distract them from passing legislation. Apparently, the individual in charge of this videos production was unaware the average amount of time viewers spend on a video is less than 10 seconds, meaning viewers will see why Trump is hated before they see why the House should be loved.

From here, the user is directed to take a Did You Know quiz on House activity.

The quiz features questions like, “Did you know that former FBI Director James Comey testified in front of Congress?”, “Did you know that Donald Trump Jr. had a meeting with a Russian lawyer during the election?”, and “Did you know that tens of thousands of people protested President Trump’s immigration order in January?”

While these questions are followed with legislative achievements made on the same day, the quiz effectively reminds the American people of negative issues the House has dealt with before it gets to their accomplishments.

It asks these questions with no context. Never does it explain that Comey’s testimony revealed grave incompetence within the FBI’s handling of investigations, for example, just that he testified. Or that Donald Trump, Jr.’s meeting had nothing to do with allegations surrounding Wikileaks and the DNC. The House GOP’s own website will teach people more about why the President is being disfavored by the

mainstream media than why they are succeeding. Is that by design? Does the House think its failure is tied to Trump or the do-nothing Senate?

The frustration among House members is clear. With Senate rules preventing legislation from moving into law, Congress has been unable to implement a vast majority of the fundamental reforms to government that were promised during campaigns, including repealing and replacing Obamacare.

But the House should not be wasting time putting their achievements on postcards until they are genuinely committed to achieving more.

This month, the House will be in session for 13 days.

If House Speaker Paul Ryan and the rest of the Republicans in Congress truly want to be reelected, they should be sending legislation to the Senate constantly, forcing a vote, and proving they are committed to enacting a limited government agenda.

As we saw with Obamacare repeal and replace when the House acts definitively and the Senate has to vote, we know precisely which Senators are stalling the process, and the American people responded accordingly.

If the House wants to highlight achievements, they need to be in session often enough to make them. Expanding their calendar and forcing the Senate to vote regularly on legislation would validate their frustrations, but for now, they cannot beat headlines by repeating them.

The postcard campaign does not assist the American people or the Trump Administration in removing the destructive policy of the previous administration. The House needs to get to work, and not on propaganda but policy.

relief. On October 8 President Trump tweeted, “Nobody could have done what I’ve done for #PuertoRico with so little appreciation. So much work!”

And on October 12 he tweeted, “‘...We cannot keep FEMA, the Military & the First Responders, who have been amazing (under the most difficult circumstances) in P.R. forever!” But reports from the ground make clear the work President Trump believes he’s already done was delayed and is still nowhere close to being commensurate with the devastating level of suffering and need Puerto Rico’s 3.5 million citizens are experiencing. Many believe the federal government would have responded with more urgency to a natural disaster that left a mainland state without any power or tore asunder the lives of 3.5 million people in Texas or Florida.

Conditions in Puerto Rico are dire.

Puerto Ricans are not our stepchildren – they are our brothers and sisters. We are not doing them a favor by helping; it is our obligation to aid our fellow Americans during their time of great need and tragedy beyond their control.

With roads impassable, workplaces damaged, and jobs connected to tourism gone, so many Puerto Ricans have no idea when they will be able to go back to work or receive another paycheck and what will happen to their children. Some families able to get out made the quick decision to start all over again on the mainland. In the first week after the hurricane, Florida public schools reported enrolling 400 new children who had fled the storm and its aftermath. But children and families resettling in the mainland or staying behind to rebuild in the middle of massive destruction will all need our urgent help.

You, your family, friends, and colleagues can help in the following ways:

Donate Money: Organizations such as UNICEF and United for Puerto Rico are accepting monetary donations for the island and at least 90 percent of donations goes to help Puerto Ricans affected by Hurricane Maria. Any amount helps.

Donate Supplies: The island desperately needs supplies including bottled water, canned foods, blankets, diapers, baby formula, baby wipes and hand sanitizer. Here is a full list of needed materials. If you would like to provide any of these supplies, please visit: https://www.nvoad.org/ howtohelp/donate/.

Call Your Members of Congress: Without help from the federal government Puerto Rico will run out of money by October 31 and without a voting member in Congress the island is particularly disadvantaged in seeking federal aid. Congress is currently considering a bill to provide $36.5 billion in emergency funding for hurricane and wildfire relief and recovery helping victims in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and California, which many agree is needed but fear will not be nearly enough. Please call your Members of Congress at 877-2339025 and urge them to pass hurricane relief for Puerto Rico now.

It is absolutely critical that we let children and families in Puerto Rico know that their country will not abandon them and will act with urgency and adequacy.

Marian Wright Edelman is President of the Children’s Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. For more information go to www.childrensdefense.org.

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5

THE BULLETIN, WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2017

OPED

As North Korea threatens Guam again, now what?

By Robert Romano Stability is an illusion. So is power.

What deters a nuclear first strike against the U.S. is the perceived response.

More generally, nuclear powers don’t go after one another because the likely consequence is nuclear annihilation on all sides. Once one or two nukes go off, the likelihood that more go off rises exponentially, so nobody does it.

What makes the world stable today, then, is the perceived reality of mutually assured destruction.

So far, nobody’s arguing that North Korea is stable enough not to potentially launch a first strike. It certainly has not ruled out such a possibility. Instead it has threatened Guam, fired missiles over Japan and so forth. The most recent threat to Guam last week stated, “our hand [is] closer to the ‘trigger’ for taking the toughest countermeasure.”

Still, retiring Sen. Bob Corker’s (R-Tenn.) biggest problem is not with the regime’s rhetoric, but with the President who is trying to put pressure on them. In an interview with the New York Times on Oct. 8, Corker stated of Trump, “he doesn’t realize that you know that we can be headed towards World War III with the kind of comments that he’s making.”

Full stop.

If Corker, or Democrats or media types for that matter, truly believe that the current regime in North Korea is so unstable that it would be provoked into launching a nuclear first strike based on mere rhetoric, then the regime is too dangerous to be allowed keep its nuclear weapons stockpile. Same deal with Iran.

Is this even a serious perspective? If you believe a tweet (or perhaps a movie that insults North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un for that matter) can set off the regime to launch nuclear missiles or an EMP, what exactly is your argument against President Trump’s determination to disarm the regime there?

That the regime is stable, has joined the nuclear club and will abide by the unspoken “no first strike” rule because that would mean their own destruction?

Or that our worst nightmare has come true, a maniac has acquired nukes and will destroy multiple cities because he felt slighted even if it means his own destruction?

Many members of Congress, including senators like Corker or John McCain (R-Ariz.), and the mainstream media routinely demonize Vladimir Putin for all the evils in the world, but somehow, he’s a cool customer who doesn’t pound his fists and threaten Armageddon over the insults. And yet, if they have their way, we’re supposed to ratchet up tensions across the board in Ukraine, on the NATO frontier and in Syria apparently because Wikileaks published emails from the DNC and

John Podesta.

But on North Korea, what’s their strategy? That we should just be really nice to North Korea because the leader might get upset and start launching missiles?

Unfortunately, while intelligence agencies and Congress was apparently distracted chasing Russia collusion election narratives on behalf of the Clintons throughout 2016, North Korea apparently managed to complete, reportedly, more than 60 warheads, including the H-bomb, miniaturized nukes and ballistic missile capable of hitting most or all of the U.S. It is hard to see a scenario that would not ultimately result in war at this point.

If the regime is as unstable as we are led to believe, then eventually, one of those “test” missiles it is launching could have a real warhead on it (maybe it doesn’t go off) to see if we’ll shoot it down or even notice that it had a nuke on board. Or they’ll just eventually lose it and start firing off multiple shots at the U.S. and its allies in the region — going out in a blaze.

That’s not an argument against taking action.

Which, for those who need help, an argument for not taking action would go something like this. North Korea can handle criticism, in the least, and will obey rational nuclear deterrence policy. They are now a member of the nuclear club and won’t jeopardize their

own position by engaging in a nuclear first strike. But if they’re too crazy and criticism might send them over the edge, that’s not applicable. Because if deterrence is not an option, then there is only one other option.

So, what to do? It’s a staring contest with the costliest of potential consequences.

Do nothing, and eventually the results could be catastrophic. Preempt North Korea, and the results could be equally catastrophic.

For those who simply wish to think this is somehow Trump’s fault, North Korea did not complete its nuclear weapons program overnight. This crisis, which is decades in the making, could have just as easily been put on Hillary Clinton, with the same potential dire consequences for both action and inaction. She would be facing the same choice had she won.

Hawks will argue this is what they’ve warned all along would happen, and will likely — I’d say rightly — note that the threat could have been preempted years ago before it became imminent. But now here we are. Sometimes, foresight proves accurate. It’s not a matter of hindsight and we told you so. The situation simply is what it is now. Here we are now.

This is not about the election. That’s over.

We have only one president. Who faces the same crisis a Democratic president would have. If we want to play the blame game, then fine, the past three administrations

that did nothing to stop North Korea from going nuclear are to blame for doing nothing. The hawks were right.

a growing nuclear weapons stockpile, now’s the time to show it. That they are not threatening the U.S. and its allies in the region. Otherwise, you are not actually presenting the President with any better alternatives than the one that is appearing to be increasingly likely.

Sometimes, the wrong thing happens.

Murphy’s law. Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong, eventually. In a nuclear world, it was inevitable that a maniac would eventually get nukes. Now what?

NOW WHAT? The choice facing Trump is no easier than that faced by Truman in 1945 or Kennedy in 1962. No less serious.

So, if anyone has any evidence at all to suggest that the North Korean regime is actually stable and sane and can be trusted to indefinitely possess

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6

THE BULLETIN, WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2017

OPED Why did I get up this morning?

Dr. James L. Snyder All day long, I’ve had this burning question in my mind. One of those questions you just cannot shake and as the day progressed, it loomed larger and larger until I had to address it. Personally, I would like to have addressed it, put a stamp on it and send it to Timbuktu. I just do not know the ZIP code.

It all began first thing in the morning. Some days try to trick you into thinking it’s going to be a good day by starting the day off perfect. Such was not the case with this day.

The amazing thing about this day was it started bad and just got worse as the day wore on. Some days start out bad and then improve by noon.

These days I do not mind. I figure the day is trying to play tricks with my mind. I would not mind if I only knew the rules or if my mind could win at least occasionally.

The day began with me oversleeping. It really was not my fault; the alarm clock did not go off.

When I looked at my alarm clock, the numbers were blinking indicating sometime during the night the electricity went off. It is my personal opinion the electric company does this intentionally. The electric only has to flicker and all of the digital clocks go on blinking mode. This is a cruel trick perpetrated by our friendly electric company just to show us who is really boss.

When I checked the real time, I discovered I was late. Have you ever noticed when you oversleep it is the day you have an early-morning appointment? Why is it nobody ever oversleeps on his or her day off?

As quick, as I could, I got ready.

While I was shaving, however, I nicked my face. It was one of those little nicks that just does not stop bleeding, no matter what you do.

I had blood all over my face even dripping down onto my T-shirt.

I quickly dressed and scampered into the kitchen to grab a cup of hot coffee. In my grabbing, I managed to spill the hot coffee on my shirt.

Now that I am running late, I have to stop what I am doing, run back to the bedroom and put on a new shirt. It was a good thing because not only did my shirt have coffee stains on it there was a nice splash of blood on it as well.

I grabbed the keys to the car and dashed out the front door. By now, I was only 30 minutes late and even so, I could make the appointment.

When I started up the car, I heard that familiar dinging indicating I was low on gasoline.

There are times in your life when you must make a quick decision. I

estimated by looking at the fuel gauge that I probably had enough gas to get to my appointment, but would have to get gas right after.

To stop and get gas at this time would cause me to be that much later.

I can always get gas after my meeting.

Some educated guesses have never been to school or if they have, they sure did not pay attention.

While driving to my appointment, I was trying to think about the appointment and what I would do and what I would say and all that sort of thing. Even though I was running late, I could be at least well prepared for the meeting. As long as when I arrived at the meeting I was well prepared, all would be right.

Then I heard a sputter. It was a familiar sputter. As I looked at the fuel gauge, it was blinking “Empty.” At the time, it seemed to be a rather sarcastic blinking. In between sputters, I thought I heard a giggle. Cars seem to know when you are late and, most importantly, how much gas is needed to get to your appointment. I think it has something to do with all of the electronic equipment installed in the car at the factory. If it takes three gallons to get to your appointment the car, somehow needs 3 ½ gallons.

Undaunted by this latest development I coasted the car off to the side of the road and parked it. Looking at my watch I figured, if I put a hurry to it, I could walk to the meeting. Of course, I would be late, but I had a good explanation for my tardiness. Everybody has experienced this sort of a day and so they would understand.

I walked as fast as I could, hoping with every step that I would make up some time.

When I arrived at my meeting, I discovered a bit of information that completely floored me.

“I’m Rev. Snyder and I’m here for a meeting.” I said between panting.

“What meeting is that?” the secretary asked.

I explained about the meeting and that I was running just a little bit late.

“Oh, Rev. Snyder,” she said with a smirk on her face, “that meeting has been postponed until tomorrow.

Walking back to my car a verse of Scripture danced in the back of my mind. “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalms 118:24 KJV).

I rejoiced all the way back to my car. At least I wasn’t late.

Dr. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, 1471 Pine Road, Ocala, FL 34472. He lives with his wife in Silver Springs Shores.

Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.

Picking losers is no way to win, Mr. Majority Leader

By Robert Romano “Our primary approach will be to support our incumbents and in open seats to seek to help nominate people who can actually win in November.

That’s my approach. That’s the way you keep a governing majority.”

T

HAT was Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) promising to continue intervening in Senate Republican primaries to back the GOP establishment’s “choice” to represent the party in the Senate.

But how has that been working out in recent years? A short history lesson is in order.

Pat Toomey, who primaried Sen. Arlen Specter in 2004, would have voted to stop Obamacare before it ever got started.

J.D. Hayworth, who primaried Sen. John McCain in 2010, would have voted to repeal Obamacare.

So would have Joe Miller, who

primaried Sen. Lisa Murkowski in 2010 and defeated her, only to lose the general election on a write-in campaign with Democrats backing Murkowski.

Instead, the GOP establishment in Washington, D.C. — including those responsible for offering financial support to candidates — supported the Republican incumbent senators.

In short order, before he died, Specter provided the Democrats with the 60th vote for the health care law when he infamously switched parties from Republican to Democrat.

And McCain and Murkowski, who campaigned on repealing Obamacare, voted to preserve it when it finally mattered in 2017.

These are just a few examples, but the most pertinent, to any discussion about whether Republican senators should once again be primaried again in 2018.

But at the time of the races, and their aftermaths, everyone was assured their victories were for the best. That these senators, when it really mattered, would be with the Republicans on the most pressing issues facing the nation.

The fact is, Obamacare either

would have never come into being in 2009 or been repealed and replaced in 2017 had the Republican Senate leadership never gotten involved with these races.

The conservatives were right, as it turns out, to voice their objections to these senators in the primary process — when something could be done about it.

Now, with the Republican plan to cut taxes about to befall a similar fate, one has to wonder how there could possibly be any support remaining for defending GOP incumbent Senators. Or supports McConnell’s contention that he is somehow in charge of a “governing majority.”

Based on what objective evidence?

Instead, it appears Republican leaders — including Republican members of the House and President Donald Trump — are effectively being held hostage by these liberal Republican senators. It’s a majority in name only. The only question is: Why should GOP primary voters continue putting up with it?

Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government.

Vietnam-The worst years of our lives-Part II

By Harry C. Alford During the presidential election of 1964, Candidate Lyndon B. Johnson told a group of military supporters, “Get me elected and you can have your damn war”.

He delivered on the promise. By 1965 our nation was in “full swing”.

Soon there would be up to 500,000 U.S. military involved and body bags would start shipping home to the tune of 500 per week. The mid1960’s became chaotic with anti-war demonstrations growing stronger and stronger. Our government was disingenuous with the public. In other words, they were lying to us.

As the case for that became stronger and stronger, life in America became depressing and tense.

As I reflect, they were bitter times. Racism within our military was apparent and a very bitter pill to take. There wasn’t much of a difference between racial tension during World War II and t during the Vietnam War. You would think progress had been made but it wasn’t. Throughout the South the institutional racism was slow to fade away. In fact, there were similarities between the two conflicts.

My mentor, Dr. Arthur A.

Fletcher, told me of the time when he was shot by a Nazi sniper during guard duty while serving in Germany after the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He lost his spleen and was hospitalized for months at a hospital in the Canary Islands.

He was extremely disappointed that the Army officials would not grant him a Purple Heart medal for being wounded in action. The military doctor told him that they did not keep the bullet that went into his body and, therefore, could not determine if it was a German Army weapon that did the damage or just one of General Patton’s “southern rednecks” taking some target practice on some colored soldiers whom they detested. Art was forever bitter about that.

I later found out that such denials went on during the Vietnam War. Recently, I have been researching the records of some of my friends who were killed during the Vietnam War. Ivra Allen Tatum, known to all of us as “Speedy” was drafted and four months after arriving in Vietnam was killed. In pulling up his record online (www.virtualwall.org ), I noticed something startling. The record stated he was indeed killed

but no record of the automatic Purple Heart. On the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC his name appears on Panel 23E, Line 32.

Startled, I contacted his surviving sister. With apparent anger, she stated that her parents were not given his Purple Heart.

Then she dropped a “bombshell”.

Nor did they receive his Death Benefits. When you are inducted into the service you receive a life insurance policy ($15,000 as I recall at that time) which will be given to

your stated beneficiary upon your death from combat. This should have been automatic. Speedy was from Stephens, Arkansas, and many of the induction centers in the South were notorious for racial inequities.

I had a flashback of another friend who was killed while serving in Vietnam. His mother complained of the same experience.

She thought the mother of her son’s child must have received the benefits instead of her. But maybe, no one received the benefits. I must now do some investigating on the two matters. I get the feeling that this may turn out to be a Black thing – a very big Black thing. Strange – it has been fifty years since these things happened and now I am going to find out what the real story is. Justice must be served!

Another form of discrimination our Black veterans suffered from was “Rank Reduction”.

This happened in both the Vietnam War and World War II. After serving 20 plus years in the U.S. Army with tours in Vietnam, the Army had a strange retirement gift for my first cousin, Robert L. Alford. They informed him that they were going

to reduce his rank from Lt. Colonel to Major. It took him a couple of years but he won his case. So much thanks for his service?

It is not coincidental that this type of thing was happening during World War II. As the war was winding down, my fatherin-law was notified that his rank was being reduced from Captain to 1st Lieutenant and he would be discharge from active duty as such. That’s how they treated this celebrated Tuskegee Airman.

He had to formally sue the United States government (google DeBow vs. United States). Eventually they relented and restored his rank and seniority. He retired from the Air Force Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel after much stress and legal battle. These two incidents are not coincidental. This is nothing but a Black thing and a very strange way to thank Black veterans for their service. They say, “War is Hell”. I guess there are more reasons than one.

Mr. Alford is the Co-Founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®.

Website: www.nationalbcc.org Email: halford@nationalbcc.org

7

THE BULLETIN, WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2017

LEGAL NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: NICHOLETTE FORNEY CASE NO. 17STPB07560 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of NICHOLETTE FORNEY. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by JERELL SIMMONS, JONATHAN SIMMONS in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that JERELL SIMMONS 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 in this court as follows: 11/01/17 at 8:30AM in Dept. 29 located at 111 N. HILL ST., 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 decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor.

You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

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.

In Pro Per Petitioner JERELL SIMMONS 4600 ELLIOT RANCH ROAD ELK GROVE CA 95758 10/11, 10/18, 10/25/17 CNS-3058043# THE COMPTON BULLETIN SchId:68580 AdId:22840 CustId:61 _______________________________ NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF MANZELL POTTS, JR. Case No. 17STPB08800 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of MANZELL POTTS, JR. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Deneen Sullivan in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Deneen Sullivan 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 Oct. 31, 2017 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 79 located at 111 N. Hill St., 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 decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor.

You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

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.

Attorney for petitioner: TONY J TYRE ESQ SBN 269506 100 S CITRUS AVE STE 201 COVINA CA 91723 CN942299 POTTS Oct 11,18,25, 2017 SchId:68631 AdId:22857 CustId:65 _______________________________ T.S. No.: 9987-5077 TSG Order No.: 730-1704215-70 A.P.N.: 6146-011-018 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 09/13/1995. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. NBS Default Services, LLC, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded 09/19/1995 as Document No.: 95 1521572, of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California, executed by: WENDE BROWN, AN UNMARRIED WOMAN , as Trustor, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (payable in full at time of sale by cash, a cashier’s check drawn by a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state).

All right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said

County and state, and as more fully described in the above referenced Deed of Trust. Sale Date & Time: 11/08/2017 at 10:00 AM Sale Location: Behind the fountain located in Civic Center Plaza, 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766 The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 935 W 132ND STREET, COMPTON, CA 90222 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made in an “AS IS” condition, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said note(s), advances, if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust, towit: $62,201.70 (Estimated) as of 11/03/2017.

Accrued interest and additional advances, if any, will increase this figure prior to sale. It is possible that at the time of sale the opening bid may be less than the total indebtedness due.

NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property.

You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call, 916-939-0772 for information regarding the trustee’s sale or visit this Internet Web site, www.nationwideposting. com, for information regarding the sale of this property, using the file number assigned to this case, T.S.# 9987-5077. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.

If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. NBS Default Services, LLC 301 E. Ocean Blvd.

Suite 1720 Long Beach, CA 90802 800766-7751 For Trustee Sale Information Log On To: www.nationwideposting.com or Call: 916-939-0772. NBS Default Services, LLC, Omar Solorzano, Foreclosure Associate This communication is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. However, if you have received a discharge of the debt referenced herein in a bankruptcy proceeding, this is not an attempt to impose personal liability upon you for payment of that debt. In the event you have received a bankruptcy discharge, any action to enforce the debt will be taken against the property only. NPP0318323 To: COMPTON BULLETIN 10/18/2017, 10/25/2017, 11/01/2017 SchId:68728 AdId:22891 CustId:68 _______________________________ T.S. No. 16-41288 APN: 6166005-151 Loan Number: 0280232 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 6/26/2008. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashier’s check drawn on a state or national bank, check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, or savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state will be held by the duly appointed trustee as shown below, of all right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by the trustee in the hereinafter described property under and pursuant to a Deed of Trust described below.

The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest and late charges thereon, as provided in the note(s), advances, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale.

Trustor: JEREMALE M GREEN, A SINGLE MAN Duly Appointed Trustee: LAW OFFICES OF LES ZIEVE Deed of Trust recorded 7/2/2008 as Instrument No. 20081178569 in book , page of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California, Date of Sale:11/16/2017 at 11:00 AM Place of Sale: By the fountain located at 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766 Estimated amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $230,587.99 Note: Because the Beneficiary reserves the right to bid less than the total debt owed, it is possible that at the time of the sale the opening bid may be less than the total debt owed.

Street Address or other common designation of real property: 500 N WILLOWBROOK AVENUE #N-1 COMPTON, CALIFORNIA 90220 Described as follows: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST A.P.N #.: 6166-005-151 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address or other common designation, if any, shown above. If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale.

NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks

involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property.

You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property.

NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (714) 848-9272 or visit this Internet Web site www.elitepostandpub.com, using the file number assigned to this case 1641288. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.

Dated: 10/12/2017 LAW OFFICES OF LES ZIEVE, as Trustee 30 Corporate Park, Suite 450 Irvine, CA 92606 For NonAutomated Sale Information, call: (714) 848-7920 For Sale Information: (714) 848-9272 www.elitepostandpub.com _______________________________ Christine O’Brien, Trustee Sale Officer THIS FIRM IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION WE OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. EPP 23425 10/18, 10/25, 11/1/17 SchId:68746 AdId:22897 CustId:108 _______________________________ TSG No.: 8707925 TS No.: CA1700280576 FHA/VA/PMI No.: 0484634555 APN: 6150-001-004 Property Address: 12410 S WILMINGTON AVE COMPTON, CA 902221219 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 07/25/2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 11/07/2017 at 10:00 A.M., First American Title Insurance Company, as duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust recorded 07/31/2007, as Instrument No. 20071801973, in book , page , , of Official Records in the office of the County Recorder of LOS ANGELES County, State of California. Executed by: YOLANDA CANTU, A WIDOW, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK/CASH EQUIVALENT or other form of payment authorized by 2924h(b), (Payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States) Behind the fountain located in Civic Center Plaza, 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona CA 91766 All right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State described as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED DEED OF TRUST APN# 6150-001-004 The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 12410 S WILMINGTON AVE, COMPTON, CA 90222-1219 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said note(s), advances, under the terms of said Deed of Trust, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is $243,262.32. The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust has deposited all documents evidencing the obligations secured by the Deed of Trust and has declared all sums secured thereby immediately due and payable, and has caused a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be executed.

The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the County where the real property is located.

NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property.

You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (916)939-0772 or visit this Internet Web http://search.nationwideposting.com/ propertySearchTerms.aspx, using the file number assigned to this case CA1700280576 Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have

no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney.

Date: First American Title Insurance Company 4795 Regent Blvd, Mail Code 1011-F Irving, TX 75063 First American Title Insurance Company MAY BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE FOR TRUSTEES SALE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL (916)939-0772NPP0317981 To: COMPTON BULLETIN 10/18/2017, 10/25/2017, 11/01/2017 SchId:68749 AdId:22898 CustId:68 _______________________________ NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE Trustee Sale No. : 00000006839948 Title Order No.: 170225950 FHA/VA/PMI No.: ATTENTION RECORDER: THE FOLLOWING REFERENCE TO AN ATTACHED SUMMARY APPLIES ONLY TO COPIES PROVIDED TO THE TRUSTOR, NOT TO THIS RECORDED ORIGINAL NOTICE. NOTE: THERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT ATTACHED YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 10/02/2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. BARRETT DAFFIN FRAPPIER TREDER and WEISS, LLP, as duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust Recorded on 10/12/2007 as Instrument No. 20072334216 of official records in the office of the County Recorder of LOS ANGELES County, State of CALIFORNIA. EXECUTED BY: JEAN SAFFOLDLESTER , A MARRIED WOMAN AS HER SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK/CASH EQUIVALENT or other form of payment authorized by California Civil Code 2924h(b), (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States). DATE OF SALE: 11/22/2017 TIME OF SALE: 9:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: DOUBLETREE HOTEL LOS ANGELESNORWALK, 13111 SYCAMORE DRIVE, NORWALK, CA 90650. STREET ADDRESS and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 412 NORTH MAIE AVENUE, COMPTON, CALIFORNIA 90220 APN#: 6143-006-048 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said note(s), advances, under the terms of said Deed of Trust, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is $183,854.42. The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located.

NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property.

You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 800-280-2832 for information regarding the trustee’s sale or visit this Internet Web site www.auction.com for information regarding the sale of this property, using the file number assigned to this case 00000006839948.

Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. FOR TRUSTEE SALE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: AUCTION.COM, LLC 800-280-2832 www. auction.com BARRETT DAFFIN FRAPPIER TREDER and WEISS, LLP as Trustee 20955 Pathfinder Road, Suite 300 Diamond Bar, CA 91765 (866) 795-1852 Dated: 10/13/2017 BARRETT DAFFIN FRAPPIER TREDER and WEISS, LLP IS ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. A-4635377 10/18/2017, 10/25/2017, 11/01/2017 SchId:68752 AdId:22899 CustId:64 _______________________________ NOTICE Notice is hereby given that Extra Space Storage will sell at public auction at the storage facility listed below, to satisfy the lien of the owner, personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at location indicated: 3846 W. Century Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90303, 310-672-9642, November 15th 2017, 12:30 pm. Unit Number, Account, Amount Owed, Description of goods. 449, DOROTHY M MARTIN, $1,266.90, Household items; 399, Bennie Louis Thomas Jr., $394.10, Boxes; 287, INDIA RHODES, $653.50, BED, STOVE, DRESSERS, BOXES; 135, Paul Peete, $1,058.00, Household Goods; 505, Eleyna Guidry, $306.00, Clothes and Bins; 198, Monique Hicks, $669.90, Household items; 4, Tori Mcneel, $538.85, Christmas decoration; 85, Joseph Okoroji, $467.00, Boxes and household items; 224, Derek Morris, $1,659.70, bedroom set, entertainment center, dining table, 2 couches, washer, dryer, fridge, 10x24 NON FMHO 418; 53, Carmencita Velasco, $1,099.40, boxes, tools, household items; 281, Dana Williams, $932.60, 2 couches 2 desks table 2 chairs patio table chairs bed entertainment center 2 dressers doll house 2 tv’s shampooer; 444, Derek Milner, $1,054.00, staging radical decore; 537, Leslie Miller, $479.67, boxes dvds; 138, Robert Page, $580.20, dresser & household

items; 122, Miesha Hurrel, $527.80, tv stand, 3 tables, television, bags of clothes papers and books; 103, Auntanish Smith, $395.00, boxes 2 couches crib fireplace toddler bed game chair 2 small dresser, 3 televisions, 155, Julian Hixson, $365.00, Clothes, equipment; 119, Kory Brigg, $564.65, Mattress, boxes, tv.

Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

CN942690 11-15-17 Oct 25, Nov 1, 2017 SchId:68783 AdId:22911 CustId:65 _______________________________ NOTICE Notice is hereby given that Extra Space Storage will sell at public auction at the storage facility listed below, to satisfy the lien of the owner, personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at location indicated: 12714 S. La Cienega Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250, 310-363-9305, on November 15th, 2017 @ 2:30PM. Unit Number, Account, Description of goods 2057, Pheoliuos Yizar, Household Goods; 2035, E Wanda Artison, Blank; 3164, Guzman Maricela, no description; 1142, Kevin Ellis, no description; 2161, Robert Sena, house items; 2175, Dayana Hernandez, House Goods; 2206, DEBRA CLARK, BOXES, TV ETC; 2088, Rolando Calderon, Household items; 3086, Rose Torres, 10x10 wall unit, table, 2 beds, fridge, washer, dryer, couch; 1127, Alisa Thompson, Bedroom, china cabinet, bar set, clothes and dishware; 3151, Elizabeth Haro, Household goods; 3005, Devin St James, personal items household; 2102, Rita Minor, House; 0032, Shanice Wade, Clothing, boxes; 1078A, Alnesha Berry, 2 tv and a tv stand, twin bed, kitchen table; 1064, Reande Head, Household and furniture; 1173A, Jazelle Jacobs, Clothing and shoes. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

CN942717 11-15-17 Oct 25, Nov 1, 2017 SchId:68785 AdId:22912 CustId:65 _______________________________ T.S. No.: 1708170CA Loan No.: 200055676 A.P.N.: 6183-021-011 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE PURSUANT TO CIVIL CODE SECTION 2923.3(a), THE SUMMARY OF INFORMATION REFERENCED BELOW IS NOT ATTACHED TO THE RECORDED COPY OF THIS DOCUMENT BUT ONLY TO THE COPY PROVIDED TO THE TRUSTOR. NOTE: THERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT ATTACHED. YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 05/04/2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. A public auction sale to the highest bidder for cash, cashier’s check drawn on a state of national bank, check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, or savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state will be held by the duly appointed trustee as shown below, of all right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by the trustee in the hereinafter described property under and pursuant to a Deed of Trust described below.

The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest and late charges thereon, as provided in the note(s), advances, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, fees, charges, and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below. The amount may be greater on the day of sale. Trustor: Jesus Flores and Maria Del Carmen Flores Duly Appointed Trustee: Seaside Trustee Inc., Recorded 05/09/2007, as Instrument No. 20071123108, in book XX, page, XX of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, California. Date of Sale: 11/17/2017 Time: 11:00 AM Place of Sale: Behind the Fountain located in Civic Center Plaza, 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $253,018.05.

Street Address or other common designation of real property: 1906 E. Compton Blvd., Compton, CA 90221. A.P.N.: 6183-021-011.

The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address or other common designation, if any, shown above. If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: We request certified funds at sale be payable directly to SEASIDE TRUSTEE INC. to avoid delays in issuing the final deed.

NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property.

You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (855)986-9342 Sale line or visit this Internet Web site www.superiordefault. com using the file number assigned to this case 1708170CA. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.

Date: 10/18/2017. Trustee Sales Information: 855-986-9342, www.superiordefault.com 650 N. Rose Dr #147, Placentia, CA 92870 Seaside Trustee Inc., P.O. Box 2676, Ventura, CA 93014. By: J. Weber, Authorized Signer.

(10/25/17, 11/01/17, 11/08/17 TS#1708170CA

SDI-8058) SchId:68796 AdId:22916 CustId:645 _______________________________ NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE UNDER DEED OF TRUST Loan No.: 11664 / KFON RESS Order No.: 76239 A.P. NUMBER 7141-005-074 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 03/06/2017, UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that on 11/15/2017, at 10:00AM of said day, Behind the fountain located in Civic Center Plaza, 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona CA 91766, Worldwide Lenders, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to the power of sale conferred in that certain Deed of Trust executed by KFON PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION recorded on 03/21/2017, in Book N/A of Official Records of LOS ANGELES County, at page N/A, Recorder’s Instrument No. 20170319320, by reason of a breach or default in payment or performance of the obligations secured thereby, including that breach or default, Notice of which was recorded 07/17/207 as Recorder’s Instrument No. 20170796335, in Book n/a, at page n/a, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, lawful money of the United States, evidenced by a Cashier’s Check drawn on a state or national bank, or the equivalent thereof drawn on any other financial institution specified in section 5102 of the California Financial Code, authorized to do business in the State of California, ALL PAYABLE AT THE TIME OF SALE, all right, title and interest held by it as Trustee, in that real property situated in said County and State, described as follows: Lot 10, Tract 45502, per Book 1127, pages 72 through 74 inclusive, of Maps The street address or other common designation of the real property hereinabove described is purported to be: 3550 NORTH WESTON PLACE, LONG BEACH, CA 90807. The undersigned disclaims all liability for any incorrectness in said street address or other common designation. Said sale will be made without warranty, express or implied regarding title, possession, or other encumbrances, to satisfy the unpaid obligations secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest and other sums as provided therein; plus advances, if any, thereunder and interest thereon; and plus fees, charges, and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of said obligations at the time of initial publication of this Notice is $551,280.37. In the event that the deed of trust described in this Notice of Trustee’s Sale is secured by real property containing from one to four singlefamily residences, the following notices are provided pursuant to the provisions of Civil Code section 2924f: NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property.

You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee’s sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 916-939-0772 or visit this Internet Web site www.nationwideposting.com, using the file number assigned to this case 76239.

Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not be immediately reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. Dated: 10/17/2017 Worldwide Lenders, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, as Trustee By: RESS Financial Corporation, a California corporation, Its Agent By: BRUCE R. BEASLEY, PRESIDENT 1780 Town and Country Drive, Suite 105, Norco, CA 92860-3618 (SEAL) Tel.: (951) 270-0164 or (800)343-7377 FAX: (951)270-2673 Trustee’s Sale Information: (916) 939-0772 or www. nationwideposting.com NPP0318953 To: LONG BEACH CALIFORNIAN 10/25/2017, 11/01/2017, 11/08/2017 SchId:68831 AdId:22928 CustId:68 _______________________________ NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF WILLIE LEE GRIMES Case No. 17STPB01372 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of WILLIE LEE GRIMES A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Andre Grimes, Darrell Grimes, Dennis Grimes in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Joan M. Miller, Esq. 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 Dec. 12, 2017 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 99 located at 111 N. Hill St., 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 decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined

in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor.

You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

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.

Attorney for petitioner: JOAN M MILLER ESQ SBN 134220 LAW OFFICES OF JOAN M MILLER 8400 CRENSHAW BLVD INGLEWOOD CA 90305 CN942183 GRIMES Oct 25, Nov 1,8, 2017 SchId:68834 AdId:22929 CustId:65 _______________________________ REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION CONSULTANT SERVICES The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors is seeking qualified and experienced Vendors to enter into Master Agreements to advocate, on an asneeded basis, the County’s interests on matters pending or to be brought before the California Coastal Commission.

Firms submitting proposals must have a minimum of five years’ experience in consulting with public and private sector developers on California Coastal Commission proceedings on Local Coastal Program Amendments and coastal permits. County may require additional minimum qualifications.

The deadline for submitting proposals will be 2:00 p.m., November 22, 2017.

Further information regarding the RFP is available at: http://camisvr.co.la.ca.us/lacobids/ BidLookUp/BidOpenSt_art.asp.

To view and print a copy of the RFP, please visit: h t t p : / / b e a c h e s . l a c o u n t y. g o v / requestforproposals/, and click the ``Request for Proposals`` link.

The County reserves the right to cancel the RFSQ and to modify any and all terms and conditions of the RFSQ, including minimum requirements.

For further information, email Miguelangel Tamayo at MTamayo@ bh.lacounty.gov.

CN942373 11-21-17 Oct 25, 2017 SchId:68838 AdId:22931 CustId:65 _______________________________ REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR ASNEEDED ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors is seeking qualified and experienced Vendors to enter into Master Agreements to provide, on an asneeded basis, environmental consulting services to ensure sensitive biological resources are protected at the beaches and in Marina del Rey and that water quality compliance standards are met for protection of the environment and human health. Selection of vendors will be based on the qualifications of the firms submitting Proposals.

Vendors submitting Statement of Qualifications (SOQs) must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in their field of specialty and a minimum of two years of relevant experience performing bird nesting surveys and/or working in marine environments. The County may require additional minimum qualifications.

The deadline for submitting SOQs will be 2:00 p.m., November 22, 2017.

Further information regarding the RFSQ is available at: http://camisvr.co.la.ca.us/lacobids/ BidLookUp/BidOpenSt_art.asp .

To view and print a copy of the RFSQ, please visit: h t t p : / / b e a c h e s . l a c o u n t y. g o v / requestforproposals/, and click the ``Request for Proposals`` link.

The County reserves the right to cancel the RFSQ and to modify any and all terms and conditions of the RFSQ, including minimum requirements.

For further information, email Miguelangel Tamayo at MTamayo@ bh.lacounty.gov.

CN942379 11-21-17 Oct 25, 2017 SchId:68839 AdId:22932 CustId:65 _______________________________ NOTICE Notice is hereby given that Extra Space Storage will sell at public auction at the storage facility listed below, to satisfy the lien of the owner, personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at location indicated: 1017 E El Segundo Blvd., El Segundo, CA, 90245, 310-713-1573, on November 15th, 2017 at 3:30PM. La Seona Smith, A109; Personal property / Jeff Volz, A227; Household items / Jonathan Botts, D205L; Household Items / Tara Murray, D120; Household goods / Gerelle Weekes, B235; household goods. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

CN942829 11-15-17 Oct 25, Nov 1, 2017 SchId:68840 AdId:22933 CustId:65 _______________________________ NOTICE Notice is hereby given that Extra Space Storage will sell at public auction at the storage facility listed below, to satisfy the lien of the owner, personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at location indicated: 12830 Roselle Ave, Hawthorne CA 90250, 310-644-1995, November 15th, 1:30 pm.; C2079, Tony Harris, $354.00, boxes and household items; B3002, Sarah Stewart, $317.00, Decorations and homes goods; B2006, Joyce Moten, $510.70, bedroom set, 2 chairs, 2 tables, china closest, fridge, washer, dryer; C3034, Stephani Montoya, $327.00, Massage Table, 2 night stand, Clothes; C1043, Colombia Estrada, $681.60, Household items.; C2005, Qiana Campbell, $317.00, Clothes, boxes; A3005, Stacy lyons, $525.00, refrigerator king bed and love seat; C2025, Milay Sanchez, $435.15, 1 bed house hold items; B2079, Anthony Wallace, $494.50, household items beds tvs; A3011, Brianna Beverly; $428.40, Couch, dining table (4 chairs), 2 night stands, 2 small tables, 2 tvs; B2036, Luis Quezada, $658.60, 1 bedroom apartment, bed frame, mattress, household goods and misc boxes; C3038, Andy Ayala, $405.00, Loveseat, misc items, weights, vacuum, boxes. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

CN942886 11-15-17 Oct 25, Nov 1, 2017 SchId:68848 AdId:22936 CustId:65

8

THE BULLETIN, WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2017

SPORTS BRONCO CORRAL

By Mike Kellogg

Trump: ‘About time’ NFL demands players stand during anthem President Donald Trump says “it is about time” that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell demands “that all players STAND for our great National AnthemRESPECT OUR COUNTRY.” Trump made a reference Wednesday on Twitter to Goodell’s meetings next week with NFL owners, where they will consider changes to a game manual that says players “should” stand during the national anthem. That’s a guideline that the league has left to the discretion of players who have kneeled in larger numbers after Trump’s criticism.

NFL owners will have their annual fall meeting in New York next Tuesday and Wednesday, and the league has invited the players’ union to take part.

“Commissioner Roger Goodell reached out to NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith (Wednesday) and both he and player leadership will attend the league meetings next week,” the NFL said in a statement. “There has been no change in the current policy regarding the anthem. The agenda will be a continuation of how to make progress on the important social issues that players have vocalized. Everyone who is part of our NFL community has a tremendous respect for our country, our flag, our anthem and our military, and we are coming together to deal with these issues in a civil and constructive way.”

Goodell told club executives Tuesday in a memo obtained by The Associated Press that the anthem issue is dividing the league from its fans. He said the NFL needs to move past the controversy.

“The real dialogue and the real issues have been overtaken by the controversy,” Goodell told NFL Network. “What we want to do is get back to focusing on the actions that we want to take to really improve our communities and support our players to get things done.”

Goodell met Tuesday with Miami Dolphins players, law enforcement and community leaders.

“The NFL is doing the hard work of trying to move from protest to progress, working to bring people together,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement.

Trump told supporters last month that owners should fire players who kneel during the anthem, reigniting the movement started by former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick over his view of police mistreatment of black males.

In an interview on Fox News Channel’s (FNC) Hannity airing Wednesday night, Trump said the NFL could’ve avoided this issue by suspending Kaepernick.

“I watched Colin Kaepernick and I thought it was terrible,” Trump said.

“And then it got bigger and bigger and started mushrooming. And frankly the NFL should have suspended him for one game and he would have never done it again. They could have then suspended him for two games and they could have suspended him again if he did it a third time, for the season, and you would never have had a problem.”

I am starting to wonder what is happening with our educational system in America. Even when I was attending Long Beach Poly High, I understood the reasons, the purpose and protection of the first Ten Amendments to the Constitution. It was to protect society from over reaching by the Federal Government.

It protects individuals from censorship by the Government—not from other individuals. There is no protection in the First Amendment which protects folks from being insulted, shocked or other emotional reactions. It does not protect you from your employer’s Rules of Personal Conduct.

seek a chance, take advantage of opportunity and succeed. It would not have happened for me if I had been born someplace other than in the United States and I am only second generation American.

There is and never has been a hyphen in my heritage. *** There is now a movement afoot to pay for college ballplayers.

Realistically, though, they are already being paid. Their scholarships are worth,

W

HEN I played prof e s s i on a l l y, there was always a provision in our contract that told us what we could and could not do, including wearing facial hair, length of hair, smoking or drinking in public. This should now tell you how old I am.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but it does have some restraint, as to when, where and how it is expressed.

Try acting out at your place of employment and see what happens. Professional athletics is no different.

I was playing professional football when my younger brother and classmates were fighting and dying in Vietnam. I remained 1-A during the draft but did not get called. If I had, I would have gone, served and hopefully survived.

My brother received his first Silver Star while in Vietnam, with the 101st Airborne as a pathfinder.

Not standing, in silence, for the flag of this great country is disrespecting the Country and

those w h o serve.

I am not saying you have no right to express yourself, but do it while respecting this Country. As much as there is no perfection in life, try living someplace else. And see their caste systems--, born into success, born into failure, stay in success, stay in failure regardless of your personal abilities. That is alive and well. People like me were able to

depending on the University they attend, upwards of $160,000.00.

Knowing what percentage of college ball players play professional, myself included, I used the college tuition to educate myself, so if and when my professional career was over, I would be able to support myself. Playing professional sports in not a job, it is a dream come true, but it is by definition a “vocation,”

not an occupation.

Stop the charade. Stop calling it scholastic athletics, and pay the players a salary, treat the colleges as a minor league for the NFL, MLB,NBA, the list could go on.

I would be all for that, but then who would determine the value of the player? The state, position by position. game by game, who, and what would the salary range be?

Would the NFL, MLB, NBA pick up the cost of the minor league system as they do in baseball?

There are more questions than answers. That is why I love sports-always have and always will.

It gives us something to discuss with some light heartedness.

It is entertainment. Look up that word, and see what is missing from the games today. Ask yourself, is this what fans want to see when they buy a ticket? Or is it a moment of City, State, or National Pride?

I watch soccer though I never played it myself. But, if you watch those fans, it is obvious that it inspires national pride. No matter the amount of violence, poverty, lack of opportunity, graft and corruption, these folks cherish their Flag and their Anthem.

Can we at least do the same?

Can the Washington Wizards win the NBA title?

By Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley A few weeks ago, the AFRO Sports Desk debated if the Washington Wizards were built to be contenders for a deep playoff run. But after an impressive week that saw the Wizards start a fivegame road trip out west by winning their first four games, it might be time to recalculate Washington’s chances at winning the whole thing. The Wizards have been on fire lately and, at press time, are only two-and-a-half games away from first place in the Eastern Conference. The team is playing arguably the best basketball in the league. So, can Washington win the title? Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley, of the AFRO Sports Desk debate this exciting question.

Riley: Washington’s roster isn’t brimming with star power but from top to bottom it might be the most complete team in the NBA. Through advanced basketball metrics, John Wall and Bradley Beal have been rated as high as the second best backcourt in the league. Forwards Otto Porter Jr. and Markieff Morris are athletic enough at their positions to be effective on most nights while still spreading the floor with their deep shooting touches. Centers Marcin Gortat and Ian Mahinmi provide defense, rebounding and inside scoring at all times over the course of the game. Washington could win it all.

Green: The team is solid, but they lack that star power that you need to win in today’s NBA. When superstar players like LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Steph Curry get going, there’s not much you can do to stop them.

We’re fresh off of a NBA Finals domination from James that was unreal. That’s what superstars do

Photo by Keith Allison/Wikimedia Commons

Perry Green of the Washington AFRO says that the Washington Wizards have a solid team, but they lack the star power that they need to win in today’s NBA. This photo of John Wall of the Washington Wizards was taken during a game against the Toronto Raptors at Verizon Center on November 2, 2016 in Washington, D.C. and I’m not sure if Washington can match that.

Riley: It hasn’t just been about the starters. Washington’s roster has finally been rounded out with key reserves like Bojan Bogdanovic and Brandon Jennings. We’ve seen in prior seasons that the team playing the best basketball at the end of the season is the one that wins no matter the strength of

the opponent. A balanced roster and strong coaching are key ingredients and the Wizards have both. Coach Scott Brooks has been amazing and has the entire roster in sync. The way Washington is playing, they could match up with any team over a seven-game series.

Green: I’d be anxious to see them against James and Irving in a playoff series. We already saw how

Cleveland’s two superstars piloted them in a 140-135 overtime win back on Feb. 6. James recorded 32 points, 17 assists and seven rebounds, dominating the Wizards at times. Washington deserves credit for how well it’s been playing but there’s not a large enough sample size of game-play to definitively declare Washington as the next NBA champs.