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Mandela's Birthday Clouded by Leaked Email From Winnie to ANC

Mandela's Birthday Clouded by Leaked Email From Winnie to ANC

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from GIN

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(TriceEdneyWire.com) – As preparations get underway for the July 18th, 94th birthday of former president Nelson Mandela, hurt and angry feelings were expressed by Winnie Madikizela-Mandela who claimed ‘shabby treatment’ by the ruling ANC party.

The Mail & Guardian newspaper reported that Mrs. Madikizela-Mandela accused the ANC of disrespecting the Mandela family and of “never having any interest in celebrating Tata’s (Mandela’s) birthday except to gate crash on the family’s arrangements.”

President Jacob Zuma is expected to deliver a lecture on Mr. Mandela on Tuesday at the ANC centenary commemorations in Limpopo province. Winnie has reportedly rejected an invitation to attend.

“No one has cared to establish how we are doing as a family. It is quite clear that we do not matter at all, we only do when we have to be used for some agenda," she was quoted to say in an email purportedly sent to ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu. Further, she complained, neither Zuma nor spokesperson Mthembu visited her when she was in hospital, let alone called her to wish her a speedy recovery.

The email was sent to the Guardian by a dissident faction of the ANC. Neither the party nor Madikizela-Mandela's office denied its authenticity, though it could not be independently confirmed.

The 75-year-old, regarded as the "Mother of the Nation" by her supporters, is known to be at odds with President Zuma, and has publicly called for a change of leadership."

Meanwhile, Mandela's grandson Luvuyo Mandela said that he and his family will hand out blankets and plant trees on July 18, which was declared Mandela Day in 2009. People around the world are encouraged to devote some time to community service in his honor on the day. A birthday video has been released by his office and can be seen online at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg_or0D4144&feature=player_embedded 

FAMU President Resigns In Wake of Hazing Lawsuit by Kanya Stewart

July 15, 2012
FAMU President Resigns In Wake of Hazing Lawsuit
By Kanya Stewart

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Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from the Capital Outlook

(TriceEdneyWire.com) Florida A&M University President James Ammons is resigning. In a letter to the FAMU Board of Trustees Ammons announced his resignation effective October 2012.

“After considerable thought, introspection and conversations with my family, I have decided to resign from my position as president in order to initiate my retirement on Oct. 11,2012,” wrote Ammons in the letter.

He went on to explain that he will remain on staff as a tenured professor.

Ammons’ resignation comes in the wake of the parents of FAMU band member Robert Champion filing a lawsuit today against the university, holding it responsible, in some aspects, for his hazing death. 

The university released a statement in response to the Champion family lawsuit.

“Said Sharon P. Saunders, FAMU’s chief communications officer: ”We have known for quite some time that the family intended to file suit. Our hearts and prayers still go out to the Champion family. We are unable to comment further due to the pending litigation surrounding this matter,” 

NAACP Chairman: ‘In Four Months, It’s Game Time Again!” by Hazel Trice Edney

July 8, 2012

NAACP Chairman: ‘In Four Months, It’s Game Time Again!”
By Hazel Trice Edney

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(TriceEdneyWire.com) - NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock told thousands of Black civil rights leaders this week that “Election night 2008 was the end of the process for many in our community when it should have been just the beginning.”

Giving her annual keynote address during the Public Mass Meeting of the 103rd Annual NAACP Convention in Houston, Brock reminded the crowd that voter apathy that followed the exciting Obama election caused the enemies of Black progress to gain ground. New laws that discourage voting are just the beginning, she indicated.

“Instead of exerting our power again in the 2010 midterm elections, many of us stayed at home and across this land, people who do not share our values or vision for America won majorities in the Congress and state legislatures,” she said. “Our right to vote is under attack more than at any time since we passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. We overcame then and we shall overcome now—but only if we are willing to dedicate ourselves to fighting a battle that many of us thought we had won.”

The theme of this year’s convention, “NAACP: My Power, My Decision, My
Vote,” is clearly intended to inspire members to the polls.

The non-partisan organization, which will hear from both Democratic Vice President Joe Biden and Republican candidate Mitt Romney, doesn’t tell its members who to vote for. But Brock’s passion indicates that Black America is in a state of emergency because of roll backs on voting laws and other conservative legislation.

“Please do not take these words lightly,” she warns. “Four years ago, it was easy to get people excited about the 2008 election. The country was on the brink of economic collapse and a charismatic leader was rallying us with a message of hope and change. Millions of Americans exercised their power, made a decision and voted for change. Election night 2008 was the end of the process for many in our community when it should have been just the beginning.”

As blockages to equality, Brock listed the passage of laws that remove safety net provisions for the poor and vulnerable, laws that scaled back the rights of workers to organize, laws that restricted women’s rights, laws that “attacked the dignity of new immigrants, and—in what proved to be our wake-up call—erected systematic barriers to our right to vote.”

She then implored the crowd, “In four months, it’s game time again and too much is at stake for us to sit on the sidelines wringing our hands. We have to take action and get back in the game to make it our own. As the young people say, “don’t hate the players, change the game!”

To offset the possible loss of votes due to discouraging new laws that require identification cards, among other stipulations. the NAACP has vowed to register one million new voters in time for the November election.

The NAACP celebrated its 100 year three years ago with President Obama as its primary speaker. Brock says the oldest civil rights organization will push into the second century with a list of issues as its guiding light.

She listed those issues as economic sustainability, education, health, public safety and criminal justice, civic engagement and participation.

Recalling the actions of heroine Rosa Parks  that ignited the game-changing Montgomery Bus Boycott, Brock said, “The NAACP doesn’t have to look deep into history to see our game changing spirit at work. I’m glad tonight that the NAACP is still “on the job”.

At the NAACP: Romney Played to His Base Not His Audience by Dr. Wilmer J. Leon III

June 15, 2012

NEWS ANALYSIS:

At the NAACP: Romney Played to His Base Not His Audience
By Dr. Wilmer J. Leon III

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(TriceEdneyWire.com) - Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee, made a direct appeal to the African-American community for its vote in his address to the 103rd NAACP convention.

He touched on five areas, “…open up energy, expand trade, cut the growth of government, focus on better educating tomorrow’s workers today, and restore economic freedom…”  It was a well-written and well-delivered speech, but Romney stated the obvious, told the audience what they already knew, and did not offer any substantive or new policy initiatives. Unfortunately for those in attendance he was playing more to his base and not his audience.  As the late James Brown would have said, “he was talkin’ loud and sayin’ nothin’.”

Mitt Romney’s primary objective for speaking at the NAACP convention was to demonstrate to his base that he would not compromise his ultra-conservative positions while speaking to a politically liberal audience. If Romney were truly interested in courting the African-American vote he would have used the opportunity to present some new and cutting edge policy initiatives.

He could have offered a targeted urban jobs program or a targeted urban education initiative. All he did was to claim I am running for president because I know that my policies and vision will help hundreds of millions of middle class Americans of all races…. My campaign is about helping the people who need help…” What policies? None were offered.  There was no articulation of vision, just a restatement of the horrific realities that too many in the African American community face. He did not even give the audience the “Bill Clinton,” “I feel your pain.”

He told the audience, “Americans of every background are asking when this economy will finally recover – and you, in particular, are entitled to an answer.”  Yet, he failed to provide one.  He went on to say, “Any policy that lifts up and honors the family is going to be good for the country, and that must be our goal.”  Yet, he failed to offer any policy initiatives to lift and honor the family.  All he offered was his “support for strong families” and a defense of “traditional marriage.”  Too many it’s those Republican “family values” that continue to cause problems in American politics today.

His statement, I will eliminate expensive non-essential programs like Obamacare…” was calculated.  Someone who was trying to be “Presidential” would have referred to the legislation by its proper name, the Affordable Care Act.  Instead, Romney chose to use the hyperpolitical invective that was created by partisan Republicans to misrepresent the legislation and turn public opinion against a beneficial initiative.  Again, this was a clear example of how he wanted to demonstrate to his base that he would not compromise his ultra-conservative positions while speaking to a politically liberal audience.

Romney talked about “…the expansion of the middle class” while challenging the power of unions.  Unions played a major role in creating a stable and level working environment that helped to create the Black middle-class.  He also praised the ideas of school choice and charter schools.  Charter schools have shown levels of success but at whose expense?  Instead of corporatizing individual schools, provide the proper funding and resources so the entire school system and all children in the system benefit. 

With all of this being said, in spite of the empty rhetoric and lack of specific details on how he will actually implement policies that result in substantive progress, at least Romney showed up.  Unlike President Obama, Romney did not send a surrogate.  Whatever his intentions were Mitt Romney spoke to the NAACP, was applauded in some instances, booed in others, stated his case and moved on.

President Obama missed an incredible opportunity.  He probably feared that speaking to the premier national civil rights organization would allow his detractors to claim he’s “too Black”.

What the President and his advisors failed to see was the opportunity to tie so many of his recent policy successes together in one place.  The NAACP, the Civil Rights Movement, and the 1964 Civil Rights Act have been the foundation of equal rights for all Americans.  His support for same-sex marriage and the national movement to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” came out of the efforts of the NAACP as the champion of civil rights for everyone.  His executive order in support of the “Dream Act” and the movement for comprehensive immigration reform came out the NAACP and the Civil Rights Movement.  Support for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and equal pay for women came out of the efforts of the NAACP and the Civil Rights Movement.

When President Obama expressed his support for same-sex marriage it was NAACP President Ben Jealous who went out on a limb and provided cover for President Obama.  Jealous, speaking on behalf of the NAACP said, “Our calling as an organization is to defend the Constitution…We are here to speak to matters of civil law and matters of civil rights…”  President Obama missed an incredible opportunity.

At the NAACP convention Mitt Romney played to his base not his audience. Why does President Obama continue to ignore his?

Dr. Wilmer Leon is a political scientist at Howard University and host of the nationally broadcast call in talk radio program “Inside the Issues with Wilmer Leon” on Sirius/XM channel 128.’s Prescription @ Facebook.com or www.twitter.com/drwleon

Lawmakers List Issues That Would Mobilize Black Voters by Hazel Trice Edney

July 8, 2012

Lawmakers List Issues That Would Mobilize Black Voters

By Hazel Trice Edney

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Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.)

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U. S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.)

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U. S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.)

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Congresswoman Donna Christensen (D-V.I.)

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U. S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.)

(TriceEdneyWire.com) – Now that the Affordable Health Care Act has been upheld by the U. S. Supreme Court – a major win for President Barack Obama – other key issues of importance to Black voters must also be espoused by the Obama campaign say members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

In some national polls, President Obama is slightly ahead of Republican candidate Mitt Romney. In others, they are neck-in-neck. With African-American voters as a dominant base of the Democratic vote, many predict Blacks will once again be a major deciding factor in who wins the race. In recent interviews, CBC members listed numerous issues that would incite African-Americans to the polls.

“I think African-Americans want to hear an agenda that’s going to really speak to closing the economic disparities and how the American dream is going to be afforded for all of us – what we’ve been about historically and we’re going to continue to fight until that dream is real,” says U. S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) “When you look, for instance, at the unemployment rate, still over 13 percent – unacceptable; when you look at health disparities, when you look at the disparities in education, when you look at environmental injustice, when you look at the foreclosure crisis, when you look at all of the systemic and structural issues that are still prevalent in the African-American community, we’ve come a long way and have a long way to go.”

So far, civil rights leaders have leaned heavily on the voter suppression issue to draw a distinctive line between Republican Mitt Romney and President Obama. A record number of states across the nation are engaged in changes to voting laws, many of which rights leaders believe are intended to diminish or discourage the Black vote.

The question is will this be enough to inspire African-Americans to return to the polls to vote in record numbers as they did in 2008 during the historic election of Obama, the nation’s first Black President. CBC Chairman Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) doesn’t seem to think so.

“Make no mistake we do have an enthusiasm gap that was not present in 2008. And all of the polling data suggests that while African-Americans are committed to supporting President Obama in the November election, the question is how many will come out?” Cleaver said. “Many think that the president will get 95 percent of the Black vote, but the issue is 95 percent of what?”

To mobilize the maximum Black vote, Cleaver says strategy will be just as important as topic. Interviewed during a Washington, D.C. convening of the Conference of National Black Churches, he says the Black church will be key in coming months.

“The only way to get that turned around is for the clergy to go back to their congregations and let them know that there is a concerted effort to try to discourage them from coming out to vote,” Cleaver said. “I think when ministers lay out to them what’s going on in terms of government’s attempt to push them away from the ballot box, they’re going to be infuriated and we want that furor to propel them to come out and vote.”

But, U. S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), says despite the fact that the Republican voter initiatives are discouraging people from voting, other issues of equal or more importance are being ignored.

“Unfortunately all of this voter ID stuff and voter registration has diverted attention from the fact that Republicans want to repeal Medicare, that they want to have tax care for the wealthy and pay for it with important programs,” Scott says. “The Agriculture Committee was tasked with finding savings. Rather than cut back on subsidies to millionaire farmers, they cut food stamps and WIC nutrition to pregnant women and children. They’re coming up with mandatory minimum sentences… We’re trying to repeal the ones on the books and Republicans are trying to pass new ones. Those are the kinds of things we need to be talking about, but here we are talking about how to vote.”

The Supreme Court decision in favor of the health care law last month was viewed as a fluke in that it was the first time that conservative Chief Justice John Roberts actually voted 5-4 with the liberal members of the court. This is why Congresswoman Donna Christensen (D-V.I.) says the issue of Supreme Court appointments – which are conducted by the President and confirmed by the U. S. Senate - should also be on the minds of Black voters, given the risks of the court overturning key future cases that might affect laws of importance to African-Americans, such as affirmative action and voting rights.

“Do we want to have another Roberts or Scalia on the Supreme Court?” she quizzed. “Their decisions, the Supreme Court decisions, have not gone in favor of African-Americans, of the poor of any racial and ethnic minorities and even women in some cases. So, this should scare you. The Supreme Court has been our last refuge when everything else has failed. And if it is not there for us then we’re in real trouble.”

However, now that the Supreme Court has voted in favor of the Affordable Care Act, it would help for Black voters to know the meaning of the law and how it will help improve their lives; therefore the need to elect Democratic lawmakers – including the President – who will keep it in place, says U. S. Rep. Jim Clyburn. Clyburn is assistant Democratic Caucus chair, making him the highest ranking Black member in Congress.

“All of us need to be talking about health care more than anything else,” Clyburn says. “The fact of the matter is that health care is not about Obamacare. Health care is about those children born with juvenile diabetes being able to have insurance and they cannot have it otherwise; it’s about women with breast cancer, men with prostate cancer not being denied treatment. It’s about children being able to stay on their parents’ insurance policies up until their 27th birthday.”

Clyburn adds that there are other issues and Obama policies that should inspire Black voters to the polls when weighing the difference between a President Romney and a President Obama.

One is the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, among the first pieces of legislation signed by President Obama in late January, 2009. It helps women more easily file equal-pay lawsuits in discrimination cases.

“Women, for the first time in their lives, got legislation that allows them to stand on equal footing when it comes to wages with men. No other president has done that. This president did,” Clyburn says. “No other president gave us access to health care. This president has. No other president put Osama Bin Laden where he needs to be. This president has…What we’ve got to decide is whether or not we want to have four years of Mitt Romney or whether we want to continue with Barack Obama. That’s the only issue we ought to be thinking about.”

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