May 28, 2017

Ebola Reappears in Congo and Vaccine is Readied for Crucial Test

(TriceEdneyWire.com/GIN) – After a deadly Ebola epidemic two years ago, scientists not only developed a vaccine, but it appears to be 100 percent effective. Now, as a new Ebola outbreak is rattling the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the vaccine may finally get a crucial real world test.

Initially, when the vaccine was announced, a panel of scientists from the US National Academy of Medicine challenged the methodology of the vaccine’s 4,160-patient trial in Guinea. In a 287-page report, they concluded that while the vaccine “most likely provides some protection to recipients” that protection “could in reality be quite low.”

An Ebola outbreak in the DRC might be the vaccine’s ultimate proving ground. So far, there have been two confirmed cases and 17 other suspected ones, with three dead among them, according to the World Health Organization.

This week, the organization said that it is now making preparations to use the controversial vaccine, though it has not yet made a firm decision on whether to deploy it.

The outbreak has so far not been identified beyond a remote, isolated area.  But it took three weeks for experts to identify the disease, meaning it could have already spread much more widely than is presently known.

Health experts are investigating how the virus resurfaced in Congo after killing 49 people in 2014. It is the country’s ninth outbreak—more than any other nation—since Ebola was first detected there in 1976 and named after the River Ebola that flows through the nation’s forested lowlands.

Some 300,000 emergency doses of the new vaccine are on hand, should WHO and others decide it is necessary.

In December, doctors from the World Health Organization, Doctors Without Borders and others reported in the medical journal The Lancet that the vaccine was 100 percent effective at preventing people from contracting Ebola’s deadly hemorrhagic fever once it kicked in, when tested during the West African epidemic. That outbreak saw more than 28,000 Ebola cases and more than 11,000 deaths.

There are now 12 Ebola vaccines in development, and the Merck vaccine is the furthest along. The Congo outbreak in all likelihood will not come close to approaching the levels of the West African crisis—the worst Ebola outbreak in history.

The vaccine was developed by the pharmaceutical company Merck and NewLink Genetics.

GLOBAL INFORMATION NETWORK creates and distributes news and feature articles on current affairs in Africa to media outlets, scholars, students and activists in the U.S. and Canada. Our goal is to introduce important new voices on topics relevant to Americans, to increase the perspectives available to readers in North America and to bring into their view information about global issues that are overlooked or under-reported by mainstream media.

May 20, 2017

President Donald Trump: “The Disastrous Rise of Misplaced Power”
By Dr. Wilmer J. Leon III

NEWS ANALYSIS

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - “…The history of the (President) of (The United States) is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.” - The Declaration of Independence – July 4, 1776

The Facts are as follows:

Donald Trump, the six-time bankrupted “business man” ran for president as a non-conformist, non-political, outsider.  He fanned the flames of nationalism, xenophobia, racism, misogyny and anti-Muslim bigotry to capture the hearts and minds of a disenchanted, anti-status quo electorate. His message of hate resonated with this part of the electorate as backlash to the election of America’s first African-American president.

Historically, once a presidential candidate is elected, he quickly shifts from campaign mode to governing. He broadens his message and appeal in an attempt to unite the country.  Trump’s inability or unwillingness to pivot away from his hyperbolic rhetoric is a clear indication that he has no interest in uniting the country.

The Founders created the Executive Branch as one branch of three separate but coequal branches of government. Trump appears to have no interest in “equal” and even less interest in governing. He wants to rule.

As of this writing Trump has signed 34 Executive Orders and 28 bills.  This may appear to be significant until one realizes that most of the 28 bills are for administrative acts such as appointing board members to the Smithsonian Institution and designating locations for national memorials. He has failed to meet his legislative campaign promises. His Muslim “ban” has failed in the courts three times. His pledge to repeal and replace the ACA initially failed. It finally cleared the House and has made its way to the Senate where it is dying a slow and painful death.  His single “success”, the Gorsuch confirmation to the Supreme Court only came after the Senate changed the rules by employing the “nuclear option”.

Trump has persuaded his followers that he will “make America great again”.  This will be quite a challenge since he and his henchmen like Steve Bannon and Jeff Sessions are working to undermine the very foundations of American democracy. Bannon promotes capitalism over a constitutional democracy and Sessions lied before Congress about meeting with Russian officials. Sessions also, according to The New York Times, called the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the NAACP “un-American”.

So, how exactly did a country that is still the envy of the world fall victim to the lies and machinations of a “wanna-be” dictator like Trump?  As a result of the economic collapse of 2008, ineffective domestic policies, seventeen consecutive years of war, the continued and hyped threat of terror and a racist reaction to the election of Senator Barack Obama, the die was cast. According to Jim Powell in Forbes, “…when people become angry enough or desperate enough, sometimes they’ll support crazies who would never attract a crowd in normal circumstances.”

Dr. Lawrence Britt developed 14 characteristics of dictators and fascist of which Trump exemplifies quite a few. According to Britt, “Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic slogans…” Trump pledged to “Make America Great Again” and called for “American hands” to remake the country. Second, “Identification of Enemies…as a Unifying Cause “ – we are all too familiar with Trump’s racist, anti-Muslim and xenophobic rhetoric. Third, “…the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected.”

Trump has pledged to “rebuild the military” even at the expense of continuing to bankrupt the country and has also proposed deep cuts in public school funding. Fourth, “Controlled Mass Media” – Trump has threatened to cancel White House press briefings; demonized the media and created “fake news” and “alternative facts.” Finally, “Disdain for Intellectuals…” – Trump’s famous statement, “I love the uneducated.”

Trump has worked closely with those who have worked closely with some of the worst dictators in modern history. He hired veteran Republican strategist Paul Manafort to be the chairman of his presidential campaign. Manafort seems to have never met a despot or dictator he could not help.

According to Time Magazine Manafort’s firm (Black, Manafort) helped to polish the image of Angolan guerrilla leader Jonas Zavimbi. Manafort’s firm worked to rehabilitate the image of the dictator of Zaire, Mobutu Sese Seko.  In 1985 Manafort worked with Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos. And then there’s his work with the Russians, oh, those pesky Russians. According to NPR, “…Manafort's most important client was the pro-Russian Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych… Anders Aslund of the Atlantic Council says Manafort made millions from his work in Ukraine.”

Trump has demonstrated distain for the judiciary. He infamously said that Judge Gonzalo Curiel is biased because of his Mexican heritage. He also accused the judges who overturned his Muslim ban of playing politics. He Tweeted, “The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!”

A special counsel has now been assigned to look into the Trump campaign’s association with Russia. Included in this investigation will be whether or not Trump asked former FBI director, James Comey to close the investigation of Michael Flynn. Comey alleges Trump said, “I hope you can let this go,” and then fired Comey shortly after he asked for additional funds to complete the investigation.

Dr. Britt also writes that another trait of dictators and fascist is that they protect corporate power and there is “Rampant Cronyism and Corruption” in their regimes. Trump’s promise of deregulation and plans to cut taxes for corporations and the rich are examples of how Trump serves the oligarchs… the few, the powerful, the wealthy.

In terms of rampant cronyism, Trump’s son-in-law and daughter yield unprecedented access and power. They have refused to distance themselves from their business interests.  In fact, according to The NY Post, “China approved three trademarks for Ivanka Trump’s jewelry and spa brands the same day she and her husband, White House adviser Jared Kushner, sat down for dinner with the Asian country’s president… President Xi Jinping…” Coincidence?

Trump’s proposed repeal and replacement of the ACA is actually a tax break for the wealthy.  According to The New York Times, “It offers billions of dollars’ worth of tax cuts …The cuts amount to nearly $1 trillion over a decade. The beneficiaries would be the richest Americans…” who, since its inception, have complained that the Affordable Care Act unfairly burdened them with the responsibility of subsidizing insurance for the poor.” What ever happened to John Lock’s founding principle of the social contract theory? A persons' moral and/or political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement among them to form the society in which they live. And they call themselves Christians?

We see in President Trump exactly what President Eisenhower warned us against, “…the disastrous rise of misplaced power…” Lastly, dictators lie. According to Politifact, 83% of President Trump’s statements range from “Half-True” to “Pants on Fire” false.  He has created an environment that allows him to attack his enemies (anyone or any news agency who disagrees with him). The history of this President “…is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.”

America has elected a president that’s a “wanna-be” dictator for the oligarchs.

Dr. Wilmer Leon is Producer/ Host of the nationally broadcast call-in talk radio program “Inside the Issues with Wilmer Leon,” on SiriusXM Satellite radio channel 126. Go to www.wilmerleon.com or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.twitter.com/drwleon and Dr. Leon’s Prescription at Facebook.com.

May 23, 2017

NAACP President Brooks Saddened But Not Bitter After Board Refusal to Renew His Contract
Preacher and civil rights leaders says he has no idea where he will go from here

By Hazel Trice Edney

(TriceEdneyWire.com) – NAACP President Cornell William Brooks says he is saddened and disappointed by the board’s decision to not renew his contract at the end of June, but he refuses to be bitter because he believes he gave his all to the civil rights organization that he loves.

“I am saddened by the decision, disappointed by the decision, but I will never be bitter about the decision because I am totally, totally confident in the record of our folks over the past three years,” he said in an interview with the Trice Edney News Wire this week. “I think I gave my heart and soul.”

The organization announced in a press release on May 19 that it would not renew Brook’s contract when it expires June 30.

“Keeping with its longstanding history, and legacy, the NAACP Board announced today a transformational, system-wide refresh and strategic re-envisioning. The objective is to best position the respected national organization to confront the realities of today's volatile political, media and social climates,” the statement said. “Board Chairman Leon W. Russell and Vice Chair Derrick Johnson, who were elected to their current positions in February 2017, will manage the organization on an interim basis until a new leader is named. Current CEO and President Cornell Brooks, will remain at the organization until June 30th, the end of his current term.”

Brooks had received an advance letter informing him that the board may not renew his contract prior to a board meeting held in Miami May 19. But the second letter with their final decision and then the public announcement still came as a shock to Brooks, who had become known for bringing 1960s style protests, such as sit-ins, into the 21^st century with the participation of millennials.

The NAACP release made no direct reference to Brooks’ performance. Only that the 108-year-old organization now faces “additional barriers” that “have been placed in our way in the forms of voter suppression: increased police brutality, over criminalization of black bodies, income inequality and inadequate health care as well as anti-immigrant sentiments.”

The organization announced that it will engage in a “listening tour” of its members for the first time in its history before it hires a new president.

"In the coming months, the NAACP will embark upon a historic national listening tour to ensure that we harness the energy and voices of our grassroots members, to help us achieve transformational change, and create an internal culture designed to push the needle forward on civil rights and social justice," said Derrick Johnson, vice-chairman of the NAACP board of directors, in the statement.

"These changing times require us to be vigilant and agile, but we have never been more committed or ready for the challenges ahead. We know that our hundreds of thousands of members and supporters expect a strong and resilient NAACP moving forward, as our organization has been in the past, and it remains our mission to ensure the advancement of communities of color in this country," said Russell, the chair.

Brooks, a Yale Law School graduate and AME preacher, says he has no idea where he will go from here. He easily listed his NAACP accomplishments of which he is proud. They include:

• A membership that has grown annually over the past three years and is currently up 95 percent over last year.
• Online donations up 820 percent.
• Direct mail up 20 percent.
• Social media followers growing 25-30 percent a year.
• A new partnership with Yale Law School to address sentencing and reapportionment issues.
• 10 victories against voter suppression within a year, including unjust North Carolina and Texas laws.
• He says his radical strategies served to energize civil rights activists and advocates. Brooks was arrested twice amidst civil disobedience strategies, namely sit-ins in the office of then ultra conservative Sen. Jeff Sessions. He walked 800 miles in a “journey for justice” two years ago. 

“When you walk 800 miles, you sleep in a sleeping bag, talk to millennials and pre-millennials, churches and synagogues. When you have students boo you off the stage in Ferguson … because everybody on stage was old … and then you turn around and march with those same students, you have learned a lot. You learn about the importance of not just saying you’re supporting young people, but showing up. What I’ve tried to do over these past three years was show up,” Brooks says.

Most recently, the NAACP has advocated against conservative nominations by Trump, remained outspoken against police misconduct, involved in the Flint water crisis, and voting rights among other issues. “We’re in the black, we’re visible, we’re vocal,” Brooks said.

Brooks and is wife have two sons, one an undergraduate in college and one a high school senior. Though he is not certain what he will do next, he hinted that he plans to remain in civil rights.

“I don’t like this work. I don’t have an affection for this work. I love this work. And I’m going to do that. Not sure where,” he said. Despite having to leave the NAACP, he says he will not become bitter.

“If you really love an institution, you want the best for it. I want the best for the NAACP. My love for the people of the NAACP exceeds the disappointment of not being able to continue serving,” he said. “This is a painful moment, but my wife and I have prayed about it. It says in the book of Jeremiah, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you a future and a hope.”

May 15, 2017

The Republican Health Care Plan is Making Me Sick
By Dr. Wilmer J. Leon, III

NEWS ANALYSIS

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - "This is a great plan. I actually think it will get even better. This is a repeal and replace of Obamacare. Make no mistake about it…" - President Trump May 4, 2017

On May 4^th, 2017, after voting more than 50 times over the past seven years to either cripple, delay implementation or repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Republican controlled House voted 217 to 213 to repeal and replace the ACA.  The bill now faces an uncertain fate as it goes over to the Senate, which has stated that it is in the process of writing its own bill.

Since its inception, there has been and continues to be problems with the “health care reform” debate. Language is very important. How an issue is defined and subsequently described can significantly impact the publics ability to intelligently and effectively understand it. The first problem is that neither the ACA nor the Republican responses deal with reforming health care. The ACA deals with insurance companies not health care providers. This is an important distinction as insurance companies do not provide health care, they pay for it. The ACA was meant to address health insurance reform not health care reform.

The Obama Administration’s solution to the problems with the delivery of quality health care and access for all Americans was to increase the number of people that were signed up with health insurance companies. They reformed the requirements stipulated by the insurance companies with regard to who could have access to the health care system. These requirements dictated reimbursement for services rendered, the rules of eligibility for coverage (such as a preexisting conditions) and how health care providers are paid. They did not address the quality and types of care that are provided.

With this in mind, providing more Americans access to health insurance is a good thing.  As a result of the passage of the ACA, according to PolitiFact-Wisconsin, 20 million Americans gained health insurance. Total health expenditures hit record low rates in the first three years after the ACA was implemented. The ACA lowered the number of uninsured Americans from 16% in 2010 to 8.9% in 2016. There are millions of Americans who are no longer at risk of being denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions. These are all very positive results since the implementation of the ACA.

Why are so many Republicans opposed to a policy that according to Gallup most Americans support? “Fifty-five percent of Americans now support the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a major turnaround from five months ago when 42% approved and 53% disapproved.” Why are Republicans working feverously to repeal instead of repair the ACA (which they epithetically labeled “Obamacare”), a bill which is eerily similar to the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation’s 1993 Health Equity and Access Reform Today (HEART) bill?  Simply put, it’s the racist “Obama” tag in Obamacare that is causing so many of them so much heartburn.

Republicans interest in repealing the ACA is consistent with what Robert Draper describes in his book “Do Not Ask What Good We Do: Inside the U.S. House of Representatives.” Draper documents how “they (Republican leadership) plotted out ways (after Obama’s first inauguration) to not just win back political power, but to also put the brakes on Obama’s legislative platform.” It’s consistent with then Senate Minority Leader McConnell’s (R-KY) 2010 pledge, “The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.” While the above can be written off as competition between the 2 major parties, the racist element of their ire is evident in Donald Trump’s “birther” movement, former Speaker Gingrich’s calling President Obama a Mau Mau in the White House, “What if (Obama) is so outside our comprehension, that only if you understand Kenyan anticolonial behavior can you begin to piece together (his actions)?” Gingrich went on to call President Obama a conman, “This is a person who is fundamentally out of touch with how the world works, who happened to have played a wonderful con, as a result of which he is now president.” Finally, Congressman Joe Wilson’s infamous “you lie” during Obama’s State of the Union address are just a few examples of the injection of racism into the political discord as it pertained to Obama. Wilson nor any other member of Congress would have ever thought to disrespect any other President in this manner from the floor of Congress.

Speaking of lying, why are Republicans resorting to distortions and lies to convince the electorate that the ACA needs to be repealed?  For example, health insurance costs are not rising due to the ACA.  As stated above the rate of increase has been cut almost in half. According to NPR, insurance premiums are on the rise but not because of the ACA. Obamacare does not cut benefits for those on Medicare. Tax dollars do not go toward providing immigrants who are in the country illegally with free health insurance. Undocumented immigrants are prohibited from getting care under the ACA.

President Trump continues to say that the ACA is imploding, “Whether or not Republicans repealed and replaced it in the next few years it’ll be gone … it’ll be imploded off the map.” According to JAMA, “President Trump has said on various occasions that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is imploding, exploding, or collapsing. There is very little evidence for this… The Medicaid component—which expanded eligibility up to 138% of the poverty level for all adults—seems to be working just fine…”  JAMA continued, “…the enrollment mix has skewed more toward individuals who are older and sicker than insurers expected, and many had to raise premiums significantly in 2017—22% on average for benchmark plans in the marketplaces. So, maybe the ACA marketplaces are, in fact, collapsing? The evidence suggests otherwise. Enrollment declined by about half a million in 2017, but even so, 12.2 million people signed up for coverage in the marketplaces, hardly a sign of collapse.”

So, as Trump and Republicans scramble to repeal the ACA, more and more people are asking why? According to NPR, “Republican members of Congress aren't exactly getting a warm welcome in their home districts during this week's recess. Angry constituents have confronted legislators at town halls across the country, upset over everything from the GOP's plan to repeal and replace Obamacare, the Trump White House's travel ban, alleged Russian interference in the U.S. elections and more.”

In a nutshell, too many Republicans wish Barack Hussein Obama had never been elected. Since they cannot rewrite history and erase him from the history books they are doing everything in their power to eliminate his accomplishments and Michelle’s healthy school lunch program  as well.  Too many of them would rather eat their bigotry and hatred than sit down and enjoy a good meal.

According to The NY Times, “Their (Republicans) health care plan provides a tax cut for the wealthiest Americans. And it will make it easier for Republicans to pass more tax cuts this year.”  At the end of the day, their “plan” is a fraud and their marketing is based on lies and distortions… “alternative facts”. It’s making me sick.

Producer/ Host of the nationally broadcast call-in talk radio program “Inside the Issues with Wilmer Leon,” on SiriusXM Satellite radio channel 126. Go to www.wilmerleon.com or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.twitter.com/drwleon and Dr. Leon’s Prescription at Facebook.com

© 2017 InfoWave Communications, LLC