THE CASH STUFF FOR 10-24-13

NNPA STORIES -

http://nnpa.org/black-farmers-finally-collect-in-1-2-billion-in-discrimination-case-by-freddie-allen/

http://nnpa.org/supreme-court-hears-michigan-challenge-to-affirmative-action-by-george-e-curry/

MONDAY, OCT. 28^TH IS DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON EUGENICS CASES

 The public has until Monday, Oct. 28^th, to weigh-in on how the state of North Carolina should handle claims by those who were victims of the state’s infamous forced sterilization program , otherwise known as eugenics.

            The NC General Assembly set aside $10 million to compensate an estimated 1,800 eugenics victims – mostly poor white and black women from 1929 through 1974. Many have already died. Thus far only 146 have been located. Family members of those who have deceased are not eligible for payments.

            Claims for payments will be administered by the NC Industrial Commission, and payments will be made starting in June 2015.

            Public comments may be sent to Abigail M. Hammond by email at abigail.hammond@ic.nc.gov, by fax to 919-715-0282, or by mail to 4336 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4336.

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MEDIA

CASH IN THE APPLE 10-24-13

By Cash Michaels

            DON’T FORGET LYNNETTE’S MAHALIA JACKSON SHOW – Don’t forget, mark it down, this Sunday, Oct. 27^th, 4 p.m. at Lincoln Park Holiness Church at 13 Heath Street in Raleigh, Lynnette Barber sings gospel legend Mahalia Jackson In Concert.

            I told you last week that this is an event not to be missed. If you enjoy great gospel music like they used to do in the old days (when folks really knew how to sing), then you simply can’t afford to miss this one.

            Lynnette’s rendition of Mahalia Jackson songs is spot on. It’s the second time that she’s done this show at Lincoln Park Holiness Church, where she’s been a member of the past 27 years. It was a big hit then, so Lynnette is bringing it back again.

            You may recall last week that I wrote that Lynnette is singing the theme to the NNPA/CashWorks HD Production documentary presentation of “Pardons of Innocence: The Wilmington Ten.” So you know she has to be the best if we have her opening our film.

            So don’t hear about it the day after. Make sure you’re there to see it for yourself. Lynnette Barber sings Mahalia Jackson In Concert, this Sunday, Oct. 27^th, 4 p.m. at Lincoln Park Holiness Church, 13 Heath Street in Raleigh.

            There is no admission charge, but feel free to bring a little somethin’ to put in the plate. You won’t be sorry!

            And, in case, you’re wondering, why am I pushing this program so much? Because when I know that a talent from our community is THAT good, I want you to know it too, and SUPPORT that talent!

            Cool?

            GOODBYE, IRONSIDE – The show never really had a chance. Last week, NBC announced that it was canceling the new show, “Ironside” starring Blair Underwood. It was a remake of the old 1970’s Raymond Burr series about a police detective paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair while he and his team solve crimes.

            The original “Ironside” lasted on NBC for at least five years.

            Underwood’s new “Ironside” only made it on the air for three weeks before the plug was pulled, and mercifully so. Coming after the still powerhouse, “Law and Order: SVU,” “Ironside” was pulling the kind of ratings you only see on the Paint Drying Channel.  To say the audience didn’t buy is an understatement.

            Raymond Burr was an old, stodgy white guy whose wise demeanor and considerable girth made him perfect to play someone who was wheelchair-bound.

            Blair Underwood is still a sexy black actor who has a lot of action left in him. It was very hard for audiences to accept him solving crimes from a wheelchair, let alone knocking out bad guys and going cuddles (or more) with the ladies.

            Besides, there wasn’t anything special about the crimes he was solving, plus, “Ironside” was competing with the everlasting CBS procedural “CSI,” which surprisingly still has some life in it.

            The other show NBC quickly cancelled was “Welcome to the Family.” Don’t ask me what it was about or who was in it. I don’t know, and now, never will.

            BIG FLOP – Wow! Every time I turned on my TV to watch something, I couldn’t get away from seeing that commercial from the film, “The Fifth Estate” over and over and over again. The film is about Julian Assange, the international activist and head of WikiLeaks who disclosed a good deal of US intelligence before hiding in a foreign government’s embassy to escape sexual misconduct allegations that he denies.

            Well, there have been a lot of flops this year, but apparently none bigger than “The Fifth Estate,” which on its opening weekend brought in only $1.7 million after debuting in over 1,500 theaters. That’s less than $1,000 per theater, and the flick between $26 million and $30 million to make, not counting production costs. That’s a poor return on the investment, folks. Looks like we won’t be seeing anymore more political thrillers based on real life events anytime soon!

            OH SAM – Have you seen that new Samuel L. Jackson credit card commercial where he actually says, “Damn”? It is the first time I’ve ever heard anyone use the word, “Damn” in a commercial. Check it out. It is funny!

            REPUBLICANS, FIGHT FOR YOUR PARTY – Monday I was in Fayetteville doing an on-camera interview with former Secretary of Correction Rev. Aaron Johnson for the upcoming film, “Pardons of innocence: The Wilmington Ten.” Rev. Johnson served on North Carolina’s Good Neighbor Council during the early 1970’s, and went to Wilmington in early 1971 hoping to end tensions between boycotting black high school students and white authorities. Johnson tells that story and more in his book, “Man from Macedonia.”

            After we finished what I think was an excellent interview, Rev. Johnson and I spent a few minutes talking politics, since he is a black Republican. I wanted to get his take on the recent federal government shutdown spurred by the Tea Party movement in Congress.

            As you know, the House finally agreed to a last-minute 90-day deal to reopen the government and stave off a default on the national debt last week right before the deadline. The 16-day stunt by the Tea Party ended up costing the United States economy $24 billion.

            Rev. Johnson is an old-school “Christian” Republican, and rightly so. He made it clear that he doesn’t not agree with the tactics of the Tea Party wing of his party, who have an admitted hatred of Pres. Obama and his policies. But even in the midst of all of that, Johnson still believes that African-Americans have a place in the Republican Party, and should join in order to help fight against the Tea Party.

            Johnson is earnest in his belief that if more blacks joined the GOP, the party of old white men would have to change its ways and start speaking to the community’s needs in earnest.

            He also talked about how, through the years, he has been maligned in the community for being a black Republican, particularly when he would run for local office. Rev. Johnson said it was unfair, but he also agreed that when party leaders screw up, that puts a burden on him and other black Republicans to have to address it in some fashion.

            Rev. Johnson admits that there are problems between the Republican Party and the African-American community, but he also makes clear that there have historically been problems between blacks and the Democratic Party as well. He holds firm that because the Democrats hold the lion’s share of black voters, the party still takes the African-American support for granted, and does little to speaks to our needs.

            And Rev. Johnson reminds all as to Republican Party support in Congress for the 1964 Civil Rights Act and 1965 Voting Rights Act. At a time when so-called “Dixiecrats” from the South stood against civil and voting rights for blacks, the Republicans stood firm for it, Johnson maintains. Indeed, things did not change politically until President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed both laws, thus losing Southern white males, who then went to the GOP, and have basically been there ever since.

            Rev. Johnson agreed that one of the vital things that is missing today is civil political discourse. One could argue that that’s because of the brutal echo chamber that is cable television, with its loud, combative TV talk shows on both the right and the left.

            Plus, the country is very angry, right now, fed up with everyone in Washington. Folks have taken sides, and instead of seeking compromise in order to make sure that the country is best served, they are digging in their heels, not giving an inch, and demanding to rule over the whole pot.

            This is not the way it should be, Rev. Johnson says. He maintains that he is not for Republican or Democrat, but for what is ultimately right, regardless of party.

            If only people could talk with each other, and to each other, again, and not at each other.

            Rev. Johnson and I may differ politically, but we do certainly agree on the desperate need for things to improve in our nation, and among ourselves as a citizenry. When we hate each other to the point of being willing to shutdown the government and hurt others, that shows that we all have a lot of growing up to do.

            Thank you, Rev. Johnson. It was great talking with you, sir.

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         MAYOR CORY BOOKER WINS SENATE SEAT - Democratic Newark N.J. Mayor Cory Booker won a special election against a Republican challenger last week to finish out the term of the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg, also a Democrat. Booker is now one of two blacks serving in the US Senate, joining Republican Sen. Tim Scott from South Carolina. [file photo]

BUTTERFIELD, PRICE BLAST

GOP FOR SHUTDOWN

By Cash Michaels

Editor

            The long national nightmare that was the 16-day federal government shutdown is over, but according to North Carolina Democratic congressmen G.K. Butterfield and David Price, the reasons for it have not been solved, and the people behind it aren’t finished.

            Indeed, after costing the American economy over $24 billion and bringing the nation to the very edge of default on the national debt, Republican Tea Party members of Congress like Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and North Carolina Congressman Mark Meadows say they’re only just beginning to fight what they say is the ‘evil’ of President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (aka ‘Obamacare’), and runaway federal spending.

            The US Senate bill that the House begrudgingly passed last week to end the shutdown and stave off default on the federal debt ceiling is only a 90-day reprieve to buy time for Republicans and Democrats in Congress to come to a mutual budget agreement that cuts spending, but raises revenue.

            If they can get there.

            Rep. Butterfield [D-NC-1], who calls the shutdown a “unfortunate tragedy,” is not sure that they can.

            The federal government is running a $17 trillion debt, with a deficit between $500 billion and $1 trillion per year. Butterfield says there’s no question that something needs to be done to cut the deficit, and Democrats in the House, where the budget is devised, have been trying to work with the Republican majority on ways to cut the deficit without further hurting social programs that aid the nation’s poor.

            After the 2011 debt ceiling crisis, where House Republicans first refused to raise the federal government’s ability to pay its bills, Pres. Obama agreed $2 trillion from the budget over the next ten years in what has become known as sequestration.

            But weeks ago, when it was known that the debt ceiling was due to be raised again, House Republicans, spurred as always by their 40-member conservative Tea Party contingent who were elected to Congress to curb federal spending, demanded not only more cuts, Rep. Butterfield said, but also serious changes in the Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as “ACA” or “Obamacare”) that would effective cripple the health care program.

            “They are so loud, so mean and so vicious…they hate Pres. Barack Obama, they hate Obamacare and would do anything in their power to discredit the law and the man,” the First District congressman said.

            Indeed, published reports allege that one Republican House leader, during a meeting at the White House during the crisis, told the president that he couldn’t stand the sight of him.

            Butterfield said Democrats said no to the GOP demand, and the president stood firm that discussions about changing ACA was off the table until a continuing resolution (CR) to continue to fund the government had been passed without strings attached, and the debt ceiling raised.

            “We were very proud that he took this stand, and drew that red line in the sand,” Congressman Butterfield said.

            The 16-day near national catastrophe which followed, where House Republicans caved at the last minute to a Senate measure which reopened the government and temporarily raised the debt ceiling, was the result of national poll numbers showing the American public holding the House Republicans primarily responsible for the pain and grief being felt as a result.

            Rep. Butterfield says even though both the House and Senate are in conference now to try and reach some “grand bargain” agreement before the Jan. 15^th deadline arrives, another confrontation could occur if both sides can’t see eye-to-eye by then.

            “Sequestration is still the law of the land, and every year (for the next ten years) a discretionary pot of money will be cut by some eight or nine percent. Why is that important? Because discretionary programs are what we depend on in the African-American community. Support for public education in low-income communities. It’s Headstart and daycare vouchers; its public housing and nutrition programs…everything we depend on in our communities,” Butterfield said. “And discretionary programs are under attack. The grand bargain is going to be very painful, and everybody is going to have to give up something,” meaning that the Republicans will have to bend on raising revenues, and rich people will have to pay more in taxes.

            ‘The path forward is that the Tea Party must go away, and the mainstream Republicans must defy the Tea Party element of their party,” Rep. Butterfield says, adding that jobs must be created. Private industry is sitting on $2 trillion that must be invested to expand the economy, and create those jobs.

            Butterfield says Republican House Speaker John Boehner “caved” to the Tea Party, thus allowing the shutdown crisis to occur, and he will never forget it.

            Butterfield says North Carolina voters need to pay closer attention to what is going on in Washington, discuss it, and then act when the 2014 elections come next year.

For his part, Fourth District Congressman David Price [D-NC-4] is focused on why, during the 16-day federal shutdown when federal workers were furloughed and funding for various federal programs stopped, that North Carolina was the only state out of 50 that would not step in to temporarily prop up vital social service programs like WIC (Women, Infants and Children), which provides food vouchers for poor families, and TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), a Work First welfare assistance program.

            Only after a torrent of criticism did the NC Dept. of Health and Human Services find the funding to keep the WIC program going through the shutdown, but DHHS suspended TANF, maintaining that it could not do anything about it.

            Congressman Price was not pleased.

            “My concern was that North Carolina, alone among the fifty states, was putting its most vulnerable citizens at risk,” Price told The Carolinian during a phone interview last week. State officials had received assurances that no matter how long the federal shutdown took, that the federal funding per those programs would reimburse any dollars the state put out.

            But the McCrory Administration, as it did when it refused to extend Medicaid benefits to 500,000 poor North Carolinians, said that it didn’t trust that the Obama Administration would keep its word to pick up the costs.

            “It seems to me there was no reason for the state to cut these people off,” Rep. Price said, adding that thus far, the McCrory Administration has not responded to a letter he sent them asking for justification.

            “This is a script that we’re getting pretty familiar with, and it’s unfortunate,” Price said. “I defy anyone to show me an example where the federal government has reneged on its share of Medicaid.”

            “I just think the McCrory Administration, I have to conclude, they’re just making excuses. They don’t like health care reform, they certainly don’t like the president, …but to say that the reason is we don’t trust the federal government, hoping to play into that cynicism on the public’s part, I think is reprehensible.”

            Rep. Price acknowledged that the rollout of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), thus far, has been a rough one, with the www.health.gov website not properly functioning, frustrating millions of people hoping to take advantage of the health insurance exchanges in their states to get coverage at the cheapest rate possible.

            On Monday Pres. Obama acknowledged the problems, offered no excuses, and vowed to have the glitches fixed in a timely manner. House Republicans, who are vehemently opposed to the ACA, have called for hearings into the problems.

            Price indicated that with such an immense program, problems could be automatically expected in the very beginning. He said the healthcare program could have been much simpler if it were just Medicaid for everyone, or a single-payer system.

            But because the Republicans insisted in 2009 that the private insurance industry remain the primary provider of health care coverage, the ACA was designed accordingly, thus making it more complicated.

            Congressman Price says now thanks to the GOP opposition, in addition to the ACA website problems, it is now twice as hard to make it work than before.

            The Fourth District Democrat called the McCrory Administration’s refusal to allow Medicaid coverage to be extended to a half million North Carolinians, “…is really a disgrace to this state. I can’t put it too strongly.”

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STATE NEWS BRIEFS 10-24-13

MCCRORY ADMINISTRATION DENIES VOTER LAW BIAS

            [RALEIGH] Despite charges and lawsuits from the NCNAACP and other progressive groups, Gov. Pat McCrory and his attorneys deny that new restrictive election reform laws passed by the Republican-controlled NC General Assembly violate the constitutional rights of African-Americans. Attorneys for the state Monday responded to two of the three federal lawsuits filed against the state alleging that GOP lawmakers knew that voter ID and other laws they ratified would negatively impact black voters. McCrory says the “common sense” laws are designed to combat fraud. The NCNAACP counters that there is little evidence of voter fraud that requires voter ID.

MCCRORY’S SPENDING QUESTIONED

            [RALEIGH] First it was bloated state salaries for two former campaign workers. Now it’s tens of thousands of dollars spent on bathrooms for his office and living quarters that Gov. Pat McCrory is having a hard time answering for. Published reports indicate that the Republican governor spent $19,000 in taxpayer money to remodel a small bathroom in his state office bathroom because of a “bad smell.” That news came on the heels of reports of McCrory canceling plans to renovate six bathrooms in the Executive Mansion at the cost of $230,000, after word got out that he accepted that bid because it was the lowest. At least $100,000 of the work would have included fancy décor. McCrory spokesperson Kim Genardo said the work was needed because of none of it was fixed by the previous governor, meaning Democrat Beverly Perdue. Because of the uproar, Genardo said the work and cost had been scaled back.

EMBATTLED REP. ELMERS GETS TWO DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGERS

            [DUNN] Tea Party Congresswoman Renee Elmers [R-NC-2], who got in trouble with her conservative base for not initially supporting the federal government shutdown, and then got in trouble again for saying, “I need my money” when asked if she would do without her paycheck while federal workers were furloughed, is now seen as being vulnerable for re-election in 2014. Two Democrats have already announced that they will vie for her seat. Houston Barners, the owner of a business law firm in the RTP, announced this week that he seeks Elmers job. Barnes joins former state Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco in vying for the Elmers seat. Meanwhile, more trouble for the congresswoman. Dunn police are probing an apparent break-in at Elmers home, from where an AR-15 assault weapon was taken.

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 TRIANGLE NEWS BRIEFS 10-24-13

POISONOUS SNAKES ARE OUT BEFORE HIBERNATION

If you’ve lived in North Carolina for a while, you know to expect to see snakes crawling around starting during the spring when they come out of hibernation in time for mating season. But what many people don’t reason is that snakes of all stripes stick around even as late as October, looking for one last meal before going back into hibernation. A Raleigh boy was bitten by a copperhead snake this week near Glenwood Avenue, and had to be hospitalized. Experts say watch out for snakes in your surroundings in the coming weeks, and if you see any, leave them alone, and they won’t bother you.

DURHAM SCHOOL BOARD CANCEL’S SUPT.’S CREDIT CARD

            Durham Supt. Eric Becoats is in hot water with his superiors on the Durham Board of Education. First he was found to have used a Durham school bus and driver to chauffeur his family around in August. He reimbursed the school system and promised not to do that again. But now Becoats is found to have put thousands of dollars on his school system credit card. The Durham School Board met behind closed doors Monday and voted to terminate Becoats card. Becoats again reimbursed the system, and promised to do better in the future.

GET YOUR UNCLAIMED CASH AT THE STATE FAIR

            Does the state of North Carolina owe you money? The best way to find out is to go to the NC Cash Booth at the NC State Fair and find out. The Unclaimed Property Division of the NC Dept. of the State Treasurer says there over $340 million in unclaimed money and property. During the fair’s opening weekend, over $100,000 was claimed. If you need more information, go to www.nccash.com.

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THE CASH STUFF FOR 10-17-13

NNPA STORIES -
http://nnpa.org/md-in-violation-of-hbcu-students-constitutional-rights-by-zenitha-prince/

http://nnpa.org/u-s-increases-un-needed-surveillance-of-citizens-by-freddie-allen/

LEADERS CRY, “TAKE

BACK OUR STATE”

By Cash Michaels

Editor

            From the NC NAACP state convention in Rocky Mount last week, to the NC Legislative Black Caucus town hall meeting in Raleigh this week, the cry was the same.

            It’s time to organize to take back North Carolina.

            Civil rights leaders and Democratic officials, already weary from what they call the “repressive path” of the recent Republican-led legislative session, and even more disturbed by the dramatic shutdown of the federal government by House Republicans and likely forced default of the nation’s debt ceiling, beckoned all who would listen that strong, decisive and sustained organization and action is needed now to take back the NC General Assembly in 2014, as well as hold onto the US Senate, and take the Republican-led US House during the midterms that same year.

            It will be tough to do because so many Republicans, thanks to redistricting, were elected from virtually “bulletproof” districts, meaning their district lines are drawn to keep Democrats from winning. But leaders believe if they can at least keep pounding the issues, organizing and registering people to vote in many of those districts, they may be able to make inroads, and make the 2014 election contests closer than experts are currently predicting.

            And even though he isn’t on the ballot for reelection until 2016, Gov. Pat McCrory, still struggling to fully establish his leadership brand after a series of political missteps and snubbing by GOP leaders in the Legislature, is already being targeted as well.

            During his “State of the State” address last Saturday at the State NAACP Convention in Rocky Mount, NCNAACP Pres. Rev. William Barber, who also serve as the leader of the successful Moral Monday movement, laid out a progressive agenda for NAACP members designed to put pressure of McCrory and other state Republican leaders to backtrack on many of their controversial policies.

            Rev. Barber called on Gov. McCrory to call a “Special Redemption Session” in the coming weeks “…to persuade [state lawmakers] to rescind their decision to strip Medicaid from 500,000 North Carolina families and unemployment benefits from 170,000 North Carolina families.” Barber said the Forward Together movement would work to collect petitions during Thanksgiving and Hanukkah.

            The NCNAACP leader also called for a mass Moral Monday – Forward Together movement gathering in Raleigh on December 23^rd, “…to either celebrate Gov. McCrory’s redemptive decision, or continue our protest…”            

            But Rev. Barber is just stopping with the governor and the Republican-led General Assembly. He’s going after the proverbial “power behind the throne” as well, in the person of state budget director Art Pope, the wealthy conservative businessman who bankrolled the GOP takeover of the state Legislature, and is advising Gov. McCrory on various budget cuts to state education and the social safety net.

            Barber says he is petitioning the national NAACP for permission to “…set up an informational picket campaign at Maxway and Roses stores, owned by state employee Art Pope.” Rev. Barber further states that the pickets will pass out fliers to shoppers informing them of how Pope used his family fortune to, “…finance extremist campaigns by tea party politicians, and the cuts pope made in his state budget to harm the poor and help the rich.”

            The Moral Monday movement leader also announced that the NCNAACP will support lawsuits against the state over severe budget cuts to education; will fight to defeat “the worst voter suppression bill in the country” in time for the 2014 elections; and will mount a statewide voter registration/education program in time for the November 2014 elections.

            Barber also announced the eighth annual Historic Thousands on Jones Street march and rally people’s assembly will convene on Saturday, February 8^th, 2014. Last year’s event is said to have been the largest with over 15,000 attendees. Rev. Barber said people will rally in front of the Legislative Building on Jones Street, “…to protest the immoral, unconstitutional, mean spirit that has taken over the People’s House.”

            On Monday evening at Martin Street Baptist Church in Raleigh, Wake County members of the NC Legislative Black Caucus conducted what they called, “What’s Up: Taking Back Our State Town Hall Meeting.”

            Moderated by State Rep. Rosa Gill [D-Wake], a variety of state lawmakers and public policy analysts gave an overview of everything from the federal shutdown to the rollout of the Affordable Care Act, to what all of them saw was the repressive policies of the Republican-led NC General Assembly, and how all of that negatively impacted the African-American community across the state.

            Speakers like state Sen. Dan Blue [D-Wake], Rep. Yvonne Holley, Rep. Darren Jackson and state House Democratic Leader Rep. Larry Hall of Durham, all assured attendees that the GOP was roiling back the clock on hard-fought for civil rights and privileges that African-Americans had earned, like the right to cast an unfettered ballot during election time.

            The elected leaders all urged citizens to stay active and involved in the political process, and work together to bring about needed change, starting in 2014.

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STATE NEWS BRIEFS 10-17-13

DHHS RESTORES WIC PROGRAM, THEN SUSPENDS WELFARE AID

            [GREENSBORO] Under blistering criticism last week, the NC Dept. of Health and Human Services found funding, in spite of the federal government shutdown in Washington, DC, and resumed its Women, Infants and Children program, otherwise known as WIC. North Carolina was the only state in the nation to stop its WIC program when the federal government shutdown, refusing, at first, to supplement it. Poor families in the state will now continue to have their WIC vouchers honored by designated vendors.

            But no sooner did DHHS announce the resumption of WIC, that it then announced the suspension of its federally funded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, saying that no more applications would be accepted. A DHHS spokesperson said it would not be able to make any TANF programs until the federal shutdown ended. Almost 21,000 North Carolina residents are served by the TANF program, with over 13,000 of them dependent children. The state is directing those needing food to check with their local food banks for assistance. Thus far, North Carolina is, again, the only state that has not temporarily used state funding to supplement the absence of federal funds during the shutdown.

SHUTDOWN HURTING NEEDY FAMILIES, CHILDREN, AND FURLOUGHED STATE WORKERS

            [DURHAM] In North Carolina, federally funded childcare programs, programs that assist needy families and the elderly, and even state employees who jobs are partially funded through federal funds, are feeling the increasing pressure of the shutoff of federal funding during the now three-week-old federal shutdown. County governments are making emergency supplemental funding to social service programs that normally receive federal aid. But that local funding will only last until the end of October, thus leaving programs that help seniors and the handicapped in desperate trouble. State government agencies are feeling the pinch as well, furloughing employees for hours, and even days, to make up for the shortfall of federal dollars.

                                                                       

STATE SUPREME COURT HEARS ARGUMENTS IN PRE-K CASE

            [RALEIGH] Is the state of North Carolina obligated to provide thousands of children living in poverty across the state a pre-kindergarten education? The North Carolina State Supreme Court heard arguments pro and con Tuesday in a 19-year-old case that started when five low-wealth counties sued the state, alleging that it had failed to adequately fund their local public school districts, and thus denied their poor children a constitutionally guaranteed “sound, basic education.” In 2011, the GOP-led state Legislature cut funding to the state’s pre-K program for at-risk children, and changed the eligibility requirements so that less poor children could be served. The state argues that it should be obligated to serve only Hoke County’s children because it was the originally complainant, and that there is no constitutional right to a pre-kindergarten education. Attorneys for the plaintiff school districts countered that the state decided to make the remedy to the original court case statewide because of the constitutional guarantee, and that has been upheld by the court ever since. A decision is expected by the state High Court in a few months.

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TRIANGLE NEWS BRIEFS 10-17-13

BROTHER A SUSPECT IN MURDER OF SEANNE WINTERS BARNETTE

            Knightdale police say the son of the late state Sen. John Winters is a in the weekend murder of his sister, Seanne Winters Barnette, 55. Ms. Barnette’s body was found in her Knightdale home Saturday morning, authorities say. Her brother, John W. Winters Jr., 70, was arrested two days earlier in Prince William County, Va. driving his sister’s 2008 PT cruiser. He was charged with stealing Barnette’s vehicle, and hospitalized with an unspecified illness. Winters has not been charged with her murder, though Knightdale investigators say that thus far, he is their only suspect. Barnette’s vehicle has been returned to North Carolina for evidence gathering. Ms. Barnette had served as a teacher at Holt Elementary School in Durham for several years. Winters Jr. reportedly was homeless recently. Their father, state Sen. John Winters, had served as the first black Raleigh City councilman in 1961. At presstime there was no word on funeral arrangements.

WIFE TURNS HUSBAND IN AS SUSPECT IN ARMED THEFTS

            The wife of the suspect in a series of armed robberies actually called Raleigh police last Friday to tell them there was evidence “all over the house,” but she couldn’t find “the damn gun.” The tape of a 911 call from the wife of the suspect, Walter Kevin Johnson, has her telling Raleigh police that she suspected him of the crimes, that he had been acting “weird”, that she had a newborn in the house, and there were things there she knew didn’t belong to them. Raleigh police later arrested Johnson during a traffic stop near his home. He was arrested, charged with the robberies, and jailed under  $4 million bond. Johnson’s family reportedly was having financial problems. Police say several of the robberies happened near Johnson’s home.

“NEW FALLS OF THE NEUSE ROAD” NOW JUST “FALLS OF THE NEUSE ROAD

            As of Tuesday this week, the two-lane stretch of road in Wake County that had been named “New Falls of the Neuse Road” was changed to simply “Falls of the Neuse Road.” The Wake County Commission Board made the change to the portion of the road that started in Raleigh, and ran to through the unincorporated part of the county. A new section with a bridge over the Neuse River had been constructed in recent years.

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Wake Leadership Academies to partner with Saint Augustine’s University to provide students with college-level curriculum

The Wake County Board of Education took its first formal step on October 15 to secure Saint Augustine’s University of Raleigh as the college partner for the Wake Leadership Academies.

"This partnership creates an exciting and rare opportunity for our high school students to attend college-level courses on campus, where they will be exposed to the rigor and academic culture of a four-year university," WCPSS Superintendent Jim Merrill said. "This collaboration will allow our school system and Saint Augustine's to fulfill a mutual mission to provide students with the skills, leadership development, and pathways for academic and personal success."

The partnership will allow Leadership Academy students to enroll in university courses to pursue the Early College portion of their rigorous academy experience, through which they may earn a high school diploma while also earning transferable college credit.

“Traditionally, Saint Augustine’s University has provided access to education, opportunities and programs for a widely diverse population of young people. This partnership is a perfect fit for our long range goals as an institution," said Dr. Dianne Boardley Suber, president of Saint Augustine’s University. “Historically black colleges and universities will continue to play a critical role in the education of a significant percentage of the population who are both positioned and postured to become effective leaders and change agents in this rapidly changing world."

Beginning as early as their sophomore year, students will participate in the Saint Augustine’s Transformative Education Program, a four-year, competency-based curriculum that spans all academic programs at the university.

“As an Early College partner, Saint Augustine’s has an inclusive vision for our students and our schools,” said Teresa Pierrie, principal of the Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy. “I believe they see the academies becoming a part of the university and this will translate into even greater opportunities for our students.”

Representatives from WCPSS and Saint Augustine’s University have been working together since March to develop the partnership and establish the Wake Leadership Academies as an Early College High School.

“In working with the team from Saint Augustine's for the past six months, I can say without equivocation that this institution is the perfect fit for the Early College component for our school,” said Ian Solomon, principal of the Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy.

The partnership with Saint Augustine’s University will also allow the academies to add a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) focus to the curriculum beginning in 2014-15. To enhance the STEM curriculum, the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences will create learning opportunities for students and professional development for faculty at the leadership academies.

Schools will be providing updates to academy parents as the Wake County Board of Education and Saint Augustine’s University Board of Trustees work together in the coming months to finalize the formal partnership.

                                                                                     -30-

CASH IN THE APPLE 10-17-13

By Cash Michaels

            LYNNETTE’S MAHALIA JACKSON CONCERT – We are still in production of the CashWorks HD Productions documentary presentation of “Pardons of Innocence: The Wilmington Ten”, which will make its world premiere in Wilmington next February. Thus far, though it’s hard work, I’m enjoying the experience immensely, and can’t wait for the world to see and experience this historic film.

            The documentary opens with an original song we wrote exclusively for the film titled “That Freedom”, and it is sung by one of the finest singers I’ve ever heard – Ms. Lynnette Barber.

            I’ve known Lynnette since she was a student at St. Augustine’s College (now known as St. Augustine’s University). She is a member of Lincoln Park Holiness Church in Raleigh, and as strong a Christian as Lynnette is, she is just as powerful a  singer, which is why we asked her to sing for the documentary.

            If you want to both see and hear just how great Lynnette is, mark down Sunday, Oct. 27^th, 4 p.m. at Lincoln Park Holiness Church. She will once again don a costume, and perform as gospel legend Mahalia Jackson, in concert. I’ve seen Lynnette’s performance as Mahalia, and I’m hear to tell you, it is more than a treat.

            It is an experience!

            So if you want a true gospel singing experience, in addition to a real good time, make sure you and your family come to Lincoln Park Holiness Church, 13 Heath Street in Raleigh, Sunday, Oct. 27^th at 4 p.m.. Lynnette Barber sings Mahalia Jackson In Concert. For more information call 919-673-6392 or contact Lynnette at lynbarber@yahoo.com.

            Trust me, you won’t regret it. And next February, get ready to hear Lynnette sing the heck out of the theme to “Pardons of Innocence: The Wilmington Ten.” That, will be unforgettable as well!

            SPIELBERG TAPS BERRY FOR CBS SERIES – Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry is set to return to television next season as an astronaut in new TV series produced by master filmmaker Steven Spielberg called “Extant.”

            Berry’s character returns to Earth after a year on a solo mission to find out that things have changed, and she doesn’t know why.

            Normally, given the stated plotline, I’d say this may or may not work. But with Spielberg at the helm a producer and Berry in the starring role on TV’s Number One broadcast network, and I think it has a shot. How long the series lasts depends on the strength of the scripts, and of course, cast performance.

            But at least “Extant” will have the star-power to give us something to look forward too.

            ANDERSON ABC COMEDY ABOUT BLACK LIFE – Word is that a major broadcast television network, in this case ABC, is considering a new situation comedy that explores what it means to be black in America today. I raise this because it is a poorly kept secret that ABC, NBC and CBS got out of the black situation comedy business some time ago, leaving that fare to BET and the now defunct UPN network, where the popular show “Girlfriends” held roost.

            The show ABC is considering is titled “Black-ish” and it stars Anthony Anderson, the roly-poly black actor we’ve seen star in TV shows like  “Law and Order”, and in movies like “Barbershop.”

            According to published reports, “…Black-ish centers on an upper-middle-class black man who struggles to raise his children with some sense of cultural identity despite constant contradictions and obstacles coming from his liberal wife, old-school father, and his own assimilated, color-blind kids.”

            We’ll see if the pilot for the show makes it to first base.

            What makes this notable is that unlike our black sitcoms of the past, like “Good Times”, “The Jeffersons” and “Sanford and Son”, “Black-ish” is produced by African-Americans – Kenya Barris, who brought us BET’s “The Game”, and actor Lawrence Fishburne’s production company Cinema Gypsy.

            So let’s see what transpires, shall we?

            BREAKING BAD – I know that a few weeks ago, a long-running, very popular  TV series called “Breaking Bad” ended on the AMC cable channel. It won an Emmy Award, and critics that it was addictive television. Even veteran thespian Sir Anthony Hopkins, one of my favorite actors from “Silence of the Lambs” and “The Mask of Zorro”, sent a fan letter to lead actor Bryan Cranston, who stars as “Walter White”, the chemistry teacher who learns he has cancer, and becomes a meth manufacturer, telling Cranston that the series had some of the best acting he’d ever seen.

            That’s high praise, indeed, coming from a master actor like Hopkins.

            So why am I writing about all of this? Because a popular as this series was, and apparently still is (they’re talking about a sequel), I’ve never seen one episode.

            As hyped up as I get about good TV shows and movies, this one, I must admit, never flew onto my radar. So I guess I’ll have to one day do what Sir Anthony Hopkins did – get the complete 62-episode set, and watch the series over a two-week period.

            This way, then, I’ll be the last person on Earth to know whether “Breaking Bad” was really that good or not.

            DON LEMON SAYS SO – Was at BlackAmericaWeb.com the other day, and saw an interesting op-ed piece by CNN weekend anchor Don Lemon titled, GOP “Stop Drinking the [Obama] Hater-aid.” In the piece, Lemon talked about the disgraceful display by Tea Partiers last weekend when they marched to the White House, and throw barricades in front of it.

            One moron (and yes, I’m calling people names here), had the disgraceful gall to grab a microphone, act as if he were talking to President Obama, and tell the Confederate flag waving Tea Party revelers, “ Take your hand off the Quran, come out with your hands up.”

            And then, guess who shows up to further enflame the crowd? Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz – man who has led the way to the federal government shutdown for the past two weeks.

            Both Palin and Sen. Cruz hail from the extreme right-right-wing of the Republican Party, the part that the rabid Tea Partiers lay claim to, and Don Lemon, after some careful analysis, made something very clear.

            “They’re only thinking about to stop a President they hate for whatever reason.”

            Then Lemon posits an extraordinary prediction. “For that reason, and [the Republicans’] inability to embrace the winds of change sweeping through our country, there will never be another Republican President in our generation. In our lifetime.”

            “Republicans, here’s the bottom line…you are blinded by the Obama hate trees, fighting amongst yourselves, in a death spiral,” Lemon continues. “Get on the same message…and stop drinking the hater-aid. It is leaving a bad taste in your mouths and the majority of Americans is recoiling from your bad breath.”

            Wow! That’s powerful stuff, Don. But more importantly, it is true as gold.

            The Republicans hate this black president so much, they are even willing to destroy this nation just to sully and tarnish the legacy of Barack Obama.

            The bad part about it is, innocent people, the poor, furloughed federal and state employees, families and small businesses are the ones suffering as a result. The federal government has been shutdown for three weeks now, and at presstime, while talks were ongoing about salvaging the federal debt ceiling, the House Republicans looked like they were not interested.

            Yes, hold tight to your Bibles or Q’urans or Torahs, for Lord knows we need strength. But then just don’t sit there. Get involved in taking your country back.

            For if you don’t, our children will be denied that which our ancestors fought and died for.

            And make sure during this struggle, that you support this black newspaper. We were born in struggle. We report truth to power. We are owned by our community, therefore we will always stand for and with our community.

            But only if you stand for and with us. Subscribe to us, get advertising with us, and be there for us.

            Don’t let our voice disappear!
            FREDERICK DOUGLASS ON OBAMA - This was sent to me. I double-checked it. I think you should read it too:
             Many people wonder why Republican legislators are so unrelenting on President Obama.Frederick Douglass gave us the answer many years ago. 
             "Though the colored man is no longer subject to barter and sale, he is surrounded by an adverse settlement which fetters all his movements. In his downward course he meets with no resistance, but his course upward is resented and resisted at every step of his progress. If he comes in ignorance, rags and wretchedness he conforms to the popular belief of his character, and in that character he is welcome; but if he shall come as a gentleman, a scholar and a statesman, he is hailed as a contradiction to the national faith concerning his race, and his coming is resented as impudence. In one case he may provoke contempt and derision, but in the other he is an affront to pride and provokes malice."  Frederick Douglass September 25, 1883

               So true, so true! 

              NO SHAME - By the way, and I may start a fight here, but many of you online are saying how "ashamed" you are of North Carolina and America because of what the Republicans are doing. I'm not! I'm proud, VERY proud, to stand with those of you of all stripes who KNOW better, do better, and are planning to DO your very BEST to take back our state and nation. I'm not ashamed of the wrongdoing of others, because they are not doing GOD's will, nor do they represent me. Why should I be ashamed of what they’re doing, when they are NOT ashamed of it? I pity them, because the shame is ALL theirs, and I refuse to share it with them. Instead, I am committed to sharing the mission of fighting for our state and nation, and ALL of our children...even theirs...so that we can put this country back on the right track, and be the kind of America the election of our first black president showed us we can be. So feel free to continue to be "ashamed" of someone else's demented tomfoolery if you will, but for me and mine, we're DAMN proud to STAND UP to evil, and fight it with EVERYTHING we have! 'nuff said.

            Make sure you tune in every Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. for my talk radio show, ''Make It Happen'' on Power 750 WAUG-AM, or online at www.myWAUG.com. And read more about my thoughts and opinions exclusively at my blog, ‘The Cash Roc” (http://thecashroc.blogspot.com/2011/01/cash-roc-begins.html). I promise it will be interesting.

Cash in the Apple - honored as the Best Column Writing of 2006 by the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Columnist Cash Michaels was also honored by the NNPA for Best Feature Story Journalist of 2009, and was the recipient of the Raleigh-Apex NAACP’s President’s Award for Media Excellence in Sept. 2011.

Until next week, keep a smile on your face, GOD in your heart, and The Carolinian in your life. Bye, bye.

THE CASH STUFF FOR 10-10-13

NNPA STORIES -

http://nnpa.org/chevy-chase-bank-to-pay-minority-borrowers-2-85-million-by-freddie-allen/

STATE WON’T HELP WIC

FAMILIES HURT BY SHUTDOWN

By Cash Michaels

Editor

            Poor pregnant women, infants and young children in North Carolina, in desperate need of food and nutrition, are now officially out of luck because Gov. McCrory’s administration has ordered state agencies not supplement state funding to temporarily keep the WIC program going until the federal shutdown ends.

            According to published reports, the state Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which runs the federally-funded Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, infants and Children (WIC), has announced that it has suspended providing benefits to the 264,000 enrolled needy participants in the state because of the federal government shutdown.

            “Some of our most vulnerable citizens, pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants and young children will be affected by the interruption of WIC services due the shutdown, “ DHHS Secretary Aldona Wos said in a statement.

            When WIC is up and functioning in North Carolina, it is budgeted $205 million annually. WIC recipients in North Carolina spend upwards of $16 million annually on food and other nutritional purchases.

            But with funding now shutdown from Washington until the fiscal crisis is over, DHHS and other state agencies are prohibited by Gov. McCrory’s budget chief, Art Pope, from supplementing any state dollars for any halted federal programs, meaning no state aid to help WIC recipients in the meantime.

            That means no new food vouchers will be issued to poor families beyond what has already been issued to eighty percent of the state’s enrollees for October.

            As the shutdown continues, WIC families are being encouraged to signup for food stamps, go to local food pantries, or seek help from county social services offices. Those recipients are also encouraged to use their October vouchers if they have them, and to keep their nutrition and health appointments.

            The WIC crisis is yet another chapter in the continuing dysfunction, many critics say, at DHHS. Earlier this week, Secretary Wos was grilled during a daylong legislative hearing into the multitude of controversies that have befallen state government’s largest agency.

            Wos faced withering questioning about why a Medicaid claims payment system to reimburse hospitals and other medical facilities has failed; why needy families on food stamps have not received them in a timely fashion; and why former McCrory campaign workers were being overpaid for state positions they weren’t qualified for.

            That, in addition to personal service contracts that paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to certain people close to Sec. Wos and the governor for limited work that state administrators could easily handle.

            Wos response to all of the allegations was that despite the setbacks, DHHS was running more efficiently than ever before.

            Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle said, however, that they saw little evidence of such.

                                                -30-

WERE THE WAKE ELECTIONS

A BACKLASH AGAINST GOP?

By Cash Michaels

An analysis

            Could the Democrat-positive results from Tuesday’s election in Wake County signal that voters have had it with conservative Republicans?

            From the mayor’s race in Raleigh, where two GOP’ers lost to unaffiliated incumbent Mayor Nancy McFarlane, to the Wake County School Board races, where with the exception of moderate Republican incumbent Bill Fletcher, every conservative Republican who ran, including incumbent Deborah Prickett, lost, Wake County voters sent a message loud and clear.

            They want a return to reasonable, moderate government.

            Given the high toxicity of politics not only in the state, but in the nation, and poll after poll blaming conservative Republican politicians for it, Tuesday’s dramatic results in favor of moderate Democrats was telling. Voters are tired of the incessant bickering and posturing, and have certainly had their fill of the arrogance, many say, that has been prominently on display not only at the Republican-led state Legislature on Jones Street, but also in our nation’s capital in Washington, D.C. amid a troubling government shutdown.

            More importantly, Tuesday’s election results in Wake County, where only 15 percent of the registered electorate bothered to cast a ballot at all, portend bad tidings for the Republican Party come 2014, and possibly 2016.

            Perhaps the greatest indicator of such was the overwhelming support for the $810 million Wake school construction bond Tuesday, which passed by a healthy 57 percent of the vote.

            Despite dire and vehement warnings from the conservative Wake County Taxpayers Association and the Wake County Republican Party that the Democrat-led Wake School Board would waste the money; that the construction of 16 new schools and renovation of 80 current schools wasn’t needed; that official student growth projections were wildly inflated; and that everyone’s property tax bill would go up to cover the cost of the bond, the majority of Wake voters dismissed those claims, and decided it was worth the investment in the future of Wake County schools.

            That translated into confidence in the current Democrat-led Wake School Board, led by Chairman Keith Sutton, who promised that in tandem with the GOP-led Wake County Commission Board, every dollar would be prudently spent to ensure the best education possible for Wake County students. 

            That voter confidence extended to electing more Democrats to the Wake School Board to further enhance the majority, even though the races were nonpartisan.

            In District 1, incumbent Tom Benton, a Democrat and retired school principal, handily defeated Republican Party endorsed attorney Don McIntyre.            In District 2, Monika Johnson-Hostler, a Democrat, defeated another Wake GOP-backed candidate Matt Scruggs, for a seat currently held by outgoing Tea Party incumbent John Tedesco. Johnson-Hostler, an African-American, is the executive director for the NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

            In District 7, Republican incumbent Deborah Prickett, a state education consultant, lost to Democrat Zora Felton, a retired teacher. Prickett is the last of the four Republicans who took over the majority of the Wake School Board in 2009. The resulting controversy from their ending the system’s student diversity policy resulted in Democrats reclaiming the board majority in 2011.

            And in District 9, the Wake County Republican Party refused to endorse incumbent GOP school board member Bill Fletcher, a moderate, because of his support for the student diversity policy, and instead endorsed conservative businesswoman Nancy Caggia. Caggia lost.

            When the new board is sworn-in in December, Democrats will have a 7-2 majority, with one moderate Republican and one unaffiliated member to round things out.

            In Raleigh, though she’s unaffiliated, there’s no doubt that incumbent Mayor Nancy McFarlane is a progressive, and voters apparently had no problem with that as they overwhelmingly re-elected her to a second term Tuesday.

            Raleigh voters rejected the mayoral bids of two Republicans – newcomer Robert Louis Weltzin, who was endorsed by the Wake Republican Party, and Venita Peyton, a black Republican who has now failed three times in her quest for Raleigh mayor.

            Raleigh voters also backed the $75 million transportation bond referendum against the warnings of area conservatives, 70 to 30 percent. Various road improvement projects can now go forward.

            On the Raleigh City Council, District C Councilman Eugene Weeks once again withstood mild opposition from two candidates to win a third term. At-large incumbents Russ Stephenson and Mary-Ann Baldwin also easily won re-election.

            The only upset in council elections was in District A, where incumbent Randy Stagner was defeated by newcomer Wayne Maiorano. Stagner was generally seen as trying to micro-manage city government from behind the scenes.

            Incumbent Republican Councilman John Odom of District B defeated two challengers for re-election.

            Depending on how the winds blow, Tuesday’s election results might be a strong predictor for the 2014 elections, when seats on the Republican-led Wake County commissioners will be up for grabs. It will also be interesting to see how a new Wake School Board district map, which the NC General Assembly recently passed to give more of an advantage to Republicans, will play out next year.

            If Wake voters become even more disenchanted with Republican-inspired government shutdowns nationally, and controversial policies locally by GOP state lawmakers, then local Democrats may find themselves back in the driver’s seat leading up to 2016, and the governor’s race.

                                                -30-

CASH IN THE APPLE 10-10-13

By Cash Michaels

            SO FAR, ONLY TWO - We are well into the third week of the new television broadcast season, and so far, only two new TV shows have definitely caught my fancy.

            On Fox, “Sleepy Hollow,” which is filmed in Wilmington, starring Tom Mison and Nicole Beharie, is a modern-day take on the old Washington Irving story about a 200 year-old supernatural force that comes to life in 2013.

            Thus far the limited series (fewer episodes, no reruns) has held firm with an audience of at least 9 million viewers per week, thanks to spooky episodes that give both Beharie and Mison a lot to work with. The plots have been strong, the special effects decent, and the acting enough to satisfy. True, the show takes a page from the old “X-Files” TV show, but it works.

            What’s also impressive is that for a weekly action-adventure, it has two black actors prominently featured – Beharie as Lt. Abbie Mills, and actor Orlando Jones as her captain. Mind you, both roles could have easily gone to white actors, but the producers, who are white (Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci of the newly revamped “Star Trek” film franchise), decided to go with the best performers for the roles, and they’re making it work.

            If anything, “Sleepy Hollow” is exactly what folks have been crying out loud for for years – a good story with roles that are not racial defined, depending only on what skills each actor brings to the role.

            Gee, maybe that electing-Barack-Obama-to-the-presidency thing had a positive impact after all.

The second new TV series that offers great promise is Robin Williams’ “The Crazy Ones” on CBS, Thursday nights.

            Produced by David E. Kelley, who brought us “The Practice”, “Boston Public” and “Boston Legal”, ‘The Crazy Ones” is the perfect vehicle to bring Robin Williams back to network television 30 years after his now classic sitcom, “Mork and Mindy.”

            Here Williams portrays an advertising executive whose creativity and eccentric ways drives everyone crazy.

            Thus far the series is averaging over 10 million viewers a week, folks tuning in to see what Williams will do next. As long as he stays inventive, I think the show will be on for a while.

            Other than those two, the new TV season has been a disappointment. “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” is really nothing more that silly slock, geared mostly to the teen audience. And many of the other new series are BS we’ve all seen before.

            ABC has already canceled a show about lottery winners called “Lucky 7” after just two episodes. OUCH! That 10 p.m. Tuesday night slot will be filled with reruns of the popular series “Scandal”. I am certain, given the poor crop of shows out there now, that there are more to follow.  

            And on the topic of “Scandal,” starring Kerry Washington, I’ll give the show credit, it’s season premiere last week came out of the box swinging, causing much talk, I’m sure, in many a beauty shop.

            NAACP DEAL WITH TV ONE - The NAACP, the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization and home of the prestigious NAACP Image Awards, has partnered with the TV One network in a new multi-media five year agreement.  

            Under the five-year contract, TV One becomes the television home for the association’s awards show, beginning with the live airing of the “45th NAACP Image Awards” in February 2014.  The multimedia partnership was jointly announced this week by NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman Roslyn M. Brock and TV One Chairman and CEO / President of Radio One Alfred Liggins.

            “Our new multi-faceted long-term partnership with TV One will bring expanded visibility and awareness of the NAACP and its important programs, such as the NAACP Image Awards,” said NAACP’s Brock. “TV One offers the resources and capabilities to reach audiences in today’s broad media universe, therefore advancing the message of promoting and protecting human and civil rights.”

            The NAACP Image Awards is the nation’s premier event celebrating the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors. 

            TV One will air live broadcasts of the Image Awards and red carpet arrivals in 2014. In addition, the network will provide promotional support on TV One, Radio One and Reach Media, Interactive One, and via a multi-platform marketing campaign.  In addition, to elevate the historic organization’s initiatives, there will be dedicated coverage on News One Now, TV One’s new daily news and information program.

            “We are truly honored to be partnering with the NAACP and becoming the new home for the Image Awards,” said Liggins of TV One. “Today’s announcement is a game changer for TV One and our loyal viewers across the country. As we prepare to celebrate the 10th anniversary of TV One’s 2004 launch, I can think of no greater opportunity to thank this audience than by providing them with access to the preeminent awards show that showcases the incredible achievements of Black Americans and by creating an ongoing opportunity for dialogue around social justice issues on TV One.”

            There are many well-deserving actors, authors, directors, writers, performing artists, as well as television, motion picture, recording, and literary projects that are recognized during the NAACP Image Awards.  Submissions are now being accepted until Friday, November 15, 2013 – information is available at www.naacpimageawards.net 

          Nominations for the “45th NAACP Image Awards” will be announced next January.

          WASHINGTON CRISIS – The current standoff between Congress and the White House, and more specifically House Speaker John Boehner and President Barack Obama, is what cable news networks were made for. We’re already two weeks into a federal government shutdown, and the country is headed towards a larger debt ceiling crisis – all because the Tea Party wing of the Republican majority in Congress refuses to support a “CR” (continuing resolution) to properly fund the government for the next two weeks so that it can pay its bills.

            Needless to say both sides of the argument are getting an abundance of facetime on Fox News, MSNBC and CNN, all in the effort to convince the American people that their side is correct in the dispute.

            Personally, it’s clear to me that the Tea Party is holding the Republican Party hostage, and thus, the GOP is holding the nation hostage by already shutting down the government, and threatening on allowing the nation to default on its debt, something that responsible officials assure us will be catastrophic to not only the nation’s economy, but the global economy.

            Cable TV loves this stuff because it helps to fill-in the voracious need for tension-filled 24/7 programming.

            But after all of this turmoil is over, in what condition is the country left in? Will we feel like a United States of America, or just a place that is doomed to constant war with one another, based on race, politics, and the thirst for power?

            The old saying is, “Elections have consequences.”

            Well, as we now see, not voting in elections clearly has consequences as well, because in the end, you get the government you may or may not have wanted.

            This may turn out to be very sad for all of us.

            I pray not!

Make sure you tune in every Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. for my talk radio show, ''Make It Happen'' on Power 750 WAUG-AM, or online at www.myWAUG.com. And read more about my thoughts and opinions exclusively at my blog, ‘The Cash Roc” (http://thecashroc.blogspot.com/2011/01/cash-roc-begins.html). I promise it will be interesting.

Cash in the Apple - honored as the Best Column Writing of 2006 by the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Columnist Cash Michaels was also honored by the NNPA for Best Feature Story Journalist of 2009, and was the recipient of the Raleigh-Apex NAACP’s President’s Award for Media Excellence in Sept. 2011.

Until next week, keep a smile on your face, GOD in your heart, and The Carolinian in your life. Bye, bye.

                                                                -30-

TRIANGLE NEWS BRIEFS 10-10-13

RALEIGH CHOOSES CHARLOTTE’S RUFFIN HALL AS NEW CITY MANAGER

            Charlotte’s current assistant city manager has now been hired as Raleigh’s new city manager. Ruffin Hall was introduced last week to Raleigh residents as the successor to manager J. Russell Allen, who was terminated in June. Hall, 43, is a Fayetteville native who has spent the past 18 years working in Wilmington, Chapel Hill, Durham, and in Charlotte since 2001. Hall’s expertise is in city finance and transit. He will be paid $215,000 annually, plus expenses. Hall is expected to begin on November 18^th.

STATE SUPREME COURT TO REVIEW RACIAL JUSTICE ACT DECISIONS

            Three convicted murderers who had their death sentences commuted to life sentences under the now defunct Racial Justice Act last December, will now have those decisions reviewed by the NC Supreme Court. The state Attorney General’s Office petitioned the high court to review the cases after Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Gregory Weeks ruled last year that race was a factor in the death sentences of Christina Walters, Tilmon Golphin and Quintel Augustine. Augustine killed a Fayetteville police officer in 2001; Golphin and his younger brother murdered a state trooper and Cumberland sheriff’s deputy in 1997; and Walters was convicted of gang murders in 1998.

FORTY –SIX UNC STUDENTS WHO TOOK BOGUS COURSES WON’T GRADUATE

            Unless they take free makeup classes, forty-six UNC –Chapel Hill students who enrolled in bogus classes in the African and Afro-American Studies Dept. may not graduate, school officials say. Thus far, only one student has signed up for the makeups. In all, 384 students took the false courses between 1997 and 2009 at UNC. Athletes made up the lion’s share of students enrolled during that period. Alumni will not be required to come back for the makeups since their academic transcripts were sealed after they graduated.

                                                            -30-

STATE NEWS BRIEFS 10-10-13

RALEIGH POLICE SPIED ON MORAL MONDAY MOVEMENT

            [RALEIGH] An undercover Raleigh Police officer attended Moral Monday meetings at Davie Street Presbyterian Church last May to gather intelligence on the movement, according to Raleigh Police Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown. State Capital Police Chief Jeff Weaver, in testimony Monday during the first of hundreds of trials of Moral Monday protestors which began in Wake County District Court last week, testified that based on the RPD spying, his department was able to develop enough intelligence to identify so-called “anarchists…against government” that officers would keep their eyes on in subsequent demonstrations. NCNAACP Pres. Rev. William Barber, convener of the Moral Monday movement, said there was no reason for police to spy, since all of their meetings were open to the press and public.

AFTER SAYING SHE WILL, REP. ELMERS SAYS NOW SHE WON’T ACCEPT PAYCHECK DURING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

            [WASH. D.C.] Stung by severe criticism after telling a local TV station that “I need my paycheck” when asked if she will forego her salary during the federal government shutdown, Republican Second District Congresswoman Renee’ Elmers did a 180 degrees two days later, saying that she will now forego her $174,000 salary until the government reopens. The Dunn congresswoman outraged many with her earlier remarks after she sided with her colleagues in shutting down the federal government, thus furloughing over 800,000 federal employees. Last Saturday, Elmers joined the unanimous vote in the House to pay those workers for lost time once the government reopens.

OBAMACARE LIMPS INTO NORTH CAROLINA

            [CHARLOTTE] Thanks to Gov. Pat McCrory and the Republican-led General Assembly refusing to setup state exchanges, when the Affordable Care Act (ACA), otherwise known “Obamacare,” went into effect Oct. 1^st, North Carolinians didn’t get much of a deal on their healthcare insurances as other states were getting. The state insurance commissioner was legally prohibited from helping residents who needed assistance, instead referring them to the federal government, which is running the exchange in North Carolina. Unlike other states where at least eight companies are vying for business, thus driving the cost of healthcare down, North Carolina only has two companies, and one of them only covers 39 counties, thus keeping the cost of health insurance here high. And to add insult to injury, the ACA website was dysfunctional during the initial signup days.

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