Everything But the Moan

We once visited a stockyard in Sioux City Iowa and spoke to some of the cattlemen there.  They said that when it came to making money from a cow, they use “Everything but the moo.”  That this is pretty much the attitude of upstate politicians towards the prisoners held in their districts, becomes apparent in an interview with State Senator Velmanette Montgomery.
Not only do the prisons provide jobs for the area and increase the local voting power, Senator Montgomery pointed out that for decades “The Republicans were able to rule the senate based on the prisoners,” counted as part of their districts.  Another plus for the upstate districts from having prisoners on the count is that they take not only the body, but find profit in the prisoner’s station in life as well. “After all, that is what the Census is for,” she continued.  “It determines how many people live in each city who are of different income, age, ethnic, and occupation categories. All of these factors help generate public dollars based on the needs of people in the various categories. 
   So in the upstate counties, prisoners are counted as low income and have all of the needs associated with that.  Funding goes to those districts,” rather than the home districts where most come from, districts in Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx.
The Senator points out that what this means for districts such as hers is that “With the Rockefeller Drug Law repeal, many more people will be returning home in the next few years.  Based on that we have a constant influx of  people who need support services.   And if they’ve not been counted as part of our district, We’ve lost funding based on that.”
So for years after the prisoners are counted,  they will be released back to the areas they came from, areas that have been deprived of the dollars to service them.  “We’ll need to provide housing, all health services, substance abuse treatments, counseling,  as well as, hopefully, job training and job placement.”
“The Census counts population, period.  Based on population, a senate district is drawn, council districts are drawn, congressional districts are drawn, and city council districts are drawn.”  Speaking of how this relates to the State Senate, Montgomery said “If it were not for the prisoners, there would not be enough people in some upstate areas to form a Senate District..”
Senator Eric Schneiderman’s has introduced an act “to amend the correction law, the legislative law, and the municipal home rule law, in relation to the collection of census data,” that seeks to correct this situation.
 ” There is definitely  pushback on this legislation” from upstate legislators says Montgomery.  “It does not benefit them.  In those rural areas, they had more power than urban centers where the prisoners come from.” 
As a former slave, valued at 3/5th of a man, Frederick Douglass would be familiar with the situation highlighted by the report of the prison initiative (www. prisonpolicy.org ) where we see that in state Senator Dale Volker’s 59th District, when you deduct the 8,951 prisoners (4,447 of which are black), the district has 285,306 residents.  Senator Montgomery’s 18th District has 311,260 residents- not even adding in the count from the prisons.   Meaning that the people in her district are worth almost 10% less than those in the rural areas upstate.

View From Here: Governor Paterson on the Edge

 Governor David Paterson’s problems are entirely of his own making.   Interfering with a woman protecting herself from a physical abuser?   It was both an arrogance of power and a devaluing of women.  It was also thoughtless, because his actions were just the open opportunity for any number of forces in the state to pounce on and that’s before you factor in the ever-present racism, which is always intertwined in there somewhere. 
The upcoming redistricting, the allocation of the state budget,  the private money that is made or lost based on relationships with who occupies the governor’s mansion, all involved are working their contacts and rumor makers to fill the atmosphere with their chatter in order to force the governor to resign before the investigation by the office of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo can run its course. 
How long he and his family can withstand the strain of the constant questions is uncertain, but Paterson appears for now to feel he will be exonerated and is trying to hold on until the investgation completes but he may not have that long.  As we go to press we see that the New York Times is reporting that  “Gov. David A. Paterson falsely testified under oath during an ethics investigation into his acceptance of free World Series tickets last fall, according to the State Commission on Public Integrity, which announced on Wednesday that it had asked prosecutors to determine if criminal charges should be brought against the governor.”  Things don’t look good at all for the governor. 
They are looking good for probable candidate for governor Andrew Cuomo who must also see the downside of being under two microscopes: one looking at how his office handles the investigation of Governor Paterson and the other on where he stands on state issues such as state Senator Schneiderman’s legislation on where prisoners reside for redistricting purposes.  And if he’s going to be the candidate for governor, he has to tell us his thoughts now, and not in May after he saw which way the wind blew.
The Democratic leadership may hate it but they’d better have a primary because there’s nothing like a good fight to see what arguments are out there and if your candidate can take the hit.  And after Spitzer, Hevesi and Paterson, they may need to find a  plan B, just in case plan A for Andy blows up in their face as all the others have. 
Paterson’s holding on but Congressman Charlie Rangel has had to let go of the chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee in the wake of a report from the House Ethics committee that admonished him for ethics violation in accepting corporate-sponsored trips. 

Will this health care horror never end?  The problem is that the simplicity of single-payer has not broken through the wall of health industry noise and their political contributions.  It helps to remember that every time you see a health plan truck on the street with their insurance vendors stopping passers by, those are health care premiums at work.  We’ve said it before and will again that it is the health premiums that pay for the  district managers, the area managers the regional managers the vice-presidents, the presidents, and the stockholders.   And this is for each insurance company.  And at these insurance companies they use premiums to pay people to find reasons to override doctors, deny care and pay the doctors, technicians, nurses and hospitals from what’s left. 
In a single-payer system, with no insurance company involvement, a patient goes to the health provider, receives treatment and uses a health card to confirm the visit and services.  The provider informs the Medicare-like system, and is paid. By cutting out the health industry jobs program for managers and executives, there is finally money to pay decent fees for services because the entire population is in the insurance pool.
With a full-blown single-payer program, the insurance companies, except for high-end boutique providers, will go the way of the tuberculosis wards and the polio-equipment supply houses.  This is an end they will rail against to the very end, but when it comes, the nation will be healthier and wealthier for it.

A Night on Rue Berne:Living on the Streets

En Route to Witness what is Perhaps the Worst Natural Disaster in this Hemisphere

by Rachel Pratt and Garry Pierre-Pierre (http://www.haitiantimes.com/)

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – A few days after a disastrous earthquake rocked Haiti to its core, many Haitians in the tri-state area, boarded planes to Santo Domingo in hope of reaching their troubled country through the land border. The team of Haitian Times correspondent ran into about a dozen Haitian New Yorkers at Kennedy International airport.

When asked why they were going to Haiti, all of them said they were frustrated at having no news from their relatives and friends in Haiti. Communication in Haiti remains sparse and the suspense was too much to bear. They boarded these planes not even sure whether they would make it to Haiti. At least, they reason, they were in Hispaniola, the island shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Everyone encountered, was in a state of shock and felt a sense of helplessness not being able to contact and know if their loved ones were alive. Seeing the mainstream media providing limited visibility of the devastation, their neighborhoods, it was beginning to frustrate people. But by making a move… trying to get to Haiti, finally made them feel as though they are making a difference. They are no longer stuck in front of the TV being fed repetitive information. They have control. They will be able to see the true devastation for themselves.

One of the people traveling with us, a well-known Haitian surgeon Dr. Lesly Guerrier, is also feeling the sense of urgency. To quickly do something and take care of his family and put his skills to help his people. His parents who took time to build their dream retirement home in Haiti, lost their home at the age of 80 years old…they lost their life long dream, their happiness. Now his plan is to get his parents out of the country as soon as possible to a safe area. Unfortunately, in Haiti you build your home on your own risk. Hurricanes, tornadoes, tropical storms are the norm but this is now unexpected territory.

Indeed, when we reached Santo Domingo, getting into Haiti was not easy. Haiti’s battered airport was closed only to rescue mission and even some of them had to travel by car to Haiti. At the municipal airport here, scores of passengers had to make alternative plans to get to Haiti. We rented an SUV and got a driver to take us in a van.

We went to a Costco in Santo Domingo and bought food and water, sleeping bags and flashlights ready to tackle on the elements on the ground, which remain a mystery to all of us. We don’t know what awaits us but we’re off to the border.  (For updates, visit.  http://www.haitiantimes.com

Community Board 3 Kicks Off The New Decade With Public Hearing

Neighbors Voice Their Concerns About  the Oversaturation of Public Programs
Community Board 3 opened its first meeting in 2010 with a public hearing addressing the growing concern for the oversaturation of Public Programs in the area. For the past 10 years, residents have been constantly complaining about the numerous and abundance of programs being allowed into our community. 
As a resident and home owner in Bedford-Stuyvesant, I can certainly attest to this growing concern. On our block of Bainbridge Street between Malcolm X Blvd. and Patchen Avenue alone has 4 Single-Room Occupancy residents, 2 half-way homes and several other social service programs in operation. Unfortunately, our concern for the quality of life for our neighbors and safety for our children is shared by numerous other blocks. Yet, our cries are going unanswered.
Demetrius Mills, who resides on the northern tip of Bedford-Stuyvesant, was one of the first to state his grievances.  Since 2000, he has been fighting to have some of the numerous programs infiltrating the community designated to other areas. However, so far it has been a losing battle.  Currently his area alone houses a women’s shelter, domestic violence facility, a methadone clinic and numerous other social service programs. According to Mr. Mills, there were over 1 thousand agencies listed in Bed-Stuy in CB3 alone; today, that number is estimated to have doubled. 
As a father and homeowner, Mr. Mills has witnessed drug usage and sexual acts performed right under his window.  On more than one occasion he, as well as his teenage son, have been propositioned.  In addition to the prostitution, Mr. Mills fears for the safety of his family and had an alarming encounter when a mentally ill patient wandered in his home and confronted his wife and son. 
Nancy Russell, a former manager at NYC Department of Homeless Services, and current President of the Tri Block Association, argued that the concern of most residents is not “rejection of the homeless, needy or poor, but equality and fairness.” She suggested that CB3 identify alternative sites where these programs can be housed.
Linda Simmons, Vice President of the Jefferson Avenue Block Association lives in fear. Within a 2-block radius, she shares residence with 2 schools, 3 day care centers and several Level 3 sex offenders. This fear has created an unhealthy lifestyle for her children who are forbidden to go out and spend most of their time in the house. “With physical education classes being taken out of the school system, my kids and grandchildren unfortunately have no means of exercise. I am too afraid to let them go to the park fearing they may encounter the sex offenders.”
Ms. C. Doris Pinn, who co-chairs The Housing Land/Use Committee, assured those in attendance that their complaints have been heard and that Community Board 3 has been and will continue to utilize all of its resources to combat and resolve the issue.
Other concerns addressed included the renaming of The Bradford Apartments which is scheduled to undergo construction this year. The site, which is located on the corner of Fulton Street and Albany Avenue, is currently scheduled to be named after the unsavory “Bradford” pear tree that produces an inedible nut and large white flowers with a pungent odor. CB3 is currently holding a contest to rename the block in honor of something, or someone with significance. Pradine Content, a representative from the Census Bureau, ended the evening by asking everyone to encourage others to fill out their census form. According to Ms. Content, Bedford-Stuyvesant is considered a “hard to count” community with less than 60% of its residents participating in the 2000 census.
There are many events, activities and initiatives that are taking place in the month of January. However, one in particular merits mentioning. On Saturday, January 16, Voices of Action Against Violence, Parents United to Rally for Gun-Violence Elimination (PURGE) and Calvary Fellowship AME Church are joining forces for Step Up and Take a Stand. The special forum will address the issue of the growing concern of gun violence in our community and will include special guest speaker Graham Weatherspoon of Black Law Enforcement Alliance.

Multiethnic Pride Emerges With Inauguration of John Liu

The 2010 inauguration attracted a broader cross section of NYC residents than in years past. The marked increase in cultural diversity was due to the inauguration of John Liu, the first Asian-American to be elected to the position of comptroller, a citywide office.
During his inaugural speech on the steps of City Hall, Liu hinted at the direction of the comptroller’s office under his leadership. Liu promised he would “work every day for the taxpayers as the chief financial officer of this city to serve as a watchdog over use of funds for its infrastructure and generate sustainable opportunities for residents and local businesses and for the future of our retirees through responsible management of investments and protecting the assets of the city’s pension funds.” He promised he will  examine past and future development agreements and ensuring tangible promises of affordable housing and job creation are actually delivered. Liu said he will “work every day for the democratic principles of shared prosperity by ensuring that women and minority-owned businesses receive equal access to city contracts.” Comptroller Liu said he would “work everyday to realize promises of reform, eliminating waste and fraud from the city’s budget by examining the millions of dollars in no-bid contracts where justifications are weak at best.”
After the formal ceremonies, attendees – Blacks and white, Chinese, Sikh, Korean – trekked to Liu’s reception. A diverse group of city, state and federal elected officials congratulated Liu. Michael Mulgrew, UFT President thanked “John personally for standing up to people who don’t like when people stand up to them. John has demonstrated this throughout his career.” State Senator John Sampson said “Immigrants have built this country. It is time we get our just due.” Congressman Jerrold Nadler noted Liu’s remarkable story: “Almost all of us are the children or grandchildren of immigrants. It is rare to see someone who was born in a different country, speaking a different language be sworn into an office this high. That is quite an achievement.”
Bill Thompson introduced Liu with sentimental, heartfelt remarks. “This is my first speech as former comptroller of this city. I feel honored and privileged on this inaugural day – a time of renewal, hope and promise – to celebrate our new city comptroller, John Liu. We celebrate John’s family – his wife, his son, his parents,  and all that they have done. Congratulations to all of you. I know that John will serve with the same dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm that he has shown throughout his entire public life.”
Thompson spoke of his friendship with Liu. “I have had the pleasure of knowing Comptroller Liu for a long time. I have had the opportunity to work with him on a number of pressing issues. I can tell you from experience that he is a man who never lets pettiness or politics get in the way of principles or progress. A man who focuses on the next generation, rather than the next election. A man who never substitutes rhetoric for results. The city confronts an historic economic crisis, one that will continue to shape our communities and test our resolve. I leave office confident because we have a public servant like John Liu taking the helm as our city’s chief financial officer. I am confident because throughout his whole life Comptroller Liu has demonstrated a remarkable ability to rise and meet challenges. His journey to this moment is not a typical tale. It is a journey that stretches from Taiwan to Flushing to the City Council and now to the comptroller’s office. Throughout all, he has defied odds. That is why his unique and inspiring story is in so many ways part of the larger New York story. It is proof that our city remains a beacon of hope and a place where anything is possible. I know that with his passion, his energy and ideas John Liu will be committed to ensuring that future generations will have the same opportunities that he has had.”
Thompson concluded his remarks with this: ” I know that Comptroller Liu will build on many of our successes as well as set a new course that is guided by his own ambition, priorities, and ideas. A course that will uphold NBY’s great tradition as a city of opportunity by using the office to empower communities, help New Yorkers build better lives and better futures. I have no doubt that New York’s brightest days are ahead. However, those days will not come quickly or easily. Hard work lies before us. The next four years will be a time of great change and challenges. Although much of our future remains uncertain – we not know what the future holds – I do know  that New York will be served well by our new comptroller.”
Liu thanked Bill Thompson, and said he was “a great comptroller for 8 years. Thank you Bill, for keeping our  city on sound fiscal footing. For holding people’s feet to the fire in this City, and for making sure our people are well served. And thank you Bill, for the past several weeks, for the smoothest, most efficient transition anybody coming into office could hope for. Bill leaves me with an office of 700 people as public servants in their own right. Ensuring that the people of this city are taken care of.”
Thanking his parents, Liu said, “Without my mom and dad, giving up everything in Taiwan and moving here.so that me and my brothers can grow up American, none of this would have been possible. They made the transition 30-something years ago. To this day, they continue to work hard.” Liu also thanked his brothers Robert and Edward, and his wife Jenny Lee Liu.
Acknowledging the significance of the moment, Comptroller Liu said, “This year has been historic. It was never my intention to be the first Asian to be elected to the City Council, or now to sit in my office as NYC Comptroller. This is an important time for our community. It is our time to have a seat at the table. It is also our time to realize with that seat comes responsibilities. A rising tide lifts all ships. As the Asian-American community continues to grow, so will the rest of NY. As you look at this room, we have NYers of all stripes, all backgrounds, all nationalities, all religions. That is what NY is about.”
Liu addressed the crowd by saying, “We have to make sure we unlock the synergy of the diversity of NYC. It is no longer acceptable just to talk about diversity. That is the only way we can unlock the true potential of NYC. We have to do so in a way that allows everybody the same fair share of equal opportunity.  I will use every power of the Office of the Comptroller to ensure that everybody does have that economic fair share. Equal opportunity. Fair access. A government that protects everybody on a level playing field. A lot of us have seen the other side of the equation when we were left out. No longer. Nobody gets left behind. Going forward as we get through this economic time, we will make sure that everybody rises all together. That is what NYC is about. I will never forget that. Thank you for this opportunity to serve.”
Representing the excitement in  the crowd, one young Asian-American woman beamed with pride. Tina, age 21, said, “John Liu represents a new hope that Asian-Americans can take part in the process. We are no longer just observers.”
A military officer who served 6 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan said he came from Texas to witness the historic event. David C. said, “I want to learn how to be a good public servant. You see [Liu] as a fellow Asian American, being in a situation where he can make a difference. It is inspiring to me. It has given me ambition; something to follow. I came here from Texas at Thanksgiving. I found out about John Liu from my friends.  I wanted to witness this day. It is a proud day for Asian Americans. A proud day for America. A proud day for NYC. I am privileged to be here. One day, I will be Mayor of NYC. That is  my goal. When I get out, I want to serve as a public servant.”
David explained. “To see a man like that rise above all the tribulations as an Asian American,  that is a proud day. When he talked about his family, what they sacrificed to come to the land of the free, America. That is what my parents did as well. My parents are from Seoul, South Korea. They gave up so much, done so much for me and my brother to live this dream, I want to live this dream in NYC, come back home and help the people of NYC and America. I am going to quote a movie – Spiderman – ‘with great power comes great responsibility.’ I have a lot of power, but it does not compare to the power Liu  will have. And if he becomes Mayor of NYC… with power, you can help people. I brought my friends to witness this day. This is a great day for all of us.”

Welcome Dr. Gassaway!

 By Jitu K. Weusi
It was a cold December night with temperature in the 20’s and a stiff wind blowing.
Inside the Boys and Girls High School, Library, over 300 students, parent leaders, educators, community folks and elected and appointed leaders gathered to give a warm welcome to the newly appointed principal, Dr. Bernard Gassaway.
Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Dr. Lester Young Jr., member of the New York State Board of Regents. He highlighted the importance of Boys & Girls H.S. as a senior high school to the upliftment and advancement of the Community. He applauded the leadership of the late Frank Mickens who “lifted all boats (everything went up)” during his tenure as principal.
Students from the High lead by Ashley who sang, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, followed by Efekoro Beroro, Senior Class President and Deborah Akinbowale, Student Government President, praised the opening months of Dr. Gassaway’s tenure. Parents, who viewed themselves as consumers, were the next speakers of the evening. Ms. Toye Jackson, PTCA President at Boys and Girls High School and Mr. A.K. Matthews, Parent Association President of several feeder schools, spoke glowingly of Dr. Gassaway and presented him with a poetic plaque.
Next to the microphone was the Honorable Councilman Albert Vann. Because of Vann Support for the High, the audience was sprinkled with high ranking elected officials, Congressman Ed Towns, Judges Cheryl Chambers and Robin Sheares, Assemblywoman Annette Robinson, State Senator Velmanettte Montgomery and Councilman Charles Barron were present.
Vann introduced members of the Boys and Girls High School Advisory Board which includes: Colvin Grannum Esq., Phyllis Hurd, Rev. David Hampton, Rev. Conrad Tillard, Ms. Bernice Green-Greaves, Our Time Press publisher, Don Lee Osborne, Dordy Jourdain, CEO of the Bedford Y, Mrs. Brenda Fryson, former Community Board #3 Chair, and former educator Joan Eastmond.
Under Vann’s leadership the Advisory Body presented Dr. Gassaway with a 52 inch Color H.D.T.V.
Dr. Gassaway was appointed on August 17, 2009 and has pledged to take Boys & Girls High School back to the top. He needs the help and support of all of us!

The View From Here

 

This first year of the Barack Obama presidency has been spent setting the stage for the what’s to come.  The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are far from over, but they seem to have faded in the popular consciousness, but not for the men and women overseas fighting, their families here at home, those trapped in the war zone and the drain on our treasury.  By the end of next year, we hope and pray that the president’s plan for disengagement will succeed and we will begin to see the end of this military adventure. 
The global-warming crisis is the biggest threat to people around the world and it will only be worse next year, continuing to cause death by drought, flood and famine, and causing mass migrations as people move to escape rising sea levels and find food, water and resources.   The just concluded United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen has been criticized as producing no set goals for nations to achieve, but they will have another chance to set definitive timetables in Mexico at the end of next year. 
For me, one of the most disheartening scenes to watch this year has been what has been called the health care debate, but which has devolved into the shameless purchase of the government by the pharmaceutical and health industrial complex. 
In November of 2008 we wrote of President Obama, “The leniency shown to the turncoat Senator Joe Lieberman should also not be misconstrued as weakness.  As distressing as it appears to some Obama supporters, they should keep in mind Godfather Vito Corleone saying ‘There may come a day I will ask you for a favor.’  Joe will be granting Obama favors many times in many ways for supporting him to remain as chairman of the Homeland Security Committee.”  Boy, were we wrong.  It has been a sorry sight to see Senator Lieberman imposing his will on the country by demanding that there be no public option in the health care bill despite the polls saying the majority of people want it, and the facts showing how much money it would save.  Either Senator Lieberman double-crossed the president or Obama knew Lieberman’s position all along, but was never going to push for a public option anyway.  The wiping out of the public option, and the non-consideration of a single-payer system in any form, is a triumph of money over people, and will result in more deaths by non-treatment, 45,000 last year and a population forced to pay for the profits and administrative costs of the health care industry.   All of those brightly painted insurance company RV’s we see with the workers setting up tables on the street are paid for by health insurance premiums and they have nothing to do with health care, only trolling for customers at our expense.  
But money saved by the people, is money lost as far as the insurance companies are concerned and they are not having it and neither will their minion in the halls of congress, cementing the perception that we have the best democracy money can buy. 
So now we are saddled with supporting the lifestyles of  the rich by being forced to select which crook to allow to pick our pockets.   And while these corporate welfare addicts are making out beautifully, we find that Black businesses are being shut out of the stimulus dollars at the same time their communities are suffering the highest unemployment rates.
We always understood that the last thing a Black president would do is show favoritism to the Black community, but after receiving over 90% of the Black vote we did expect something approaching fairness from this administration.  To be so wrong on this item is particularly painful. 
They say it takes miles to bring an ocean-going oil tanker to a stop and I bet that’s a lot like changing the habits of a bureaucracy the size of the federal government, so I guess the president could be cut a little slack.  Obama has a lot of work to do in this second year because if the Black community has to endure another year like his first, the lesson he will leave us with is that having a Black president may be good for the soul, but it’s the effect on the pocketbook and the dinner table that will be the ultimate judge. May you have a merry Christmas and a happy Kwanzaa.