Detroit filed for the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history
Thursday after steep population and tax base declines sent it tumbling
toward insolvency.
The filing by a state-appointed emergency manager means that if the
bankruptcy filing is approved, city assets could be liquidated to
satisfy demands for payment.
Kevin Orr, a bankruptcy expert, was hired by the state in March to
lead Detroit out of a fiscal free-fall, and made the filing Thursday in
federal bankruptcy court.
"Only one feasible path offers a way out," Gov. Rick Snyder said in a
letter to Orr and state Treasurer Andy Dillon approving the bankruptcy.
The letter was attached to the bankruptcy filing.
"The citizens of Detroit need and deserve a clear road out of the
cycle of ever-decreasing services," Snyder wrote. "The city's creditors,
as well as its many dedicated public servants, deserve to know what
promises the city can and will keep. The only way to do those things is
to radically restructure the city and allow it to reinvent itself
without the burden of impossible obligations."
Snyder had determined earlier this year that Detroit was in a
financial emergency and without a plan to improve things. Snyder hired
Orr in March, and he released a plan to restructure the city's debt and
obligations that would leave many creditors with much less than they are
owed.
Orr was unable to convince a host of creditors, including the city's
union and pension boards, to take pennies on the dollar to help
facilitate the city's massive financial restructuring.
Some creditors were asked to take about 10 cents on the dollar of
what the city owed them. Underfunded pension claims would have received
less than 10 cents on the dollar under that plan.
A team of financial experts put together by Orr said that proposal
was Detroit's one shot to permanently fix its fiscal problems.
The filing leads to a 30 to 90 day period that will determine whether
or not the city of Detroit is eligible for Chapter 9 protection, and
define the number of claimants who may compete for Detroit’s limited
settlement resources. The petition seeks protection from unions and
creditors who are renegotiating $18.5 billion in debt and liabilities,
according to the Detroit Free Press.
“The President and members of the President’s senior team continue to
closely monitor the situation in Detroit,” White House spokeswoman Amy
Brundage said in a statement Thursday.
“While leaders on the ground in Michigan and the city’s creditors
understand that they must find a solution to Detroit’s serious financial
challenge, we remain committed to continuing our strong partnership
with Detroit as it works to recover and revitalize and maintain its
status as one of America's great cities,” the statement read.
Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., remained positive about Detroit’s outlook in spite of the major blow that bankruptcy delivered:
“I know firsthand, because I live in Detroit, that our city is on the
rebound in some key ways, and I know deep in my heart that the people
of Detroit will face this latest challenge with the same determination
that we have always shown,” the Senator said in a statement released
Thursday.
A number of factors -- most notably steep population and tax base
falls -- have been blamed on Detroit's descent toward insolvency.
Detroit was once synonymous with U.S. manufacturing prowess. Its
automotive giants switched production to planes, tanks and munitions
during World War II, earning the city the nickname “Arsenal of
Democracy.”
Detroit lost a quarter-million residents between 2000 and 2010. A
population that in the 1950s reached 1.8 million is struggling to stay
above 700,000. Much of the middle-class and scores of businesses also
have fled Detroit, taking their tax dollars with them.
Detroit's budget deficit is believed to be more than $380 million.
Orr has said long-term debt was more than $14 billion and could be
between $17 billion and $20 billion. Bailey Comment: This is what is going to happen to all of America unless we kick Obama and all of the crooks out of the government.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Fall of the Roman Empire (America?)
Decline in Morals and Values
Even during PaxRomana (A long period from Augstus to Marcus Aurelius when the Roman empire was stable and relativly peaceful) there were 32,000 prostitutes in Rome. Emperors like Caligula and Nero became infamous for wasting money on lavish parties (or 100 million dollar trips) where guests drank and ate until they became sick. The most popular amusement was watching the gladiatorial combats in the Colosseum.(Smack down)
Political Corruption
One of the most difficult problems was choosing a new emperor. (or Presidents) Unlike Greece where transition may not have been smooth but was at least consistent, the Romans never created an effective system to determine how new emperors would be selected. The choice was always open to debate between the old emperor, the Senate, the Praetorian Guard (the emperor's's private army), and the army. Gradually, the Praetorian Guard gained complete authority to choose the new emperor, who rewarded the guard who then became more influential, perpetuating the cycle. Then in 186 A. D. the army strangled the new emperor, the practice began of selling the throne to the highest bidder. During the next 100 years, Rome had 37 different emperors - 25 of whom were removed from office by assassination. This contributed to the overall weaknesses, decline and fall of the empire.
Unemployment
During the latter years of the empire farming was done on large estates called latifundia that were owned by wealthy men who used slave labor. (like illegals) A farmer who had to pay workmen could not produce goods as cheaply. (like China) Many farmers could not compete with these low prices and lost or sold their farms. This not only undermined the citizen farmer who passed his values to his family, but also filled the cities with unemployed people. At one time, the emperor was importing grain to feed more than 100,000 people in Rome alone. These people were not only a burden but also had little to do but cause trouble and contribute to an ever increasing crime rate.
Inflation
The roman economy suffered from inflation (an increase in prices) beginning after the reign of Marcus Aurelius. Once the Romans stopped conquering new lands, the flow of gold into the Roman economy decreased. Yet much gold was being spent by the romans to pay for luxury items. This meant that there was less gold to use in coins. (the amount of silver in a quarter or dime) As the amount of gold used in coins decreased, the coins became less valuable. To make up for this loss in value, merchants raised the prices on the goods they sold. Many people stopped using coins and began to barter to get what they needed. Eventually, salaries had to be paid in food and clothing, and taxes were collected in fruits and vegetables.
Urban decay
Wealthy Romans lived in a domus, or house, with marble walls, floors with intricate colored tiles, and windows made of small panes of glass. Most Romans, however, were not rich, They lived in small smelly rooms in apartment houses with six or more stories called islands. Each island covered an entire block. At one time there were 44,000 apartment houses within the city walls of Rome. First-floor apartments were not occupied by the poor since these living quarters rented for about $00 a year. The more shaky wooden stairs a family had to climb, the cheaper the rent became. The upper apartments that the poor rented for $40 a year were hot, dirty, crowed, and dangerous. (low cost housing)Anyone who could not pay the rent was forced to move out and live on the crime-infested streets. Because of this cities began to decay.
And on and on and on!
Even during PaxRomana (A long period from Augstus to Marcus Aurelius when the Roman empire was stable and relativly peaceful) there were 32,000 prostitutes in Rome. Emperors like Caligula and Nero became infamous for wasting money on lavish parties (or 100 million dollar trips) where guests drank and ate until they became sick. The most popular amusement was watching the gladiatorial combats in the Colosseum.(Smack down)
Political Corruption
One of the most difficult problems was choosing a new emperor. (or Presidents) Unlike Greece where transition may not have been smooth but was at least consistent, the Romans never created an effective system to determine how new emperors would be selected. The choice was always open to debate between the old emperor, the Senate, the Praetorian Guard (the emperor's's private army), and the army. Gradually, the Praetorian Guard gained complete authority to choose the new emperor, who rewarded the guard who then became more influential, perpetuating the cycle. Then in 186 A. D. the army strangled the new emperor, the practice began of selling the throne to the highest bidder. During the next 100 years, Rome had 37 different emperors - 25 of whom were removed from office by assassination. This contributed to the overall weaknesses, decline and fall of the empire.
Unemployment
During the latter years of the empire farming was done on large estates called latifundia that were owned by wealthy men who used slave labor. (like illegals) A farmer who had to pay workmen could not produce goods as cheaply. (like China) Many farmers could not compete with these low prices and lost or sold their farms. This not only undermined the citizen farmer who passed his values to his family, but also filled the cities with unemployed people. At one time, the emperor was importing grain to feed more than 100,000 people in Rome alone. These people were not only a burden but also had little to do but cause trouble and contribute to an ever increasing crime rate.
Inflation
The roman economy suffered from inflation (an increase in prices) beginning after the reign of Marcus Aurelius. Once the Romans stopped conquering new lands, the flow of gold into the Roman economy decreased. Yet much gold was being spent by the romans to pay for luxury items. This meant that there was less gold to use in coins. (the amount of silver in a quarter or dime) As the amount of gold used in coins decreased, the coins became less valuable. To make up for this loss in value, merchants raised the prices on the goods they sold. Many people stopped using coins and began to barter to get what they needed. Eventually, salaries had to be paid in food and clothing, and taxes were collected in fruits and vegetables.
Urban decay
Wealthy Romans lived in a domus, or house, with marble walls, floors with intricate colored tiles, and windows made of small panes of glass. Most Romans, however, were not rich, They lived in small smelly rooms in apartment houses with six or more stories called islands. Each island covered an entire block. At one time there were 44,000 apartment houses within the city walls of Rome. First-floor apartments were not occupied by the poor since these living quarters rented for about $00 a year. The more shaky wooden stairs a family had to climb, the cheaper the rent became. The upper apartments that the poor rented for $40 a year were hot, dirty, crowed, and dangerous. (low cost housing)Anyone who could not pay the rent was forced to move out and live on the crime-infested streets. Because of this cities began to decay.
And on and on and on!
This is for Trayvon.
For the last two nights, riots have
occurred in Oakland and Los Angeles. In those areas, people have been
injured, concrete blocks thrown at the police and property damaged or
destroyed.
In other parts of the country, there were isolated incidents of violence. In Baltimore, a man was beaten by a group of “black youths” shouting, “This is for Trayvon.”
The Trayvon Martin memorial riots are in full swing.
Why are we having riots now and what can we do about it?
The riots should be a wakeup call for America.
While we are seeing the worst of the riots in California, the violence is not confined there. In a Memphis suburb, Senatobia Mississippi, three black men in a car stopped a white jogger and beat him, saying, “This is for Trayvon.”
In Oakland, where the police were reportedly told to stand down, members of the media were attacked, as were drivers on the Interstate.
This should be a wakeup call for America because liberalisms’ chickens are coming home to roost in America.
For decades liberalism has worked against the one underpinning that made America a great nation. One hundred years ago, we were told that America was the great melting pot. It did not matter where you came from, when you got to America, you became an American.
That unified America and erased old divisions that had caused wars in other nations. In America, people of differing religions lived in peace as neighbors. People from different nations, often nations that had been at war, would live in peace as Americans.
The left’s constant chants about diversity have nothing to do with us celebrating our differences. It is a mantra to keep us divided. Twenty years ago, it became popular to call blacks, “African Americans.”
That is garbage. Either you are an American or you are not.
There is no qualifying of your American heritage.
Unfortunately, the Racial Grievance Industry thrives on this type of division and that is what we see in America today.
In 2004, then Democrat Vice Presidential Candidate John Edwards gave his famous “Two Americas” speech. Edwards was wrong about how he described the two Americas but he was right, there are two Americas.
We have an America that is divided by race. And we can thank the hucksters for it.
Where would Jesse Jackson be today without the Racial Grievance Industry? He never wants America to get over its racial problems. If America suddenly had not more racial problems, how would Jesse make his living? If America no longer had racial issues, the NAACP would have to disband. They wouldn’t want Ben Jealous unemployed would they?
As we watch the riots in California and violence in other places, it is time we place the blame for the violence where it belongs. It is racism. It is the racism of the Racial Grievance Industry. It is time we called out the Jesse Jacksons and Al Sharptons of the world and made them take the blame for what they have done.
And it is time we change the way we do things in America. We are all Americans. There are not subsets of Americas. For too long we have let the left divide us along racial lines for their power and profit.
What is the result of what the left has done?
It is the Trayvon Martin memorial riots.
In other parts of the country, there were isolated incidents of violence. In Baltimore, a man was beaten by a group of “black youths” shouting, “This is for Trayvon.”
The Trayvon Martin memorial riots are in full swing.
Why are we having riots now and what can we do about it?
The riots should be a wakeup call for America.
While we are seeing the worst of the riots in California, the violence is not confined there. In a Memphis suburb, Senatobia Mississippi, three black men in a car stopped a white jogger and beat him, saying, “This is for Trayvon.”
In Oakland, where the police were reportedly told to stand down, members of the media were attacked, as were drivers on the Interstate.
This should be a wakeup call for America because liberalisms’ chickens are coming home to roost in America.
For decades liberalism has worked against the one underpinning that made America a great nation. One hundred years ago, we were told that America was the great melting pot. It did not matter where you came from, when you got to America, you became an American.
That unified America and erased old divisions that had caused wars in other nations. In America, people of differing religions lived in peace as neighbors. People from different nations, often nations that had been at war, would live in peace as Americans.
The left’s constant chants about diversity have nothing to do with us celebrating our differences. It is a mantra to keep us divided. Twenty years ago, it became popular to call blacks, “African Americans.”
That is garbage. Either you are an American or you are not.
There is no qualifying of your American heritage.
Unfortunately, the Racial Grievance Industry thrives on this type of division and that is what we see in America today.
In 2004, then Democrat Vice Presidential Candidate John Edwards gave his famous “Two Americas” speech. Edwards was wrong about how he described the two Americas but he was right, there are two Americas.
We have an America that is divided by race. And we can thank the hucksters for it.
Where would Jesse Jackson be today without the Racial Grievance Industry? He never wants America to get over its racial problems. If America suddenly had not more racial problems, how would Jesse make his living? If America no longer had racial issues, the NAACP would have to disband. They wouldn’t want Ben Jealous unemployed would they?
As we watch the riots in California and violence in other places, it is time we place the blame for the violence where it belongs. It is racism. It is the racism of the Racial Grievance Industry. It is time we called out the Jesse Jacksons and Al Sharptons of the world and made them take the blame for what they have done.
And it is time we change the way we do things in America. We are all Americans. There are not subsets of Americas. For too long we have let the left divide us along racial lines for their power and profit.
What is the result of what the left has done?
It is the Trayvon Martin memorial riots.
Holder wades deeper into Zimmerman battle, calls for review of ‘stand-your-ground’
Attorney General Eric Holder waded deeper into the controversy
over the George Zimmerman case and verdict on Tuesday, suggesting a
national review of "stand-your-ground" laws during a speech before the
annual NAACP convention in Orlando.
The NAACP is at the forefront of the effort to pressure the Justice Department to bring federal civil rights charges against Zimmerman. Holder confirmed on Monday that his department is reviewing that possibility, citing his personal concerns about the case.
He went a step further on Tuesday, weighing in for the first time on controversial state-level laws on self-defense.
"Separate and apart from the case that has drawn the nation's attention, it's time to question laws that senselessly expand the concept of self-defense and sow dangerous conflict in our neighborhoods," Holder said.
The comments were a reference to so-called "stand-your-ground" laws, which in Florida and other states allow people to use deadly force if they think their life is being threatened.
The role that law played in the Zimmerman shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is a matter of dispute.
But Holder suggested the laws encourage confrontation, saying there "has always been" a legal defense for using deadly force when retreat is not an option.
"But we must examine laws that take this further by eliminating the common sense and age-old requirement that people who feel threatened have a duty to retreat, outside their home, if they can do so safely," Holder said. "By allowing -- and perhaps encouraging -- violent situations to escalate in public, such laws undermine public safety."
He called for a "hard look" at the laws. The crowd applauded as he said "we must stand our ground."
The "stand-your-ground" laws have been a popular target ever since the Martin shooting, and the pressure has intensified after Zimmerman was acquitted on Saturday.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott, though, told Fox News that officials should not politicize the case.
"We shouldn't turn this into politics. This was a tragedy," he told Fox News on Monday.
Scott noted that he already put together a bipartisan commission to examine Florida's "stand-your-ground" law.
"Their recommendation is we not make any changes, that it is working the way it was intended," Scott said.
A confluence of pressure campaigns, though, are weighing on Congress and the Obama administration.
Despite warnings from analysts and attorneys that the Justice Department would face an uphill climb in prosecuting Zimmerman on civil rights charges, an NAACP-led petition demanding such a case has apparently hit one million signatures.
Singer Stevie Wonder is also the latest celebrity to criticize Florida's self-defense law.
He declared that he would not perform in Florida until the law is abolished. Bailey Comment: Holder is Black, now whose side do you think he is going to be on when he addresses the NAACP??
The NAACP is at the forefront of the effort to pressure the Justice Department to bring federal civil rights charges against Zimmerman. Holder confirmed on Monday that his department is reviewing that possibility, citing his personal concerns about the case.
He went a step further on Tuesday, weighing in for the first time on controversial state-level laws on self-defense.
"Separate and apart from the case that has drawn the nation's attention, it's time to question laws that senselessly expand the concept of self-defense and sow dangerous conflict in our neighborhoods," Holder said.
The comments were a reference to so-called "stand-your-ground" laws, which in Florida and other states allow people to use deadly force if they think their life is being threatened.
The role that law played in the Zimmerman shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is a matter of dispute.
But Holder suggested the laws encourage confrontation, saying there "has always been" a legal defense for using deadly force when retreat is not an option.
"But we must examine laws that take this further by eliminating the common sense and age-old requirement that people who feel threatened have a duty to retreat, outside their home, if they can do so safely," Holder said. "By allowing -- and perhaps encouraging -- violent situations to escalate in public, such laws undermine public safety."
He called for a "hard look" at the laws. The crowd applauded as he said "we must stand our ground."
The "stand-your-ground" laws have been a popular target ever since the Martin shooting, and the pressure has intensified after Zimmerman was acquitted on Saturday.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott, though, told Fox News that officials should not politicize the case.
"We shouldn't turn this into politics. This was a tragedy," he told Fox News on Monday.
Scott noted that he already put together a bipartisan commission to examine Florida's "stand-your-ground" law.
"Their recommendation is we not make any changes, that it is working the way it was intended," Scott said.
A confluence of pressure campaigns, though, are weighing on Congress and the Obama administration.
Despite warnings from analysts and attorneys that the Justice Department would face an uphill climb in prosecuting Zimmerman on civil rights charges, an NAACP-led petition demanding such a case has apparently hit one million signatures.
Singer Stevie Wonder is also the latest celebrity to criticize Florida's self-defense law.
He declared that he would not perform in Florida until the law is abolished. Bailey Comment: Holder is Black, now whose side do you think he is going to be on when he addresses the NAACP??
Monday, July 15, 2013
Project 21 black leadership network
Washington, D.C. – Members of the Project 21 black leadership network
are analyzing the legal aspects of the George Zimmerman verdict and
commenting on the implications:
Horace Cooper
“While I’m thrilled with this outcome, it should never have come to this. This case should never have been brought forward. The grand jury should never have been bypassed and Judge Nelson should never have allowed this case to get this far. There’s a reason the investigating officer refused to support an arrest, there’s a reason the state’s attorney refused to prosecute and there’s a reason the grand jury was bypassed. There was no substantial evidence corroborating the state’s case and a whole heck of evidence supporting Mr. Zimmerman. The rush to arrest and indict Zimmerman merely to appease the media or race-based interest groups not only jeopardized Mr. Zimmerman’s rights and liberty, but the precedent suggests that all of our rights could be infringed.”
-Cooper, the co-chairman of Project 21, is a former law professor and former congressional leadership staff member.
Darryn “Dutch” Martin
“It goes without saying that a 17-year-old child is dead, and this verdict – though just and correct in my view – will not bring him back. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. But it needs to be understood that the case against George Zimmerman for the death of Trayvon Martin was not supposed to be about race. It was always about self-defense. Zimmerman’s defense team proved this and the jury concurred. Justice has been served. Now, let’s pray that cooler heads prevail.”
-Martin, a member of Project 21, is a former member of the American diplomatic corps.
Lisa Fritsch
“Despite a not guilty verdict, we must remember that George Zimmerman is not truly free. This trial will forever remain in his mind for his remaining days. Our hope should be that this trial and verdict will unite the Florida community and this country and be a healing testimony to what happens when we think the worst of one another first. In this case, it felt as if our very country were on trial for racial prejudice. The not guilty verdict should make us reflect on what it means to give the benefit of the doubt before judging harshly and deciding one’s actions are racially motivated. The final question for every community is how we can protect our youth from a system of violence and a lifestyle that nearly guarantees they will find trouble. Zimmerman, Trayvon Martin’s family and more urban Americans will hopefully use this case and verdict as an opportunity to correct that system.”
-Fritsch is a member of Project 21 as well as a tea party activist, author and talk radio host.
Hughey Newsome
“Everything about the verdict can be wrapped up by considering the post-verdict comments of Zimmerman attorney Mark O’Mara. While many may feel that O’Mara’s comment about charges not being filed against Zimmerman if Zimmerman were black may seem insensitive and oblivious, his subsequent comments about the need for a civil rights discussion in regards to African-American males are timely despite his feeling it is irrelevant to this case. Those saying the value placed on an African-American male is diminished in today’s society must now ask themselves, if this is believed to be true, what is causing this phenomenon? So many in the media and entertainment industries seem to profit off perpetuating the image of the African-American male as violent and sexual animals, but this is then ignored in order to complain about overt racism that is mostly marginalized in today’s society. This gets us no closer to solving the problem at hand.”
-Newsome, a Project 21 member, is a financial expert and also the Washington representative for the Move-On-Up.Org black political organization.
Emery McClendon
“We must stop looking at issues from a racial context and stand together as one America – with God as our strength. To use a familiar phrase these days, let’s not stay ‘stuck on stupid’ and move on to heal our land. We have so much to be thankful for. For too long, people such as the NAACP’s Ben Jealous and Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have spoke out in hate and ignorance and found placement in the media. It’s time to stop the madness. We must turn the tide. If we put as much time into restoring our Constitution as we did into the Zimmerman trial, America would be a better place for all of us.”
-McClendon is a Project 21 member and tea party activist.
Project 21 was formed in 1992 when the riots following the verdict in the Rodney King case revealed a need to highlight the diversity of opinion within the black community. For over 20 years, the volunteer members of the Project 21 black leadership network have provided conservative and free-market perspectives that, until that time, were largely unknown or ignored by the establishment media.
During the course of the Zimmerman trial, which was heard in the Seminole County (Florida) Circuit Court, Project 21 members provided commentary and continue to be available for interviews about the case and the issues surrounding it. Project 21 regularly issued press releases featuring quotes from its members on the breaking news about the trial and the controversies surrounding it.
Project 21, a leading voice of black conservatives since 1992, is sponsored by the National Center for Public Policy Research (http://www.nationalcenter.org).
Horace Cooper
“While I’m thrilled with this outcome, it should never have come to this. This case should never have been brought forward. The grand jury should never have been bypassed and Judge Nelson should never have allowed this case to get this far. There’s a reason the investigating officer refused to support an arrest, there’s a reason the state’s attorney refused to prosecute and there’s a reason the grand jury was bypassed. There was no substantial evidence corroborating the state’s case and a whole heck of evidence supporting Mr. Zimmerman. The rush to arrest and indict Zimmerman merely to appease the media or race-based interest groups not only jeopardized Mr. Zimmerman’s rights and liberty, but the precedent suggests that all of our rights could be infringed.”
-Cooper, the co-chairman of Project 21, is a former law professor and former congressional leadership staff member.
Darryn “Dutch” Martin
“It goes without saying that a 17-year-old child is dead, and this verdict – though just and correct in my view – will not bring him back. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. But it needs to be understood that the case against George Zimmerman for the death of Trayvon Martin was not supposed to be about race. It was always about self-defense. Zimmerman’s defense team proved this and the jury concurred. Justice has been served. Now, let’s pray that cooler heads prevail.”
-Martin, a member of Project 21, is a former member of the American diplomatic corps.
Lisa Fritsch
“Despite a not guilty verdict, we must remember that George Zimmerman is not truly free. This trial will forever remain in his mind for his remaining days. Our hope should be that this trial and verdict will unite the Florida community and this country and be a healing testimony to what happens when we think the worst of one another first. In this case, it felt as if our very country were on trial for racial prejudice. The not guilty verdict should make us reflect on what it means to give the benefit of the doubt before judging harshly and deciding one’s actions are racially motivated. The final question for every community is how we can protect our youth from a system of violence and a lifestyle that nearly guarantees they will find trouble. Zimmerman, Trayvon Martin’s family and more urban Americans will hopefully use this case and verdict as an opportunity to correct that system.”
-Fritsch is a member of Project 21 as well as a tea party activist, author and talk radio host.
Hughey Newsome
“Everything about the verdict can be wrapped up by considering the post-verdict comments of Zimmerman attorney Mark O’Mara. While many may feel that O’Mara’s comment about charges not being filed against Zimmerman if Zimmerman were black may seem insensitive and oblivious, his subsequent comments about the need for a civil rights discussion in regards to African-American males are timely despite his feeling it is irrelevant to this case. Those saying the value placed on an African-American male is diminished in today’s society must now ask themselves, if this is believed to be true, what is causing this phenomenon? So many in the media and entertainment industries seem to profit off perpetuating the image of the African-American male as violent and sexual animals, but this is then ignored in order to complain about overt racism that is mostly marginalized in today’s society. This gets us no closer to solving the problem at hand.”
-Newsome, a Project 21 member, is a financial expert and also the Washington representative for the Move-On-Up.Org black political organization.
Emery McClendon
“We must stop looking at issues from a racial context and stand together as one America – with God as our strength. To use a familiar phrase these days, let’s not stay ‘stuck on stupid’ and move on to heal our land. We have so much to be thankful for. For too long, people such as the NAACP’s Ben Jealous and Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have spoke out in hate and ignorance and found placement in the media. It’s time to stop the madness. We must turn the tide. If we put as much time into restoring our Constitution as we did into the Zimmerman trial, America would be a better place for all of us.”
-McClendon is a Project 21 member and tea party activist.
Project 21 was formed in 1992 when the riots following the verdict in the Rodney King case revealed a need to highlight the diversity of opinion within the black community. For over 20 years, the volunteer members of the Project 21 black leadership network have provided conservative and free-market perspectives that, until that time, were largely unknown or ignored by the establishment media.
During the course of the Zimmerman trial, which was heard in the Seminole County (Florida) Circuit Court, Project 21 members provided commentary and continue to be available for interviews about the case and the issues surrounding it. Project 21 regularly issued press releases featuring quotes from its members on the breaking news about the trial and the controversies surrounding it.
Project 21, a leading voice of black conservatives since 1992, is sponsored by the National Center for Public Policy Research (http://www.nationalcenter.org).
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