In this year’s presidential election, voters have a clear choice to make in deciding who they think is best suited to run our country for the next four years. On the right, we have Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, clearly representing a blast from the past. Their tried and untrue plan calls for lower taxes for the rich; deregulation wherever possible, and spending cuts on critical entitlement programs for the lower income and poor. Does this plan to “take back America” sound familiar? This is the approach taken from 2001 through 2008 by President George W. Bush. Remember how thatturned out?
On the left, we have President Obama. Let’s review the last four years of his accomplishments despite facing an obstructionist government and being constantly told that he has accomplished nothing.
The Obama administration passed the Health Care Reform Bill allowing 32 million Americans to receive health care coverage. He opened doors to stem cell research, ended the war in Iraq that cost Americans billions of dollars every month; announced our complete withdrawal from Afghanistan, another war that costs Americans billions of dollars each month; authorized the mission that led to Osama bin Laden being brought to justice for his involvement in the attacks on 9/11; authorized the $789 billion economic stimulus plan which resulted in tax cuts for working-class families, funds to states for infrastructure projects and funds to states to prevent the layoff of police officers, teachers and other municipal service personnel at risk of losing their jobs because of state budget shortfalls. President Obama saved the American auto industry and demanded credit card and mortgage industry industry reform. Let’s not forget equal pay for women, the advancement of gay rights and nominating the first Latina on the U.S. Supreme Court. Did I mention Immigration reform (via directive) forbidding the federal government from initiating the deportation of young migrants who meet certain criteria such as no criminal records and are in school or the military in addition to adding 4.4 million jobs to the private sector.
Going forward President Obama wants to allow the Bush-era tax cuts to expire resulting in the country’s wealthiest citizens paying an equal percentage of their income in taxes as middle-class and lower income taxpayers already do. The President’s jobs bill creates job growth through tax incentives for companies that “in-source” jobs back to the U.S.
But there is an even more important reason why President Obama must be re-elected this November: ending the vile, angry, uncooperative and hateful tone found in American politics today. This is the single biggest reason why our country has been in gridlock for the last four years. An Obama victory would go far in showing those that employ hate and obstructionism at all costs that those tactics will no longer be rewarded. We can demand that our elected officials work together for the greater good of our country and not just for a selected few. An Obama victory would provide our country a chance to experience the type of bipartisan collaboration necessary to inspire its citizens to trust in its elected officials once again and to trust in its political system to deliver our country back to civility, peace and prosperity.
Douglas Stanglin of USA Today is reporting that legendary drug boss Griselda ‘Godmother of Cocaine’ Blanco has been killed. The woman who “pioneered the use of motorcyle-riding assassins among warring gangs,” was gunned down by a gunman on a motorcycle who shot her while she was leaving her butcher shop. The Medellin newspaper El Colombiano says she was exiting with her pregnant daughter-in-law, who escaped harm.
Stanglin reports that at the height of her criminal enterprise, she smuggled 3,400 pounds of cocaine per month by boat or plane into the U.S. She has been linked to 40 murders and spent 18 years in prison in the U.S. for drug trafficking and three murders, one of which was the murder of the 2-year-old son of one of her former enforcers.
According to Blanco’s daughter-in-law, Blanco had given up her life of crime and had planned to live as a civilian off of money from real estate sales. She was 69.
Douglas Stanglin of USA Today is reporting that legendary drug boss Griselda ‘Godmother of Cocaine’ Blanco has been killed. The woman who “pioneered the use of motorcyle-riding assassins among warring gangs,” was gunned down by a gunman on a motorcycle who shot her while she was leaving her butcher shop. The Medellin newspaper El Colombiano says she was exiting with her pregnant daughter-in-law, who escaped harm.
Stanglin reports that at the height of her criminal enterprise, she smuggled 3,400 pounds of cocaine per month by boat or plane into the U.S. She has been linked to 40 murders and spent 18 years in prison in the U.S. for drug trafficking and three murders, one of which was the murder of the 2-year-old son of one of her former enforcers.
According to Blanco’s daughter-in-law, Blanco had given up her life of crime and had planned to live as a civilian off of money from real estate sales. She was 69.
The Democratic National Convention is in full-swing in Charlotte, NC. (Google Images)
The 2012 Democratic National Convention has officially kicked-off. Delegates, politicians, celebrities, professionals, local and international journalists and of course Charlotteans have descended on Uptown Charlotte, creating a bustling energy. With the throngs of people, it can be easy to get overwhelmed and miss out on some great events that are free and open to convention attendees. With the help of Jarvis Holliday and Charlotte Magazine, The Burton Wire has compiled a list of events you should know about below:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2012
IMPACT Film Festival: Where Film Crosses the Aisle (Sept. 4 – 6)
Enjoy three days of politically and socially conscious film screenings, including The Invisible War, Hunger Hits Home, and Butter. Presented by the IMPACT Arts + Film Fund. Begins 10 a.m. daily. Free. Mez and EpiCentre Theaters, 210 E. Trade St., eventfarm.com/ImpactFilmFestivalDNC.
Politics and Pints The Washington Post is organizing this event, focusing on political, news, and pop culture trivia. Chris Cillizza, managing editor of digital politics coverage for The Post, will serve as quizmaster. 6 p.m. Free. Rí Rá Irish Pub, 208 N. Tryon St. washingtonpost.com.
One World Comedy Jam (NOT FREE BUT WILL BE PROBABLY BE A LOT OF FUN) It’s sure to be a hilarious night, featuring live standup by comedians D.L. Hughley, Tommy Davidson, and Aries Spears. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the Obama 2012 reelection campaign and Democratic National Convention. 9 p.m. $85-$150. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., oneworldcomedyjam.com.
Occupy the Vote After-Caucus Celebration (NOT FREE BUT INEXPENSIVE)
Exercise your right to party, and mingle with Charlotte’s business and community leaders. Music by DJ Moe. Presented by the Urban League of Central Carolinas and Wealth Builders Center for Financial Empowerment. 9:30 p.m. $20. Caviar Nightlife, 300 E. Stonewall St., via.me/-4c4rbi2, caviarnightlife.com.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012
Rock the Vote Road Trip
The #RTVRoadtrip bus is stopping at Charlotte’s largest university for a day of live music from Music City Soundtrack and Rockie Fresh, voter registration, and plenty of interactive activities. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. UNC Charlotte, 9210 University Blvd., live.rockthevote.com/page/event/detail/voterregistrationcampus/wsc.
UndocuNation: A Night of Art, Activism and Immigrant Rights
The Center for New Community and CultureStrike present this event to celebrate the artists who have given their labor of love to immigrant rights and the cause of fighting against fear and bigotry. Artists performing include: Jasiri X, Laila Nur, Kendrea Mekkah, Sacrificial Poets, filmmaker Josh Davis, and Los Rakas. Doors open 6 p.m.; show starts 8 p.m. Free; all ages welcomed. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., neighborhoodtheatre.com.
Young & Powerful for Obama (Charlotte Chapter) Presents: Victory Fundraising Event Young professionals will join for a historic fundraising event in support of President Obama’s re-election campaign. Featured speakers include Congressman Danny K. Davis, U. S. House of Representatives (D-IL); Stefanie Brown, National African-American Vote Director, Obama for America and Michael Blake, Deputy Director, National Operation Vote, Obama for America. General Admission Tickets: $44 Donation to the Obama for America campaign. Dresslers Restaurant, 6 p.m.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
The President’s Nomination Acceptance
More than 74,000 people will fill the stadium, and tens of millions more in television audiences around the world will watch as Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama speak live from Charlotte and officially accept the Democratic Party’s nomination for 2012. The afternoon and evening program will feature entertainment by several performers, including Foo Fighters, Mary J. Blige, Earth, Wind and Fire, James Taylor, Delta Rae, Inspire the Fire, and Marc Anthony, who will sing the national anthem. President Obama, who will speak last, isn’t expected to take the stage until around 10 p.m. Gates open 1 p.m. to allow plenty of time to get through traffic, parking, and security checkpoints. You might still be able to get one of any remaining free public tickets, known as community credentials, at Ofa.bo/ncimthere. Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St., demconvention.com.
“America I Am Exhibit” at The Harvey Gantt Center (NOT FREE BUT INEXPENSIVE)
Sponsored by Tavis Smiley, “America I AM answers the question posed by W.E.B. Du Bois: “Would America be America without her Negro people?” The exhibit tells the story of what African-Americans have achieved with others. According to AmericanIam.org, “The exhibition showcases four centuries worth of objects celebrating African American contributions—economic, cultural, political, academic, athletic, and spiritual—to the United States, blending uncomfortable history and pop culture. This comprehensive collection is sure to draw more than the typical museum goer.” What better way to learn African-American history than to visit a center named for the Queen City’s first African-American mayor? Admission for adults is $8. The Center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. For more info: ganttcenter.org or 704-547-3700.
Hard Truths: The Art of Thornton Dial at The Mint Museum
Thornton Dial is a keen observer of the human spectacle and its narratives of corruption and moral strength, folly and triumph. Born and raised in the rural South, Dial spent his childhood toiling in the farm fields of western Alabama, followed by decades spent as a laborer in the region’s factories and heavy industry. A working-class man whose art was weaned in the unheralded expressive practices of the black vernacular South, Dial speaks in a voice long overlooked in the canons of modern art and culture. Since his discovery in the late 1980s, critics have likened Dial’s complex and tumultuous creations to the renowned works of such artists as Jackson Pollock and Anselm Kiefer. The Mint Museum Uptown. The Mint is also hosting special tours during DNC.
FREE Movie Screening of the Award-Winning Documentary Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin
The Charlotte Trolley (1507 Camden Road); 6 to 9 p.m. The film will be followed by a question/answer with filmmaker Bennett Singer.
Official Obama LGBT Watch Party & After Party Please join LBGTs for Obama, Meltdown Productions, & Queen City Entertainment on September 6th as they gather with friends, family and neighbors to watch President Obama accept the nomination at the 2012 DNC. Attendees will watch the speech live, enjoy premium cocktails, and dance the night away with music by East Coast Bad Boy – DJ Flemingo. Admission starts at 9:00pm & is $10 before 10pm & cash bar at the Charlotte Trolley (1507 Camden Road). A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Obama for America. https://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs492v
***Please check back as we will add to the list as free and/or inexpensive events are publicized.
An additional tip, please call ahead to local businesses since hours of operation may have changed due to DNC activities.
Academy Award nominated actor Michael Clarke Duncan dies at 54. (Google Images)
The Los Angeles Times is reporting that actor Michael Clarke Duncan has died. Duncan passed away at Cedars-Sinai Hospital Monday following complications from a heart attack in July in which his girlfriend, reality star Omorosa Manigualt, saved his life. Duncan had been admitted to the hospital since the incident.
A Chicago native, the bodyguard-turned-actor was nominated for his role in the film The Green Mile (1999) as a death row prisoner. Duncan also appeared in Armageddon (1998), Planet of the Apes (2001), Sin City (2005) and The Whole Nine Yards (2000). He was 54.
U.S. President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit storm-ravaged Louisiana today. (Google Images)
NBC New York is reporting that U.S. President Barack Obama is heading to Louisiana today to visit the region after Tropical Storm Isaac hit, leaving more than 160,000 people without power. Thousands of people also had to be evacuated from the region and seven deaths are being blamed on the storm. Mr. Obama will be addressing a United Auto Workers rally in Toleda, OH before heading to the storm ravaged region. The President’s visit comes one day before the Democratic National Convention kicks-off in Charlotte, NC.
In the wake of the record turnout in 2008 by traditionally Democratic voters, Republican-led state legislatures made election reform one of their highest priorities. In swing states, the reform included a shift toward stringent laws for voter identification and registration. There were also significant changes in laws concerning early and provisional voting. Some southern states, like Texas, moved to enact controversial redistricting laws. All of these changes have been met with vigorous opposition from Democrats and lawsuits have been filed challenging almost every piece of legislation. Late Friday, the wave of GOP-crafted election reform was again set back as a federal judge blocked an Ohio law that restricted “in person early voting” in the three days before the election. Opponents successfully challenged the law that sought to eliminate the casting of ballots during the weekend before the election unless the voter was a member of the military. The court’s ruling — that will likely be appealed — was the second recent blow to what many believe is a coordinated voter suppression effort. On Monday, another federal judge granted an injunction against a change to Ohio’s election rules concerning provisional ballots cast in the incorrect precinct. The law had required that those ballots be discarded, even if the voter had been guided to the wrong precinct by a poll worker.
Ohio is not the only state where election litigation is raging. Nationwide, federal courts have — for the most part — repudiated the new laws. The courtroom drama has been heating up throughout the summer and has come to an absolute boil over the last month:
Florida – This week, a federal judge in Florida permanently blocked a bill that was heavily criticized for curtailing voter registration drives. The bill had imposed several strict penalties on voter registration groups including fines of up to $1000 if completed registration forms were submitted more than 48 hours after completion. On Thursday, another federal court prohibited Florida from reducing the number of early voting days and hours in some of its counties. The affected counties are covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1964 and have been found to have a history of discrimination against minorities. Section 5 requires that federal officials pre-approve all election laws for the counties and states (mostly southern) covered by the Act. The court refused to clear the new early voting law, ruling that it would have a discriminatory impact on African-Americans and Latinos.
Texas — Earlier this summer, a federal court blocked the state’s voter identification law and found that it was in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1964. Texas is covered by Section 5 of the Act and the court ruled that the law unduly burdened the poor and would have a disproportionate effect on African Americans and Latinos. Earlier this week, another federal court decided that the state’s redistricting law was also in violation of the Voting Right’s Act. As a result, the voting maps used by Texas for its May primaries will also be used for November’s election.
Wisconsin – In July, a state judge permanently barred Wisconsin’s voter identification law from taking effect. The Wisconsin State Supreme Court has said it will not review lower (trial) court rulings until decisions have been reached in voter identification cases pending in the state’s appellate courts. The appellate courts are currently reviewing challenges of two different trial judges’ orders striking down the identification law.
South Carolina — On Monday, a federal court began considering the legality of South Carolina’s voter identification law. South Carolina is covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and the Department of Justice has refused to pre-approve the law. Closing arguments in the case are set for September 24.
Brazil’s Alan Oliveira defeats favorite Oscar ‘The Blade Runner’ Pistorius in the men’s 200 meters at the 2012 Paralympics. (Google Images)
CNN International is reporting that Brazilian runner Alan Fonteles Cardaso Oliveira defeated South African “Blade runner” Oscar Pistorius at the 2012 Paralympics. You may recall that Pistorius was the first double-amputee to participate in the able-bodied Summer Olympics when he competed at the 2012 Games in London. Pistorius was the favorite in the men’s 200 meters race at the Paralympics but was upset by the 20-year-old runner from Brazil. In a display of poor sportsmanship, Pistorius immediately attacked Oliveira and American bronze medalist Blake Leeper’s blade length saying that it gave them an unfair advantage. Pistorius later tweeted congratulations to the Brazilian runner and apologized for the timing of his outburst.
South Africa’s government spokesperson Jimmy Manyi’s contract was not renewed. (Google Images)
Charles Molele of Mail & Guardian is reporting that Jimmy Manyi’s tenure as South Africa’s Government Spokesperson has come to an end. Manyi filled the entire term of his three-year contract and the ministry announced that it would not be renewed. The statement issued by the president’s office stated:
“Mr Jimmy Manyi was very instrumental in communicating government programmes particularly the five priorities of government to the people of South Africa. He has made a good contribution to government communication and Cabinet communication processes. On behalf of the President, Cabinet and government I would like to thank Mr. Manyi for his contribution to government communication” says Minister for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Collins Chabane.
Some critics disagreed with the cabinet’s assessment of Manyi’s performance saying that he did not have a clear understanding of government communication. Instead of communicating information, Manyi made provocative statements angering many in the process. Manyi stirred controversy in 2011 when he spoke ill of coloured people, namely Indian South Africans.
Molele reports that, “The M&G has been reliably told that Home Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa is tipped to succeed Manyi as the GCIS CEO.”
South Africa’s government spokesperson Jimmy Manyi’s contract was not renewed. (Google Images)
Charles Molele of Mail & Guardian is reporting that Jimmy Manyi’s tenure as South Africa’s Government Spokesperson has come to an end. Manyi filled the entire term of his three-year contract and the ministry announced that it would not be renewed. The statement issued by the president’s office stated:
“Mr Jimmy Manyi was very instrumental in communicating government programmes particularly the five priorities of government to the people of South Africa. He has made a good contribution to government communication and Cabinet communication processes. On behalf of the President, Cabinet and government I would like to thank Mr. Manyi for his contribution to government communication” says Minister for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Collins Chabane.
Some critics disagreed with the cabinet’s assessment of Manyi’s performance saying that he did not have a clear understanding of government communication. Instead of communicating information, Manyi made provocative statements angering many in the process. Manyi stirred controversy in 2011 when he spoke ill of coloured people, namely Indian South Africans.
Molele reports that, “The M&G has been reliably told that Home Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa is tipped to succeed Manyi as the GCIS CEO.”
