U-N-I-T-Y

U-N-I-T-Y

The public employee and union battle rages on this week in Wisconsin, and now Ohio has joined the list of disgruntled citizens. While opposing sides fight for fairness, it is hoped that neither deep pockets nor politics is the heavyweight in this process.  We should strive for an America united, rather than divided. Who doesn't want to see their neighbor doing well? Who wants to see the middle-class shrink? One has to believe we value the same ideals at the end of the day: equality and u-n-i-t-y.

Highlighted Clip for Monday, February 28, 2011:

By: Peter Whoriskey and Amy Gardner

Across Ohio last week, the legislative push to restrict the union rights of government workers was greeted again and again by noisy protests.

"Ohio, Wisconsin shine spotlight on new union battle: Government workers vs. taxpayers"

Social Inequities in Full Effect

Social Inequities in Full Effect

The experience of Jamie and Gladys Scott proves that race, gender, income and geography play a major part in determining health and wellbeing. The African American sisters who were released from a Mississippi prison in January after spending 16 years of their life sentence for an armed robbery conviction are in bad shape. The list of their socially-induced pathologies is long – double-life sentences for each; kidney failure; obesity; lack of access to needed health care; single, early parenthood; family destabilization; low education attainment; and so on.  Being poor, black, and female in the Deep South didn’t work out well for the Scott sisters.  Let’s keep pushing for social justice.

Highlighted Clip for Friday, February 25, 2011:

"Ex-convict sisters too overweight to share kidney"
By Melissa Nelson and Holbrook Mohr
A proposed kidney transplant that won two Mississippi sisters their freedom from prison can't take place until one quits smoking and they lose a combined 160 pounds.

Does Health Equity Have an Expiration Date?

Does Health Equity Have an Expiration Date?

There are hopes and challenges with the Affordable Care Act. The greatest hope is that more uninsured Americans will have coverage and more families will experience better health care outcomes. However, one of the largest challenges lies in how disproportionately chronic diseases affect low-income, racial and ethnic minorities, the elderly and underserved populations. Today’s Washington Post article by Rob Stein article on kidney donation recipients delivers yet another caveat to health equity: younger, healthier people would have preference over older, sicker patients for best kidneys. The idea is reasonable but who wants to place an expiration date on viable life? This criteria proposed by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), is coming under scrutiny by several persons, including an associate professor of surgery at Ohio State University. Per the article, kidneys are the most sought after organ for donation. Teens, grandma, aunts…who deserves a better shot at life? What age determines when you are no longer a viable option for prolonging life? We must continue to seek health equity for everyone.

Highlighted Clip for Thursday, February 24, 2011:

"Under kidney transplant proposal, younger patients would get the best organs"

Instead of giving priority primarily to patients who have been on the waiting list longest, the new rules would match recipients and organs to a greater extent based on factors such as age and health to try to maximize the number of years provided by each kidney - the most sought-after organ for transplants.  By: Rob Stein

A Black History Salute to Multiple Oscar Winner Russell Williams II

A Black History Salute to Multiple Oscar Winner Russell Williams II

DC is the seat of political star power but it lacks Hollywood-style luster. (Not a complaint.) As far as I know, none of this year’s Oscar nominees calls the DC Metro Area home. But at least one previous Academy Award winner is in our midst.  I took delight in learning this morning that American University film professor and DC native son Russell Williams II has won two Oscars. Yes, a history making two. The DC Examiner reports that Williams took home the prized gold statue in back-to-back years for his sound work in Glory (1990) and Dances With Wolves’ (1991). Williams’ achievement made him the first African American to win multiple Academy Awards.

Twenty years later, the club of black multiple Oscar winners is still small despite major racial breakthroughs in other areas of American life. Hollywood needs to catch up.

Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, February 23, 2011:

"Academy Award-winning AU prof heads back to the Oscars"
By: Nikki Schwab and Katy Adams

As the red carpet is rolled out for Hollywood's biggest names at Sunday's 83rd Academy Awards, one Washingtonian will be walking it as a trip down memory lane. American University Professor Russell Williams II is planning a trip to the Oscars to highlight a significant achievement. Twenty years ago he became America's first black to win two Academy Awards.

As the Volume Rises, Are Right People Listening?

As the Volume Rises, Are Right People Listening?

Today, the violence volume in Libya, Tripoli and other Middle Eastern countries was turned up as protestors pressed for similar outcomes of ousting old leadership for new, as witnessed in Egypt. Colonel Qaddafi’s vow to “fight to the last drop of blood” indicates opposing messages may fall on deaf ears no matter how loud the volume, with far different results than Egypt, more lives lost. According to today’s New York Times article, Human Rights Watch confirmed at least 62 deaths in the violence in Tripoli so far, in addition to more than 200 people killed in clashes elsewhere. In communications, we know each situation requires strategies that are not always “cookie cutter” or applicable in all events. When your message is not resonating with your target audience, isn’t it time for new strategies, tactics?

Highlighted Clip for Tuesday, February 22, 2011:

"Chaos Grows in Libya as Defiant Qaddafi Vows to Fight"

Libya appeared to slip further into chaos on Tuesday, as Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi vowed to “fight until the last drop of my blood” and clashes intensified between rebels and his loyalists in the capital, Tripoli.

While GOP Deflates Government Budget, Consumer Costs Rise

While GOP Deflates Government Budget, Consumer Costs Rise



It’s no wonder so many Americans are against GOP-proposed budget cuts; at the same time that policymakers are slashing funds for consumer services, both the cost of living and the national unemployment rate continue to rise. In January, the cost of food, energy, clothing and travel rose dramatically with more increases expected this Spring.  Likewise,  the more than 9 percent national unemployment rate is expected to remain steady for the rest of the year. Nonetheless, House Republicans continue to endorse budget cuts that ultimately hurt struggling Americans as the answer to our nation’s economic woes.

Highlighted Clip for Thursday, February 17, 2011:

"Consumer prices, unemployment claims rise"
Consumers paid more in January for everything from food and gasoline to airline tickets and clothing. The price increases reflect creeping but still-modest inflation. Another report showed that more people applied for unemployment benefits last week, one week after claims had fallen to the lowest level in nearly three years.

Senate Grants Collective-Bargaining Rights to TSA Workers

Senate Grants Collective-Bargaining Rights to TSA Workers

Today, the U.S. Senate thwarted a bill that would have denied more than 40,000 federal employees the ability to protect their rights under a union. Supporters of the bill fear that full collective-bargaining rights for TSA employees would pose a national security threat, while opponents say “workplace rights improve employee morale, which improve security.” What’s your take on this issue?

Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, February 16, 2011:

"Senate vote allows TSA to move ahead with collective bargaining"

The Senate on Tuesday rejected an amendment that would have blocked Transportation Security Administration employees from having collective-bargaining rights, handing a victory to Democrats and labor groups.

Let’s Prepare Workers for the Fastest Growing Jobs . . .Now!

Let’s Prepare Workers for the Fastest Growing Jobs . . .Now!

Now that the unemployment rate has remained above 9 percent for the past 21 months, economists want to increase what is considered the normal unemployment rate, currently around 5 percent.  The new norm may now be more like 6.7 percent, according to a paper released by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Monday.  Rather than focus on whether the current high unemployment rate is more likely permanent than temporary, the focus should be on preparing the unemployed for those labor markets expected to grow.  Let’s tackle the mismatch between workers’ skills and what employers are looking for.  According to DOL, home health aides top the list.

Highlighted Clip for Tuesday, February 15, 2011: 

"What Is the New Normal Unemployment Rate?"

Recent labor markets developments, including mismatches in the skills of workers and jobs, extended unemployment benefits, and very high rates of long-term joblessness, may be impeding the return to "normal" unemployment rates of around 5%. An examination of alternative measures of labor market conditions suggests that the "normal" unemployment rate may have risen as much as 1.7 percentage points to about 6.7%, although much of this increase is likely to prove temporary. Even with such an increase, sizable labor market slack is expected to persist for years.

An Easy Target - House GOP Threatens to Cut Metro

An Easy Target - House GOP Threatens to Cut Metro

While we understand the daunting budget challenges facing our Congress as they tackle our growing national debt crisis, we are again baffled by House GOP proposed cuts to funding in the Disctrict of Columbia, and more specifically for the Metro budget. Washington D.C. is our nation's capitol, and has changed into an international city and tourist hotspot. Without Metro our city would fail to be meet the consmopolitan demands of such a city. Businesses would be hurt, as customers would no longer be able to access affordable transportation to their stores. The effects would be devastating to the city, especially to it's poorest residents. We hope that the Democratic-controlled Senate will not allow such budgetary cuts to be finalized in any budget that ultimately passes, without serious thought as to how those needed funds can be replaced. This city simply needs a functioning, affordable, public transportation system.

Highlighted Clip for Monday, February 14, 2011:

"House Republicans propose deep cuts to District, Metro budgets"

By Ben Pershing

House Republicans unveiled a spending resolution Friday night that would cut federal payments to the District by nearly $80 million and slash Metro funding by $150 million over the next eight months, as the GOP seeks to fulfill its campaign pledge to rein in government outlays.

Celebratory, Yet Appropriately Cautious.

Celebratory, Yet Appropriately Cautious.

Speaking to the American people and the world today, President Barack Obama said that Egypt "will never be the same" after the successful revolution to oust Hosni Mubarak as President.

"Egyptians have inspired us, and they've done so by putting the lie to the idea that justice is best gained by violence," he said "For Egypt, it was the moral force of nonviolence, not terrorism, not mindless killing, but nonviolence, moral force, that bent the arc of history toward justice once more."

The President went on to quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous saying, "there is something in the soul that cries out for freedom," today the Egyptian people's cries were heard, and so they celebrated. No one knows for sure what lies ahead for Egypt, things are still very uncertain, but the dominoes have now begun to fall, and we join our President in his cautious excitement.

Watch President Obama's Speech Below:

New Study Reports Veterans Homeless in Record Numbers

New Study Reports Veterans Homeless in Record Numbers



Although “Operation New Dawn” signaled a reduction in US troops in Iraq, many returning veterans have no home when they return and end up homeless. A new study, released by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veteran Affairs, found that more than 100,000 veterans spent at least one night in a homeless shelter in 2009. Compounding that sad reality is the admission by key mortgage lenders at a Congressional hearing earlier this week that they have mistakenly foreclosed and overcharged thousands of veterans deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Chase admits it erred in foreclosing on troops - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times (http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/02/ap-chase-admits-erred-in-foreclosing-on-troops-020911/?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4d542fb009985739%2C0).

The mortgage finance industry is killing the American Dream.

Highlighted Clip for Thursday, February 10, 2011:

"Veterans more likely to be homeless, study says"

By: William M. Welch

Military veterans are much more likely to be homeless than other Americans, according to the government's first in-depth study of homelessness among former servicemembers.

Budget Cuts Target Children and the Poor

Budget Cuts Target Children and the Poor



During a time of high rates of poverty, health disparities and escalating gas prices, House Republicans have etched out a bill that will snatch billions of dollars in funding for food aid, public health, renewable energy and other key programs.  In an attempt to reduce spending by $100 billion this year, and with the firm support and incessant prodding of the Tea Party, Republicans plan to propose further reductions to the federal budget.  Hardest hit—children and the poor.

Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, February 9, 2011:

Faced with a revolt on the right, House Republicans began sketching out more than $40 billion in specific spending cuts Wednesday but may be forced to double their bets with a further across-the-board reduction to appease tea party supporters.

"GOP cuts deep as right revolts"
By: David Rogers

Let’s Eradicate Childhood Obesity!

Let’s Eradicate Childhood Obesity!

Three cheers for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recognition that childhood obesity can begin long before school age. In a statement released yesterday, AAP said, “Feeding babies solid food before four months of age increases the babies' chances for becoming obese toddlers.”  The report also found that babies who are breast fed for at least the first four months of their lives are less likely than their formula fed counterparts to become obese.  This month,  the AAP joined First Lady Michelle Obama in support of her Let's Move! initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation!  It is so important for parents to begin the process of healthy eating while their children are infants and commit  to healthy living for the entire family.

Highlighted Clip for Tuesday, February 8, 2011:

Solid Foods and Infants, New Research From the AAP

Feeding babies solid food before four months of age increases the babies' chances for becoming obese toddlers, says the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Remembering Reagan: Some Important Things We Can't Forget (That He Did!)

Remembering Reagan:

Some Important Things We Can't Forget (That He Did!)

You can't miss him! He's all over your TV, radio, newspapers, and computer screen again. Ronald Reagan is back in the news, garnering lots of press, praise, fond memories, and accolades from his conservative friends, admirers, and benefactors in celebration of what would had been the Gipper's 100th birthday. But what many of these commentators choose to ignore is the fact that Reagan also chose to ignore some major facets of the American public. Namely, the poor and those suffering from the AIDS epidemic at the time.  

Via the Website Mother Jones: "Reagan's Toll on the Middle Class", by Josh Harkinson

In the lead-up to what would have been Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday on Sunday, conservatives have been trotting out all manner of panegyrics to their patron saint and his creed of trickle-down economics. For 90 percent of the people in this country, here's what should matter:

WATCH: "The Failure to Act: The Reagan Administration's Deliberate Failure to Address the Aids Epidemic"

Pictures Worth a 1000 words: The Power of Social Networking in Egypt's Fight For Freedom

Pictures Worth a 1000 words: The Power of Social Networking in Egypt's Fight For Freedom

The current battle for freedom and the removal of President Mubarak in Egypt is a complex, constantly shifting, increasingly violent, and confusing situation to watch. It's hard for anyone to really understand what's going on in that country, but one thing is clear. This revolution was organized and sustained through the use of the internet and popular social networking platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter. It's no wonder then, that almost immediately once protests started taking place, the Government of Egypt attempted to shut down the internet and these websites. Thankfully, they were unsuccessful and the Egyptian people were able to continue to organize themselves and their opinions via these powerful tools. Social Networking was always meant to connect us to those around us and around the world. To see how these tools have been used to shape a revolution is truly awe-inspiring. 

(Photo: Egyptian protester holding sign “Thank you Facebook” Taken by NBC reporter Richard Engel)

 

(Photo: An anti-government protestor holds a blooded Egyptian flag in Tahrir Square on February 3, 2011 in Cairo, Egypt. The Army have positioned tanks between protesters who had been battling with supporters of President Hosni Mubarak for the second day in and around Tahrir Square in Cairo. By Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images.)

(Photo: A young Egyptian anti-government demonstrator flashes victory signs as a stone battle rages between fellow demonstrators and pro-regime opponents at Cairo's Tahrir Square on February 3, 2011 on the 10th day of protests calling for the ouster of embattled President Hosni Mubarak. By Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images)

(Photo: Egyptian soldiers try to prevent anti-government demonstrators (L) from battling pro-government opponents (R) in Cairo's Tahrir square on February 03, 2011 on the 10th day of protests calling for the ouster of embattled President Hosni Mubarak. By Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images)



Education Injustice For One Is Injustice For All

Education Injustice For One Is Injustice For All

The arrest and felony conviction of Kelley Williams-Bolar for falsifying records to give her daughters a chance at a better education says so much about education inequity in America and its virulent affect on poor people.  Some leading voices in journalism and politics have spoken out against the injustice visited upon Williams-Bolar. But we hope to hear a hue and cry – that is, sustained outrage that gives birth to reforms that create access to quality, safe education for all Americans.

Highlighted Clip for Thursday, February 3, 2011:

Ohio's failed educational system forced desperate mom's hand

By: DEWAYNE WICKHAMKelley Williams-Bolar broke the law when she falsified some documents so her children would have a chance at a better education in a safer school. But that law, which has turned her into a convicted felon, breaks Ohio's compact with its citizens.

Who's Responsible?

Who's Responsible?

Who is responsible for driving the uncontrolled, violent President Mubarak protests in Egypt? Seeking the Egyptian president's early resignation for new leadership, thousands of angry protestors have rallied in Cairo's Tahrir Square to be heard and ultimately validated. Incidentally, many joined the protests spurred by social media exchanges. At latest news, one person has been killed and more than 600 seriously injured. In spoken or written form our words have the power to influence, potentially impacting situations beyond our limited scope of vision. When do we accept responsibility for damage caused by a spark igniting a flame?

For latest on the situation, read CNN's "This Just In" Blog posts here:

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/02/egypt-crisis-prepping-for-another-day-of-protests/?hpt=T1&iref=BN1

Celebrate Black History Month by Cutting Down on Salt

Celebrate Black History Month by Cutting Down on Salt

Black History Month begins today.  Let’s honor the hard-won achievements of African Americans by taking steps to improve our health.  We gotta be in shape to run the race to the top. One easy step is to cut back on our salt intake.  New federal dietary guidelines urge African Americans to reduce sodium consumption to roughly a teaspoon a day. The decrease will help fight and prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease – all conditions that are common among African Americans.

Highlighted Clip for Tuesday, February 1, 2011:

MARY CLARE JALONICK

The new dietary guidelines, issued every five years by the Agriculture and Health and Human Services departments, are telling people who are 51 and older, African-American or suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease to cut the amount of sodium they eat daily to little more than half a teaspoon.

Cut down on salt, government says _ and calories