Is the Iraqi War Really Over?

President Barack Obama praises troops and announces end of Iraq War (Davis Turner/Getty Images)

Is the Iraqi War Really Over?

By: Pam Taylor

 

I truly understand Pyrrhic victory, and I get that war is complicated—even, and perhaps especially, for the ‘victors.’  Fascinated by mythical conquests such as the Trojan War, for example, it is the very real and modern wars including Viet Nam, Afghanistan and Iraq that leave me with the sense that “war is not the answer.”

I certainly join President Obama and all those who salute the brave men and women who go to war for their countries, their beliefs, and for sure—freedom and justice.  But in the case of Iraq and to quote the President are we really leaving behind a “sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq.” 

In fact, if this war was about ensuring that Iraqis are fed, clothed, healthy, and secure, hundreds of thousands are still in serious jeopardy. If this war was about bringing democracy to the Iraqi people, we haven't even begun that project. If it was about removing Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, we never found any. If it was about reducing the threat of terrorism, we arguably have made things worse. If it was about stabilizing the region, well—you get my drift. 

Clearly there were strategic interests in toppling Hussein, but I'm not convinced that those interests outweighed the costs to this nation. Nearly 4,500 Americans died in the Iraq war; countless more are injured and maimed. And the cost in dollars—estimates range from hundreds of billions to at least a trillion dollars. 

Yes, I do understand the meaning of Pyrrhic victory.

Video: A Protest Song For Occupy Wall Street

A Protest Song For Occupy Wall Street

Performed last night to an audience that included President Obama. From the Honolulu Star-Advertiser:

Slack-key celebrity Makana used his performance at an APEC dinner last night at the Hale Koa Hotel as an opportunity to get his pro-Occupy Wall Street movement views out to President Barack Obama and other world leaders. Makana wore an "Occupy with Aloha" t-shirt under his black blazer and sang his newest song, "We are the Many," an anthem of sorts for Occupy protestors. The lyrics include, "Ye come here gather 'round the stage; The time has come for us to voice our rage."

We hope the President and all who hear this song are inspired by its truly poignant message.

We Are The Many

Ye come here, gather 'round the stage
The time has come for us to voice our rage
Against the ones who've trapped us in a cage
To steal from us the value of our wage

From underneath the vestiture of law
The lobbyists at Washington do gnaw
At liberty, the bureaucrats guffaw
And until they are purged, we won't withdraw

We'll occupy the streets
We'll occupy the courts
We'll occupy the offices of you
Till you do
The bidding of the many, not the few

Our nation was built upon the right
Of every person to improve their plight
But laws of this Republic they rewrite
And now a few own everything in sight

They own it free of liability
They own, but they are not like you and me
Their influence dictates legality
And until they are stopped we are not free

We'll occupy the streets
We'll occupy the courts
We'll occupy the offices of you
Till you do
The bidding of the many, not the few

You enforce your monopolies with guns
While sacrificing our daughters and sons
But certain things belong to everyone
Your thievery has left the people none

So take heed of our notice to redress
We have little to lose, we must confess
Your empty words do leave us unimpressed
A growing number join us in protest

We occupy the streets
We occupy the courts
We occupy the offices of you
Till you do
The bidding of the many, not the few

You can't divide us into sides
And from our gaze, you cannot hide
Denial serves to amplify
And our allegiance you can't buy

Our government is not for sale
The banks do not deserve a bail
We will not reward those who fail
We will not move till we prevail

We'll occupy the streets
We'll occupy the courts
We'll occupy the offices of you
Till you do
The bidding of the many, not the few

We'll occupy the streets
We'll occupy the courts
We'll occupy the offices of you
Till you do
The bidding of the many, not the few

We are the many
You are the few

Diversity: Obama’s Judicial Diversity

[photo caption: In 2009 Justice Sonia Sotomayor became the first Latina to serve on the Supreme Court bench]

Obama’s Judicial Diversity

By: Tamara Braunstein

Earlier this week the Associated Press reported that since taking office in 2008, about 70 percent of Obama’s judicial nominees have been “non-traditional,” making him the first president to “not pick a majority of white males for the judiciary.” (Politico)

Obama’s achievements include becoming the first President to place three females on the Supreme Court bench, including the first Latina judge, and appointing the first openly gay male to a federal judgeship. What’s more, 21 percent of his nominees have been African American, and one of the 55 nominees currently awaiting approval, Arvo Mikkanen, could become the nation’s only sitting federal judge who is Native American.

Why is this important? In 2009 Black non-Hispanic males were incarcerated at a rate six-times higher than White non-Hispanic males and one in every 300 Black women was incarcerated, compared to one in every 1,099 White women (US Bureau of Justice Statistics). That same year, Blacks made up just 28.3 percent of the arrested population; Whites made up 69.1 percent of the arrested population (FBI Criminal Justice Information Services).   

So while it’s important to applaud President Obama’s achievements of improving diversity among the judiciary, our country’s historical and ongoing conviction disparities should serve as a vivid reminder that these changes have been a long time coming.

Video of the Week: President Obama Delivers Job Initiative Legistlation

Video of the Week: President Obama Delivers Job Initiative Legistlation

Yesterday evening President Obama delivered a speech to both Houses of Congress, as well as the American people, about his proposal to spur job creation in America. Already, there are few who believe that Congress can work together to actually pass any of the bill. What will it take to get Congress to work together and do the job they were hired to do?

Reexamining Gentrification

Reexamining Gentrification

During his town hall last week, an audience member questioned President Obama’s views on gentrification and its role in our communities. Among other things, Obama said called it a most likely “welcome problem,” for many suffering neighborhoods in this economy.

But why would gentrification be viewed as a problem in the first place? Because society misunderstands it. The general notion these days is that a gentrification occurs when whites begin to increasingly occupy traditionally urban, Black neighborhoods.

But it’s really about “when a middle-class person moves into a poor neighborhood,” says Charles Wilson, president of the Historic Anacostia Block Association. In an article today by The Washington Post, Wilson says he realized after reading the definition of gentrification that as a Black man he is still “a gentrifier.”

The article highlights an important aspect of Black culture that is too often lacking in present economic and political discussions – by taking pride in our communities, we have the power to improve our surroundings.

While the notion of gentrification “makes so many people uncomfortable,” does it really have to? Should the African American community begin to claim the g-word as its own?



Tweeting and Streaming Obama's Townhall

Tweeting and Streaming Obama's Townhall

McKinney & Associates is proud to say that one of our highly esteemed colleagues, Shannon R. Mouton, was invited to live-tweet the President's town hall from the University of Maryland this morning.

According to the White House website, President Obama will address "the on-going efforts to find a balanced approach to deficit reduction."

Follow Shannon's tweets. Follow the conversation.

JOIN THE LIVE CHAT

VISIT WHITEHOUSE.GOV

“Are Doctors Playing Favorites”?

“Are Doctors Playing Favorites”?

Not everyone is happy about the Obama Administration’s plan to deploy “mystery shoppers” posing as patients and contacting doctors’ offices for appointments in an attempt to assess whether all people, regardless of type of health care coverage, are able to get care when they need it.  According to Washington, DC-based internist, Dr. Raymond Scalettar, “I don’t like the idea of the government snooping. It’s a pernicious practice — Big Brother tactics, which should be opposed.”  The Administration’s rationale for its proposed plan is the now critical shortage of primary care doctors coupled with what it believes is the practice by some physicians to give preferential treatment to patients with private insurance versus those covered by government payment plans. 

For more, see: U.S. Plans Stealth Survey on Access to Doctors.  

Rewarding School Reform with Top Honors

Rewarding School Reform with Top Honors

What a graduation to remember!  In a surprise visit, President Obama gave the commencement address at Memphis’ Booker T. Washington High School. As USA Today reports, an academic turnaround at the urban school earned graduating seniors the address by none other than President Obama. The story of the school’s successful “race to the top” inspires goose bumps. 

Check out these news reports and videos: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2011/05/16/exp.tsr.sylvester.race.to.top.cnn?iref=allsearch

http://www.bet.com/news/national/2011/05/16/obama-delivers-commencement-address-at-south-memphis-high-school.html?ftcnt=HP_News

 http://whitehouse.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/16/president-visits-memphis-high-school-graduation/?iref=allsearch

 http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2011-05-10-obama-high-school-graduation-address-memphis_n.htm

Health Care One Year Later: Keep Moving Forward

Health Care One Year Later: Keep Moving Forward

One year ago, President Obama signed the much needed Affordable Care Act (ACA), health care bill into law—a feat long talked about and attempted by others. So where do we go from here? Republicans threaten to repeal the bill, but in place of what? We need to build upon what we have to deliver affordable health care  to families and the uninsured who need it most. The idea of repealing this plan will only delay relief to those persons. We cannot stop the train to address the squabbles of a select few. Yes, the law requires further understanding and education but the worst action we can take is a step backward. Keep moving forward.

Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, March 23, 2011:

"The health care stalemate"

By Rachel Weiner

One full year after President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (aka the health care bill) into law, public opinion on it has been remarkably unaffected by the massive amounts of spin put out by both sides over the last 365 days.

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:

Science, Technology and Humanities Will Lead Us to a Brighter Tomorrow

Science, Technology and Humanities Will Lead Us to a Brighter Tomorrow

In his State of the Union address last night, President Obama talked about winning America’s future through technological innovation and education. As a parent of two children enrolled in public schools in D.C., I wondered what impact the president’s prescription for progress would have on my son and daughter and all public school students. My son, who’s heading to 9^th grade in September, loves math, technology and science and envisions a career in engineering. My daughter, a 10^th-grader, attends a blue-ribbon school with a strong humanities program.  Like my son, she loves the sciences but also has a passion for literature, history and theater arts. I like the president’s idea of providing more funding for science education, but I would not want the support to come at the expense of other disciplines. Achieving our future will require not just advances in technology but also knowledge of history, the perpetual production of poetry and prose, and a vibrant theater culture. That is to say, the humanities are as important as the sciences. We need a multidisciplinary approach for reaching tomorrow.

For full story, see "Obama Plays Up Technology's Value In State Of The Union 2011": http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/26/state-of-the-union-2011-technology_n_814117.html

New Year, A New Law, & A New Hope!

New Year, A New Law, & A New Hope!

It’s never easy sifting through new legislation, and especially those laws like the soon to be year-old Affordable Care Act  that phases in programs and reforms over a number of years.  Coverage for the millions of Americans with “pre-existing conditions” does not have to wait until full enactment of the law in 2014, however.  As the Andrews article points out, at least for the District and 23 states, there are new plan choices for people enrolling in Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIP) beginning this month. The new options offer current and future enrollees a greater number of coverage choices and allow people to select the plan that best meets their needs, from a three-tiered structure that began January 1, 2011.  Of course, as Andrews also points out, accessibility does not necessarily translate into affordability.  Eligible consumers have to be vigilant and review all options carefully. The good news is, they won’t have to wait until 2014.

Highlighted Clip for Tuesday, January 11, 2011:  

Health-care law adds insurance options for people with preexisting conditions

Michelle Andrews

Under the current health insurance system, people who have to buy coverage on their own rather than through an employer often find themselves in a tough spot.

Don't Ask. Don't Tell. Don't Stop!

Don't Ask. Don't Tell.  Don't Stop!

By: Ryan Duncan

 

And just like that it's gone. Don't Ask. Don't Tell.  Don't Stop!

This morning history was made as President Obama proudly signed the "DADT" repeal act of 2010 into law thus ending the military policy that has resulted in the unjust firing of over 14,000 gay military personal over the past 17 years.

You could see the pride President Obama felt as he finally delivered on his campaign promise to do away with a practice that he himself called discriminatory.

I was filled with emotion and pride as I listened to my President beat the drum of equality, signing the bill into law, saying this "will strengthen our national security and uphold the ideals that our fighting men and women risk their lives to defend." And then it was done.

But we must not stop! We must keep marching forward towards full equality for all Americans, both in our military and out! As President Obama put it today, "We are not a nation that says 'don't ask, don't tell.' We are a nation that says, 'Out of many, we are one.'" There is still progress that needs to be made before full equality is achieved, but the dominoes are starting to fall. And more quickly!

There are certainly going to be more battles in the years ahead. For example, John McCain is apparently working with the "hate group" Family Research Council to try to roll back DADT in 2011.

But they will lose. One thing that history has taught us is, you can try to slow it down, but you can't stop progress. At yesterday's House celebration of the 'DADT' repeal, Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) listed the next battles left to be won on the "radical homosexual agenda".

Said Frank: "It's to be protected against violent crimes driven by bigotry, it's to be able to get married, it's to be able to get a job, and it's to be able to fight for our country. For those who are worried about the radical homosexual agenda, let me put them on notice. Two down, two to go."

What an exciting way to wrap up what has certainly been a trying, and difficult year. On to the next battle, and on to 2011!

Author’s ID: Ryan Duncan is the New Media Coordinator for McKinney & Associates and manages all web2.0 and social networking activities for the firm and it's clients. For more info visit: http://www.mckpr.com/

WINTER IN AMERICA AND STILL THERE IS HOPE THAT WE CAN

(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WINTER IN AMERICA AND STILL THERE IS HOPE THAT WE CAN

By: Gwen McKinney

It’s winter in America.  The official date is about two weeks away, but I can’t help but reflect on the Gil Scott-Heron tune from the 1970s. Many might be too young to remember Gil and that era.  Trust that the Vietnam war, the Black Power Movement, Tricky Dick and the so-called “silent majority” were creating a world filled with turmoil and confusion.

Watch: Gil Scott-Heron | Winter in America - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGlRsjHTkbs

That season of  frozen dreams and promise offer parallels to today. 

The message of Gil Scott-Heron and the fathers of rap, The Last Poets, struck a resonating and unapologetic chord of militancy and resistance.

Watch: The Last Poets - When The Revolution Comes - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M5W_3T2Ye4

It was an era when people were in the streets making their voices heard. Back then ideals mattered and revolution was not something to be left to George Washington’s army or the Tea Party movement of an earlier century.  Revolution was change and hope. Those who dared to believe could.

Once again the forecast is cold and dark, even as we prepare for frosty and bitter days in the depths of winter.  Soaring joblessness (in some communities higher than the rates of the Great Depression), families out in the streets homeless, people who dreamed of retiring at 67 still working – if lucky enough to even have a job.  And still billionaires get the break.

It’s hard to believe that less than three years ago, we were hopeful.  The Obama slogan “Yes We Can” was touching hearts and souls, stoking the imagination we didn’t even know we had.  When Will.I.Am talked about what inspired that masterpiece, he confessed that  until then, he was not clear or resolved to anything political.  Then he heard the words of Barack Obama’s New Hampshire speech, profoundly touching his inner core “like nothing” before.

Read: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william/why-i-recorded-yes-we-can_b_84655.html

How could someone with so much magic and audacity leave us at such a grim and lonely place?  Caving. Capitulating.  Betraying the spirits that he touched as he soared?  We soared with him and now feel left hanging and drained of hope.  The millions who were mobilized to believe are now in the wilderness.  We have collectively lost our way.  I can’t imagine why people are not in the streets, chaining themselves to the White House or confronting congress.  Shaking up. Breaking up.  Turning despair into outrage that can be felt and acted upon.  Is it Obama’s fault alone?  Are the Dems in power (or losing power) the only group to be blamed or held responsible?  What happened?  In many ways, all of us are accomplices in these continuing crimes.  This untenable circumstance in which our nation is trapped has demobilized action as much as it has torn apart lives.  Perhaps, the only path to finding our way is to begin again to believe.  To hope. Yes we can.

So here, I leave you – some 21,532,692 hits later, backed by Common, John Legend and the hope of a nation -- with Will. I. Am/Blackeyed Pea’s inspiration.  

Watch: Yes We Can - Barack Obama Music Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY

"When Bull Elephants Fight... Let's Not Dismantle Health Care Reform"

"When Bull Elephants Fight . . .

Let's Not Dismantle Health Care Reform"

by Pamela Taylor

I have to agree with President Obama; as "humbling" as the mid-term election results might be for his policies, Americans do not "want to re-litigate the health care reform debate or repeal some of the more popular consumer protections," provided in the recently passed Affordable Care Act. Health care reform has been a long-time coming.  "Tweaks"?  Of course, but starting over is unthinkable.

There has been no shortage of strongly debated presidential- led efforts to provide some type of government-sponsored health care for more than a century now.  Beginning with the Progressive Era ushered in by President Teddy Roosevelt to Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Truman, Johnson, Nixon, and (most memorable for me) Clinton.  Each failed.

Just as history repeats itself, each effort failed for some combination of the same reasons─competing special interest group agendas, ideological and policy differences, anti-socialism sentiments, federal versus state government advocates, small versus big business proponents and on and on.

The Affordable Care Act that was signed into law this past March is not everything to everyone.  But it can transform the nation's health care system and level the playing field for minorities and the poor.

Not all Americans have equal access to health care, nor do they have similar health care outcomes.  Low-income Americans, racial and ethnic minorities, the elderly and other underserved populations often have higher rates of disease, fewer treatment options, and reduced access to care.  Many are also less likely to have health insurance than the population as a whole.

The Affordable Care Act law offers new strategies for managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, and cancer, all of which disproportionately impact minorities.  Because infant mortality and post-birth complications are also higher in minority and low-income groups, the law includes funding for home visits for expectant mothers and newborns.

The new rules in the Act provide immediate relief to many Americans and promise hope to millions more who might be only one illness or accident away from medical and financial disaster.

The Act also eliminates many health insurers' discriminatory practices, expands Medicaid coverage, and even creates health insurance exchanges to assist consumers in finding higher-value, lower-cost coverage.  There is no doubt the Affordable Care Act will assure a  new health insurance marketplace by the time it is fully implemented in  2014. 

By improving access to quality health care for all Americans, the Act will definitely help to eliminate health disparities and also reduce health care costs, while emphasizing prevention and wellness. It offers individuals and families more control over their own care. 

These and other initiatives in the Act also increase racial and ethnic diversity in the health care professions, strengthen cultural competency training  and increase funding to the nation's community health and primary care centers.

Community health centers serve an estimated one in three low-income people, and one in four low-income minority residents.  The new resources in the Act will enable health centers to double the number of patients they serve. Combined with investments made by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the new law is expected to support 16,000 new primary care providers.

The Affordable Care Act is making an unprecedented investment in training and education opportunities for the nation's frontline healthcare workforce.  

Frontline workers fill about half of all health care jobs, and they deliver most of the nation’s direct patient care and public health services. However, their potential for delivering more and better care and filling critical vacancies in professional positions goes largely untapped.   This frontline workforce touches more patients than most other health care providers, and includes nurse, dental and physician assistants; laboratory technicians; paramedics; orderlies; substance abuse counselors; and medical records and administrative staff, among others.

Currently, numbering well over six million, the health care workforce is growing at a rate twice that of non-health employment, and especially among key frontline care-giving occupations.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts dramatic growth for all of the key frontline occupations. Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants are projected to grow at a rate of 25 percent; home health aides up to 47 percent; and personal and home care aides projected at over 60 percent by the time full health care reform is implemented.

The Act is not perfect; concern about its impact on small business is legitimate.  The constitutionality of forced participation is being challenged in state courts throughout the nation.  However, to lose sight of the remarkable reform initiatives based on partisan politics would be devastating and likely set US health care back another 100 years.  As the African proverb reminds us─when bull elephants fight, the grass always loses.

____________________________________________________________________

Pamela Taylor is a communications consultant with McKinney & Associates and manages the strategic communications campaign of  Jobs to Careers, a skills training and career advancement initiative for frontline health-care workers, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson and Hitachi Foundations.