Over the last decade natural disasters have left parts of India, Samoa, the United States, and nearly the entire island of Haiti in ruins; while civil wars, wars on terrorism, and the ancient battle of the religions are only adding to the global body count. As a privileged (in comparison to non-American societies) American adult, the first event to hit home was 911, but as I divulge myself deeper into my profession I find myself inadvertently affected by travesties around the world.
With the national attention Haiti is receiving, I am compelled to enlighten Americans on the disturbing conditions of one of the poorest countries in the world Liberia. Unbeknown to many (based on my research); Liberia is a former United States colony, founded by African-American former American slaves. (more…)
After just climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, Lupe Fiasco returns and quickly keeps his good deeds in play. Fiasco could help determine who sits in the controversial vacant Senate seat left by President Obama. The rapper will perform at a fundraiser for Chicago Urban League Chief Cheryle Jackson, who is one of five democratic hopefuls running for the seat in the February 2 primary. The seat was held by ousted Governor Rod. Blagojevich, who was impeached and removed from office twice for trying to sell Obama’s seat. Cheryle Jackson, who was Blagojevich’s press secretary during his initial inauguration, left the governor’s office to head up the Chicago Urban League. Lupe will perform at the Shrine Chicago in support of Jackson on January 28.
It’s already big news: The House of Representatives passed their version of health care reform in Washington DC last weekend, clearing the bill’s first hurdle to become law. The final count just barely cleared the required number of votes needed for passage, a surprisingly close count given the easy majority of Democrats in the House, post-Obama. 39 Democrats opposed the bill, and yet one lone Republican cast his vote for reform.
Representative Ahn “Joseph” Cao is a freshman rep covering Louisiana’s second congressional district, including New Orleans, and has taken a brave leap into muddy waters by supporting health care reform when even 39 Democrats couldn’t do it. However, he has also supported the anti-abortion language in the bill that Democrats hope to slip out of the text before final passage by the Senate. His vote alone suggests that more Republicans (and hopefully, Democrats) are on the fence about this bill than we’ve seen thus far, and perhaps may be emboldened by Cao’s vote to do the same in the Senate. He is certainly one brave politician.
BY THE PEOPLE: The Election of Barack Obama offers viewers an all-access pass to campaign life on the road to the White House and the unprecedented grass roots effort that supported him. The film follows the former Senator’s path from the excitement of the first victory in Iowa, to the struggles of a long and grueling primary campaign, and finally to his historic inauguration as the first African American president of the United States. Told through exclusive footage of Obama and his staff, the HBO Documentary Film is produced by Edward Norton’s Class 5 Films and directed by Amy Rice and Alicia Sams. The film debuts exclusively on HBO on November 3, at 9:00 pm ET/PT 2009.
A new sound bite on health insurance reform, via NPR: Apparently the self-appointed “Gang of Six” senators (who might as well be called the gang-of-only-people-willing-to-do-anything-ballsy-at-this-point) are closing in on a deal. Unofficially led by Max Baucus (D-Montana), the group is trying to produce a bone fide bipartisan bill that could then be voted on in the Senate, then the House, with relative public popularity and for which Republicans could support without hanging up their political careers out to dry. (more…)
When I first was offered the assignment of reviewing the new 5-part Docu-Series “Brick City” I was intrigued. The documentary series is executive produced by Academy Award winning actor Forest Whitaker and filmmakers Marc Levin and Mark Benjamin. Being from Jersey and growing up close by Newark, I have my own history with the city known on the streets as Brick City and I wanted to see how the filmmakers would tackle a town that has become known more for its political turmoil, violence and poverty issues. Newark is a town whose history includes being named the most dangerous city in the Nation in 1996 by TIME magazine, the 22nd most dangerous city in the United States in a 2007 survey by Morgan Quitno Press, having five of the last seven Mayors of Newark have been indicted on criminal charges and of course the infamous 1967 Race Riots that nearly destroyed the city of Newark. (more…)
Created and directed by the award-winning filmmakers Mark Benjamin and Marc Levin, BRICK CITY, is a five-part documentary series that captures the daily drama of a community striving to become a better, safer, stronger place to live. Against great odds, Newark’s citizens and its Mayor, Cory A. Booker, fight to raise the city out of nearly a half century of violence, poverty and corruption.
The President talks about how the chatter and ruckus around health insurance reform on television obscures the reality of what’s happening in America. He discusses how in most towns people and Members of Congress are having constructive conversations, and how people are learning how reform will help them and their families with the real problems they have faced with the insurance system. August 15, 2009.
11 year old Damon Weaver has landed the opportunity that many journalist are killing for; the chance to interview President Barack Obama. Weaver ask questions concerning education and what efforts the President will be taking to make the system better.
So, now that news networks and public opinion have shifted from Wall Street’s slumps to elections in Iran to the legacy of Michael Jackson… what is the next topic of small-talk discussion? What else, but health care reform? President Obama seems to like it, and most of America seemed to agree, up until he started getting down to business. Suddenly, a flurry of flying statements and disconnected ideas and press conferences and catch phrases are dominating this concept of “health care reform.” No wonder heads are spinning, as well as the spin doctors (no pun intended) on the right as well as on the left. The President has tried to explain his plan to the American public, but in fact, health care reform may be his idea, but it is not his plan. Reform can only come through Congress, which he has asked to draft and pass a bill before the end of July.
That’s the general strategy. Here are a few pointers to make sense of the playing field… make sure to keep your eye on the ball.
1. There are two health care bills currently under debate in Congress- one for the House of Representatives and one for the Senate - both of which include the oft-quoted “public option” to put pressure on private insurance companies to clean it up, shave down costs, and be more attentive to consumers’ health needs rather than their pocketbooks. The bills are long, including everything from funding for closing critical shortages in health care professionals to establishing insurance “health exchanges” (think: a virtual shopping center for health care) to setting minimum standards of coverage for private insurers. Complicated? Certainly. Still changing? By the minute. I suggest calling your representatives to ask what is currently in the bill and how its provisions may affect you.
2. You may be thinking… goodness! This is all happening so fast! Bingo.
The President drives a hard bargain, but he has also proved himself somewhat of a political genius. There is an ebb and flow to what happens on Capitol Hill, and when the waters have warmed for an issue, there is no direction but full steam ahead. This year is an important period when officials’ political capital is still high and the energy seems right across the nation for a serious conversation about health care. It is rushed, but it also might be the only opening we have to take this shot before Americans (and major TV networks) lose interest altogether.
3.So - What’s in it for you? The possibility that you won’t face steadily increasing insurance costs over years to come. Or the slight chance that, if something terrible happens and you need emergency surgery, that you will be able to recover without the sticker shock of realizing that cute doctor walked off with your down payment on a new car, or a trip to Europe. Or the real fear that Congress won’t get this exactly right and a bit more of your paycheck will go every month for a poorly constructed program that hurts more than it helps. What is the difference? You. Let your representatives know your side of the story, so they can make informed decisions in the days to come.
