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Beyond the Rhetoric
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March 17, 2009, talkhousemag.com At last, the “drought” is over. Procurement laws as it relates to affirmative action and diversity in the business operations of the federal government were abandoned during the second Clinton Administration and with silence by the Congressional Black Caucus. During the Bush years there was no hope to enforce what Adam Clayton Powell, Arthur Fletcher and Parren J. Mitchell wrote on behalf of African Americans and America as a whole. Adam, Art and Parren’s accomplishments came back in the day and no other has stepped forward to provide anything significant or comparable. It seemed that it didn’t matter, Democrat or Republican, political correctness was against minority business. We languished and progress was not only stopped but put in reverse. But now there is a “new sheriff in town” and the seriousness of business diversity and its applications to the general society are again taken seriously. As we are gearing up to ensure our fair share of the Stimulus Bill, it was so pleasant to read the following memorandum from the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget: “The Executive Branch shall distribute Recovery Act funds in accordance with: All anti-discrimination |
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Beyond the Rhetoric
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February 23, 2009 talkhousemag.com A big chunk of the Stimulus package deals a lot out to future energy plans. Cleaner and less expensive methods are seriously needed. One thing you have not heard a lot about recently are the natural gas Shales across the east coast. Shales are deep within the Earth and are heavily filled with natural gas, which is the next step in generating efficient energy. Look up the Barnett Shale, Marcellus Shale, and Haynesville Shale for starters. Oil and gas companies are getting ready to hit it big by buying shares of the development companies. Read the latest Beyond the Rhetoric below and get familiar with the next energy boom. At Last, an Energy Policy is Forming At least the last five congressional sessions have started with talk of developing an Energy Policy. At the end of each session we would be no further down the road than at the beginning. A lot of talk but little progress except for debates. Sides would be formed and no side would give an inch. It seems that this time something just might happen. The last spike in gasoline prices took us all by surprise. Even though it was not justified (just criminal speculation by Wall St.) it brought to our attention just how vulnerable we are. It is not just “The |
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February 16, 2009 talkhousemag.com Finally, after a long week, we can exhale and thank God that Judd Gregg (R-NH) is no longer in the running for Secretary of Commerce. Harry C. Alford Jr. says it all in his weekly Beyond the Rhetoric article below. Take a look and think about what kind of buffoon would name their kid Judd Gregg. A Very Rough Week but Victorious It’s Friday morning (Feb. 6) and I am at the White House to support President Obama’s Stimulus Bill. I’m walking in with Julian Bond, Chairman of the NAACP and it’s a milestone. He has been absent from White House visits for the last eight years. There’s a new “sheriff” in town and he is now more than welcomed. All seemed well as the President’s representatives assured us (small business associations) that the normal small business programs of federal procurement will remain intact for the Stimulus unlike the avoidance that occurred in the Bailout. The bill includes us and that will generate millions of jobs for our communities. The President was very motivational in his speech and the introduction of his newly formed Economic Recovery Advisory Board. But then things started going downhill in a hurry. A credible friend from one of the Hispanic sister organizations came up to me and said, “Have you heard the news? They are putting a homophobic, sexist and racist as Secretary of Commerce. The Congressional Black Caucus and Hispanic Caucus are going to let it slide as long as the Census Bureau goes over to the White House”. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), who has a long standing anti-affirmative action, anti-women rights and anti-gay rights voting record, was nominated as Secretary of Commerce. If that wasn’t crazy enough by the time I returned to my office another nemesis of small and minority business, Senator John |
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February 10, 2009 talkhousemag.com The Bailout was for Fat Cats; The Stimulus is for the People The first phase of the Wall St. Bailout was a pure hustle. The National Black Chamber of Commerce opposed it because the writing was on the wall. They took out all protocols for small and minority business participation. Waive this and waive that – if it was about inclusion of minority business it was waived. They said it was for “expediency” but the real reason was “avoidance”. Not one contract to a Black owned business or a dollar invested in a minority bank plus there was not one mortgage saved and the stock market is still in the tank. We were sold out on this $350 billion giveaway and I strongly suggest that we cancel the next $350 billion giveaway. It does nothing for our economy and does not reach the streets. On the other hand, we strongly support the Stimulus Bill which is formally known by the House of Representatives as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. All of the provisions for women, veteran, disabled and minority owned businesses found in the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) remain in tact. There are inclusion safeguards, reporting, transparency and accountability without exception. This is not a giveaway. It is an investment into overdue projects that will create meaningful jobs and revitalize our economy. As the payrolls generated from this are recycled our national treasury will start turning in the right direction. We, the people, are involved at every level with this legislation. |
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Harry C. Alford Jr. The Rule of Law and the US Constitution are sacred codes for our society. We must protect them to ensure our democracy and guarantee equal protection under the law for all of us. Anything less is chaos and tyranny. My fellow citizens we have been threatened with chaos and tyranny during the last three Attorney Generals. The office of the Attorney General is one of the four most important cabinet positions along with Treasury, State and Defense. Proper execution of its duties and the management by its executives is key to our future and our image throughout the world. The United States is supposed to be the model for values and liberty. Our leadership role is at risk. |
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