JUNETEENTH UNITY DAY, WORKING TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY BETTER
PLEASE SUPPORT THE "JENA 6" FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CASE OF RACIAL INJUSTICE, PLEASE VISIT THE "CHECK THIS OUT!" PAGE ON jeffartis.com BY USING THE "CHECK THIS OUT!" LINK AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE.
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TUNE IN FOR THIS WEEK'S "THE ROANOKE SCLC RADIO SHOW" THURSDAYS, 4 P.M.- 5 P.M. WTOY RADIO, 1480 AM YOUR HOST, JEFF ARTIS, PRESIDENT THE ROANOKE SCLC CO-HOST, MAC MCCADDEN VICE PRESIDENT, THE ROANOKE SCLC
THIS WEEK'S TOPICS FOR 9/27/07: WHITE SUPREMACIST BILL WHITE THE AFTON GARDEN APARTMENTS CONTROVERSY IMPROVING EDUCATION MIKE VICK
YOU CAN LISTEN TO LAST WEEK'S SHOW BY CLICKING ON "THE SCLC RADIO" LINK POSTED ABOVE.
THE ARTIS BLOG
9/28/07
Did you miss Thursday's "SCLC RADIO SHOW?" To listen to "THE SCLC RADIO SHOW," click on the "SCLC RADIO" link posted above. To listen to the show, click on the MP3 file of "THE SCLC RADIO, 9/27/08." That's all there is to it. And don't forget about Saturday's Henry Street Festival at Elmwood Park. Details about the Harrison Museum's Henry Street Festival are given on the 9/27/07 SCLC RADIO SHOW. I hope to see you there.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: As of 9/23/07, Bill White's, "overthrow.com," was not accessible online. The link to White's racist commentary will remain posted on "THE ARTIS BLOG."
THE ARTIS BLOG
9/21/07
* Roanoke, Va.'s resident White supremacist, Bill White is upset with me for investigating the Afton Garden Apartments. White made his feelings known in an article called, "Niggers Accuse Bill White Of Racist Policies At Housing Project; White says Niggers Get What They Deserve." Mr. White even put a link to THE ARTIS BLOG in his commentary. To read White's commentary, please click on the following link. www.overthrow.com/lsn/news.asp?articleID=10586
* As I've said many times, the Roanoke SCLC is investigating allegations at the Afton Garden Apartments. One of those allegations is an associate of White works at the apartments. As for White's commentary, as usual, White got his facts wrong.
* I've been asked if I'm worried about White's commentary. My answer is that I've got better and more important things to do than to worry about Bill White.
* To me, Mr. White is a sad, pathetic, angry little man who is living in a time warp. Maybe he is the way he is because he had a bad relationship with his parents. Maybe he hates because he liked a Black girl in school who told him to get lost. Maybe he's angry because he had acne until he was twenty. Maybe White couldn't get a date to his senior prom and he never got over it. I don't know.
* I really don't care, either. In my world, when it comes to Bill White, I don't mind and he doesn't matter.
* Some people are afraid of White. I'm not. Roanoke, Va. is full of Black men who are afraid of their own shadows. I'm just not one of them.
* Plus, I learned a long time ago that I'm not a nigger, never have been, never will be. Like the old joke says, "You can call me anything you want, just don't call me late for dinner."
* I'll pray for Bill White and I'll hope that one day he realizes something.
* I hope that one day, Bill White realizes that Roanoke, Va. isn't 1950 Mississippi. In 1950 Mississippi a racist could do, say or write anything they wanted to about a Black person and get away with it. That doesn't work all the time in today's world. In today's world, it's only a matter of time before Bill White messes with the wrong person who is going to respond to White calling them a nigger. It could get ugly.
* Me? I practice non-violence. You will never hear my name associated with a violent act. The same holds true for my family. But, I am a realist. Like the unpopular bully on the school yard playground, someone will get tired of White's vulgarity and take it upon themselves to correct the situation. I hope not. I don't want to see White turned into a martyr. But, again, it's not 1950 Mississippi anymore.
SEE YOU MONDAY.
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
9/19/07
* What is going on at the Afton Garden Apartments complex on Hunt Ave. in Roanoke, Va.?
* Afton Garden Apartments management says there is nothing wrong, that if people don't like living there, they can move out.
* Residents who live there feel differently. Are the residents civil rights being violated? Afton Garden Apartments residents allege the following.
* They are pressured to sign their leases before they are allowed to read them.
* Threats of eviction are issued to residents whenever residents have questions about apartment policies and/or apartment security/apartment management procedures.
* Eviction notices are being issued to apartment residents without first going through the courts. Residents are being told that if they don't move by a certain date, apartment security will put their belongings on the street.
* Management refuses to meet with apartment residents to discuss problems at the complex, a clear violation of Afton Garden Apartments leases.
* Afton Garden Apartments security guards have been accused of threats and intimidation, among other things.
* People are being banned from the property for questionable reasons and without due process. Play areas are not properly maintained for the young children.
* I've met with the residents of the Afton Garden Apartments on two different occasions. Before our second meeting, apartment residents say they were threatened with eviction if they attended that meeting. One resident told me he was asked to attend the meeting to get the names of those residents attending the meeting so Afton Garden Apartments management could start the eviction process on those who were at the meeting.
Another resident, a senior citizen who has lived at the apartment complex for 20 years, shared her story with me. She is scheduled for eviction next month. No, she has not been to court. She was told by apartment management to just get out.
And just what did happen between a pregnant woman at the complex and the security guards who work there? Again, residents allege they were threatened with eviction if they came forward about what they saw. What is known is the woman went into labor after the incident and had to have an emergency c-section. She was also banned from the property. Afton Garden Apartments says the incident started when the woman hit one of the security guards with her car. Apartment residents say otherwise.
* There are other allegations, as well, including links at the apartment complex to Roanoke, Va. White supremacist, Bill White, of www.overthrow.com fame. Something isn't right at the Afton Garden Apartments in Roanoke, Va. It's time to find out what. You know I will.
SEE YOU FRIDAY.
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
9/17/07
Sometimes I just wish some things would just go away. Sometimes a person just needs a break. So today, I'm asking the following folks to give me a break, some peace, if only for a day. Here goes.
* Irresponsible parents. Mom, Dad, your young child should not be out shopping with you in a store at 11 P.M., especially on a school night. That child should be at home, in bed, getting some rest.
* Cell phone drivers. No one is so important that they have to be on a cell phone 24/7, especially when they are driving. I tired of self-absorbed, self-centered, "I'm So Important," cell phone using drivers who always manage to run me off the road because they are too busy yakking on their cell phones to pay attention to what's going on around them.
* Can I just go one day without hearing about Britney's children and her deadbeat ex-husband?
* Why can't O.J. Simpson just go away? How can one person be so stupid?
* I tired of young people demanding respect. Please. Respect is earned, not given.
* I want the "Food Police" to go away. This is America. If I want to eat food that's bad for me, if I want to eat trans fats or anything else, that's my right. I like KFC. Well, I liked KFC until they changed the way they cook their chicken. And what's wrong with super sizing?
* I want the "Eat Right, Live Longer Police" to just shut up. Have these people seen the price of healthy food lately? If you live paycheck to paycheck, eating healthy all the time just isn't affordable. Oh that's right. Members of the "Eat Right, Live Longer Police" can afford to buy healthy food. After all, these folks make good money telling people to eat right, live longer.
* Can we just get rid of health insurance companies? I know people who have health insurance who can't afford to go to the doctor because they can't afford the co-pay to see their doctor. Why? They are paying $500 a month in health insurance premiums. They could afford to go to their doctor if they didn't have to pay their health insurance premiums. Go figure.
* I don't know about you, but, I'm tired of Republican office holders who preach family values getting busted in sex scandals.
* And please, will someone please smack the person who made those new Wendy's commercials upside the head? You know the ones I'm talking about. Dumbest commercials ever. And that's saying something.
SEE YOU WEDNESDAY.
KEEP THE FAITH BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
9/14/07
Check out the new feature on jeffartis.com, "SCLC RADIO." Now, you can listen to "THE SCLC RADIO SHOW" on www.jeffartis.com. Simply click on the "SCLC RADIO" link posted above. Once you are on the "SCLC RADIO" page, click on the MP3 audio file you wish to hear. That's all there is to it. Now you can listen to "THE SCLC RADIO SHOW" 24/7 if you happen to miss Thursday's broadcast from 4 P.M. - 5 P.M. on WTOY Radio, 1480 A.M. Check it out.
SEE YOU MONDAY.
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
9/12/06
* As we remember the horrible events of 9/11/2001, Americans can never forget two things. Osama and his followers want to destroy us. Osama and his followers will strike again. Osama and his followers will not stop their murder and carnage until they either succeed in destroying the United States which isn't going to happen or until they are all killed. There is no middle ground with these people. Americans must realize that no one can talk rationally to a group of people whose main objective is death and destruction, including their own.
* Democracy is Iraq is nothing but a folly. Ain't gonna happen. Never could happen. Never will happen. The United States will not be successful in Iraq until we understand this fact and plan accordingly.
* I keep hearing talk about the U.S. invading Iran. Is this another stupid plan by the White House?
* I have to admit I didn't see this coming. I thought Alberto Gonzales would be a decent, not great, U.S. Attorney General. As Attorney General, Gonzales was a total failure. The U.S. Justice Dept. is a laughing stock. Then again, what hasn't been a total failure in the Bush White House?
* The suicide rate for girls 10 - 24 has gone up 8% since 2004. Parents, we need to do a better job taking care of our girls.
* I don't know about you, but, I like the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
* Much is being made about Oprah helping Barack Obama. I don't have a problem with Oprah helping Obama one bit. In fact, Oprah is simply being a good American who is working hard to make sure her choice for elected office wins on Election Day. Good for her. Instead of knocking Oprah, we should be telling others to follow her example.
* O.K. Someone explain this to me like I'm a 6-year-old. The world went nuts over Princess Diana. The world was ho-hum over Mother Theresa. Who did more to help those who could not help themselves? Who got more pub on the 10'th anniversary of their deaths? On this issue, pop culture got it wrong. In reality, Mother Theresa was a mountain. Compared to this great woman, Princess Diana is a grain of sand.
* Has anyone ever had a more beautiful voice than Pavarotti? I'm not a big fan of opera. I am a big fan of Pavarotti. He's singing for the angels now.
* Check out my college football picks in Thursday's Roanoke Times. Don't laugh. I never pick against Notre Dame. Go Irish. And please, no wagering.
SEE YOU FRIDAY.
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
9/10/07
* Six years later and no Osama bin Ladin. The man makes more videos than 50 Cent. We are in a war in Iraq where there's no end in sight. We have a President who has been in over his head since he was elected. Still...
* America is the greatest country in the history of mankind.
* America has the greatest economy ever assembled.
* America has the greatest military ever assembled. Don't forget that we could turn Iraq into a parking lot if we chose to do so. However, our decency prevents us from doing that very thing.
* America has the greatest political system ever assembled.
* America has the greatest system of justice ever assembled.
* The United States Constitution is the greatest document ever written.
* When it works, America's system of education is the envy of the world.
* Yes, we have our problems. No, we are not perfect. But, who is better than America? No one. As some in the Islamic world seek to destroy us and our way of life, sometimes we need to remember just how great we are. I will never apologize for being an American. Neither should you.
* And in remembering how great we are as a country and as a people, let's not forget the victims of that horrible day on September 11, 2001.
* Haven't heard of the "Jena 6?" To get the full story on racial injustice in Louisiana, please visit the "CHECK THIS OUT!" page on jeffartis.com by clicking on the "CHECK THIS OUT!" link at the top of this page. Please support the "Jena 6." Would you like to make a financial contribution to help the "Jena 6?" You may do so by sending your contribution to:
Jena 6 Defense Fund P.O. Box 2798 Jena, La. 71342
* I'm sorry that U.S. Sen. John Warner from Virginia has decided not to run for re-election. Sen. Warner is a good man and was a good United States Senator. Sen. Warner looked out for all Virginians, not just a chosen few. Sen. Warner was never afraid to do the right thing. At times, he knew he would pay a price for doing the right thing, remember Ollie North? But, Sen. Warner did the right thing anyway. He will be missed.
* Sen. Warner's replacement? Former Virginia Governor Mark Warner, no relation.
* Don't be surprised if former U.S. Senator George Allen from Virginia tries to make a comeback. A Mark Warner/George Allen race for the United States Senate would be very, very interesting, especially if Hillary is the Democratic nominee for President. Record money will be raised, record money will be spent and record voter turnout will happen on Election Day.
* Am I ready to cut Mike Vick some slack? Yes. It's time for others to begin the forgiving process, as well.
* I know you've heard about Idaho Sen. Larry Craig and the mess he has caused himself during an interesting encounter in the bathroom of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport involving an undercover cop. If Craig is smart, he'll just go quietly into the night.
* My man Joe Kennedy is leaving "The Roanoke Times" newspaper. Kennedy has a column with the paper called, "A Cup Of Joe." I'm sorry to see him go. I enjoyed his column. The thing I enjoyed most about his column is even if you disagreed with what he wrote, Kennedy always made legitimate points about why he felt the way he did about a particular issue. Plus, he never talked down to his readers. I wish him good luck in retirement.
* Roanoke, Va.'s Fairview Elementary School has been closed due to a rat infestation. The principle of the school complained to the Roanoke, Va. School Administration during the 2005 school year. Nothing was done about the problem until a couple of weeks ago and only then after the Health Dept. had been tipped off about the problem first. This type of thing would never have happened if Fairview Elementary School was located in Southwest Roanoke, Virginia.
* Good news from the Roanoke, Va. Public School System. The new football stadium at Patrick Henry High School is a nice facility. Thumbs up. And no, this doesn't overlook how Roanoke City Government handled the Victory Stadium controversy over the past 20 years.
