* For a number of years, I have been a very vocal critic of the Roanoke, Va. Police Dept. over the issue of gangs and gang violence in the city. In fact, I've have said and have written that the RPD of trying to fight against gangs with "one hand tied behind their backs." I've said other things as well.
* Ten years ago, I began asking the powers to be in Roanoke, Va. to do the following. 1) Admit that there are gangs in Roanoke, Va. 2) Begin a community gang education program. 3) Invest in gang prevention programs. My requests fell on deaf ears.
* Today, 10/29/10, I am happy to say that I am in agreement with the way the RPD had decided to address the issue of gangs and gang violence in Roanoke, Va. Why? Because things have changed.
* New Roanoke, Va. Police Chief, Chris Perkins, has admitted that gangs exist in Roanoke, Va. He has begun a community gang education program, run by Detective Will Drake. And Chief Perkins is investing in gang prevention program which I am happy to be a part of.
* Now, it's up the community to do its part in helping the RPD deal with the problem of gangs and gang violence in Roanoke, Va.
* What is the best community gang prevention tool? Good parents. What is the second best community gang prevention tool? Community involvement. What is the third best community gang prevention tool? The community taking it upon itself to make sure there is enough funding for good schools with a good vocational education program.
* Can we completely eliminate the gang problem in Roanoke, Va.? No. But, we can create an environment where gangs are no longer having such a impact on the negative statistics affecting the young people of Roanoke, Va. I have always said if Roanoke, Va. wants to see a reduction in school violence, of the high school drop-out rate, the teenage crime rate, the teenage pregnancy rate and an increase in the overall graduation rate, an increase in on-time graduation and an increase in standardized and SOL test scores, we must aggressively address the problem of gangs and gang violence in Roanoke, Va.
* I don't know if I had any effect on Chief Perkins? desire to tackle the gang problem in Roanoke, Va. Frankly, it doesn?t matter. What matters is Roanoke, Va. is now doing the best it can to save our young people and the best it can to prevent another generation of gang members.
* My efforts in the area of gangs and gang violence has never been about making a name for myself or about getting young people locked up as my critics have claimed. My efforts in this area has always been about saving kids.
* Again, I once said Roanoke, Va. was trying to fight the problems of gangs with one hand tied behind its back. Now, both hands are free. In fact, both hands now have new boxing gloves on them. It?s a new day. And the City of Roanoke, Va. will be better off for it. Thank you Chief Perkins.
WE THE PEOPLE
SEE YOU NEXT WEEK
THE ARTIS BLOG
10/22/10
* Happy Birthday Grandson. Hitting the Big 3. Being a grandfather is just so much fun.
* If the economy is so bad and Obama is ruining this country, why is the stock market doing so well?
* The choices in the mid-term elections are simple. It’s the rich, (Republicans) v. the poor and the working class, (Democrats), with the middle class being exploited in the middle.
* I saw a news story this morning that was interesting. A Black woman was saying she may not vote in the mid-term elections because she was waiting for Obama to deliver.
* I wanted to ask her, “Deliver what?” It seems that no matter what, Obama will never get credit for the great job he has done and is doing as President. But, that’s the problem with liberals. It’s always all or nothing. American government just doesn’t work that way.
* If liberals are waiting for Obama to walk on water, guess what? It ain’t gonna happen. Now, if you’re looking for a great President who gets things done in spite of Republicans trying to undermine every single solitary thing he does, we’ve got a great President in Barack Obama.
* I got a laugh out of the “Glee” picture controversy in GQ magazine. Parents, get over yourselves. If your child is so heavily influenced and controlled by fantasy actors on a fantasy television show, that they don’t pay attention to you or respect you, then you aren’t much of a parent. Anyway, what kid reads GQ magazine?
* I like Juan Williams. I respect Juan Williams. Juan Williams is not racist. What Williams said about Muslims riding on airplanes was just plain stupid.
* Should Williams be fired for his remarks? If a White news commentator said on national television that he or she was afraid to fly on a plane when that plane carried passengers who were young Black males wearing baggy pants, we would be calling that news commentator a racist and demand they be fired.
* More than a few folks are upset with me over my role in helping to educate the Roanoke, Va. community about gangs and gang violence. I’m not about sending young folks to jail, never have been. I’m about keeping young folks out of jail. I’m about helping young folks graduate from high school. I’m about helping young folks becoming productive adults and responsible citizens.
The only way to do this is to educate the Roanoke community about the problem of gangs and gang violence. And if that means working with the Roanoke, Va. Police Dept., so be it.
WE THE PEOPLE
SEE YOU NEXT WEEK
THE ARTIS BLOG
10/20/10
* October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The numbers are startling.
* One in every four women, (25%) women experience domestic violence in their lifetime.
* 1.3 million women experience domestic violence each year.
* One-third, (33%), of the victims in homicides are due domestic violence.
* Domestic violence is the #1 cause of death for Black women in the age group of 15-34.
* Only 17% of Black women report domestic violence to the police.
* From 1993-1998, Black women had a 35% higher rate of being victims of domestic violence than White women. Again, the numbers are startling.
* Any man who hits a woman is not a man.
* In this election cycle, one thing is clear. Politicians who refuse to debate and avoid the media, like these Tea Party folks, are either cowards, have something to hide, are incompetent or all of the above.
* And how in the world can anyone run for office in a district where they don’t even live? That’s just goofy. What can you say? Would you vote for someone with the following mentality?
“I’m going to run for a seat in the United States Congress. I’m running to represent the 9’th district. Now, I don’t live in the 9’th district. But, I’m running any way. Hey, I know what the people of the 9’th district want and need, even though I don’t live in the 9’th district.
I’d run for Congress in district where I live, but I’d get my butt kicked. And I don’t want to get my butt kicked. Plus, my buddies in the Virginia legislature are going to re-draw the boundaries of the 9’th district in a few months. When they re-draw the lines, then I will live in the district that I don’t live in now.”
Sounds goofy, doesn’t it? I’m announcing I'm running for governor of Alaska. I’m starting my campaign now since I may be living in Alaska one day. I hope I can get on the ballot.
WE THE PEOPLE
SEE YOU SOON
RACIST OR IN POOR TASTE?
THE ARTIS BLOG
10/15/10
The picture posted above is of a billboard in Grand Junction, Colorado. The picture on the billboard is by Paul Snover. Snover won't say who paid for the billboard. In fact no one will say who paid for the billboard. Cowards.
In a week where we all enjoyed seeing the miracle of the 33 miners rescued in Chile, we now this billboard and another clown hiding behind the First Amendment.
PUBLICHERS NOTE: Due to public outrage, the billboard was taken down over the weekend of 10/16/10. Good Job.
WE THE PEOPLE
SEE YOU NEXT WEEK
THE ARTIS BLOG
10/13/10
* The choice of Chris Perkins as Roanoke, Va. Police Chief is an excellent choice. Roanoke, Va. City Manager Chris Morrill has hit a home run with the selection of Perkins as Roanoke, Va.’s new police chief.
* A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of talking to then acting-chief Perkins about the Roanoke Police Dept. and about things that were going on in the community. We had a very productive and very honest conversation.
* We talked about a number of things, including community relations with the police department and gangs. During our talk, I told him that once before, about 10 years ago, I had tried to work with the Roanoke, Va. Police Dept., that it was such a bad experience that I swore I would never make that mistake again.
* After our conversation, I didn’t have a problem supporting Perkins for the new police chief position, nor do I have a problem working with the Roanoke, Va. Police Dept. I’ve even made my views on Perkins known on both Facebook and Twitter.
* Chief Perkins and I agree on a number of things. I’m looking forward to working with him and the Roanoke, Va. Police Dept. in the future. The best candidate for the police chief position got the job.
* As a supporter of Gay Rights, I support the injunction ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The only question I have is what took so long? I’ve always felt that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” was bad government policy which pandered to the Religious Right and homophobes in and/or supporting the military. Now all Congress has to do is step up to the plate and pass a law repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
* Have you noticed what is missing from the current conversation about improving our schools? No one is talking about vocational education. The experts who want to improve public education apparently don’t know that not everyone wants to go to college.
* I am a huge supporter of vocational education. If school districts across the country are serious about raising graduation rates and lowering dropout rates, they need to do two things. First, begin vocational training programs in the 6’th grade. Second, either build vocational high schools or make sure their districts have high quality vocational education programs.
* Letting kids know and letting kids see that they can get into a job training program while in school that will allow them to get a good job making some good money after they graduate from high school will keep kids in school. Why? Because kids want that money. And kids will go to school and stay in school to get that money.
* The Rev. Fred Phelps pickets military funerals saying the soldier’s death is God’s revenge for America supporting the gay community. Phelps’ case is now being heard by the United States Supreme Court.
What is there to say about Phelps’ actions? Crazy? Yes. Nutty? Yes. Tacky? Yes. Disgraceful? Yes. Hurtful? Yes. Disgusting? Yes. Unconstitutional? No.
Still, the Constitution protects the First Amendments rights of freedom of speech and expression, even for crackpots like Phelps.
WE THE PEOPLE
HAVE A NICE WEEKEND
THE ARTIS BLOG
10/11/10
* I’ve said it before. I’ll say it again. Don’t stress over the upcoming mid-term elections. The Democrats will keep control of both houses of Congress. However, my prediction when it comes to the House of Representatives comes with an if, a big if. And that is IF Democrats go to the polls and vote on Election Day, Democrats will keep control of Congress.
* Forget what the polls say. Pollsters don’t ask Blacks or Latinos our opinions on anything political. Forget the Tea Party anger. Forget the unemployment rate. If Democrats go to the polls and vote on Election Day, Democrats will keep control of both houses of Congress.
* I have a great deal of respect for the Tea Party. I don’t agree with them. I think they are very hypocritical in their political philosophy. Still, I respect them. But, let’s be honest. Remember all those militia folks running around in the 90’s playing army? Those folks have become the Tea Party. Those folks have traded in their fatigues for so-called righteous anger and Tea Party “respectability.”
* And on November 3, 2010, the Tea Party folks will become the scapegoats for the Republican Party failing to take over Congress. The fight between the Tea Party and the Republican Party is going to be fun to watch.
* I saw an interesting article by Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post on the Republican Party competing for Black voters. Interesting read. But for me, it’s been there, done that.
* Here’s what I found out 15 years ago. Some in the Republican Party actually want diversity in the Republican Party. Others in the Republican Party, those in control of the Party, only want Black members as long as those Black members don’t talk about anything having to do with the so-called “Black Agenda,” i.e. fighting against racism and discrimination, addressing the problems of poverty, social justice and basic fairness.
Plus, some Republicans feel that if they can play into White voting anger and fear, they don’t need the Black vote to win elections.
* To be fair, in spite of often being taken for granted by the Democratic Party, today’s Black community will never support the Republican Party, regardless of the candidate, for many reasons, the biggest reason being the fear of being labeled an Uncle-Tom-Wanna-Be White Boy/Girl-Traitor-Of-Their-Race for being a Republican or for supporting a Republican candidate.
Or as my mother told me when I ran for office 15 years ago, “You may be my son. But, I’ll be damned if I vote for a Republican. Boy, have you lost your mind?” She still hasn't forgiven me.
* A number of Dads are angry with me for THE ARTIS BLOG I wrote on a father’s role in his child’s education. All I have to say is get over it. If you are doing your job as a father, you won’t or don’t have to worry about what I write on THE ARTIS BLOG.
* I’m well aware that there are mothers out there who aren’t doing their J.O.B.’s when it comes to raising their children just as I’m aware that there are good parents out there who just have some sorry kids. It happens.
* Still, Dads through the years have gotten a free pass when it comes to making sure their children get a good education. And it’s been my experience that when Dad’s play an active role in their child’s education, that child can overcome just about anything, including moms who aren’t doing their J.O.B.’s.
* As for my father, he took no interest in my education. My Mother was my father when it came to school. She set the standards. I had to meet those standards. No questions asked.
WE THE PEOPLE
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THE ARTIS BLOG
10/6/10
This was sent to me by ARTIS BLOG reader, Big Rusty. I hope you enjoy it. Frankly, I was shocked. And I feel old. After reading this, try to guess how old the grandfather is. You will be surprised.
One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events. The grandson asked his grandfather what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general.
The Grandfather replied, 'Well, let me think a minute, I was born before television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, Frisbees and the pill. There were no credit cards, laser beams or ball-point pens. Man had not invented pantyhose, air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes dryers and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and man hadn't yet walked on the moon.
Your Grandmother and I got married first and then lived together. Every family had a father and a mother. Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, 'Sir'. And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, 'Sir.'
We were before gay-rights, computer- dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy. Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions.
Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege. We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent. Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins. Draft dodgers were those who closed front doors as the evening breeze started.
Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums. We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings. We listened to Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on our radios. And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey.
If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan ' on it, it was junk. The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam. Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of. We had 5 &10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents. Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel. And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards. You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, .. .. but who could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon.
In my day 'grass' was mowed, 'coke' was a cold drink, 'pot' was something your mother cooked in and 'rock music' was your grandmother's lullaby. 'Aids' were helpers in the Principal's office, 'chip' meant a piece of wood, 'hardware' was found in a hardware store and 'software' wasn't even a word.
And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us 'old and confused' and say there is a generation gap. and how old do you think I am? I bet you have this old person in mind....you are in for a shock!
THIS PERSON WOULD BE ONLY 59-YEARS-OLD.
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THE ARTIS BLOG
9/27/10
As a father, now a grandfather, I know the most important thing I can do to insure the success of my child as an adult is to make sure my child gets a good education. That is my job. That is my responsibility. That is the bolder on my shoulders.
I want an Albert Einstein to be my child’s math teacher. I want a Charles Dickens to be my child’s English teacher. I want a Stephen Hawkins to be my child’s science teacher. I want a John Hope Franklin to be my child’s history teacher. This is what every father wants. This is what every parent wants. This is what every parent craves. However, if such a scenario were possible, it would be up to me as a father to make sure my child does what they need to do to make sure they get the full benefit of these wonderful teachers.
As a father, it is up to me to be judge, jury and executioner concerning school. It is up to me to make sure my child values education. It is up to me to make sure my child goes to school, goes to class, does their school work while in school, acts appropriately while in class and do their homework. It is up to me to go to parent/teacher conferences. It is up to me to make sure my child is on the path to graduate on time. It is up to me to make sure my child is not running the streets at night and is getting enough rest to do well in school the next day. It is my job to make sure my child is in bed on school nights by 9:00 in elementary school, 10:00 in middle school and 11:00 in high school. It is up to me to set the example for my child to make sure they get a good education by making sure the electricity stays on, food is in the refrigerator and clothes are on their backs while making sure my child understands D’s, F’s and bad behavior will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
As a father, it is my job to take care of any problem that exists between the school and my child. It is my job to make sure my child understands that if they are wrong in any way, shape or form, they will suffer consequences they don’t want to suffer.
The job of the school is to offer my child a quality education. My job as a father is to make sure my child takes advantage of every educational opportunity offered to them, whether my child wants to take advantage of that opportunity or not.
In an age when politicians are talking out of both sides of their mouths when it comes to the issue of quality education, talk show hosts who have never been in the classroom are suddenly experts on education and Americans think it is the job of the school to raise their children, my job as a father making sure my child gets a quality education has never been more important.
We can talk about fixing bad schools, getting rid of bad teachers, addressing the lack of school funding, poverty, innovations in education and anything else. Until fathers start being fathers again and taking a more active role in their child’s education, whatever we do to fix the problems in our schools will never be enough.
Too many fathers are AWOL when it comes to their role in education. Our children are paying a horrific price for these wanna-be fathers. Our nationwide high school drop-out rates are simply unacceptable, especially the national drop-out rate of 53% for Black males. Fathers, do your job. We are losing too many children. If a child doesn't graduate from high school, it's Dad's fault.
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THE ARTIS BLOG
9/20/10
* According to a study by the Schott Foundation, the high school graduation rate for Black males in this country is 47%. In New York State, the high school graduation rate for Black males is 25%. In the city of Detroit, the high school Black male graduation rate is 25%. The Black males have the lowest high school graduation rate in 30 states. By 4’th grade, 69% of Black males are below in math. By 8’th grade, 77% of Black males are below grade level in math.
* The national high school graduation rate is 70%.
* So what gives? Black males, Black children, are not stupid. We just allow them to be.
* We can talk about poverty, lack of spending, bad teachers, bad schools, bad learning conditions and bad everything else all we want. However, this does not address the real problem concerning the education of Black males. No, I haven’t lost my mind. I say this because Black females go to these same schools, have the same teachers, learn in the same conditions and their graduation rates are not as abysmal as the graduation rate for Black male. Black males, Black children are not stupid. We just allow them to be.
* I also say this because the educational opportunities a Black child has today are better than they were 100, 50, 20 or even 10 years ago. Let’s be honest. It isn’t that difficult to graduate from high school. Go to school. Go to class. Do your work. Do your homework. Pay attention. Stay out of trouble. Ask questions and get help when you don’t understand something. Black males, Black children, are not stupid. We just allow them to be.
* We’re not talking about getting ready for college. Getting ready for college can be difficult. We’re talking about graduating from high school. We’re talking about at least making C’s in school. We’re talking about being average. We’re talking about a child paying attention in school during the school year so the child can pass the standardized tests at the end of the year. We aren’t talking about rocket science.
* I blame the plight of Black males getting an education on two things. First, parents aren’t doing their jobs as parents when it comes to making sure their children get an education. Frankly, too many parents have abdicated their role in preparing their children for school and making sure their child does what they need to do in school in order to be successful.
Too many children are coming to school totally unprepared for the rigors of school. Too many children are coming to school with a total lack of the importance of getting an education. Too many children are coming to school with no idea on the importance of getting a good education. Too many children are not doing what they need to do to be successful once they begin school. Why?
* Too many parents aren’t doing what they need to do at home to insure that their children are successful once they begin school and while they are attending school. Too many parents aren’t checking to see if their child is doing homework. They aren’t checking to see if their child is going to school. They aren’t checking to see if their child is acting appropriately while in school. They aren’t making sure their child is doing the thing they need to do to be successful in school. They aren’t working with the school to make sure their child is getting an education. When it comes to education, these parents are AWOL.
* Second, for a large portion of the Black community, today’s definition of Black manhood looks down on those who are book smart and rewards those who are street smart. Educated Blacks are seen as soft. Street Smart Blacks are seen as real men. White boys and Black boys trying to be White get an education. Black boys hustle. School is nerdy. The streets are sexy. Real Black men don’t say, ’School isn’t for me.” Real Black men say, “#*#* school.” Real Black men don’t want the Educated Life. Real Black men want the Thug Life.
With a national Black male dropout rate of 53%, too many of our young Black men are living down to the Real Black Men, Thug Life mystique.
* There was a time when poverty and hard times was a reason for Black males not doing well in school. Today, poverty and hard times are justification for Black males not doing well in school. Too many Black males tell themselves or are being told by others, “You’re Black. You’re poor. You have no future. So #*#* getting an education. #*#* school. You gotta get yours the best way you can. You gotta get yours now. Why #*#* around for 12 years trying to get a diploma? A diploma ain’t gonna put food on your table. You can’t eat a diploma. You can’t pay rent with a diploma. You ain’t going to college anyway. #*#*, your Momma can’t even pay the rent. How are you going to pay for college? School? #*#* it. Don’t be stupid. Get you hustle on.”
What best prevents a Black child from falling for this negative message? Good parenting.
* It’s not that difficult to graduate from high school. When a Black child fails to graduate from high school, we can’t just blame the schools. There is plenty of blame to go around. Black children, especially young Black boys, are not stupid. We just allow them to be.
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THE ARTIS BLOG
9/13/10
* I wish I could have a conversation with President Obama. Why? Because President Obama and the people who represent him have a problem simplifying his message so regular people can understand what is going on. President Obama and his people need to say, “Look here,” and then explain things in a way people on the street can easily understand. Keep it simple. Keep is short. Keep it sweet. Here’s what I would advise President Obama to say.
* On the Mid-Term Elections: “Historically, it’s a fact that first-term Presidents don’t do well in their first mid-term election. That’s just the way it is. Democrats may lose seats in November, 2010. But, losing those seats won’t be a reflection on the job we are doing. Reagan and Clinton lost seats in their first mid-term election, too. If our people vote on Election Day, we‘ll be just fine.”
* On Afghanistan: “We only have two choices in Afghanistan. We can take care of the terrorists who want to destroy America now, or we can empower, by bringing our troops home before the job is done. I will not empower terrorists. I’m not happy American soldiers are being killed. But, this is a war for the survival of our way of life.”
* On the Economy: “When I became President we were looking at another Great Depression with a 25% unemployment rate, massive corporate bankruptcies, little industrial production and suffering none of us can imagine. Our economy is more solid now than it was two years ago and it’s getting better. Yes, I want things to move faster, too. But, I’d rather be where we are now than we were two years ago.”
* On Health Care: “The Number 1 reason for personal bankruptcies is huge medical bills. Personal bankruptcies were helping to kill our economy. I felt if we were going to fix the economy more quickly, we first had to fix the Number 1 facing the average American in terms of cost. The Health Care Bill helped put our economy on a more sound footing. It’s just too bad that some Republicans and others are lying about this wonderful piece of legislation.”
* On the Republican Party: “The Republican Party, the ‘Party of No,’ wants me to fail. They’ve said so privately and publicly. And they are willing to do and say anything to make sure I fail. They don’t care about regular Americans. If they did, they’d work with me.”
* On Tax Cuts: “I will not support the rich over the middle class, especially when the middle class is hurting. That’s why I’m pushing for a middle class tax cut. Even Warren Buffet, a billionaire, says the rich aren’t paying their fair share of taxes. So what‘s the problem?”
*On the Recession: “If the Republicans are so smart about economics and the economy, why did we face the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression when I took office? My policies stopped that. We are better off now than we were two years ago. We are finally on the down hill side to this recession. We are there because of my policies.”
* On the Unemployment Rate: “The unemployment rate during the Great Depression was 25% and my administration prevented that from happening when I took office. I’m not happy about the unemployment rate. It’s still too high. When Republicans support my small business and infrastructure plan instead of holding it up in Congress, then we’ll see a dip in the unemployment rate.”
* On Being a Muslim and Not Being an American: “It’s all about votes. As long as you have crackpots out their making these crazy claims and spreading these lies, people are more likely to vote Republican. But, I have confidence the American people won’t fall for this foolishness.”
* On the Republican Propaganda Machine: “Those guys are making a lot of money and getting some good ratings trying to make me into the biggest threat America has seen in the past 60 years. I am the best thing that has happened to Fox, Limbaugh, Beck and Palin. Maybe they should cut me a check.”
* On America’s Anger: “Uncertainty breeds anger. And when you have people fueling that anger, making money and getting rating off that anger the anger grows. But, let’s be honest. We are better off today than we were two years ago. We will be better off two years from now than we are today. America’s best days are still ahead of us. We can‘t forget that.”
* Wall Street Reform: “If we are going to fix the economy, we have to have regulation. New regulation had to start with Wall Street given the problems Wall Street had two years ago. I‘m not against Big Business. I‘m against Big Business failing.”
* On Government Spending: “We had the biggest expansion of American government before I became President. Let me repeat that. We had the biggest expansion of American government before I became President. Where were my critics during this expansion? They were benefiting from that expansion. Now those folks want to be hypocrites. Frankly, the American people deserve better.”
* President Obama, just keep it simple.
WE THE PEOPLE
SEE YOU WEDNESDAY
THE ARTIS BLOG
9/7/10
I don’t know about you, but I’m still angry. I’m angry that 9 years ago today, mass murderers attacked us. These mass murderers like to call themselves Muslims. I don’t. I call these people what they are, mass murderers. And no, these people are not at all representative of the Islamic faith. They never have been. They never will be. Yes, I’m still angry. Until my dying day, I will hope these people rot in hell. Hell is the only place these mass murderers belong. No PC here.
I was at work when the attacks happened. When I first heard about the first plane flying into the World Trade Center, I thought it was a tragic accident. When the second plane hit, I knew. I spent the rest of the day trying to get as much information about what happened as possible.
Like most of America, I spent the next few weeks in a daze. No, I wasn’t afraid of another attack as some people were. I thought bin Laden got lucky. He never could have imagined the World Trade Centers collapsing due to his attack. Plus, I also felt the attack happened more to lapses by our National Security sector, instead of some great master plan by a mass murderer.
I’m also angry that 9 years after we were attacked, bin Laden and his band of lunatics are still out there. I’m angry that we took our eyes off of the ball, twice. Clinton had bin Laden and wouldn’t pull the trigger because of his sex scandal. Bush had him and decided to attack Iraq instead. Both were dumb moves. I never believed the Bush Administration’s claims that bin Laden had ties to Iraq. No, I’m not an international expert. But, I know history. I’ve always known that any claim of any tie between bin Laden and Iraq just didn’t make sense. In the meantime, to borrow a quote, bin Laden has made more videos than Michael Jackson.
My anger about that day is offset by the pride I have in this great country of ours. We got hit in the gut on 9/11. We got knocked to our knees. Many of us suffered great loss on that day. But, we didn’t get knocked out. As Americans, we picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off and got back to business. We did this because we are after all, Americans. That’s what we do. We don’t quit for anyone, especially for some two-bit psychopath who now lives in a cave.
America is the greatest country in the history of the world. Period. End of discussion. We are the Big Dog. No other country comes close to our greatness. And we owe no one any apologies for our greatness, especially to those who hate us for who we are and what we represent. So today, I want all Americans to do two things. First, remember those who suffered horrible loses September 11, 2001. These Americans still need our support. Second, give yourselves a pat on the back. We are Americans. We never quit. I'm proud to be an American.
WE THE PEOPLE
SEE YOU NEXT WEEK
THE ARTIS BLOG
9/3/10
THE FOLLOWING IS A SPEECH I GAVE IN MARCH, 2010, TO THE ROANOKE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. YOU CAN SEE THE SPEECH ON YOU TUBE.
Good Afternoon,
Thank you for having me here today. Before I begin, I would like to thank a few people. I would like to thank the Roanoke City School Board. I know you are doing all you can do to help our schools and our teachers.
I would like to thank Dr. Rita Bishop as well. We have talked and I know she is doing all she can to prevent cuts to our school system.
I would like to thank Roanoke City Councilman Court Rosen for looking out for teachers. When the Republicans and the Tea Party crowd give you a hard time about your proposed tax increase, remind them that even Ronald Reagan raised taxes. And to those businesses who do not support this tax increase, the Roanoke SCLC has something for you.
Isn’t the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bridge a beautiful facility? Let me acknowledge the “Mother of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bridge,” Dr. Perneller Chubb-Wilson for making this possible.
Some may ask what a representative of the Roanoke Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a civil rights organization, is doing here today talking about education.
Yes, I am a teacher. I teach Social Studies at Noel C. Taylor. I’ve been a teacher in one form or another for 10 years. But I’m not here today to talk to you as a teacher. I’m here today to talk to you as a representative of the Roanoke SCLC.
You see, education is a civil rights issue. And Virginia has a Governor who is blatantly violating the civil rights of our children by instituting a public policy that is based on nothing more than some strange political ideology: that government can cut, cut, cut and never have to worry about the consequences of those cuts all with the notion of the Governor running for higher office in 2012, 2014 or 2016.
Yes, education is a civil rights issue. Why? Because the Governor’s cuts to education are hurting our children. The Governor’s cuts to education are especially hurting those children who are economically disadvantaged regardless of race and those children who are disabled.
These are the children who need extra help in the classroom. These are the children who need extra services in our schools. These are the children who need extra attention in the classroom. These are the children who will suffer most in our schools because of the Governor’s cuts to education.
Why? Because of the Governor’s cuts to education, teachers and other school personnel will not be in our schools and in our classrooms to provide those services to our children. It’s simple really. Fewer teachers in the classroom and fewer school personnel in our schools hurt our children, especially those children who need those services the most.
Our Governor says he cares about education. Let me borrow a Republican phrase to refute this claim. “You lie.”
I want to ask the Governor. How can you say you care about education when your policies remove teachers from the classroom? How can you say you care about education when your policies remove personnel from our schools? How can you say you care about education when your policies lead to programs being cut in our schools? How can you say you care about education when your cuts to education disproportionately end education services to those students who need those education services the most? “You lie.”
You see, as a teacher, of course I don’t want to lose my job. Neither do you. Many of us will be hurting this time next year. Many of us have already begun to cut back. Many of us are wondering what are we going to do without a steady paycheck, without health insurance and without life insurance. I know many of you are wondering how you are going to pay your house payment, your rent and your car note. What’s happening to us is a shame.
What is going to happen to our children is worse. You see, many of us are the only positive role models our students see on a daily basis. Many of us are not only teachers. We are our student’s father, mother, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, counselor, banker, loan officer, financial advisor, self- help guru, probation officer, best friend and a host of other things that cannot be measured on some silly standardized test. This is something the Governor apparently doesn’t understand or doesn’t want to understand.
You see, I know the Governor doesn’t care about us. I know the Governor doesn’t care about teachers. That’s why I am framing this issue from a civil rights point of view. Since the Governor doesn’t care about teachers, maybe he will care about our children. Maybe he can see if he cares about our children, then he has to care about us.
But, I think the Governor needs a little help understanding what goes on in our classrooms on a daily basis. So here’s what I’m going to suggest. I want the Governor to come to Roanoke Va. I want the Governor to spend a day with me. I want the Governor leave his ivory tower in Richmond to see first hand why he must provide proper funding to our schools.
Then I want the Governor to look me straight in the eye and say, “Jeff, we don’t need you in the classroom anymore. These students can take care of themselves.”
Let me speak as a teacher now. You cannot raise the graduation rate, you cannot lower the drop-out rate, you cannot raise test scores, you cannot improve education and you cannot improve our schools without teachers.
Thank you very much.
WE THE PEOPLE
SEE YOU NEXT WEEK
THE ARTIS BLOG
9/1/10
* Due to differences with Roanoke, Va. SCLC President, Ed Mitchell, I have left the Roanoke SCLC. It's been a good 15 years.
* Roanoke City Council was right supporting Roanoke's "bailout" of Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. There is no racism in voting in Roanoke, Va. There hasn't been for quite some time. If people in Roanoke, Va. don't or won't register to vote or vote on Election Day, they only have themselves to blame.
* People forget that the 14'th, 15'th, 19'th, 24'th and 26'th Amendments to the Constitution protect our right to vote.
* The Roanoke NAACP and the Roanoke SCLC do not support Roanoke, Va.'s "bailout" from Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. They offer no proff of racism or discrimination in voting in Roanoke, Va. The Roanoke NAACP & SCLC are wrong in withholding their support. Yes, the 1965 Voting Rights Act is needed in other parts of this country, just not in Roanoke, Va.
* I've got one word for the majority of people who want to deny American citizenship to children born in America who have Latino or Middle Eastern parents who aren't American citizens; racists. Others who want to change the 14'th Amendment to deny American citizenship to these children are just plain ignorant.
* Until we address the gang problem in Roanoke, Va., we can forget about good school AYP's. Middle and high school students who make hundreds of dollars a day selling whatever, couldn't care less about getting a good education.
* And let's be honest. The parents and families of these students enjoy spending the money these kids make. So much so that school and making good grades in school is an afterthought for these folks. So much for these families supporting our schools.
*The media has got it wrong. Democrats will still control both Houses of Congress after November's mid-term elections. Here's what I know about voting. Republicans vote, Democrats fall in love so the Democrats will lose some seats in Congress. However, incumbents and/or whoever spends the most money usually win elections. Third Party candidates usually lose elections. And voter unhappiness is usually overstated in the media. The Democrats control of Congress is safe.
* This year, we had 135,000 teacher lay-offs and school systems across America are cutting services and programs. Yet, Americans, especially Republicans, say they support education. I've got two words for these folks. You lie.
* Building the so-called Ground Zero mosque is not an insult to America. Muslims died during 9/11, too.
* It was a nice summer vacation. I lost 30 lbs. this summer. I now drink water instead of soda, (diet soda when the cravings hit.) I now use Splenda instead of sugar. I eat one bag of chips during a ballgame instead of three. When I eat, I eat to get full. I do not eat until I'm stuffed anymore. And I've pretty much said goodbye to fast food. It has actually been pretty painless.
WE THE PEOPLE
SEE YOU FRIDAY
THE ARTIS BLOG
JUNE 14, 2010
In spite of the rain, JUNETEENTH 2010 was a huge success. With JUNETEENTH 2010 complete, it's time for a little R&R. I'll be back next month with a new ARTIS BLOG. Until then, enjoy the pictures of JUNTEENTH 2010 I have posted on the "JUNETEENT 2010" page of JeffArtis.com.
I HOPE TO SEE YOU AT JUNETEENTH 2010. FREE FOOD, FREE ENTERTAINMENT, A FREE GOOD TIME.
WE THE PEOPLE
I'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.
THE ARTIS BLOG
6/9/10
A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT OBAMA
Yesterday, I visited Caminada Bay in Grand Isle, Louisiana -- one of the first places to feel the devastation wrought by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. While I was here, at Camerdelle's Live Bait shop, I met with a group of local residents and small business owners.
Folks like Floyd Lasseigne, a fourth-generation oyster fisherman. This is the time of year when he ordinarily earns a lot of his income. But his oyster bed has likely been destroyed by the spill.
Terry Vegas had a similar story. He quit the 8th grade to become a shrimper with his grandfather. Ever since, he's earned his living during shrimping season -- working long, grueling days so that he could earn enough money to support himself year-round. But today, the waters where he has worked are closed. And every day, as the spill worsens, he loses hope that he will be able to return to the life he built.
Here, this spill has not just damaged livelihoods. It has upended whole communities. And the fury people feel is not just about the money they have lost. It is about the wrenching recognition that this time their lives may never be the same.
These people work hard. They meet their responsibilities. But now because of a manmade catastrophe -- one that is not their fault and beyond their control -- their lives have been thrown into turmoil. It is brutally unfair. And what I told these men and women is that I will stand with the people of the Gulf Coast until they are again made whole.
That is why, from the beginning, we have worked to deploy every tool at our disposal to respond to this crisis. Today, there are more than 20,000 people working around the clock to contain and clean up this spill. I have authorized 17,500 National Guard troops to participate in the response. More than 1,900 vessels are aiding in the containment and cleanup effort. We have convened hundreds of top scientists and engineers from around the world. This is the largest response to an environmental disaster of this kind in the history of our country.
We have also ordered BP to pay economic injury claims, and this week, the federal government sent BP a preliminary bill for $69 million to pay back American taxpayers for some of the costs of the response so far. In addition, after an emergency safety review, we are putting in place aggressive new operating standards for offshore drilling. And I have appointed a bipartisan commission to look into the causes of this spill. If laws are inadequate, they will be changed. If oversight was lacking, it will be strengthened. And if laws were broken, those responsible will be brought to justice.
These are hard times in Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast, an area that has already seen more than its fair share of troubles. The people of this region have met this terrible catastrophe with seemingly boundless strength and character in defense of their way of life. What we owe them is a commitment by our nation to match the resilience they have shown. That is our mission. And it is one we will fulfill.
Thank you,
President Barack Obama
WE THE PEOPLE SEE YOU AT JUNETEENTH 2010
THE ARTIS BLOG
6/7/10
Drug dealing. Auto theft. Identity theft. Extortion. Prostitution. Credit card fraud. Immigration fraud. Social security fraud. Home invasions. Shop lifting. Theft. Vandalism. Beatings. School violence. Shootings. Robbery. Murder. Arson. Tax fraud. Witness intimidation. Rental property fraud. Rape. Recruiting elementary school children for gang membership. These are just some of the activities that Roanoke Va.‘s home grown and national gangs participate in. Business is not good for Roanoke’s gangs. Business is booming.
Roanoke’s gang problem affect all of us. There is a direct correlation between Roanoke’s gangs and crime in our neighborhoods, the prison rate, depressed property values in certain sections of the city, the ever growing demand for resources concerning public safety, the teenage crime rate, the teenage pregnancy rate, the unwed mother rate and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases as girls are “sexed into” gangs. Being “sexed” into a gang means to join a gang, a girl must have unprotected sex with several male gang members at the same time as other gang members watch and videotape this act.
There is also a direct correlation between Roanoke’s gangs and the city’s drop out-graduation rate. Gang members ask why they should go to school when they can make hundreds of dollars a day working for their gang? In all of these circumstances, our tax dollars are being used to fight community problems heavily influenced by the proliferation of gang activity in the Roanoke Valley, especially in Roanoke, Va.
Former Roanoke City Police Chief Joe Gaskins refused to clearly say gangs exist in Roanoke, preferring to call them “organized groups.” As a consequence, the Roanoke City Police Department can ignore Virginia’s outstanding legislative package that specifically deals with all types of gang activity.
Since Roanoke’s gangs are not being recognized and gang members are not being arrested specifically for their gang crimes, gang members are not being prosecuted for these gang crimes by Don Caldwell’s Commonwealth Attorney’s office. This problem is made worse by Roanoke, Virginia, House of Delegate member Onzlee Ware, whose legislative district is ground zero for gang activity in the Roanoke Valley. Ware is soft on crime. Outside of participating in political fluff, Ware has done little to address the gang problem in his district. In addition, some of the people Ware has represented in his law practice have questionable backgrounds at best, a clear conflict of interest.
Community hypocrisy cannot be ignored when discussing Roanoke’s gang problem. If White gang members did their business in Roanoke’s Black and Hispanic community instead of their own, and vice-versa, there would be a public outcry the angels in heaven could hear. Instead, excuses are made by these three communities for their community’s gang activities. Plus, there has been no public outcry over the actions, or lack of action by Gaskins, Caldwell and Ware concerning Roanoke‘s gang problem.
Yes, business is booming for Roanoke’s gangs. Until Roanoke attacks it gang problem head on, business will continue to boom for years to come.
WE THE PEOPLE
SEE YOU AT JUNETEENTH 2010
THE ARTIS BLOG
6/2/10
When we talk about the issue of gangs, gang activity and gang violence in the Roanoke Valley, especially in Roanoke, Va., sometimes I feel like I am living in a parallel universe; a universe of make believe that thinks if we ignore our gang problem long enough, the valley's gang problem will simply go away.
This is a shame. It is important to realize that no matter what, gangs in the Roanoke Valley are not going to go away. However, when talking about the issue of gangs in the Roanoke Valley, it is equally important to recognize that because of the socioeconomic makeup of the Roanoke Valley, the problem of gangs here can be effectively dealt with through a concerted and concentrated effort by local governments and the communities that these gangs effect.
Given that, there are several realities and myths we must first confront if we are to effectively deal with the problem of gangs in the Roanoke Valley. The first reality is the dynamics of gang membership has changed drastically over the past 10 years. As such, the old stereotypes and reasons for gang membership no longer apply as they once did. For example, today's gang members see themselves as businessmen and businesswomen who are providing a "service" to others. As such, gang members will use any excuse to justify their criminal activities, including the charge of racism, single parent households, and poverty.
Many of today's gang members are gang members simply because they want to be. Some want the thrill of belonging to a gang. Others view the gang lifestyle as the quickest and easiest way to make what they consider to be "big money," or as any gang member will tell you, "It's all about the Benjamins." Also, we must realize that gang members come from or are supported by all socioeconomic levels. Gang membership is not just the exclusive domain of the poor and minorities as many people think.
That said, it's also interesting to note that as gang members get older, they often renounce their past gang activities, as in the case of Stanley "Tookie" Williams, founder of the Crips street gang. In addition to renouncing their former gang crimes, former gang members will also tell you they wished there was a stronger anti-gang presence in the communities they lived to help prevent other young people from throwing their lives away.
Fighting gangs in any community is like a math equation; A+B+C+D= Success. A, equals recognizing there is a gang problem in your community. B, equals educating the community on how to deal with and how to react to the community's gang problem. C, equals sending a strong message that gang activity will not be tolerated in the community beginning with prosecuting gang members to the fullest extent of the law for their gang activities. D, equals providing and funding alternative activities, as well as, education programs for young people to keep them from joining gangs. This funding should begin at the day care level where local and state governments should make every effort to make sure day care centers have the sufficient funds and means to institute anti-gang education in their day care centers, especially in those day care centers serving at-risk youths in high crime/gang areas. Simply put, the earlier we educate our children about the dead ends of gangs and the gang lifestyle, the better. The more children we will save.
Once again I call upon Roanoke Valley Governments to institute the following plan of action to attack the Valley's growing gang problem. The City of Roanoke, Va. should lead the way.
1) We must enforce all anti-gang laws in the Roanoke Valley. The record clearly shows that this simply isn't being done across the board. According to Virginia's anti-gang legislation, it makes no difference if a gang is a "homegrown" gang or a national gang. According to Virginia's anti-gang legislation it makes no difference if a gang is a "real gang" or a so-called "wannabe gang." In Virginia, a gang is a gang.
While the Roanoke Valley has somewhat acknowledged that gangs exist here, such acknowledgement of a gang problem means little without the will to prosecute gang members to the fullest extend of the law for their criminal activities. Gang members should be and must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for their crimes. In doing so, we will accomplish two things. First, we will send a clear message that gang activity is not welcome here and will not be tolerated. Second, we will send a clear message to our law abiding citizens who have been the victims of gang crimes that they will be protected.
2) We must have a comprehensive community education program on the issue of gangs and gang violence in the Roanoke Valley. Much of this information is covered in my "A Parent's Guide To Gangs." However, I am quite sure there is information out there known to law enforcement that can be used to supplement "A Parent's Guide To Gangs." The community is ready to take on this issue head on. However, in order to fight against gangs in the Roanoke Valley, the community first needs all of the information on what the community is fighting.
3) We must establish a 24-hour Gang/Drug Activity Hotline to better document the problem of gang activity and to improve the collection of data on the problem of gang activity in the area. In order to gain the full support from the community in fighting gangs, there must be a safe and secure way for members of the community to give information to law enforcement about gangs without fear of retribution from the gang members themselves. As it stands now, this system is not in place. In fact, there have been situations where gang members have shown up at a house to threaten law abiding citizens for calling the police to report gang activity before the police even arrive.
We must do several additional things in our fight against gangs in the Roanoke Valley. We must establish a Roanoke Valley Gang Task Force to address the problem of gangs in the area and to pool information about the problem. This task force must include civil rights organizations, community groups, crime watch organizations and such to pool information about the problem of gang activity and to establish a public database on the problem.
Finally, it is time to end the silliness many express when talking about gangs in the Valley. It is flat out silly to say that because Roanoke's gang problem isn't as bad as Northern Virginia's gang problem or isn't as bad as Southeast Virginia's gang problem that the Roanoke Valley's gang problem isn't as bad as people think. It is equally as silly to say that today's gangs aren't as bad as yesterday's gangs. A gang is a gang. If anything, today's gangs are smarter and more savvy about what they do and how they do it.
Gang membership in the Roanoke Valley is now a lifestyle choice. Most people here join the gangs because they want to. As such, the gangs here are responsible for murder, shootings, theft, home invasions, taking part in multi-million dollar drug enterprises, running prostitution rings, identity theft, arson and a host of other criminal enterprises. In addition, we must not forget the negative influences gangs have on our youth in the Roanoke Valley. Gangs heavily influence the school drop out rate, the teenage pregnancy rate, the teenage crime rate, and other problems facing the youth in the Roanoke Valley. Gang activity in the Roanoke Valley is the main influence of every negative statistic associated with our youth in the Roanoke Valley.
The question is, what are we going to do about the Roanoke Valley's gang problem? Are we going to continue to play public relations and engage in political spin to avoid the problem, allowing the Valley's gangs to get stronger? Or, are we going to be progressive and pro-active, aggressively attacking the problem of gangs in the Valley in order to solve it? I hope we get progressive and pro-active about the Valley's gang problem. We must save our children.
