Dear Editor: As a longtime Pittsburgh jazz vocalist and lover of jazz I was quite saddened to hear of the decision of Duquesne University to sell WDUQ Radio. I have found their format of jazz and news to be a most wonderful mix for our city. Its ratings apparently show that I was not the only listener who felt that way. In that ‘DUQ’ has for many years been the leader in jazz in this market, any significant loss of jazz at 90.5 FM would, in so many ways, be a death knell for the life of jazz in the region.
In listening to President Obama’s “State of the Union Address” this year, one of the things that struck me is how many of us have been taken in by this whole hoopla around “…big government is bad; small government is good…” In fact, much of what Obama suggested was a contradiction in terms whereby he was advocating greater investment in the future, while at the same time, slashing budgets and freezing wages. So, let me offer a few thoughts. First, what no one in elite politics seems to want to talk about is that the budget deficit and debt are largely the result of the reckless spending of the Bush administration in getting us into two wars, compounded by declining revenues as a result of the Great Recession. Thus, the discussions about cutting domestic spending in order to address the deficit miss the point entirely. To address the deficit, we really need to end the wars and occupations.
(NNPA)—The cry for change and freedom across Egypt sheds a prophetic light on the future of the entire continent of Africa. As the media from around the world continues to be focused on the massive street demonstrations that called for a change of the leadership in Egypt, it is incumbent for African-Americans to see the broader socioeconomic, political, and cultural implications. Egypt is one of the oldest nations in the world. It has a diverse population of more than 80 million people. While the Western media characterizes Egypt as an Arab nation located in the Middle East, it is actually located in Northern Africa and is an African nation.
(NNPA)—People took it to the streets in Egypt on Tuesday, Jan. 25, and they’ve been on the streets ever since. They’ve been demanding the removal of President Hosni Mubarak, and agitating for “freedom, democracy and change.” Unemployment is high, economic opportunity is low, and people are so frustrated that they are taking it to the streets. In Egypt, at least 40 percent of the population lives in poverty, on less than $2 a day. The population of 80 million skews young, with an average age of 24 (in contrast, the average age in the US is 36). President Mubarak, at 82, seems out of touch with the population.
Last week, President Obama delivered his annual State of the Union address and, as usual, he declared the state of our union is good. No president has ever said anything differently. Every president is only going to put the best face on the state of affairs in our country. But, the state of our union is not great. We have runaway deficits, high unemployment, unbridled partisan bickering, crumbling infrastructures (bridges, roads, etc.),and a Congress with an inability to solve problems.
On Friday, President Barack Obama signed into law a sweeping plan to extend expiring Bush-era tax cuts and jobless benefits for millions of unemployed Americans. The good news is that the bill extends long-term unemployment for 13 months. Without the extension, 7 million unemployed workers would lose their benefits by next November. Workers will also benefit from the reduction of the payroll tax. Under the bill, a worker making $40,000 a year would save $800 a year. A worker making $70,000 a year would save $1,400. The bill also includes deductions for mortgage insurance, child tax credits and several tax breaks designed to reduce the cost of paying for college.
The overwhelming majority of the Black communities over the year 2010 have a lot to be thankful for. There are periods of time that we forget that true richness is not based on materialism, but rather on that which money can’t buy, namely health, happiness and a loving family. Sometimes we forget that living and dying are intertwined. A friend of mine was distraught with pains of sorrow because his mother, who lived until she was 93 years of age, died. I reminded him that the Master stated that He would grant us three score plus 10, which equals 70. Momma lived 23 years passed that, so you should be thankful for the longevity and goodness of her life.
(NNPA)—President Barack Obama’s negotiations with Republicans over extending both the Bush tax cuts and unemployment benefits reminded me of an episode of The Apprentice. In week 11, the Octane team of Clint and Steuart was matched against the Fortitude team of Brandy and Liza. The task was to meet with QVC officials and pick a product to sell on television. The team with the highest sales would be declared the winner and the losers would have to face Donald Trump in the boardroom.
Dear Editor: I am an African-American corrections officer who constantly comes into contact with many of the Pittsburgh youth from the Black community. At one time I believed that the only way to reach our community was through the churches. I no longer think this is possible. I pay very close attention to how our community is represented, both from the media and the general public, and the one thing that I feel is that we, meaning Black adults, are in a particular denial that has infested the youth.
(NNPA)—On Dec. 17, Congress passed legislation that will greatly reduce the tax burden on estates. The new law exempts the first $5 million of value that a person leaves to his/her loved ones. After that, the tax rate of 35 percent will be applied to the remainder. This is the lowest rate in 80 years and it is certainly a blessing for Black families. We are now evolving into ownership and business entrepreneurship which allows more and more Blacks to accumulate some wealth to pass on to their children and grandchildren. Wealth is built through inheritance and the work of generations. We Blacks have been hurt financially because our past has been plagued with poverty and slavery. The time has now come for us to begin to get out of that misery and enjoy life the way God intends for us to.
