Once Again The Tuskegee Airmen



History

TBR Leighton Bradford Editor-in-Chief
*In spite of adversity and limited opportunities, African Americans have played a significant role in U.S. military history over the past 300 years. They were denied military leadership roles and skilled training because many believed they lacked qualifications for combat duty. Before 1940, African Americans were barred from flying for the U.S. military. Civil rights organizations and the black press exerted pressure that resulted in the formation of an all-African American pursuit squadron based in Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1941. They became known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

"Tuskegee Airmen" refers to all who were involved in the so-called "Tuskegee Experiment," the Army Air Corps program to train African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. The Tuskegee Airmen included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support staff, instructors, and all the personnel who kept the planes in the air. The military selected Tuskegee Institute to train pilots because of its commitment to aeronautical training. Tuskegee had the facilities, and engineering and technical instructors, as well as a climate for year round flying. The first Civilian Pilot Training Program students completed their instruction in May 1940. The Tuskegee program was then expanded and became the center for African-American aviation during World War II.

The Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups of World War II. They proved conclusively that African Americans could fly and maintain sophisticated combat aircraft. The Tuskegee Airman's achievements, together with the men and women who supported them, paved the way for full integration of the U.S. military.

On November 6, 1998, President Clinton approved Public Law 105-355, which established the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, to commemorate and interpret the heroic actions of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. The new site contains a museum and interpretive programs at the historic complex at Moton Field as well as a national center based on a public-private partnership. *[*denotes-intellectual property of Tuskegee Airmen]

The P-51D North American Mustang, the work horse of the Tuskegee Amn.

I credit my uncle W.T. Arms, an Air Force mechanic during the Korean Conflict; for my passion for aviation.  The flight line separates the boys from the men! Try to imagine tying your shoe lace when its -20 degrees below zero, let alone working on a multi-million dollar aircraft.  I vividly recall the epic heat in West Texas, melting a sample tube of jet engine oil on my forearm. Once MMS (Munitions Maintenance Squadron) let loose a BDU (Practice Bomb) and sent cats running from the several ton concrete behemoth! We were young, helping our country to triumph during the "Cold War"! 

Rockwell International B-1B. This is probably an early production aircraft since their are no unit markings (possibly S/N 84-0049, which was used for weapons testing). (U.S. Air Force photo)

I must take my hat off to George Lucas and his "Red Tail" movie adaption of the Tuskegee Airmen! An excellent depiction! Lucas refrained from the stereo typical take on World War II, as if brothers had no role within the countering of fascism and the thwarting of the Nazi regime!  The Tuskegee Airmen paved the way for our freedoms and ultimate liberation. Their exploits delivered us from the tyrannies of oppression and an axis of evil.  While I was stationed at Luke AFB, to my amazement, I saw Tuskegee Airmen on a wall, honoring the accomplishments of this august body. Luke, AFB; one of the pivotal training facilities for the Tuskegee Airmen.   I seem to be one of the few person of color in aviation at times, thus, it was refreshing to see the respect given to these great men. I over heard Cubing Gooding Jr. explaining to TV personality Charlie Rose, how he did not even know about the Tuskegee Airmen, until later in life. To often individuals of African descent are unaware of their heroic deeds. Young Black aviators were crucial to the success of "Desert Storm" as well.  In the late eighties a KC-135A had an unknown engine failure, and killed 44 passengers and crew, we had just flown across the pacific. The blast resembled a mushroom cloud from an atomic bomb! This was my introduction to the dangers of aviation "Nothing stirs and shapes public sentiment like physical action," said A. Philip, Randolph. The Ebony Pictorial History of Black America  had the following excerpt and ensuing research material:

"Randolph said at the time, and emphasized that unless black demands were met one hundred thousand blacks would stage a nonviolent March on Washington. President Franklin D. Roosevelt opposed the march, as did most whites and some blacks. Randolph was called to New York City Hall by Mrs. Roosevelt and Fiorello LaGuradia, who tried to dissuade him. Randolph would not budge. President Roosevelt later sent for Randolph and Walter of the NAACP and T. Arnold Hill, acting executive of the National Urban League. Again neither Randolph nor his colleagues would budge and a rather heated discussion ensued. Seven days later President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802 which banned discrimination in war industries and apprenticeship programs."



The photographs above depict Elizabeth Coleman and a World War I aviator. Ms. Coleman was the first African-American female pilot. A. Phillip Randolph played a pivotal role in the full integration of the armed services! He deserves a monument dedicated towards his insightful battle against racism and oppression. Most of the aviators were assigned to the 99th and 302nd squadrons.

St. Louis, MO contingent of the Tuskegee Airmen

Jasmine Thar, a 16-year-old African American, was shot and killed by a neighbor with Nazi material



Jasmine Thar shot in the front yard of a N.C. resident


TBR-North Carolina, Treka McMillian
On December 23, 2011, my goddaughter, Jasmine Thar, a 16-year-old African American, was shot and killed while in my mother's front yard in Chadbourn, North Carolina. The 23-year-old Caucasian male who fired the fatal shot from the house across the street claims it was an accident.

He was taken in for questioning, but he has not been charged with a crime of any kind, despite the fact that he admits he fired the shot and police found a Confederate flag and Nazi literature in his home.  The message is that you can shoot and kill someone like Jasmine and get away with it by simply claiming it was an accident. That can't be the world we live in.

That's why we created a petition on SignOn.org to District Attorney Jon David, Attorney General Roy Cooper, and Assistant District Attorney Chris Gentry. The petition says:

We demand justice for Jasmine Thar, who was shot and killed. Three months after the shooting we still have no answers. We urge you to sign this petition to demand a lawful, thorough, and unprejudiced investigation from the FBI and sound judicial decisions from Columbus County District Attorney Jon David and ADA Chris Gentry.


Will you sign the petition? Click here to add your name, and then pass it along to your friends: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=274217&id=39827-17956496-insn2Bx&t=3

Trayvon Case: FL Law Gives More Legal Protection than Troops' Rules of Engagement‏

TBR--Jon Soltz, Chairman, VoteVets.org
The Trayvon Martin case has gripped the nation, and forced the country to again examine its gun laws. But, for me, the whole horrible affair has struck me in another way, because of my two tours in Iraq. One fact stands out in my mind: the “Stand Your Ground” law in Florida, which may let George Zimmerman off the hook for the killing of Martin, gives more leeway to shooters than our own military does, in war.

VoteVets.org has over 105,000 members who take a wide array of views on gun control and the 2nd Amendment, but the Trayvon Martin case is less about the right to bear arms than it is the "use of force." It’s impossible to ignore the legal protection George Zimmerman enjoys in suburban Florida versus the Rules of Engagement that outline when one of our troops can shoot while in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The piece I wrote outlines the comparisons between the Rules of Engagement and the Florida “Stand Your Ground” Law.

This is an important point that has not been included in any of the articles or news pieces that I’ve seen. So, by spreading the word over social media, we can change that. Please take a moment to read the piece, and share it on Facebook and Twitter.


Thanks for your support.

Sincerely,

Jon Soltz
Iraq War Veteran
Chairman, VoteVets.org

Paid for by VoteVets Action Fund

68-year-old veteran killed in his home‏!

Mr. Chamberlain, veteran killed by White Plains, NY police

TBR--White Plains, NY, Kenneth Chamberlain Jr.
On November 19, 2011, my father, 68-year-old Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., was shot and killed in his home in White Plains, New York.


My father was a 20-year veteran of the Westchester County Department of Corrections and proudly served the United States of America as a Marine. He stood about 5 feet, 9 inches tall, and he suffered from a heart condition.

The events that led to his killing began around 5 a.m., when his medical alert device was accidentally set off, sending a call to the City of White Plains Department of Public Safety. Everything that happened after that was recorded by an audio device installed in my father's home as part of his medical alert system.

When the police arrived at my father's home, he and the staff for his medical alert service told them that there was no medical emergency and asked them to leave. And yet they insisted that my father let them into his home, banging loudly on my father's door for over an hour. On the recording, the police can be heard calling my father a "nigger."

Ultimately they broke through his apartment door and first shot him with a Taser. He was wearing nothing but boxer shorts when the police began their assault against him. Shortly after that, he was shot with two 40-caliber rounds and killed.

My family is asking the Westchester County District Attorney to bring a criminal indictment, and we call on the United States Department of Justice or the New York State Attorney General to prosecute this as a hate crime.

The petition says:

This petition is regarding the upcoming grand jury hearing in the case of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., an unarmed elderly black citizen who was shot to death by the White Plains Police Department.

This case not only brings into question the policies and practices of this department; but it is an open question whether it was inevitable, particularly in light of the audio tapes and video tapes witnessed by Mr. Chamberlain's family members and attorneys where racial slurs and expletives were used before ultimately shooting him twice in the chest and killing him.

It is imperative that those tapes be made available to the grand jury, and that all other evidence be presented as well. I am concerned that secrecy so far—for example, the names of officers involved have not been released—bodes badly for transparency in this case as it moves forward. Nor am I aware of any public statements about the case from elected officials calling for openness.

Members of Mr. Chamberlain's family and community—and a much wider circle of people who need to know there is fairness in the criminal justice system—seek reassurance that, no matter what the verdict, the process has been open, honest, and just.

We, the undersigned, implore Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore to no longer allow police misconduct, brutality, or criminality to happen in this community and ask that these officers be indicted and charged with murder and civil rights violations.

Will you sign the petition? Click here to add your name, and then pass it along to your friends:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=273615&id=38418-17956496-ymUeCix&t=4

Thanks!

Kenneth Chamberlain Jr.

The Official Muhammad Ali Website - Muhammad Ali Enterprises LLCA

The Official Muhammad Ali Website - Muhammad Ali Enterprises LLCA

SENS. BEGICH, MURRAY, TESTER, BROWN & STABENOW HOLD CALL WITH VETERANS(L. BRADFORD)TO DISCUSS VOW TO HIRE HEROES ACT

TBR--Washington, D.C.
United States Senate Democratic
Steering and Outreach Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chair of the U.S. Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.), U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Wash.) joined veterans and veterans’ service organizations from around the country on a conference call to discuss the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. The bill, which offers a tax credit for companies that hire unemployed veterans and provides job training skills for all service members transitioning to civilian life, is fully paid for.

“Fully honoring our commitment to our veterans means both while they are serving abroad and when they return home – and putting our veterans back to work is a critical part of that promise,” said Senator Begich. “Helping small businesses hire unemployed veterans is just common sense. It eases our veterans’ transition back to civilian life, helps our small businesses, and grows our economy and that why I’m pleased to see so much support for this program.”

“For too long, at the end of their career we patted our veterans on the back for their service and then pushed them out into the job market alone,” said Senator Murray. “The VOW to Hire Heroes Act will give our veterans the job skills to get their foot in the door and incentivize employers to make sure that door is open to them.”

“Veterans risked their lives for this country and it’s our responsibility to make sure they have access to jobs and quality health care when they come home,” said Senator Tester. “It’s our responsibility to make that transition as seamless as possible by connecting veterans with businesses. This bill goes a long way in fulfilling that responsibility and I look forward to the jobs it will create for America’s veterans.”

“Today, the unemployment rate for young veterans is nearly 22 percent—which is simply unacceptable,” said Senator Brown. “Our commitment to our service members shouldn’t end when they return home as skilled, experienced civilians. From leadership experience to technical and scientific skills, veterans are critical to our nation’s economic competitiveness.”

“No veteran should stand at the back of any unemployment line. When we say ‘support our troops’ that can't just be lip-service, we must support them through action,” said Senator Stabenow. “Congress shouldn’t just pass a resolution honoring Veterans Day this week—it should take real action to help America’s one million unemployed veterans get back to work.”

The discussion emphasized Democrats’ commitment to create jobs for veterans and ensure a seamless transition from service in the military to meaningful employment at home.

The unemployment rate for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan has risen to 12.1% over the last year, representing a quarter of a million veterans. Of those, two thirds are younger than 35 years old. Additionally, it is the youngest group of veterans having the hardest time finding work. In 2010, young male veterans who served during the Gulf War-era II had an unemployment rate of 21.9%.

The VOW to Hire Heroes Act would boost employment opportunities for veterans and help address these issues. Key provisions include:

• Tax credit of up to $5,600 for hiring veterans who have been looking for a job for more than six months, as well as a $2,400 credit for veterans who are unemployed for more than 4 weeks, but less than 6 months.

• Tax credit of up to $9,600 for hiring veterans with service-connected disabilities who have been looking for a job for more than six months.

• Makes the Transition Assistance Program (TAP)—an interagency workshop coordinated by Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs—mandatory for service members moving on to civilian life to help them secure 21st Century jobs through resume writing workshops and career counseling.

• Expands education and training opportunities for older veterans by providing 100,000 unemployed veterans of past eras and wars with up to 1-year of additional Montgomery GI benefits for education or training programs at community colleges or technical schools.

• Provides disabled veterans up to 1-year of additional Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits.

• Allows service members to begin the federal employment process prior to separation in order to facilitate a truly seamless transition from the military to jobs at VA, Homeland Security, or the many other federal agencies in need of our veterans.

For more information on the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, visit http://democrats.senate.gov/news/.

About the Senate Democratic Steering & Outreach Committee

The Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee is dedicated to fostering dialogue between Senate Democrats and community leaders from across the nation. Each year, the Steering Committee hosts several meetings with advocates, policy experts, and elected officials to discuss key priorities and enlist their help in the development of the Democratic agenda in the Senate. We are committed to serving as a liaison between Senate Democratic offices and advocacy groups and intergovernmental organizations. The Steering Committee is one of three Democratic Leadership Committees in the Senate. The Steering Committee is chaired by Senator Mark Begich (AK) and vice chaired by Senator Daniel K. Akaka (HI).
CONTACTS:


Begich: Julie Hasquet, (907) 258-9304

Murray: Matt McAlvanah, (202) 224-2939

Tester: Andrea Helling, (202) 228-0371

Brown: Meghan Dubyak, (202) 224-3978

Stabenow: Cullen Schwarz, (202) 379-6775

DSOC: Betsy McManus, (202) 228-1805

###

Giant Webb Space Telescope Model to "Land" in Baltimore

 

 

TBR-NASA Press Release-Baltimore, MD
Baltimore's Maryland Science Center is going to be the "landing site" for the full-scale model of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, and it's free for all to see.

The Webb telescope life-sized model is as big as a tennis court, and it's coming to the Maryland Science Center at Baltimore's Inner Harbor from October 14 through 26, 2011. It's a chance for young and old to get a close-up look at the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope in the same size it will be launched into space.

The real James Webb Space Telescope is currently being built, but this model will be constructed in a couple of days. The real Webb will be the largest space telescope ever built. Once in orbit, the Webb telescope will look back in time more than 13 billion years to help us understand the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets.

Experts will be on hand to discuss the Webb telescope's deep-space mission, how it will observe distant galaxies and nearby stars and planets, and the progress made to date in building the observatory. Spokespeople will also be available starting at 10 a.m. EDT and throughout the model exhibition. There will also be educational activities and an "Ask the Scientist" booth in front of the model during the daytime. The Maryland Science Center is located at 601 Light Street, Baltimore, Md. 21230. For directions and more information, call the center at 410-685-5225.

The full-scale model of the Webb telescope was built by NASA's prime contractor to provide a better understanding of the size, scale, and complexity of the observatory. The model is constructed mainly of aluminum and steel, weighs 12,000 pounds, and is approximately 80 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 40 feet tall. The model requires two trucks to ship it, and assembly takes a crew of 12 approximately four days.

The Webb telescope will add to observations by earlier space telescopes, and stretch the frontiers of science with its discoveries. The model's size shows the telescope's complexity and how the observatory will enable the Webb telescope's unique mission.

For more images and video, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/nasalife/features/webb-balto.html

For more information about the James Webb Space Telescope, visit:

http://webbtelescope.org/webb_telescope

http://www.jwst.nasa.gov

For a sped-up video of the construction of the Webb full-scale model, visit:

http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a010500/a010570/index.html

View on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbCBeq2Rz9Q

CONTACT

Dwayne Brown/Trent Perrotto
NASA Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1726 / 202-358-0321
dwayne.c.brown@nasa.gov / trent.j.perrotto@nasa.gov

Lynn Chandler
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
301-286-2806
lynn.chandler-1@nasa.gov


Ray Villard / Cheryl Gundy
Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Md.
410-338-4514 / 410-338-4707
villard@stsci.edu / gundy@stsci.edu

Imago Dei--Moors, Berbers, Axum and Mestizos

TBR--Leighton Bradford Editor-in-Chief
 The first ascertainable African state to attain power was the ancient empire of Ethiopia, Axum, Abyssinia, etc... For over five thousand years from military conquest and intermarrying, Ethiopia and Kemet (Egypt) established the foundation and the heritage associated with Blacks within the African Diaspora! Carter G. Woodson would have handled this synopsis better than I. All of humanity has contributed to the greatness of this earth! It becomes duly important to shore up past inequalities suspended within a euro-centric reality.

The term Moor when translated from Greek refers to, Mauro's-meaning dark or tanned.  Moors originated from Northern Africa, came to conquer and rule the Iberian [Spain & Portugal] peninsula for 800 years! Was Hannibal Black? I argue he was at least tanned or a light skin brother. There are rumors Vin Diesel or Denzel Washington; may star in upcoming roles, depicting the military genius. Young impressionable individuals of African descent; should see their image in what Hollywood depicts. "Indeed, in Spain (Iberia) and Portugal the indigenous pop. had been ruled until the fifteenth century by the Moors who were both darker skinned and more educated than the natives," Race and Racism, Pierre L. van den Berghe. When the Spaniards came to the America's they had to be of an admixture; moreover, possessed elements of African ancestry! Mestizo refers to a Spanish, African and Indigenous admixture. We interpret the term Mestizos as Mexican. We may have time to discuss Creole, French, Indigenous, and African. Creole culture is a pivotal aspect of not only New Orleans, but around the world.


 The Moors territory of rule stretched from Mali and Niger to present day Spain. Their conquest and existence pre-dates Islam, i.e. The Numidian Kingdom of Maure 3rd century BCE!  Al Andulas a reference used to identify the aforementioned conquered lands of the Iberian Peninsula. I argue that descendants from Al Andulas or the Iberian Peninsula, have elements of Black within them! The conquistadors leading the diaspora of the America's had possible Moorish eugenics scheme. Moors, Berber, and Nubian are interchangeable humanistic, or of African descent distinctions. Let's transition towards an epic scholar Dr Ivan Van Sertima*.

Photo: Dr. Ivan Van Sertima

"Contrary to widespread misinformation, the history of black Americans does not begin with their arrival in the New World on slave ships!" Ebony Pictorial History

Dr. Ivan Van Sertima [*was born in Guyana, South America.  He was educated at the School of Oriental and African Studies (London University) and the Rutgers Graduate School and holds degrees in African Studies and Anthropology.  From 1957-1959 he served as a Press and Broadcasting Officer in the Guyana Information Services.  During the decade of the 1960s he broadcast weekly from Britain to Africa and the Caribbean. ] http://www.journalofafricancivilizations.com/page/9048 

Dr. Van Sertima [*He also appeared before a Congressional Committee on July 7, 1987, to challenge the Columbus myth. This landmark presentation before Congress was illuminating and brilliantly presented in the name of all peoples of color across the world.]:

July 7, 1987, Van Sertima Before Congress - Challenging the Columbus Myth

*“If we are to have a commemoration, let us take this opportunity not to consolidate a myth, but to open a new window upon the universe of peoples. Let us take full cognizance of other civilizations here in a true cross-cultural fashion so we can really speak of ourselves as true Americans, New World people, because that is what the New World means...the bringing together of all these old-world elements into a new world.”

— Ivan Van Sertima

*Dr. Van Sertima appeared, on July 7, 1987, before Congress to discuss the Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Jubilee Act. Van Sertima, single-handedly, presented evidence to prove that Africans made contact with native Americans long before Columbus, and that Columbus did not “discover”.

 It becomes critically important, within an identity of an altruistic interpretation of blackness, to define our anthropological existence.  It thwarts dehumanizing attributes. The Moors derived from an area within and adjacent to Carthage, i.e., Hannibal conqueror of Rome! Libya, Morocco, and Algeria where near or a part of the territory of Carthage.

Some of the oldest human settlements have been unearthed in Tanzania. The oldest human fossils were found in and around Olduvai Gorge (Oldupai) in northern Tanzania, an area referred to as "The Cradle of Mankind". It is believed to be the birthplace of humanity. Fossils found in this area include Paranthropus bones thought to be over 2 million years old, and the oldest known footprints of the immediate ancestors of humans, the Laetoli footprints, estimated to be about 3.6 million years old. About 10,000 years ago, Tanzania was populated by hunter-gatherer communities who spoke Khoisan. They were joined by Cushitic-speaking people who came from the north about 5000 years ago.

[Berbers (Berber: Imazighen / Imaziɣen) are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. They are continuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis, in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River. Historically they spoke the Berber language or varieties of it, which together form a branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. Today, varieties of Maghreb's colloquial Arabic are spoken by a large portion of Berbers besides the Berber language itself]. wikipedia 


[Many Louisiana creole families arrived in Louisiana during the Colonial Period following the Slave Uprising led by Toussaint Breda (later called L'Ouverture) in 1791 in Ste. Dominique, later called Haiti. Protesting French Colonial rule - and winning the fight with the assistance, in part of the mosquito, as the French plantation owners most holding land grants from Louis XVI (farming primarily sugar) were succumbing to yellow fever. The slave army of L'Ouverture originally in alliance with the French to exile Spanish and English eventually helped evict them too creating a free Haiti]. Wikipedia

Establishing a cultural identity is crucial to a valued self-esteem! Detractors know and understand, without it, you are subjected to the dehumanizing effect, of social genocide. Anthropology is as much a part of the civil rights struggle or equality, as sitting at a lunch counter in the sixties! This is what I often refer to as, Imago Dei, Latin for Image of God. Translated further, all human beings were created in the image or likeness of God! European history must acknowledge the aforementioned ideals. Moors are individuals of African descent.

A Critical Analysis Of Politics Within Mississippi.‏

TBR--MS  Leighton Bradford  Editor-in-Chief

"I don't give a damn about you being in the military, or being a veteran," MS State Senator, Merle Flowers in a twangy, condescending, nasal voice! Further; after he was told he was acting like a slum lord, refusing to fix several of his properties, and evicting a 8 month pregnant African-American tenant! This was an omen of political things to come, within the great state of MS.? Oppression is camouflaged by the certain niceties of modern living. Meaning, there are still southern Europeans who feel their superior to Blacks and minorities[this includes exploited illegals]. The Clinton /Gore campaign countered this notion. It catches you off guard when your confronted with this nonsense! "You aren't from around these parts," said Merle Flowers, when I spoke to him about a business matter. It was a cliche' message you expected to hear from some relic of the Jim Crow south. He was appointed to an ethics committee within the district he represents. Ironically many of his tenants would beg to differ? TBR recovered a document of a former tenant filing an EEOC complaint against the Senator. A reliable source asks why The Department Of Justice, Civil Rights Division, has not applied the Color Of Law statue? The Desoto Times Tribune reported his opposition to federally mandated re-apportionment, further dis-enfranchising some of the people he represents, The Poor and Blacks!

"Sen. Doug Davis, R-Hernando, said under the plan, his district loses about 21,000 people and District 19, currently represented by Sen. Merle Flowers, R-Olive Branch, loses about 25,000 people in order to meet federal one-man, one-person requirements under the 2010 U.S. Census." Desoto Times Tribune Senate unveils remap, By ROBERT LEE LONG, Community Editor Published: Tuesday, March 8, 2011 1:06 AM CST.

The Desoto County Democratic Party, under the leadership of Samuel William's and Mike Smith, could not save the congressional seat Travis Childers once held. The Blue Dog Democrat took his core constituency for granted, attempting to woo conservative Mississippians, with an ill advised fiscal tough guy approach. He tried to have his cake and eat it to. I remember talking to a staffer of Rep. Nunlee, wondering why no one under 45 years of age, held any distinction, within the Desoto Dem's? The Hip Hop generation and Gen X are severely mis-represented. Nunlee's twenty-something staffer was sharp! My question to the Desoto Democratic Party is simple. WHERE ARE THE DEMOCRATIC VICTORIES? William's a Booker T. Washington alumnus, and retired police officer, left the Memphis Police Association under duress.  Is the GOP happy with the numbers Smith and William's have produced?  Kelly Jacobs, the wild card within this organization, flanks the aforementioned leadership at every turn. A native Californian, once ask to leave the aarp, Ms. Jacobs, lacks the academic or staffer experience, a common trait of Desoto County Democratic officials, but is not afraid to mix it up. She was called a "nigger lover" at a political event! She might be somewhat reactionary in her views? Ms. Jacobs is a walking PR quagmire for the desoto Dem's!

There is even political upheaval within law enforcement. It seems some law enforcement officials scoff at the constitution, and revel in the usurping of individual rights. Dr. Ivan Van Sertima stated, "Every human being has a common ancestor"!

Here is an interesting exchange between Mike Smith Desoto Co. Democratic V.P.  The dynamic duo maintains their status by performing a rushed parliamentary process, without the media or public being aware of it even occurring. Mike Smith , Samuel Williams, and  Jason Harper are always aware of the circumstance. Smith likes to walk up on you, trying to crowd you. During Kelli's redistricting meeting William tried to encourage me to do the number crunching. I told him the extent of the work required compensation, that was the end of that?


From: Leighton Bradford


To: Mike Smith ; Jared turner ; Jason Harper

Sent: Sun, April 18, 2010 5:42:25 PM

Subject: RE: The executive committee replacement was illegal and a non-parlimentary procedure

The ultimate barometer within any field of endeavor is success! Excuse me while I respectfully take off presumed political gloves. Discourse and debate must exist within any august and excellent body such as the Democratic Party. My people have been a part of the great state of Mississippi since before the civil war. I am a fourth generation veteran of a foreign war. For the first time since 1948 a democratic president took the state of Arizona; moreover, as press avail coordinator and co-coordinator for veterans for Clinton/Gore I was associated with this history. To no avail, Mr. Smith has made several unsuccessful attempts to SUCCEED at public office! I am not necessarily suggesting failure, but qualifying his statement of "Ineptness"! I believe it’s important to have more than $410 in the party treasury. Within my critique I never mentioned names or individuals.

He called my home early Thursday morning requesting my presence at a "Tea Party", I supported his request. A cell phone notification was required by Mr. Smith, who stated he would be in attendance, I never saw him. I want whomever reads this to notice the energy wasted in responding to acts that don't elect Democrats, beyond a few within Desoto county and the great state of MS. Honest hardworking people are not being considered? How many candidates have been elected under Mr. Smith's tenure. A democracy means including the multitude within the decision making process, devoid of your own personal hidden agenda of political Success!


Job creation, increasing the wages of labor, creating an infrastructure that supports a descent quality of living, adjusting a right to work state laws, attracting RF and high tech industry. Be it Dubois or Washington, Clinton or Limbaugh, Obama or McConnell, political activity involves ideas that best support a democratic ideal.   The 2nd vice was on a Caribbean cruise, while the Desoto county chairman attended an OFA sponsored event. When at the eleventh hour I deferred a business associate helping the OFA facilitator. The young man should not have been placed in this position to begin with.  Half of the aforementioned leadership was either not in attendance or was selected, beyond reaching outside of a clique. I respect Mr. Smith's vast knowledge within a specified orifice of the human anatomy, but having a matriculated stance within Political Science, and selected to successfully elect William Jefferson Clinton, is summarily an altogether another beast. I have no political aspirations beyond making this a descent place to live, and leaving my kid a future beyond menial labor. My generation will have a voice! Here we come sir, aka brother!

"This week’s feature is on a bill John Mayo wrote and introduced last year, HB 821. John Mayo apparently didn’t think gas prices are high enough in Mississippi, so he proposed raising the gas tax by another five cents!" Ya'll Politics Website

 

There is still a good ole boy network in existence. Oppression is camouflaged by fronting procedural application, to give the perception of concern and remedy. The Desoto Justice Center, EEOC, MS. Office of Attorney General (Jeff Clark) etc... And then there is the dynamic duo of Mike Smith and Samuel William's. If your job is to elect democratic officials, how have they performed? William's comes across as though he is a jovial uncle, but is intimidated by credentialed personnel, and can't relate to empirical political inquiry. The thing about a redistricting learning curve, is you have every ten years of  census reporting to get it right! Jason Harper, MS. Democratic field representative, has some unique qualities about himself, especially when he hung up abruptly, when TBR tried to ask general questions about the party. He has not mastered the concept of the coordinated campaign, and acts as though your bothering him, when fielding political questions. When I helped to develop the coordinated campaign, it relied heavily on experience and expertise within journalism! When Melodee Jackson brought me into the Clinton/Gore campaign, I transferred a degree from the USAF Air University, and was a Political Science Senior at ASU. They implemented a campaign reaching out to every feasible demographic. We brought Danny Devito in to speak and raised $35,000 in one night! The GOP leadership is chillin on a bass boat somewhere, laughing and praising the in-effectual leadership that ensues.  MS State Democratic Party Representative Jared Turner adopted a mass e-mail increasing voter turn out by ten fold! It really helped MS. Governor candidate Mr. Johnny Dupree.  The Desoto County Democratic Party leadership failed to properly endorse Mr. Dupree.

Introducing "Soul Solace" excerpt from the e-book

TBR - Leighton Bradford Editor-in-Chief

All that is seen is their eloquent silhouette in the darkness placed before us. Black love no doubt.  Intimacy bonds the heart and souls of an endearing relationship.  If soul mates could borrow from these delicate moments and save it for the trying effects brought to us in life. There would be nothing a relationship could not handle.  Human nature is afforded companionship, a union of one presumably. It's  use becomes the issue.  Sier uses it to the best of his purpose, and advantage, that is to say love. 

 He gently touches the tight curves of her flesh bound anatomy, thanking God for this Nubian Queen that lies before him.  Eyes meet, souls connect, so smooth is the night, so smooth.  They advance towards places keen, yet considerate.  The sheets adjoins there feeling, thoughts, and deepest sympathies.  Ain’t no tossin’ and turnin’! Just da makin of sweet love.  He places his hand on the nape of her neck, bringing her towards his presence.  A heart felt passion, an intimate reflection, a justified sensuality.  “Every time I touch you, my being becomes transformed Mandee.”  “Each and every time I look into your eyes my soul is pampered.”  The candle clings onto its illumination--a refracted light emerges from the darkness.

  Each is motivated to please the other.  At no time within this piece, are we to understand anything but love.  All of the tension and pressure released, if for just one moment. Naturally displayed so much relief from the on going tensions of a given day.  And then the lady whispers, “How oh lord, would I have ever managed without him?”  The interplay of treasured moments, indicative of the profound beauty, found within Black love.  He says aloud, “Mandee I love you”, “I just love you.” [The Intellectual Property of Leighton Bradford (BE)]