Dog days of summer lived up to its reputation in Atlanta when temperatures tipped the 100 degree scale; registering 101, 103 and 106 degrees day after day, forcing the curtailing of watering yards and gardens. The hardy jogging and biking communities cut their activities. One activity the heat did not present an obstacle was the 50th anniversary celebration of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the opening of its new Sweet Auburn headquarters building. SCLC was founded by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I had a front row seat for the August 6 celebration which started where civil rights history was born. There I was, sitting in the speakers row of neatly lined folding chairs on the front lawn, facing the front porch of the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. King family members, including matriarch Mrs. Christine King Farris and others were sitting on the porch of the Sweet Auburn Victorian style home just to the right of a podium facing out into the yard.
Auburn Avenue slowly filled to capacity with celebrants of all ages and persuasions. A high school drum line on an occasion would tap out a symphonic jazzy beat that the late great percussionist Max Roach would be proud. Freedom singers would strike the courageous cords of song notes and echo poetic harmony bringing to life the real and still so unimaginable history of the hot heat of indifference that the SCLC and its disciples faced in thwarting legal oppression, ungodly attitudes and bondage of the “beloved community.”
I had a front row seat. Then it was my turn to speak from the family porch; to speak a small truth about an incredibly rich and enduring history concerning a band of brothers and sisters whose vary light awakens, energizes and excites non-violent freedom loving people throughout the world.
My message: Yours Is A Story to Tell.
NewsJReview
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
YouTube Provides Fresh Voice in Political Discourse
They call it You Tube, the community broadcast platform, where zany, ridiculously stupid, intelligent, creative and serious video portrayals reside on the Internet. Thanks to CNN's newmaker status, news integration platforms and its global reach YouTube came of “political age.” During CNN's second round of hosting the Democrats' Presidential Debates, producers for the World’s number one broadcast news operation fielded questions; video taped questions, from users of the YouTube service, that asked the candidates what they will do if they become the next president of the United States.
CNN, the Democratic presidential hopefuls and YouTube contributors put on their game faces at the Citadel in South Carolina and squared off for more than two hours triggereing some of the most interesting and passionate dialogue among presidential aspirants.
Imagine a snowman asking a question about Global warming. Consider two women posing together and asking whether the candidates will allow them to get married. Face the reality of the health crisis from the sick and their caretakers upfront and personal. It was a gutsy evening.
CNN producers put it together with CNN 360 anchor Anderson Cooper hosting the event. Just when you thought an over exposed Cooper couldn’t possibly do one more thing in the arena of news coverage. Yet, he was refreshing, and he delivered a brilliant performance. He did it by being open, resolute, inquiring, surprising, humble, witty and tough.
The evening surfaced two questions that don’t get a lot of attention. The issue of reparations for slavery in America and a question on institutional legacy/dynasty in the White House, the executive branch, considering the Bush, Clinton, Clinton again, Bush, Bush again and possibly Clinton and possibly Clinton again administrations. Too much you ask?
It was new and the approach, using video taped questions featuring cinematic techniques were edgy enough to add a bit of the surreal while giving viewing audiences the sense that real people, often funny, were asking real questions, important and serious, that they cared about. The questioners were under forty for the most part. You could argue the production was somewhat age specific, a rather generational thing, considering the genre drawn to YouTube, but the questions sometimes cut hard to the soul of America Today.
What rings most clear is the broadcasting of the American voice is just beginning to be tapped for its diverse perceptions and perspectives, and that voice was heard.
In keeping the record straight, there were older Adults peppered in with their questions...Sprinkled in obligatory style to satisfy the obvious fair-minded producer’s concern that says we have to have an older person asking a question...The sort of thing, you know, that says balance really does matter. It all played so very well. CNN and YouTube will do it again with the Republicans.
NewsJReview.
CNN, the Democratic presidential hopefuls and YouTube contributors put on their game faces at the Citadel in South Carolina and squared off for more than two hours triggereing some of the most interesting and passionate dialogue among presidential aspirants.
Imagine a snowman asking a question about Global warming. Consider two women posing together and asking whether the candidates will allow them to get married. Face the reality of the health crisis from the sick and their caretakers upfront and personal. It was a gutsy evening.
CNN producers put it together with CNN 360 anchor Anderson Cooper hosting the event. Just when you thought an over exposed Cooper couldn’t possibly do one more thing in the arena of news coverage. Yet, he was refreshing, and he delivered a brilliant performance. He did it by being open, resolute, inquiring, surprising, humble, witty and tough.
The evening surfaced two questions that don’t get a lot of attention. The issue of reparations for slavery in America and a question on institutional legacy/dynasty in the White House, the executive branch, considering the Bush, Clinton, Clinton again, Bush, Bush again and possibly Clinton and possibly Clinton again administrations. Too much you ask?
It was new and the approach, using video taped questions featuring cinematic techniques were edgy enough to add a bit of the surreal while giving viewing audiences the sense that real people, often funny, were asking real questions, important and serious, that they cared about. The questioners were under forty for the most part. You could argue the production was somewhat age specific, a rather generational thing, considering the genre drawn to YouTube, but the questions sometimes cut hard to the soul of America Today.
What rings most clear is the broadcasting of the American voice is just beginning to be tapped for its diverse perceptions and perspectives, and that voice was heard.
In keeping the record straight, there were older Adults peppered in with their questions...Sprinkled in obligatory style to satisfy the obvious fair-minded producer’s concern that says we have to have an older person asking a question...The sort of thing, you know, that says balance really does matter. It all played so very well. CNN and YouTube will do it again with the Republicans.
NewsJReview.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
The Saving Grace In Our Constitution
At a critical time when arguably the life of the individual citizen is under scrutiny for being different, authentic or original James Madison’s writing on why America needed a ninth amendment is extremely important.
The ninth amendment leaves open in my mind God’s intention for the individual’s right to a life he or she chooses to live freely in peace and unencumbered. The ninth amendment found in the United States Constitution clearly states:
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Madison, who authored the ninth amendment, argued the fallacy in man’s thinking that he could simply list all the inate/inherited rights of a human being. That fete is well beyond our reach. How do you begin to reflect on the enormity of “free will” or “inalienable rights” birthed in the souls of man by the Creator?
I came across this quote by Madison as he moved to have the ninth amendment adopted to insure that the list he and others attempted in the Bill of Rights had breath and depth beyond the stated:
''It has been objected also against a bill of rights, that, by enumerating particular exceptions to the grant of power, it would disparage those rights which were not placed in that enumeration; and it might follow by implication, that those rights which were not singled out, were intended to be assigned into the hands of the General Government, and were consequently insecure. This is one of the most plausible arguments I have ever heard against the admission of a bill of rights into this system; but, I conceive, that it may be guarded against. I have attempted it, as gentlemen may see by turning to the last clause of the fourth resolution.''
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Madison is clear in his assessments that Government needed to have an impenetrable barrier that protected the rights of citizens, a barrier that would serve to thwart attempts to curb and to limit the true rights, realized and unrealized, of individuals. He was equally clear that the ninth amendment is an important safeguard and today more than ever it is vital that this framer’s intentions and courageous attempts to insure the rights of citizens are strongly protected are emphatically asserted.
NewsJReview
The ninth amendment leaves open in my mind God’s intention for the individual’s right to a life he or she chooses to live freely in peace and unencumbered. The ninth amendment found in the United States Constitution clearly states:
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Madison, who authored the ninth amendment, argued the fallacy in man’s thinking that he could simply list all the inate/inherited rights of a human being. That fete is well beyond our reach. How do you begin to reflect on the enormity of “free will” or “inalienable rights” birthed in the souls of man by the Creator?
I came across this quote by Madison as he moved to have the ninth amendment adopted to insure that the list he and others attempted in the Bill of Rights had breath and depth beyond the stated:
''It has been objected also against a bill of rights, that, by enumerating particular exceptions to the grant of power, it would disparage those rights which were not placed in that enumeration; and it might follow by implication, that those rights which were not singled out, were intended to be assigned into the hands of the General Government, and were consequently insecure. This is one of the most plausible arguments I have ever heard against the admission of a bill of rights into this system; but, I conceive, that it may be guarded against. I have attempted it, as gentlemen may see by turning to the last clause of the fourth resolution.''
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Madison is clear in his assessments that Government needed to have an impenetrable barrier that protected the rights of citizens, a barrier that would serve to thwart attempts to curb and to limit the true rights, realized and unrealized, of individuals. He was equally clear that the ninth amendment is an important safeguard and today more than ever it is vital that this framer’s intentions and courageous attempts to insure the rights of citizens are strongly protected are emphatically asserted.
NewsJReview
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Bright Hope in Brian Williams
Just when you thought all is lost for Television Broadcast Journalism there exists a ray of hope found in the reporting of NBC’s senior managing editor and nightly news anchor Brian Williams. Williams is a thoughtful and thorough journalist who gallantly weighs the many sides of a story and an issue. Does he get it right each time, no... yet, the effort to do so is clearly there. The good journalist asks the good questions to get the good information. This is the primary responsibility of journalism; imparting useful, reliable and relevant news.
Brian Williams stands out in this season of conflict as the Press goes about pointing its finger at congress for abandoning its oversight role leading up to arguably a winless war.
I am reminded of the admonishment concerning blame, "When you point a finger, there are at least three fingers pointed right back at you." The Fourth Estate was woefully absent at the lead-up to the war in Iraq. There were few pointed or poignant questions raised.
The good news is that Williams has wisely set his sights high in asking the kinds of questions that give us a perspective into the nature of those who will lead us next. The questions Williams posed during the democratic presidential debate, held in South Carolina, demonstrate the seriousness of the profession and its mission:
Good Journalism can lead to accountable government;
Journalism can be a marker as a source of equitable societal knowledge;
Journalism can help to explain relationships of citizens to purpose and process, policy and practice, principles and ethics in business and in government.
This is necessary for the public welfare. The practice of true journalism has nothing to do with ratings, but when the principles of journalism are practiced there is quality and quantifiable results that reflect our decision making as consumers/citizens and ultimately portray who we are as a nation.
Brian Williams skillfully guided the discourse between Democratic Presidential hopefuls in the first scheduled debate held April 26, 2007. There are many more debates to come, as part of the democratic process in choosing the next leader of the “free world.” Mr. Williams and his team are to be commended for resurrecting the standard in this vital form of dialogue.
On the other hand queries that ponder "Who it would be more fun to have a beer with" are entertaining, but they distract. Politics may be an insider's sport for some and questions like these do not help a nation that is in dire need of relevant information in critcal times. This is journalism's responsibility.
NewsJReview
Friday, March 23, 2007
MARCH MADNESS: Something To Cheer About
The month of March has provided plenty of sport on the court and in the hall(s) of congress for those who like to keep score. Politics for sure can be dead serious and just plain fanciful and so can the time-honored tradition of basketball. From my seat both the serious and not so portend a good outcome this Spring month.
The tough call to press hard for a vote on something of critical consequence, let’s say stopping U.S. presents in the conflict in Iraq, sends a signal to the world that U.S. policy on war engagement will change and perhaps begin anew. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led the U.S. House of Representatives in setting a timetable to begin disengaging U.S. troops in that conflict. It was a close 218-212 vote, but the Speaker prevailed in moving her “hard and fast” promise to end U.S. fighting men and women’s involvement there; and leaving very little “wiggle room” for spin miesters’ commentaries raising issue over Speaker Pelosi’s resolve to get the job done.
Now to the fanciful where some deserving young men of the “hardwood” are playing their hearts out in games of “roundball”...Some say sports and hard news don’t mix...
Okay...but just this once you got to love the men’s NCAA playoff countdown to a single championship team...I have no horse in this incredibly long race...It’s now just too close to call. Ohio State, Memphis, UCLA, Kansas, Georgetown, Florida, Oregon and U.N.C. are all so good, all with noble intentions, that if there is any “wiggle room” or room to wiggle in the final minutes between these contestants someone is going to happily wind up in and yet ultimately leave The Georgia Dome, in Atlanta, where the NCAA Championship and final four play conclusively, heart broken...This is "hardball" at its best where only good decisions truly count and precision wins the day.
And, so it goes with politics and sports this month... On the one hand we cheer for the very best guys to finish a hard fought battle on top and on the other we cheer for it all to be over soon; with victory declared in both conflict and contest.
NewsJReview
The tough call to press hard for a vote on something of critical consequence, let’s say stopping U.S. presents in the conflict in Iraq, sends a signal to the world that U.S. policy on war engagement will change and perhaps begin anew. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led the U.S. House of Representatives in setting a timetable to begin disengaging U.S. troops in that conflict. It was a close 218-212 vote, but the Speaker prevailed in moving her “hard and fast” promise to end U.S. fighting men and women’s involvement there; and leaving very little “wiggle room” for spin miesters’ commentaries raising issue over Speaker Pelosi’s resolve to get the job done.
Now to the fanciful where some deserving young men of the “hardwood” are playing their hearts out in games of “roundball”...Some say sports and hard news don’t mix...
Okay...but just this once you got to love the men’s NCAA playoff countdown to a single championship team...I have no horse in this incredibly long race...It’s now just too close to call. Ohio State, Memphis, UCLA, Kansas, Georgetown, Florida, Oregon and U.N.C. are all so good, all with noble intentions, that if there is any “wiggle room” or room to wiggle in the final minutes between these contestants someone is going to happily wind up in and yet ultimately leave The Georgia Dome, in Atlanta, where the NCAA Championship and final four play conclusively, heart broken...This is "hardball" at its best where only good decisions truly count and precision wins the day.
And, so it goes with politics and sports this month... On the one hand we cheer for the very best guys to finish a hard fought battle on top and on the other we cheer for it all to be over soon; with victory declared in both conflict and contest.
NewsJReview
Monday, February 12, 2007
Three Women Impervious To Challenge
There names: Pelosi, Rice and Clinton... three powerful, determined, purposeful women, each an unbridled political force in their own right and each a household name and symbols of grace and audacity. Nancy Pelosi’s elevation to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and second in succession to the Presidency is a historic first for a woman, who with a mothers’ love and the will of a deft politician vows to wage war with the White House and oversee bringing an end to U.S. involvement in the Iraq civil conflict.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice astutely balances world order by negotiating the deadly and unpredictable waters of the Persian Gulf region and the Korean peninsula, where in February 2007 a deal is struck that halts North Korea’s illegal development of nuclear arms and allows international weapons inspectors entry into the country for the first time in four years; along with prospects of signing a peace treaty that officially ends the U.S.-Korean war. Secretary of State Rice also keeps watch over the tide of disease and genocide sweeping the African motherland while monitoring natural and man made phenomena that has triggered an unabated rise in global temperature.
A stratospheric step in American politics is taken by U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton who announced her candidacy for President of the United States...She is not the first woman to do so...Senator Clinton has the clout, stamina and experience to be successful in spite of the distance, drudgery, dogged schemes to derail or even to embolden her quest. I am reminded destiny will neither be rushed nor denied. Watching these three women, impervious to challenge, is inspiring. Watch them and learn.
NewsJReview
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice astutely balances world order by negotiating the deadly and unpredictable waters of the Persian Gulf region and the Korean peninsula, where in February 2007 a deal is struck that halts North Korea’s illegal development of nuclear arms and allows international weapons inspectors entry into the country for the first time in four years; along with prospects of signing a peace treaty that officially ends the U.S.-Korean war. Secretary of State Rice also keeps watch over the tide of disease and genocide sweeping the African motherland while monitoring natural and man made phenomena that has triggered an unabated rise in global temperature.
A stratospheric step in American politics is taken by U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton who announced her candidacy for President of the United States...She is not the first woman to do so...Senator Clinton has the clout, stamina and experience to be successful in spite of the distance, drudgery, dogged schemes to derail or even to embolden her quest. I am reminded destiny will neither be rushed nor denied. Watching these three women, impervious to challenge, is inspiring. Watch them and learn.
NewsJReview
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Good News: Lovie Smith Big Sandy's & Chicago's Hope
Chicago Bears head football coach Lovie Smith's story is one of triumph; not in the fairy tale sense, but his rise to prominence is a saga that speaks of humility and determination.
That determination was nutured in the dusty farmland of east Texas where he and four other siblings were raised by a mother who instilled in the children they could be anything they wanted to be and a father, although he struggled with demon alcohol, taught them to do the right thing. Lovie played high school football and in the sweltering summers sold watermelons from the back of a truck traveling dusty, gritty back roads. He was seen in the community as a kid who knew he could achieve and did what he needed to do.
Lovie Smith is still doing what he needs to do quietly.
Speaking in low tones upon arrival in Miami for the historic game, which features for the first time opposing African American head coaches in a Super Bowl, Smith referred to his humble beginnings in Big Sandy, Texas as his crucible for learning the rudiments of competition and fair play saying "it's war on the field, but you go home as brothers." Lovie Smith's Bears vs. Tony Dungy's Colts. The camera and commentators will pay close cold attention to the action on the sidelines while following the deft swift play on the field. You can count on it. Think about it... the Bears haven't been in a Super Bowl since 1985. Why now? I think it's about true grit. And you can bet Chicago and Big Sandy have plenty of it and their team will win big because of the strength of Lovie Smith's fundamentals of success, humility and determination respectively...
Super Bowl XLI Chicago Bears vs. Indiana Colts, 6:25 eastern, Sunday, February 4, 2007 on CBS
News J Review
That determination was nutured in the dusty farmland of east Texas where he and four other siblings were raised by a mother who instilled in the children they could be anything they wanted to be and a father, although he struggled with demon alcohol, taught them to do the right thing. Lovie played high school football and in the sweltering summers sold watermelons from the back of a truck traveling dusty, gritty back roads. He was seen in the community as a kid who knew he could achieve and did what he needed to do.
Lovie Smith is still doing what he needs to do quietly.
Speaking in low tones upon arrival in Miami for the historic game, which features for the first time opposing African American head coaches in a Super Bowl, Smith referred to his humble beginnings in Big Sandy, Texas as his crucible for learning the rudiments of competition and fair play saying "it's war on the field, but you go home as brothers." Lovie Smith's Bears vs. Tony Dungy's Colts. The camera and commentators will pay close cold attention to the action on the sidelines while following the deft swift play on the field. You can count on it. Think about it... the Bears haven't been in a Super Bowl since 1985. Why now? I think it's about true grit. And you can bet Chicago and Big Sandy have plenty of it and their team will win big because of the strength of Lovie Smith's fundamentals of success, humility and determination respectively...
Super Bowl XLI Chicago Bears vs. Indiana Colts, 6:25 eastern, Sunday, February 4, 2007 on CBS
News J Review
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