Dr. Matt Kenney, associate professor of political science, will present “Obama the Socialist!” at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3 on the second floor of Woodward Library. While APSU students are encouraged to attend, the event is free and open to the public.

Kenney first will encourage audience members to consider what it means for a U.S. president to act and govern in ways that might reasonably be characterized as socialist. Next, he will look at the unfolding presidency of Obama in light of the meanings of socialism that have been identified. Arguments for and against viewing Obama as a politician with socialist tendencies as well as policy goals will be discussed and debated. Questions from the audience will be invited.

The purpose of the Library Athenaeum series, launched in 2007, is to conduct events that promote and enhance the intellectual life of the University and the region, reach out to students and make connections with them in places other than the classroom and to portray the library as a place to share, explore, discuss and think about ideas and events.

The Library Athenaeum consists of speeches or presentations, panel discussions, debates, readings and performances. Faculty, staff and students are invited to submit proposals for future presentations. Proposal forms and additional information can be found on the Library Athenaeum Web site at http://library.apsu.edu/events/athenaeum.htm.

For more information about the Library Athenaeum series, contact Joe Weber, director of library services at APSU, by telephone at 221-7613 or by e-mail at .

The stamp in question

Clarksville Tennessee’s Mayor, Johnny Piper has sent an inflammatory anti-Islamic email to employees of the city, encouraging them to boycott a stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service.

According to the U.S. Postal Service, the stamp in question commemorates the two most important festivals—or eids—in the Islamic calendar: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. On these days, Muslims wish each other “Eid mubarak,” the phrase featured in Islamic calligraphy on the stamp. “Eid mubarak” translates literally as “blessed festival,” and can be paraphrased as “May your religious holiday be blessed.” This phrase can be applied to both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

The email in question is the equivalent of a chain letter, which according to the Snopes Urban Legends web site was first seen in 2002. The letter was modified in August 2009 to falsely accuse President Barack Obama of ordering the U.S. Postal Service to issue a 42 cent first class stamp in honor of these Islamic holidays. In fact the stamp was first issued on September 1st 2001, and has been re-release several times since then. Mayor Piper’s email painted everyone of the Islamic faith with the same brush as those who carried out the various terrorist bombings over the years.

Several questions arise regarding the Mayor’s actions in sending this email that must be answered….

• Did the sending of this email by an elected official violate any local, state, or federal laws.
• Did this email violate city policies.
• What action would have been taken under current city personnel policies had another city employee sent the same email.
• Did the sending of this politically oriented email using city computers, on city time, to city email addresses constitute misuse of city computing resources.
• What was the cost to the city in time and resources from this incident, and will the Mayor reimburse the city for these costs.
• How do we prevent this from happening again.

Mayor Piper has since attempted to defend his actions, but they are simply indefensible. Muslims are a integral part of this country. They serve honorably in our armed forces, defending our nation, and our freedoms. No one should be treated like a second class citizens based on their religious beliefs, or the actions of a radical fringe. This incident created by our Mayor  has been an embarrassment for our City, our State, and our Country.

It is time for the City of Clarksville to establish a clear policy of non-discrimination, and to prohibit the City of Clarksville, the municipality’s elected officials, and city employees from engaging in activities or personal conduct which discriminates, or directly encourages discrimination by others on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, age, medical condition, ancestry, marital status,sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. The penalty for the violation of this policy this should be termination for employees; and removal from office for our elected officials, who should be held to a higher, not lower standard of behavior.

On June 18, 1964 a white hotel owner in St. Augustine, Florida, poured acid in a swimming pool filled with black and white youth conducting a civil rights demonstration. Photographs of this horrific incident were on the front page of every major newspaper around the world and broke the filibuster in the Senate allowing President Johnson to sign the Civil Rights Act into law. With rarely seen news footage and revealing interviews, “Dare Not Walk Alone” uncovers the untold story of the St. Augustine movement that led to this historic legislation. But far from a history lesson, the film also looks at the aftermath of desegregation and the grim realities of life today on streets where those campaigns were fought, in a place that symbolizes what Barack Obama has called “the gap between the promise of our ideals and the reality of our time.” This film has been called the “Civil Rights film for the modern age” and in the end we see signs of hope and reconciliation as well as a challenge to take the next step forward.

Click here to view the embedded video.

An award-winning film, “Dare Not Walk Alone” has screened at numerous festivals, including the Atlanta Film Festival, Cinequest Film Festival, Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, Florida Film Festival, Jacksonville Film Festival, Sarasota International Film Festival, Connecticut Film Festival, San Francisco Black Film Festival, and the Western New York Black Film Festival. The film received the Audience Award from Deep Focus Film Festival in Columbus, Ohio.

The Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers is a program of the Southern Arts Federation, a not-for-profit regional arts organization making a positive difference in the arts throughout the South since 1975.  Southern Arts Federation is supported by funding and programming partnerships with the National Endowment for the Arts and the state arts agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Special support for Southern Circuit is provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. For more information on the Southern Arts Federation and its programs visit www.southarts.org.

The film is the first in the series. Addition films will be shown at the museum in October and November. The spring tour will take place at Austin Peay University. While all films are free, donations will be accepted for this and other film programming. Vanderbilt University is also participating in the Southern Circuit Tour. Their first screening is September 17th at 7 pm with the film “Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade and B.Y.O. Records.”

The Customs House Museum is located at 200 South Second Street in Historic downtown Clarksville. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm. Admission to the museum is $5 adults, $4 senior citizens, $2 college students, $1 ages 6 to 18, and under 6 free. Information on exhibits and events can be found at www.customshousemuseum.org.

President Obama debunks the myths around health reform, and discusses the public option proposal in which many of them are rooted. But he focuses his address on the stark moral and historical turn…

Click here to view the embedded video.

“As President, I will need the help of all Americans to meet the challenges that lie ahead,” Obama said in a video message e-mailed to supporters. “That’s why I’m asking people like you who fought for change during the campaign to continue fighting for change in your communities.”

Since we currently are not in the campaign mode where we will operate under the name Clarksville for Obama we have been tasked to join the rest of the grass roots organizations across the nation in organizing in our communities under our new advocacy organizational name “Clarksville Community Organizers” (CCO).

Clarksville Community Organizers will operate under the umbrella of Organizing for America and will help to support the president’s agenda when called upon. Right now millions of organizers are mobilizing throughout their communities, across the state of Tennessee and throughout the rest of America to help assure that the Health Care Reform Bill is passed once Congress returns from their summer recess. Clarksville needs to be involved in this movement Right Now!

Since CCO is the formation of a new organization we will need volunteers to chair the group and fill other executive positions. There is a special need for progressive people with organizational skills and computer knowledge. But all are welcome to join for support team member’s and people who want change! I encourage you all too please attend the following meeting.

Clarksville Community Organizers organizational planning meeting

When: Friday, August 14, 2009
Place: Harbor Café Restaurant, 2131 Lowes Drive
Time: 7:00 p.m.

Please bring your laptop computer if you have one.

Thanks for your time and Support!
Terry McMoore

The Legal Aid Society is marking its 35th anniversary, receiving high praise and recognition from our nations capitol. The nation-wide organization known as the Legal Aid Society is organized under the Legal Services Corporation and has as its mission, to provide legal assistance to those less able to afford needed assistance, and those who would otherwise go without vital representation.

Here is the Presidential Proclamation issued in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Legal Aid Society.

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary

35th  Anniversary of the Legal Services Corporation, 2009
By  The President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

President Barack Obama

Every day the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) breathes life into the timeless ideal, “equal justice under law.” It reaches those who cannot afford the assistance they need and those who would otherwise go without vital representation. Today we recognize the 35 years during which the LSC has moved our Nation and our legal system towards greater equality.

The LSC brings legal counsel to every corner of the Nation. As the largest provider of civil legal aid to the poor, it supports programs that touch families in every State. Persons of all ethnic and racial backgrounds know its great work, and women, who represent 75 percent of LSC-supported clients, especially benefit from its expertise.

The Legal Services Corporation’s work helps improve lives. It allows more people to access the public benefits they deserve, more domestic violence victims to secure the protections they desperately need, and more workers to receive the compensation they have been promised and earned.

During an economic crisis, the work of the LSC is especially important. When families face foreclosure, eviction, or bankruptcy, or when communities are targeted by predatory lenders, they need the help of legal professionals. These scenarios are far too common today. Fortunately, the LSC stands ready to meet these demands.

Because economically vulnerable communities continue to face an unmet need for legal services, my Administration has supported increased funding for the LSC. I have also recommended lifting several unnecessary restrictions on funding so that more people can receive assistance. These changes are critical to the organization’s mission and work.

We have made great progress in protecting the legal rights of our citizens, and the Legal Services Corporation has played a vital role in this story for more than 3 decades. With continued support, it will serve those in need and help our Nation live out its highest ideals.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 25, 2009, as the 35th Anniversary of the Legal Services Corporation. I call upon legal professionals and the people of the United States to honor the contributions of this vital organization.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

Nashville – Health Care for America Now (HCAN), the nation’s largest health care campaign, mobilized its members on Tuesday July 28^th to tell Congress to vote yes on H.R. 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, before the August recess. Constituents are reaching out to say health care reform cannot wait, and Congress should help President Obama pass health care reform that will make quality health care more affordable and give everyone the choice of a public health insurance option.

Click here to view the embedded video.

“This is an historic moment, and we hope our representatives will be on the right side of history,” said Georgia Weindling from Health Care for America Now. “When the House health care bill passes, we will be one step closer to achieving quality, affordable health care for everyone this year. Every day Congress postpones is another day families and businesses struggle. Members should stay put in D.C. until they vote ‘yes’ and get the job done.”

Health Care for America Now is particularly concerned that after reform, health care will be truly affordable. While the vast majority of Democratic members of Congress are fighting to make health care affordable for families and businesses, they face opposition from all the Republicans and a minority of Blue Dog Democrats. Right now, some Blue Dogs are threatening to make health care more expensive, instead of placing a surcharge on the wealthiest 1% of taxpayers – families who earn more than $350,000 a year.

“Members of Congress intent on watering down affordability provisions or diminishing the strength of the public health insurance option in the House health care bill are clearly not on the side of the middle class,” said Georgia Weindling. “It’s not fair for Republicans and a minority of Blue Dog Democrats to leave middle class families on their own to purchase insurance costing more than three times what Members of Congress pay. Families at all income levels are struggling to afford health care premiums and out -of- pocket fees. We expect Members of Congress to support regular folks, not protect the interests of insurance companies and the very wealthy.”

A nurse’s unique perspective on health care reform

Sharon Adkins MSN RN, the Executive Director of the Tennessee Nurses Association

Nurses provide a unique perspective on our country’s health care system. As the largest group of health care professionals, they experience firsthand the system’s successes and failures as they come in contact with individuals who benefit from our most sophisticated services and individuals who suffer from the system’s inefficiencies and lack of access to care.

Health care reform is not a new idea. In 1991, the American Nurses Association and 41 specialty nursing associations came together to develop “Nursing’s Agenda for Health Care Reform.” That plan, now 18 years old, calls for a restructured health care system that would provide accessible, affordable, quality health care for all. And yes, it called for a federally-defined public plan of essential health care services available to all citizens and residents of the United States.

A high-quality public insurance plan option will help make health care more affordable for patients, generate needed competition in the insurance market, and guarantee the availability of quality, affordable coverage for individuals and families no matter what happens.

Will this cost money? Of course, but the cost of doing nothing is even greater. We currently spend $2.4 trillion (that’s with a “T”) on health care every year. $1 trillion, over the next 10 years, represents a 4 percent spending increase in order to produce massive changes to the health care system…changes which will ultimately lead to significant health care savings, improved quality of care, and coverage for millions who currently go without.

Health care reform may be costly, but so is taking no action. The cost is not only in dollars, but in human lives. Doing nothing is not an option.

It’s not that I do not believe in global warming, I simply do not believe “going green” is going to amount to a hill of beans to alter it. Because many scientists agree that the earth has been through similar cycles and altogether different climate cycles many times before and without human input (ice age…anyone?). You do not hear any opposing opinions or different takes in the media, not because there aren’t any from very qualified people to do so, but because it doesn’t tow the politically correct line. Yes “Green” is essentially a political advertising campaign. Its been such a successful one that more and more companies are picking up on it and using it to their advantage. Al Gore made a fortune on his book “An Inconvenient Truth” all the while being one of the heaviest residential users of electricity in Nashville. After all it takes a lot of lights to illuminate the Gore mansion, even when Big Al is away making it snow somewhere by his presence.

We are told that everything, including cow flatulence causes global warming. If it’s a hot summer it must be global warming. If it’s a mild winter, you guessed it, global warming. Let’s all go GREEN, whatever that really means. I will be the first to say we need to wean off of oil as quickly as possible because it’s expensive, limited and it smells, but are we so delusional to think that if we simply change a few habits or feed our cows Gas X that we will halt global warming? It’s really about money in my opinion. President Obama is proposing many new lofty environmental control laws that in the end will cost the American tax payer money and not change anything. The only result will be that government gets bigger, and the economy continues to tank and if the earth is on a warming trend, it will continue to be. As influential as we humans are, and as damaging as we can be, ultimately the earth can still kick our butts.

WASHINGTON – In the Obama Administration’s continued effort to stimulate community development and job growth, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced nearly 700 grants totaling $360 million in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). To view the list of grantees receiving funding under this round of grants, visit HUD’s Recovery Act website.

The grants awarded today represent over half of the Recovery Act-funded grants available through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, which primarily benefit low- to moderate-income families. CDBG enables state and local governments to undertake a wide range of activities intended to create suitable living environments, provide affordable housing and create economic opportunities. Under the Recovery Act, recipients give priority to prudent responsible that can award contracts through a bidding process within 120 days of the grant agreement. A total of $1 billion will be awarded nationwide by HUD in Recovery Act Community Development Block Grants.

“Today, we make another critical investment in the economic recovery of our communities,” said Donovan. “I am proud to announce this $360 million in Community Development Block Grant funding to state and local governments throughout the country, which will create jobs and help to revitalize the nation’s hardest hit neighborhoods. President Obama and I are anxious to put this money to work for long-term, sustainable community and economic development.”

President Obama directed all Recovery Act funding to be spent responsibly and in a transparent manner in order to provide a necessary economic boost, create jobs, and strengthen America’s middle class. In a letter to CDBG recipients of Recovery Act funds, Donovan wrote, “In accepting these funds, it is imperative that you be good stewards of these precious taxpayer dollars by focusing your efforts on the Recovery Act goals of investing in infrastructure that will create or sustain jobs in the near-term and generate maximum economic benefits in the long-term.”

Since 1974, CDBG has provided more than $127 billion to state and local governments to target their own community development priorities. The rehabilitation of affordable housing and the construction and improvement of public facilities have traditionally been the largest uses of CDBG funds although the program is also an important catalyst for job growth and business opportunities. Annual CDBG funds are distributed to communities according to statutory formulas based on population, poverty, pre-1940 housing stock, growth lag, and housing overcrowding.

HUD is committed to implementing Recovery Act investments swiftly and effectively as they generate tens of thousands of jobs, modernize homes to make them energy efficient, and help the families and communities hardest hit by the economic crisis. The Recovery Act includes $13.61 billion for projects and programs administered by HUD, nearly 75 percent of which was allocated to state and local recipients only eight days after President Obama signed the Act into law. The CDBG funding was among the 75 percent that was allocated during that time. Now as grant recipients’ spending plans are approved, HUD is officially making funding available to spend. The remaining 25 percent of HUD Recovery Act funds will be awarded through a competitive process in the coming weeks and months.

About the Department of Housing and Urban Development

HUD is the nation’s housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation’s fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.

FORT CAMPBELL

Members of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Division Special Troops Battalion and the Warrior Transition Unit will attend the event.

Soldiers and family members will spend Independence Day with the President and join him during the White House Salute to the Military. The event recognizes our troops and celebrates their accomplishments as
well as those who support their service and sacrifice.

Over the past six years I have been blessed and fortunate to work with so many local non profit providers in our Community. It was through these relationships, collaborations and partnerships that I came to realize first hand how volunteering and community service makes such a difference in the lives of individuals and families right in our own community. Volunteers make Clarksville a better place!

What I know for sure is that working together cultivates even greater community support, stewardship, lasting relationships and long lasting partnerships and these are the essential elements for building strong, healthy and viable communities.

President Obama said that the challenges we face are unprecedented, and  this is the time for all of us to build a new foundation for economic growth in our country. We have seen over the past several months new investments by the administration in our country, but government can not do do everything alone. Our recovery is about working together right here in our own community doing what we can to help, rebuilding our country one community at a time.

We have what it takes! Every community has riches beyond belief –these riches are the citizens who live here. We all have gifts and talents to share, but how do we reach volunteers with diverse demographics, abilities and community representation? How can we open the door a little wider to service in our own community?  I know that there are many individuals and community groups out there that want to volunteer their time and expertise in the community in a variety of ways. Imagine what Clarksville would be like if we could harness that powerful spirit of volunteerism in our community.

You are invited to an “Idea Exchange” about developing a formal volunteer program called GoClarksvilleTNVolunteer!  The meeting will be held at the Clarksville Montgomery County Library, 350 Pageant Lane in the small meeting room on July 9, 2009 at 10:00 am. Please RSVP by e-mail or you may reach me at 615-504-0285.

I look forward to seeing you on July 9th.

Sincerely,
Rita Arancibia

GoClarksvilleTNVolunteer Overview

Volunteerism inspires us and has the potential to change our world one community at a time!

GoClarksvilleTNVolunteeer will function as a volunteer network to connect individuals, groups, government and local businesses in Clarksville.

• GoClarksvilleTNVolunteer builds capacity for effective volunteering through non profit support, resources and professional training opportunities.
• GoClarksvilleTNVolunteer promotes and celebrates Volunteerism in our Community
• GoClarksvilleTNVolunteer particpates in strategic partnership initiatives to mobilized volunteers to strengthen our community.

Clarksville is home to many PEOPLE- and there are many needs and opportunities for all of us to pitch in and help make Clarksville stronger and more connected.

• People bring diverse talents, perspectives and contributions to our community. Each person has opportunities to enrich the lives of others in our community and their own lives through volunteerism.
• Involvement – volunteering provides opportunities for personal growth through sharing skills, interests and talents.
• Community – collaboration and cooperation between individuals and organizations are the basis for a stronger and more productive community.

Ideas for program

• A searchable volunteer opportunities, wish list database and volunteer calendar
• Weekly Volunteer Opportunities Update
• Training and networking for volunteer managers
• Volunteer networking group for Volunteer Program Staff
• Online resources for Volunteer Managers and Volunteers
• Newsletter
• Annual Community Volunteer Recognition Program
• Annual Community Volunteer Connect Event

Website: http://www.GoClarksvilleTNVolunteer.com/

The Stonewall Inn

Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.

LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country’s response to the HIV pandemic.

Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration — in both the White House and the Federal agencies — openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.

The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.

My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.

These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

Barack Obama

Many do not really see the big deal in replacing one liberal with another, but the effects of such a nomination will continue to affect this country long after Obama is gone (just like his huge debt).

Her ruling against the New Haven firefighters was, for lack of a better word, despicable. Firefighters who deserved a promotion based on performance, skills, evaluation, and experience were snubbed because of racial quotas. They call this “reverse discrimination”, but whenever one is judged solely on the color of skin, no matter the color, for any reason, its just good old fashioned discrimination to me. How have we gotten to the point where racial quotas, charity, subsidies and preferential treatment have surpassed traditionally historical methods of advancement such as self-reliance, education, business experience and work skills? Yes, that is old fashioned and mundane, but it has never been more true. You cannot instantaneously ingrain equality into society no matter how badly you want it. Equality is something that has to be attained, not handed out like coupons. Suppose you lived in New Haven and were trapped in a burning building. Would you rather have competent emergency response crews responding, or one which meets the specifications of racial quotas? Would it matter what color the person was pulling you from the fire?

The advancement test consisted of a written and oral sections, carefully constructed to ensure race neutrality. All 20 who qualified for the promotions were white and the results were thrown out after no minorities qualified. How can this discrimination still exist today? People will obviously blow this off as a rare or minor incident, but it goes much deeper, for it is the mindset of people like Sotomayor which we should be afraid.

Much has been made over Sotomayor’s upbringing and struggle to get where she is. If that is the quota Obama is trying to fill, we already have a Justice who came from absolutely nothing in Clarence Thomas.

While overcoming adversity and struggling to get to the top are certainly admirable qualities, for any color of skin, do those traits necessarily mean you are the best for the job? If you were scheduled to have open heart surgery today would you want to be operated on by a surgeon who was chosen because he had to struggle to get where he is or by the best surgeon you could find? What if the surgeon was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and had every advantage that an advantaged socioeconomic position could offer, would you still choose the one who had to struggle based on principle? Of course not! If it were you, you would not give two hoots on which surgeon had to struggle and which one had all the advantages, you would want the best surgeon available, even if he was purple.

While Obama has stressed the fact that Sotomayor is “empathetic” towards minorities, it leads me to second guess if Obama really understands the law, or if he is fighting for preferential treatment for certain groups based on their skin color. The words “equal justice under law” which is the motto over the Supreme Court building, is in grave danger of misleading those who enter, if such a person is allowed to preside. The color of skin should not matter, but apparently does if the results aren’t appeasing the minorities or certain groups.

Suppose that same logic was applied to the NFL, NBA or Major League Baseball and each team not only had to comply with racial quota percentages, but the starting positions had to reflect it as well. Imagine the NBA and NFL if they were 80% white and traditional qualities such as speed, power, agility, dexterity, performance, physical prowess and ability, and talent no longer mattered, but starting positions were given out in a pre game meeting based on skin color. Imagine MLB without its Hispanic presence because each team would need to be a reflection of society’s color. Now, before everyone gets in a frenzy claiming I am making generalizations about race, you are missing my point.

My point is not that blacks are better athletes than whites or that Hispanics are better baseball players than whites and blacks, my point is in the flawed concept of racial quotas carried out under the disguise of fairness. How many people would refuse to attend professional sporting events if their favorite player was benched or worse yet, had to be released to make room for a player with a different skin color? There would be public outcry and rage beyond comprehension if the NFL or NBA implemented such a policy. Now imagine if a district court of appeals upheld the league’s decision when the athletes who were more qualified, filed suit. There would be rioting in the streets.

Its unfortunate that society doesn’t really care about the New Haven fire department when something like that actually happens, but if we do not recognize and discard that way of thinking, we are heading down a wrong path of unequal justice that will eventually come back to bite us all.

As if this weren’t enough reason to raise questions about her qualifications, she was then quoted as saying, “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.” Better conclusion for who? Hasn’t lived what “life”? I know quotes can be taken out of context, but I find it hard to imagine a world where this would logically apply.

Why would being a Latino or a woman make any difference at all in terms of reaching a better conclusion? Does simply the “richness of her experiences” make her better qualified than a white male who never had to struggle to graduate from Harvard or Yale with honors? I cannot begin to explain how dangerous a doctrine this comment was, and I am sure those on the left will come up with an array of excuses to justify the remark and take attention away from the issue. Just remember what these same people would be saying if Justice Roberts, a white male, had said the same thing and expressed that a white male would reach a better conclusion than a Latino female. He would be crucified.

After all is said and done, she will probably be confirmed as I am quite sure Obama’s staff is grilling her and coaching her on how to answer the questions the Republicans will throw at her in the conformation hearings. I only hope the Senate is gearing up for a thorough line of questioning, in which the mindset behind these remarks are exposed or explained. We must do everything in our power to make sure this doesn’t happen again, it’s too important to our children and grandchildren who are already going to be saddled with paying off our debt.

A judge’s job is not to apply empathy for minorities, but to apply the law so that equality can be attained through individual achievement without barricades from the law. It seems people are more concerned about acceptance between minorities or the “politically correct” views than justice, even if those views do tremendous damage and hinder those it supposedly helps. There seems to be no “empathy” for justice.

WASHINGTON – Speaking to the National Association of Home Builders Spring Board of Directors Meeting, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will allow homebuyers to apply the Obama Administration’s new $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit toward the purchase costs of a FHA-insured home. Donovan said that today’s action will help stabilize the nation’s housing market by stimulating home sales across the country.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 offers homebuyers a tax credit of up to $8,000 for purchasing their first home. Families can only access this credit after filing their tax returns with the IRS. The announcement details FHA’s rules allowing state Housing Finance Agencies and certain non-profits to ‘monetize” up to the full amount of the tax credit (depending on the amount of the mortgage) so that borrowers can immediately apply the funds toward their down payments. Home buyers using FHA-approved lenders can apply the tax credit to their down payment in excess of 3.5 percent of appraised value or their closing costs, which can help achieve a lower interest rate. To read the FHA’s new mortgagee letter, visit HUD’s website.

“We believe this is a real win for everyone,” said Donovan. “Today, the Obama Administration is taking another important step toward accelerating the recovery of the nation’s housing market. Families will now be able to apply their anticipated tax credit toward their home purchase right away. At the same time we are putting safeguards in place to ensure that consumers will be protected from unscrupulous lenders. What we’re doing today will not only help these families to purchase their first home but will present an enormous benefit for communities struggling to deal with an oversupply of housing.”

Currently, borrowers applying for an FHA-insured mortgage are required to make a minimum 3.5 percent downpayment on the purchase of their home. Current law does not permit approved lenders to monetize the tax credit to meet the required 3.5 percent minimum down payment, but, under the terms of today’s announcement, lenders can now monetize the tax credit for use as additional down payment, or for other closing costs, which can help achieve a lower interest rate. Buyers financing through state Housing Finance Agencies and certain non-profits will be able to use the tax credit for their downpayments via secondary financing provided by the HFA or non-profit. In addition to the borrower’s own cash investment, FHA allows parents, employers and other governmental entities to contribute towards the downpayment. Today’s action permits the first-time homebuyer’s anticipated tax credit under the Recovery Act to be applied toward the family’s home purchase right away. Unlike seller-funded down-payment assistance, which was a vehicle for abuse, this program will allow homebuyers to shop for the best home price and services using their anticipated tax credit.

According to estimates by the National Association of Home Builders, the Administration’s homebuyer tax credit will stimulate 160,000 home sales across the nation – 101,000 of which will be first-time buyers who will receive the credit. Another 59,000 existing homeowners will be able to buy another home because a first-time buyer purchased their home. Given FHA’s current market share, it’s estimated that thousands of families will be able to purchase a home by allowing the anticipated tax credit to be applied toward their purchase together with an FHA-insured mortgage.

Homebuyers should beware of mortgage scams and carefully compare benefits and costs when seeking out tax credit monetization services. Programs will vary from organization to organization and borrowers should consider whether the services make sense for them, as well as what company offers the most suitable and affordable option.

For every FHA borrower who is assisted through the tax credit program, FHA will collect the name and employer identification number of the organization providing the service as well as associated fees and charges. FHA will use this information to track the business closely and will refer any questionable practices to the appropriate regulatory agencies, as necessary.