Florida Rep. Alcee Hastings has withdrawn an amendment that would have prevented the military from using money to carry out the provisions of its Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, which prevents gays from serving openly in the military.
Hastings reluctantly pulled his amendment to a defense spending bill while arguing that the policy is discriminatory and should be eliminated. An amendment to the Defense Appropriations, Hasting bill would have prevented funding any DADT investigation similar to the moratorium Sen. Kirsten Gillbrand introduce then withdrew, officially because she did not think she had the votes.
Here’s what Hasting said about why he pulled his bill: ``Due to pressure from some of my congressional colleagues and from the White House, I have withdrawn my amendment,’’ he said. ``I would, however, like to note that it is most unfortunate that we are not addressing `don’t ask, don’t tell’ at this time.’’
This certainly has the list serves and blogs buzzing again about everything from what we should expect from the White House to how do we finally rid ourselves of the odious DADT.
In an effort to balance California's budget, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger used line-item vetoes July 28 to chop more than $50 million in funding from the state Office of AIDS, including critical funding for HIV viral-load testing.
The cuts curtailed state funding for HIV-related education (an 80% cut), prevention (80% cut), counseling (70% cut), testing (70%), primary medical care (50%), home care (50%) and housing (20%), one cut stood out in particular: the termination of all funding for the Office of AIDS' Therapeutic Monitoring Program. For some 35,000 working- and middle-class Californians whose HIV care is paid for by the state, that program pays for viral-load testing and drug-resistance testing.
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference founding in 1957 by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., along with others leaders such as the Rev. Joseph Lowery, the Rev. Ralph David Abernathy and the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, to lead a region and a nation in nonviolent confrontation with the injustices of segregation is facing defections and claims of financial improprieties and anti-gay civil rights attacks on its leaders.
Recent report in the New York Times, the Advocate and other LGBT media sources have questioned the SCLC’s commitment to full civil rights as new has broke that the national organizations was seeking to outs the president of its Los Angeles chapter over his support for marriage equality for same sex couple in California. But as is often the case, the battle of LGBT rights is only part of the story of this storied icon of civil rights institutions.
The Media Reports
SCLC like many other historic civil rights organizations has sought to redefine its voice, relevance and priorities in light of the changed landscape of today’s movements for economic and racial justice. As the final decisions are being made for this year’s convention, newspapers and blogs have reported on a number of internal organizational challenges that are vying for center stage.
Leaders of the former Florida state chapter of the SCLC are struggling with national leaders in Atlanta to maintain control of their turf. In Los Angeles, chapter President the Rev. Eric Lee recently said the national SCLC has been trying to fire him because he actively supports same-sex marriage and gay rights.
The SCLC dissolved the Florida state chapter because it said that they failed to keep at least three local branches organized and because of other unspecified factors. The Florida leaders contend they are they are victims of retaliation for raising questions about SCLC finances. The former SCLC officials from Florida claim that more than $1 million that was given to the nonprofit SCLC Foundation, a separate organization controlled by SCLC board members, did not show up in the SCLC form 990, a yearly IRS financial report. SCLC lawyers contend the foundation filed its own 990 form and added that the money was used for new offices on Auburn Avenue and did not have to be routed through the SCLC.
The Board of Directors of the Florida SCLC voted unanimously to join a new organization, the National Christian Leadership Conference, ending ties with the SCLC for Chapters from Pensacola to Tallahassee, from St. Petersburg to St. Augustine. Sevell C. Brown III (pictured) of St. Petersburg is leading the new group.
The New York Times has reported that during the battle last fall over Proposition 8, an amendment to the State Constitution that banned same-sex marriage, the Rev. Eric P. Lee, was more than a tangential figure for the opposition. In May, Lee received a call from the National Board of Directors summoning him immediately to Atlanta to explain why he had taken a position on same-sex marriage without the authority of the national board. Because chapters of the leadership conference operate autonomously and presidents are picked by local boards, it is not clear that the national organization has the authority to remove Mr. Lee from his post, which he has held for two years.
Who's Talking
The local SCLC board leader and secretary of the state's Democratic Party, has defended Lee and challenged the national leaders' ability to fire him. Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti also wrote a letter of support.
In an unusual attempt to intervene in the internal matters of another organization the interim Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition wrote to SCLC Chairman Dr. Byron C. Clay calling on SCLC to reverse their earlier course of action, calling for a hearing and potential repercussions against the Lee of the SCLC. NBJC and SCLC are both members of the Black Leadership Forum a coalition designed to encourage greater cooperation among Black organizations. It was unclear from media reports if NBJC had contacted SCLC official prior to making the letter public.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
Today’s homily is about fear.
When I was a very young child my parents became Jehovah’s Witnesses. My first memories of fear are of big dogs and God.
The Bible mentions two specific types of fear. The first type is said to be beneficial and is encouraged. The second type is said to be detrimental and is to be overcome. The first type of fear is fear of the Lord. This type of fear Christians define as a reverential awe of God; a reverence for God’s power and glory, recognizing with humility our right relationship with an all-powerful God.However, what I recall most about fear from Bible study and family conversations is the fear of God’s wrath and anger, fear of judgment and condemnation which was undeniably posited as what animates the commanded reverence of God.
The second type of fear mentioned in the Bible is not beneficial at all. This is the “spirit of fear” mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. A spirit of fearfulness and timidity does not come from God.
Sometimes this “spirit of fear” overcomes us, gets a hold in us and overtakes our ability to reason and be rational. I am sure at some point the Bible lessons mentioned that, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” 1 John 4:18. However, I was taught to be afraid of God’s punishment. God’s love and my love of God did little to remove this disquietude.
A natural fear circuitry is inborn, giving us the fight or flight response to real danger. Any proto-humans who lacked a well-honed fear response did not survive long enough to evolve higher-order thinking; unable to react quickly and intuitively to rustling bushes or advancing shadows, they instead became some carnivore's dinner. Specifically, fear evolved because it promotes survival by triggering an individual to respond instantly to a threat with heightened speed and strength.
So we were not only born with an innate fear but many of us were also taught to fear. Not only to fear that which can be proven to cause demonstrable harm such as fire and charging wild animals but that unknowable as well, the wrath of a jealous and vengeful God. No wonder then that fear remains a potent emotion in every aspect of our lives.
In fact, half a century of research has shown that fear is one of the most politically powerful emotions, especially when the fears have a basis in reality. Consequently, too many of our political decisions have been and continue to be made based on our fears.
In order to receive quality health care in America, every individual American must have health insurance. Every year, the deaths of at least 22,000 people between the ages of 25 and 64 can be attributed to a lack of health insurance. This makes the lack of health insurance the sixth leading cause of death, ahead of HIV/AIDS and diabetes. Yet our fear of the unknown, fear of creeping socialism (whatever that might mean), and our fear of change has kept us stuck with an outdated health care model. Even now, when reform seems possible, those who perceive that they might lose power, money or influence in a reform effort are inciting that fear. As a result, instead of talking about a single-payer or another radically inclusive model of ensuring access to health care for all, our leaders are attempting to regulate an antiquated employment-based health insurance system.
Could it be that Dr. Henry Louis (Skip) Gates, a smallish 58-year-old Harvard scholar, writer, editor, and documentary maker who walks with a cane but who has never shied from using his words and Sgt. James Crowley, who also teaches a course in racial profiling at Lowell Police Academy both acted out of fear during their recent confrontation at Dr. Gates home? I can imagine that in the moment such as the one they shared, one might fear the loss of their dignity, the loss of rightfully earned and deserved respect, and the potential loss of a well-cultivated personal identity. These fears however fleeting are real. I have been taken with White reporters and commentators who expressed such relief when the President seems to back away from his empathic nod to Professor Gates. Maybe they feared the loss of the dignity of the working class, loss of connection with their President. Dr. Gates playing the dozens and Sgt. Crowley’s handcuffing and arrest were acts that could be read as fearful.
Studies show that fear is most effective if exploited with finesse. Astern Republican political leaders and talking heads seem to have settled on a very devious exploitation of the fears of White Americans for their 2010 campaign. However, they should be cautious because to rely on such crude scare tactics may well backfire. New research has brought a more nuanced understanding of the power of fear: it can drive voters away from the protective authority figures who seem like its logical beneficiaries. On the other hand Democrats should be mindful. If Republicans play the fear cards with care there is a real possibility they will take back some of those former Bush country seats won in the last elections. For meaningful reform to be possible not only Democrats, but progressive Americans as well must again turn out the votes in big numbers and this time they won’t have Barack Obama’s coattails.
We must be wise and informed. We must not be deceived or manipulated by fear.I have often reacted as if there was something to fear, promoting my flight or fight reaction. At times, there was no threat. It is always good to be on the alert but we should not allow fear to rule in our lives or in our politics. Perfect Love casts out fear.Love is the antidote to fear.Act out of love!Love demands that every individual has access to health care. Love demands that we respect the dignity of everyone even in the face of undignified acts. Love allows that our way is not the only way.
Whatever is around that corner, whatever secret may be revealed, whatever sacrifice we may have to make in the name of fairness, fear not because the Spirit is with you and you alone are the author of your story. Your story, our story must be of a nation that overcame our fear and created a more just and fair society.
Welcome family, friends and guests. This is my first personal blog posting. Homestead Homilies will serve as a space for me to share my thoughts about politics, health, community service and daily dish.
My goal is to keep it real while providing each of my readers and followers with food for thought and your imagination. I have written for other blogs and web sites but this is my first effort on my own. Please be patient as I get into the groove.
I woke this morning to the news that fellow activist and prize winning author E. Lynn Harris had passed at 54 years old. I am of course reminded of how very fragile life can be and how much I am blessed. I am reminded of the words of Essex Hemphill, "I try not to worry to much; because Black men die to frequently," and often too young. God speed Brother Harris.
After being estranged from my family for years I have been honored to have them back in my life. My son, grandson, cousins and my 95 year old Father. Life's joy and pain all flowing from the same stream here to Homestead.
It is a wonderful summer’s day so I think I will get out and enjoy it. I’ll be back and I hope you will be too. Until then remember that you are the master of your destiny and everyday offers the opportunity for change.
Political commentator, communications and not-for-profit advisor. The writer is the former and founding CEO National Black Justice Coalition, and served as chief lobbyist on gay and lesbian rights for the ACLU and on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS in the Clinton administration.
