DELAYED HISTORY
Sen. Barack Obama’s historic rise to become the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee was delayed, but not denied. One remarkable fact is that Obama accomplished this without singing a single hymn from any old Negro spiritual, or utilizing the civil rights model of campaigning akin to most black politicians. While the elite, black politicians had no use for Obama – an articulate politician who did not rap, and rarely rhymed or invoked race – his win in Iowa brought global attention to his grassroots movement.
It was at this time that Sen. Hillary Clinton’s campaign began its “throw the kitchen sink” at Obama strategy. She and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, began to speak in racial codes, and to hurl insults at Obama that were tinged with stereotypes of the Jim Crow era. They even summoned high-profile blacks to further their onslaught. Obediently answering the call was BET founder Robert L. Johnson. Just like underpaid “house help,” Johnson commanded the stage in a minstrel act that centered on demeaning speculation, and insinuations about Obama. Even still, mathematically, and realistically, Obama had the nomination wrapped up months ago.
Instead of standing down, Clinton continued to stoke the fears of less-educated whites by making sure they remembered Obama was not only a black man, but in her mind, an “uppity” one at that. While her race baiting had an impact, it ultimately failed, as reasonable people became disgusted with it. While Clinton and her do-boys were scraping the bottom of the political barrel, few black “leaders” had the backbone to put her in her place, and this is a disgrace. Obama is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, and once again cowardly black leaders only came out to endorse him after Clinton told them it was OK.
THE CANDIDATES
As required by state law, Lauderdale Lakes Commissioners Hazelle Rogers and John Billingsley have both resigned their commission seats to run for other offices. Rogers is running for the state house seat and Billingsley is running for the Broward County Commission.
HURRICANE SCAMS
It’s hurricane season and the scams are flying high, so be careful. In one particularly heinous case, the Broward Sheriff’s Office Economic Crime Unit has charged Michael Adkins, 51, with defrauding at least 26 victims who sought to have hurricane shutters installed on their homes. Adkins, who is owner of Roll-Tek Industries, Inc., allegedly took $38,000 in deposits from people to install shutters since February 2007, but never applied for any permits, or started any of the work. He is charged with numerous counts of organized scheme to defraud. Anyone who believes he or she has been victimized by Adkins should contact BSO’s Economic Crime Unit at 954-321-4255.
CANDIDATE’S CRIME MEETING
Deerfield Beach continues to suffer from gang warfare, shootouts, street crimes, and drugs. The Rev. W. J. Ford, pastor of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, is also president of the Ministerial Alliance of Deerfield. The Rev. Anthony L. Davis is the senior pastor at the Church of Brotherly Love, and heads the Deerfield Beach Christian Ministerial Association. The two organizations of member churches have requested the presence of Wiley Thompson, candidate for Broward Sheriff, at a community meeting intended to address these crippling issues confronting the city. The public is urged to attend this meeting, which will take place Tuesday, July 1, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, at 262 SW 10th Ct. in Deerfield Beach. For more information, call 954-421-4879.
SUPERMARKET SALE
Publix, the state’s largest supermarket chain, is buying 49 stores from Albertsons, a rival chain. Four of those stores, located at 1181 S. University Drive in Plantation, 10018 Griffin Road in Cooper City, 2201 N. University Drive in Coral Springs, and 17400 Alternate A1A North in Jupiter, are in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Other Albertsons stores will not be impacted by the sale.
SEX EDUCATION
Christine Brown Jouini, 38, of Lauderhill is a teacher at Center Academy, a private school in Coral Springs. She is now facing three counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor after a student reported he had a year long relationship with her. She is accused of having sex with the then-16-year-old boy at her apartment, where he reportedly was a regular visitor and even stayed overnight. Jouini has been released on $25,000 bond. Her attorney says none of it is true, and that she will be exonerated. In the interim, school officials suspended her without pay pending their own investigation. Book’em, Dano!
CHILDREN CHARGED
Two second graders, ages 9 and 10, at Lake Forest Elementary School in Pembroke Park were arrested and charged with first-degree arson after starting a fire in a bathroom at the school. A teacher found a bag of garbage on fire, put it out, then called police. After questioning by the Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Marshal’s Bureau and the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office, the children were taken into custody, then released to their parents. They will be required to complete the Juvenile Firesetters Program. All charges will be dropped upon their successful completion of the program.
TEACHER CUTS
Last month, Miami-Dade County School Board members voted against a proposal by Superintendent Rudy Crew to cut more than 500 positions, mostly in the transportation and administrative support sectors. That’s why some were shocked to learn at a workshop this week that more than 800 teaching positions have recently been eliminated. Some board members are demanding an explanation.
FUEL LAWSUIT FILED
Attorney Larry Klayman has filed a lawsuit against the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for allegedly violating U.S. antitrust laws. He is accusing OPEC of fixing oil prices. Klayman says oil prices are artificially high because of the 13 oil-producing member nations of OPEC, which is based in Austria.
JUSTICE, ANYONE?
On April 12, James D. Baker, 64, of Boca Raton, was charged with DUI, and was released on bail. On May 3, he was cited for driving with a suspended license, but his bond was not revoked. This past Friday, June 6, he was cited after driving the wrong way on Interstate 95 and crashing into oncoming traffic. One woman was killed and several other people were injured. This week, prosecutors finally moved to have his bond revoked, and Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Sandi Bosso Pardo did just that. Only problem is that one woman is now dead and Baker remains in critical condition at Delray Medical Center, suffering life-threatening injuries from the June 6 accident, and may not survive.
CITY SUIT?
North Lauderdale commissioners are threatening to sue former City Commissioner Bruce Tumin for wearing a T-shirt with an emblem on it that closely resembled the city’s seal with the words “debt.” City officials should be better stewards over the public’s money and stop fronting about filing such a stupid lawsuit.
ANIMAL CRUELTY
Fifty-year-old Carlos Varela was arraigned on animal cruelty charges in Miami-Dade Circuit Court this week. Varela was arrested after allegedly throwing his mother’s dog off the balcony of her fourth floor apartment. The dog’s breed was not immediately known, but it was killed in the sickening incident. The mother, 72, called police. Varela told officers he was upset over a pending divorce, and took his frustrations out on the helpless dog. Get him some help, because he’s a nut case.
EJones@SFLTimes.com
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