happy father's day 2008 - The Metro Herald

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CAPITAL COMMENTS June 13, 2008 MCCAIN SAYS GAS PRICES WON’T DROP AND COULD RISE Record high prices for gasoline probably won’t drop before the November election, Republican John McCain said. “I don’t think it’s going much lower, and it could go higher,” McCain said on NBC’s “Today Show.” “I don’t think so, not when you’ve got a finite supply, basically, and a cartel controlling it.” Although the GOP presidential candidate didn’t address the question of raising taxes on oil companies, he said the companies “absolutely” should return some profits to consumers. “And they should be embarking on research and development that will pay off in reducing our dependence on foreign oil,” he said. “The point is, oil companies have got to be more participatory in alternate energy, in sharing their profits in a variety of ways, and there is very strong and justifiable emotion about their profits,” McCain said. The issue of oil company profits came up this week in the Senate, where Republicans stopped the Democrats from imposing a tax on windfall profits and taking away billions of dollars in tax breaks in response to the $4-agallon price of gas. In the past McCain has indicated he would consider such a tax proposal, saying he didn’t want to see companies making “obscene profits” that distort the market. McCain used the opportunity to bring up his proposal for a gas tax holiday that would suspend the federal tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, a proposal that Democratic rival Barack Obama dismisses as a gimmick. Critics say that cutting the price would only increase demand, which would lead to higher prices again. “Look what’s happened to Americans who are on a fixed in- Senator John McCain come, particularly low-income Americans—that’s why I wanted to give them a little break,” McCain said. “They drive the furthest. They drive the automobiles that use the most gasoline. I wanted to give them a little break for the summer.” In the interview, McCain said President Bush’s strategy to increase the number of troops in Iraq last year is working. McCain has been an ardent supporter of the Iraq war, but he criticized the early handling of the war, saying Bush did not send enough troops initially. In fact, he challenged the characterization that the strategy of increasing troop levels was Bush’s: “May I correct that statement I advocated the surge policy before President Bush.” McCain was asked if, since he argues the strategy is working, he has a better estimate for when U.S. troops could leave Iraq. “No, but that’s not too important,” McCain said. “What’s important is casualties in Iraq. “Americans are in South Korea. Americans are in Japan. American troops are in Germany. That’s all fine. American casualties, and the ability to withdraw. We will be able to withdraw.... But the key to it is we don’t want any more Americans in harm’s way.” Obama wants to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq, which McCain opposes. JOHNSON RESIGNS FROM TEAM VETTING OBAMA VEEP Jim Johnson, a manager of Democrat Barack Obama’s vice presidential search team, resigned amid criticism over his personal loan deals. “Jim did not want to distract in any way from the very important task of gathering information about my vice presidential nominee, so he has made a decision to step aside that I accept,” Obama said in a statement. “We have a very good selection process under way, and I am confident that it will produce a number of highly qualified candidates for me to choose from in the weeks ahead. I remain grateful to Jim for his service and his efforts in this process.” Johnson, the former chairman of mortgage lender Fannie Mae, received loans with the help of the CEO of Countrywide Financial Corp., which is part of a federal investigation in the midst of the subprime mortgage crisis. The story was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Republican presidential candidate John McCain had accused Obama of hypocrisy for speaking out against Countrywide’s tactics while his vetter got favorable rates on three home mortgages totaling $1.7 million. Johnson served on Obama’s vetting team with two prominent Democratic attorneys—former Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder and Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy. Johnson brought the most experience to the vetting team, having filled the same role for Democratic nominees John Kerry in 2004 and Walter Mondale in 1984. He and Holder had been holding meetings this week with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to seek their input on possible running mate candidates. The campaign declined to answer questions about whether Johnson would be replaced or the vetting process will be left to Holder and Kennedy, who have not been involved in a vice presidential search before. On Tuesday, Obama said Johnson had a “discrete task” and was performing it well. He suggested the Countrywide connection was not a problem since Johnson was an unpaid volunteer and hadn’t been assigned to work in a future administration. “I am not vetting my V.P. search committee for their mortgages,” Obama said at the time. Democrats say the nation should be ashamed of its ban on gays serving openly in the military. It discourages qualified people from joining the ranks at a time when the armed forces are stretched by two wars, they say, and is degrading to those willing to serve their country. So what have the Democrats done about it Nothing, really. Since taking control of Congress in January 2007, Democrats have not convened hearings on the matter or taken up legislation that would let gays serve openly, although most party members favor repealing the prohibition. Instead, Democrats have focused their efforts on bringing troops home from Iraq and other issues that have broad appeal among voters, such as lowering gas prices. In a recent interview with The Advocate, a gay newsmagazine, Democrat Barack Obama stopped short of promising to lead the way for change, saying only that he can “reasonably see” a repeal of the current ban if elected president. Indeed, the gays-in-the-military issue has slid from being a top campaign pledge of President Clinton’s to a footnote on the Democratic agenda even as some of its staunchest opponents soften their rhetoric and acknowledge that the nation’s attitudes are changing. “Politics is often driven by risk aversion and fear and that’s big,” said Nathaniel Frank, a senior research fellow at The Michael D. Palm Center in Santa Barbara, Calif., who supports eliminating the ban. “There are people FEDERAL METRO FUNDING MEASURE PASSES HOUSE Under the leadership of Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D- MD), Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA) and members of the Washington regional delegation, the U.S. House of Representatives today approved a key regional and national transportation priority to provide $1.5 billion in matching dedicated funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The funding is deemed as essential to maintaining and improving WMATA infrastructure and services for area residents, federal workers and visitors to the Nation’s Capital. “The Washington Area Metro system is a critical national and regional asset that serves area residents, employees of the federal government and millions of annual visitors to the Nation’s Capital,” stated Congressman Hoyer. “There is a clear federal interest in ensuring that ‘America’s Subway,’ which was created by Congress, is able to operate safely and efficiently for years to come.” The Metro funding measure was approved as an amendment offered by Rep. Hoyer along with Reps. Tom Davis and Chris Van Hollen to the Amtrak reauthorization bill. The amendment is very similar to legislation introduced by Rep. Davis to authorize $1.5 billion over ten years to help finance capital and preventive maintenance projects and require matching dedicated funds from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. “A world capital deserves a worldclass transit system, and this will ensure we have one,” said Congressman Davis. “It will ensure the federal government can continue to function in case of natural or man-made disaster, and it will ensure the system can meet increased demands placed on it by the high cost of energy.” Securing a joint federal-state commitment to WMATA has long been seen as essential to providing overdue capital improvements and maintenance for the system’s aging infrastructure. Metro officials recently estimated that the system needs approximately $489 million in urgent and outstanding infrastructure repair work. The system has been stressed every further with a rapidly growing ridership, in part due to rising energy costs in the region. According to a recent Washington Post story, “In April, Metro’s ridership increased 4.3 percent over the same period the year before.” “Metro’s value to the region and the DEMOCRATS RELUCTANT TO TAKE ON “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” who don’t want to be out front on this.” The reluctance is in large part a result of Clinton’s painful experience. As one of his first acts as president, Clinton sought to make good on his 1992 campaign pledge to open the military to gays. His effort to change the law eventually gave way to the current “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy—but not before debate on the issue divided his party, awakened a fierce social conservative movement and helped GOP critics cast Clinton as a social liberal who was woefully out of touch with the military. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” is intended to keep the military from asking recruits their sexual orientation. In turn, service members can’t say they are gay or bisexual, engage in homosexual activity or marry a member of the same sex. No doubt Obama and congressional Democrats want to avoid Clinton’s fate. If elected, Obama’s primary task would be trying to end the Iraq war without severing his ties to the military or appearing to the American public as weak on national security issues. “Many (party) members underestimate where Americans are on this,” said Marty Meehan, the former Massachusetts Democratic congressman who last year introduced a House bill to repeal the current policy. His attempts to advance the legislation met quiet resistance among the more conservative Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee who feared the issue would prove too divisive among their constituents, particularly those on military bases. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) nation is immeasurable,” stated Rep. Hoyer. “Not only is it indispensible as a transit system for residents of and visitors to the Nation’s Capital, it is an essential component of the region’s emergency evacuation plans. Now that this measure has passed the House, we will work with our colleagues in the Senate to overcome the hurdles in that body.” The federal commitment to the Washington Metro system dates back to 1960, when Congress passed and President Eisenhower signed into law legislation to provide for the development of a regional rail system serving the Nation’s Capital, funding $6.2 billion of the approximately $10 billion needed to construct the original 103- mile system. Congress has since passed Metro authorization bills in 1965, 1969, 1979, and 1990. Senate action on the measure is pending due to the objections of Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) who has blocked consideration. DC BLACK REPUBLICAN COUNCIL FORUM MEETING The DCBRC Monthly Informational Discussion Forum on Tuesday, June 17th will be an interesting and informational event that you should mark on your calendar. The guest speaker will be Shannon Reeves who is the Republican National Committee’s head of African American Outreach. The event is an excellent opportunity to determine what the RNC is doing toward African Americans in the 2008 General Elections and to provide input on what African American want in this campaign season and in the winning candidate’s White House Administration. Make plans to join the DCBRC at Duke’s City Restaurant (1208 U Street, NW) on the 17th and to bring: announcements and inside information to share with other active Black Republicans. And, bring a list of suggestions for Mr. Reeves and the RNC to take notice of in regards to impacting and influencing the Black Vote. Please RSVP to 202-547- 4125 (Bill Reed) Busxchng @his.com, 202-583-3524 (Bob Richards) RbRchrds@ cs.com by 06/13/08. UNITED WE STAND 6 THE METRO HERALD
AROUND THE NATION June 13, 2008 INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC POLICY ANNOUNCES FELLOWSHIP CLASS FOR 2008 The Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP), a program of the UNCF Special Programs Corporation (UNCFSP) announced that 32 outstanding young men and women from across the country have been selected for the 14th Cohort of the IIPP Fellowship—one of the nation’s most prestigious programs for minority students interested in pursuing careers in international affairs. Each of the 32 IIPP Fellows will receive scholarships and services totaling nearly $100,000 over a five-year period, a commitment of $3.2 million. The IIPP 2008 class represents 26 different colleges and universities, including seven Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Dillard University, Johnson D. Smith University, Spelman College, Wilberforce University, Howard University and Jackson State University. Selection as an IIPP Fellow is highly competitive and based on a record of remarkable academic achievement, evidence of leadership potential and commitment to a career in global affairs. A complete list of the Fellows, their educational institutions and hometowns is below. “The incoming Fellows are one of the most diverse groups the IIPP has ever had,” said Darryl Crompton, Director of the IIPP. “Our students are from almost every region of the country and come from small liberal arts colleges, Ivy League universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. What brings them together is their interest and commitment to a career in international affairs.” Over the next seven weeks, the students will participate in the rigorous seven-week Sophomore Summer Policy Institute (SSPI) hosted at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. The SSPI introduces Fellows to the basics of international policy development, foreign affairs, cultural competence, careers in these fields, and options for graduate study. Over the next five years the Fellowship will include study abroad during their junior year, intensive foreign language training, internships tied to their areas of interest and graduate study US LIFE EXPECTANCY TOPS 78 AS TOP DISEASES DECLINE For the first time, U.S. life expectancy has surpassed 78 years, the government reported, although the United States continues to lag behind about 30 other countries in estimated life span. The increase is due mainly to falling mortality rates in almost all the leading causes of death, federal health officials said. The average life expectancy for babies born in 2006 was about four months greater than for children born in 2005. Japan has the longest life expectancy—83 years for children born in 2006, according to World Health Organization data. Switzerland and Australia were also near the top of the list. “The international comparisons are not that appealing, but we may be in the process of catching up,” said Samuel Preston, a University of Pennsylvania demographer. He is co-chairman of a National Research Council panel looking at why America’s life expectancy is lower than other nations’. The new U.S. data, released Wednesday, come from the National Center for Health Statistics. It’s a preliminary report of 2006 numbers, based on data from more than 95 percent of the death certificates collected that year. Life expectancy is the period a child born in 2006 is expected to live, assuming mortality trends stay constant. The 2006 increase is due mainly to falling mortality rates for nine of the 15 leading causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, accidents and diabetes. “I think the most surprising thing is that we had declines in just about every major cause of death,” said Robert Anderson, who oversaw work on the report for the health statistics center. The overall death rate fell from 799 per 100,000 in 2005 to about 776 the following year. Health statisticians noted declines Visit us on the web at www.metroherald.com of more than 6 percent in stroke and chronic lower respiratory disease (including bronchitis and emphysema), and a drop of more than 5 percent in heart disease and diabetes deaths. Indeed, the drop in diabetes deaths was steep enough to allow Alzheimer’s disease—which held about steady—to pass diabetes to become the nation’s sixth leading cause of death. The U.S. infant mortality rate dropped more than 2 percent, to 6.7 infant deaths per 1,000 births, from 6.9. Perhaps the most influential factor in the 2006 success story, however, was the flu. Flu and pneumonia deaths dropped by 13 percent from 2005, reflecting a mild flu season in 2006, Anderson said. That also meant a diminished threat to people with heart disease and other conditions. Taken together, it’s a primary explanation for the 22,000 fewer deaths in 2006 from 2005, experts said. U.S. life expectancy has been steadily rising, usually by about two to three months from year to year. This year’s jump of fourth months is “an unusually rapid improvement,” Preston said. Life expectancy was up for both men and women, and whites and blacks. Although the gaps are closing, women continue to live longer, almost to 81, compared to about 75 for men. Among racial categories, white women have the highest life expectancy (81 years), followed by black women (about 77 years), white men (76) and black men (70). Health statisticians said they don’t have reliable data to calculate Hispanic life expectancy, but they hope to by next year. Increases in female smoking are a major reason that men’s life expectancy is catching up with the women’s, Preston said. Improvements in the care of heart disease—a major health problem for black Americans—helps explain an improving racial gap, he said. About 2.4 million Americans died in 2006, according to the report. PRISONWORLD MAGAZINE OPENS ITS DOORS TO ADVERTISERS Dawah International, LLC has introduced and released its one of a kind magazine for prisoners. Prisonworld Magazine is published on a seven-issue basis in order to communicate with those behind the wall. It is very unique in conception and the only magazine especially for the prison system that showcases poetry, letters of inspiration, thoughts, comments, and opinions, individually and collectively, of inmates. The magazine is tailored for the incarcerated, but is available to the general public for purchase and participation. Dawah has formulated a pen pal service where men and women across the United States who have a desire to communicate with someone in prison can do so in anonymity. As well, inmates can communicate with one another through free pen pal ads. Inmates can become VIP members with special privileges. The magazine also offers trivia and scrabble contests, surveys, religious content, and much more. Prisonworld Magazine now ships to over 400 institutions, state and federal, in 32 states. “Since it is free to the institution’s libraries, we can estimate our readership at approximately 350,000 per month,” says Rufus Triplett Jr., Editor. The magazine also has a large “free world” subscriber SAFEWAY’S EASTERN DIVISION OFFERS $4 GENERIC DRUGS FOR THE MOST COMMONLY PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS Safeway today announced a discount prescription program that will price more than 300 of the most commonly prescribed generic medications at $4 for a 30-day supply. The $4 Generic Drug Program—effective at all Safeway in-store pharmacies in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Delaware—offers a savings to customers purchasing medications that treat the most common conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, chronic pain, thyroid and heart health issues. The program began recently at 115 in-store Safeway pharmacies throughout the region. Generic drugs contain the same active ingredients as their name-brand counterpart, but cost less. A complete list of prescriptions available under the $4 Generic Drug Program can be obtained at Safeway pharmacies or by calling the Safeway Customer Service Center at 1-800-723-3929. Current Safeway pharmacy customers will realize the new pricing with their next refill. New customers can bring a written prescription or transfer a prescription by simply calling their local Safeway pharmacy. Customers can also transfer a prescription online at Safeway.com in the “Wellness Center” section under “Pharmacy.” For more information, visit www.safeway.com. base. Many people find the magazine interesting because of its positive messages, humor, resources and trivia. The magazine is highly demanded and anticipated in all of the institutions. The magazine has recently opened its publication to advertisers. In keeping with the attitude of giving its readers what they want, the magazine is seeking typing services, gift stores, greeting card wholesalers, pen pal/ MYSPACE services, lawyers/paralegals, jewelry stores, audio books/bookstores, authors (self-published, African- American, self-help, etc) and entrepreneurial services as advertisers. Jenny Triplett, Editor-in-Chief, says, “We receive several letters every week requesting all kinds of services. Even though we would like to, we cannot handle all of the prisoners needs. We know there are people out there who are willing to think outside the box.” Prisonworld Magazine offers better than competitive rates and an extremely unique target market. With over 2.2 million incarcerated, anyone who advertises in the magazine has a direct link to a community with its own market share. Dawah is a family owned and operated company established to bring a positive vibe to the prison community. The owners are originally from Michigan, with ties in Toledo, Ohio and Florida, and have been based in the Atlanta area for over 15 years. When asked the question what would make you start a magazine like this, the owners respond intelligently “We hope to bring new and different ideas to the multimedia game as well as enlighten views and perceptions of an uninformed and forgotten society.” THE METRO HERALD 7
Page 1 and 2: VOLUME XVII, NUMBER 24 IN THIS ISSU
Page 3 and 4: AFRICA UPDATE June 13, 2008 ATTACK
Page 5: AROUND THE REGION June 13, 2008 MET
Page 9 and 10: HEALTH & WELLNESS June 13, 2008 PHY
Page 11 and 12: EDUCATION June 13, 2008 PITNEY BOWE
Page 13 and 14: FATHER’S DAY 2008 June 13, 2008 A
Page 15 and 16: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT June 13, 2008
Page 17 and 18: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT June 13, 2008
Page 19 and 20: SPORTS & RECREATION June 13, 2008 O
Page 21 and 22: CLASSIFIED ADS/BIDS & PROPOSALS Jun
Page 23: June 13, 2008 24 THE METRO HERALD

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