Troy Davis "March for Clemency" planned in Atlanta

Although the execution date of death row inmate Troy Davis is set for Wednesday, September 21 in Georgia, a last ditch effort is being made to save his life. Amnesty International, the National Action Network (NAN), and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) are hosting a march and prayer vigil to stop his execution and move for clemency.


The march will take place today, September 16, at 6 p.m. at Woodruff Park near Peachtree and Edgewood in Atlanta and will continue to Ebenezer Baptist Church, 407 Auburn Avenue, near the burial grounds of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King.

Davis, 42, was convicted of the 1989 murder of a Savannah police officer. He has been on death row for 20 years. Over 60,000 people have signed a petition to the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles calling for the commutation of his death sentence. Those signing the petition include Pope Benedict XVI, Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, representatives for the European Parliament, and South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

"After the march, I will be joined by Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International, Rev. Al Sharpton of NAN, and Rev. Dr. Raphael Gamaliel Warnock of Ebenezer at a rally at the church to continue shining a light on the appalling injustice that Troy Davis is facing," said Ben Jealous, President & CEO of the NAACP.

Performances by the Indigo Girls, several local choirs, and pleas from the Davis family are planned at the rally. "It’s times like this when we all know why we are so dedicated to the cause of justice," Jealous said.

U.S. foreclosure activity increases

RealtyTrac® (www.realtytrac.com), the leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, today released its U.S. Foreclosure Market Report™ for August 2011, which shows foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — were reported on 228,098 U.S. properties in August. This represents a 7 percent increase from the previous month, but still down nearly 33 percent from August 2010. The report also shows one in every 570 U.S. housing units with a foreclosure filing during the month.

“The big increase in new foreclosure actions may be a signal that lenders are starting to push through some of the foreclosures delayed by robo-signing and other documentation problems,” said James Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac. “It also foreshadows more bank repossessions in the coming months as these new foreclosures make their way through the process.”

Nevada, California, and Arizona post top state foreclosure rates . Nevada posted the nation’s highest state foreclosure rate for the 56th straight month in August, with one in every 118 housing units with a foreclosure filing during the month.

One in every 226 California housing units had a foreclosure filing during the month — more than twice the national average. Other states with foreclosure rates ranking among the top 10 were Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, Florida, Illinois, Colorado and Utah.

NEW WORLD ORDER contemplated by H. G. Wells

This sounds scary, but many of our former U. S. presidents have talked about The New World Order. Here is what H. G. Wells, a science fiction writer, wrote in 1940: "The loss of confidence and particularly confidence in the government and social order is already enormous. No one feels secure, in his job, in his services, in his savings, any longer. People lose confidence even in the money in their pockets. And human society is built on confidence. It cannot carry on without it."

Project Gutenberg of Australia eBooks
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks04/0400671h.html#c12

KEEP HOPE ALIVE!

Will Obama's jobs plan work?

By Tomi Johnson...Is Obama's jobs plan trickle down economics? Will this new rising tide lift our sinking economy? Is any plan better than no plan? Will banks lend to small businesses, and will small businesses turn around and hire? There are no guarantees on this one.

This type of supply-side economics provides tax breaks to businesses in the belief that this will indirectly benefit the broad population, namely the unemployed. Akin to Reaganomics, this new plan also calls for not raising taxes on those making less than $200k - or $250k per year, better known as the non-wealthy.

Let's be clear: The poverty rate, which is increasing, is $10,890 for one person, and $18,530 for the average household defined as parents, offspring and extended squatters. Being rich is relative, but some would deem anyone making over $20k rich in this economy!

How will jobs "planned" to be created with the new initiative help the other 12 million unemployed, millions of underemployed, and people receiving no income not listed on unemployment rolls?

According to Economist William Darity, Obama's job bill if passed will only put a band-aid on the unemployment sore.

"The problem is, of course, it's not a direct jobs program," Darity said. "The government 'incentivizes' the private sector (especially these mystical small businesses that Obama keeps touting as the big source of jobs in our economy) to hire people, rather than the government hiring people directly."

According to Darity, the President of the United States (POTUS) and Congress must come up with another alternative to save our nation. "Many a slip betwixt cup and the lip in the POTUS' plan. We might do well to get two million new jobs out of it. We have 14 million people who are jobless."

Even post George Orwell 1984, one wonders whether it is prudent to have the government hire more people to solve our economic problems. In a recent letter to me, Obama encouraged the unemployed to go to USAJOBS website (http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/), but getting a job there is near impossible, unless you are a veteran.

We also need to hire the unemployed, not just shift people from one job to another. We need to make sure that certain groups are not discriminated against in employment...we do not need the same old boys getting the same old jobs. We must narrow the wealth gap!

As our currency implores, PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD, NOT MAN. We truly need a miracle!

©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.

Millions of homeowners being counseled on foreclosure

NeighborWorks America announced yesterday that more than 1.1 million homeowners across the United States have received foreclosure counseling through the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling (NFMC) Program.

In December 2010, an independent analysis of the NFMC Program showed that NFMC Program clients in foreclosure were 1.7 times more likely to cure a foreclosure and potentially avoid losing a home than homeowners who did not receive foreclosure counseling. In addition, NFMC clients who received loan modifications reduced their monthly mortgage payments on average by $267 more per month than they would have without NFMC counseling. This represents an annual savings of over $3,200 per homeowner.

The organization also said California and Florida were hardest hit by delinquencies and foreclosures, and minority and low-income homeowners and neighborhoods have been disproportionately impacted by the foreclosure crisis.

NeighborWorks America is one of the nation’s leading trainers on community development and affordable housing. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated $20 billion in reinvestment in communities.

For more information about the NFMC Program, visit www.nw.org/nfmc.

Eugenics movement on the rise fueled by Tea Party debate

At tonight's Republican Tea Party debate, the moderator asked whether a 30-year old without health insurance lying in an intensive care unit should be denied care and left to die. This person could be the patient who was rescued by bystanders after a motorcycle accident in Utah. One person in the audience responded, "Yeah," while others applauded.

This outburst is one example of how some Republicans feel about social programs paid by taxes which include Obamacare. Although many Republicans claim to be Pro- lifers, what does this outburst say about them helping save a life?

The rest of the debate was pure entertainment with pointed swipes at President Obama, calling him scary, depressing, antiquated, and inept.

What do you think of the Tea Party movement? Please post your comments.
©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.

Eliminationism without war: unresolved threats

While viewing the PBS documentary Worse Than War based on the book and research of Daniel Jonah Goldhagen, I wondered to myself can unemployment, incarceration, abortion, and mis-education lead to forms of genocide within our own borders?


Also, how will this month's United Nation's vote on Israel's border affect the United States if the Palestinian's demands are met?

What are your thoughts on these subjects?

Phishing phone calls being made by pseudo banks

Beware of automated telephone calls saying that your bank debit card has been compromised. Calling systems have been calling homes in the last two days, saying that unusual activity has occurred and that banking services may be suspended. These calls are tied to Bank of America accounts but may deal with any bank accounts held by customers.

According to Bank of America, if there is fraudulent activity on your account, the bank will notify you once and suspend the account but will not keep calling. A representative at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said these calls are set up to get personal information from bank cardholders and are actually "fishing" for your identity.

If you receive one of these calls, contact the Consumer Protection Agency in your state and lodge a complaint with the FTC by calling 877-382-4357.

©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.

Start-ups may be ineligible for SBLF funds

With employment rates remaining flat and the job market getting tighter, some folks are thinking of going into business for themselves, but "newbie" entrepreneurs with good ideas and little track record may still have a hard time securing financing. Start-ups may not even be eligible for $767 million recently given out to Main Street community banks by the Treasury Department in an attempt to jump start small business ventures and create jobs.

Charles A. Beard, President and CEO of Commercial Banking Company (CBC), says to his knowledge his bank is the first in Georgia to receive funds from the U.S. Treasury Department's Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF), and he urges small businesses to apply. CBC is part of Lowndes Bancshares, Inc. of Valdosta, Ga. which has received $6 million to loan small businesses.

"We are making these funds available to businesses in our local communities which are defined as Lowndes and Colquitt counties. The purpose of the SBLF is to facilitate banks making loans available to small businesses, and that is our intent." Beard said his bank prides itself on relationships and tends not to lend outside the market or to people they do not know who cannot be serviced on an ongoing basis. (Photo from CBC website)

Beard said funding categories for SBLF loans include owner occupied commercial real estate (attorney and doctor's offices, grocery stores, etc.), commercial or industrial loans which are basically small businesses needing more capital, or agricultural related businesses.

"We already have some customers in the pipeline who are eligible for the funds." Beard said he is not doing any advertising and will be delivering information about the funding by way of bank loan officers. Beard said this funding is more applicable to existing small business customers who are continuing to grow, expand, and maintain their businesses as opposed to start-ups.

"It's getting harder and harder to deal with banks because of adequacy of capital and cost of funds." Beard said that having customers in the pipeline makes it easier to accommodate existing customer's needs.

The SBLF is one part of the Obama Administration’s comprehensive agenda to help small businesses access the capital they need to invest and hire. The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), which is also a key part of the Small Business Jobs Act, allocates $1.5 billion to new and existing state programs that will leverage private financing to spur $15 billion in new lending to small businesses and small manufacturers.

According to the SPLF website, the Fund encourages lending to small businesses by providing capital to qualified community banks with assets of less than $10 billion. Through the Small Business Lending Fund, Main Street banks and small businesses can work together to help create jobs and promote economic growth in local communities across the nation.

"Ninety-five percent of the funds that will be made available are still open for discussion." Beard advises those wishing to apply to have a business plan in hand to submit to a loan officer. For more eligibility requirements to participate in the Lowndes Bancshares, Inc. and CBC funding, go to www.cbcbank.com or go into one of the bank's branches.

©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.

Slavery, the Game is on You Tube

Supposedly being released in June 2012 and produced by Javelin Reds Gaming, a game based on slavery is a hot, You Tube video. The game allows the gamer to trade and exploit slaves in 17th century Europe.


To watch the bogus trailer, go to http://www.slaverythegame.com/home.php.

©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.

U.S. jobs report shows unemployment figures unchanged

Nonfarm payroll employment was unchanged (0) in August, and the unemployment rate held at 9.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment in most major industries changed little over the month. Health care continued to add jobs, and a decline in information employment reflected a strike. Government employment continued to trend down, despite the return of workers from a partial government shutdown in Minnesota.

The number of unemployed persons in the U.S. is at 14.0 million. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (8.9 percent), adult women (8.0 percent), teenagers (25.4 percent), whites (8.0 percent), blacks (16.7 percent), and Hispanics (11.3 percent) showed little or no change in August. The jobless rate for Asians was 7.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted.

The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks and over) was unchanged at 6.0 million in August and accounted for 42.9 percent of the unemployed.

To read the Commissioner's statement on unemployment, go to http://www.bls.gov/news.release/jec.nr0.htm.

First Busey Corporation receives $72.7 million to spur small businesses to create jobs

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has announced that an additional 50 community banks across the country received a total of $767 million as part of funding provided through the Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF). The bank receiving the most money was First Busey Corporation of Champaign, Ill., which received $72.7 million. The smallest award of $1.5 million went to PFSB Bancorporation, Inc. in Pigeon Falls, Wis.

“These funds will provide a powerful incentive for community banks to expand their lending to small businesses, spurring new investment and job creation” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Neal S. Wolin. “Breaking down barriers to credit will provide critical support to Main Street entrepreneurs looking to invest in their local communities, grow their businesses, and put more Americans back to work.”

The SBLF, which was established as part of the Small Business Jobs Act that President Obama signed into law, encourages community banks to increase their lending to small businesses, helping those companies expand their operations and create new jobs.

Enacted into law as part of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (the Jobs Act), the Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF) is a $30 billion fund that encourages lending to small businesses by providing capital to qualified community banks with assets of less than $10 billion.

The Small Business Jobs Act defines small business lending as certain loans of up to $10 million to businesses with up to $50 million in annual revenues. Those loans include:
• Commercial and industrial loans
• Owner-occupied nonfarm, nonresidential real estate loans
• Loans to finance agricultural production and other loans to farmers
• Loans secured by farmland

To learn more about this program and other banks involved, go to:
http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1284.aspx

New jobs report due today

The employment situation for August 2011 is scheduled to be released on September 2, 2011, at 8:30 a.m. by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.

NOTE: When George W. Bush became president in January 2001, the unemployment rate was 3.4%. When he left office in January 2009, the rate was 8.5%.

Avoid bank fees by having good relationship with banker!

"For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath." Matthew 13:12

NOTE: When banks stop offering walk in teller access to save on fee assessments, a savings passed on to customers, it could signal employee layoffs...

Many banks will have fee changes in October, and many customers who do not have a lot of money in the bank will get automatic deductions from their accounts. Other banks are merging and competing for customers by offering free money with a few requirement stipulations. The world of banking is changing, and customers should beware and be informed.

Students who set up accounts in high school after five years face fees automatically because of changes in requirements, even though they are still in college. Bank corporate offices send out junk mail-looking announcements stating changes, but often the information is overlooked. These announcements often state that unless a daily balance of $1500 is maintained, an $8.95 charge will be deducted each month. This is not good for students who are already strapped for cash and face huge loan payments when they graduate, even though they may not have jobs.

According to Wikipedia, "The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA, Pub.L. 95-128, title VIII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1977, 91 Stat. 1147, 12 U.S.C. § 2901 et seq.) is a United States federal law designed to encourage commercial banks and savings associations to help meet the needs of borrowers in all segments of their communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.[1][2][3] Congress passed the Act in 1977 to reduce discriminatory credit practices against low-income neighborhoods, a practice known as redlining."

Antron Freeman, banking center manager at Bank of America in Marietta, Ga., said the best way to avoid fees is to have a good, working relationship with your neighborhood banker and to examine all bank account options. "The industry itself is large...and it could take years to communicate information to customers, so we do it through the mail in hopes that our customers are looking at their statements and other bank correspondence."

Freeman said bankers are dependent on information from customers to better the system and come up with alternatives that work for both the bank and customers. "We just did a complete overhaul on the types of accounts that we offer, and one of the four accounts that we have may be a good fit," he said.

Banks are also buying out other banks. RBC is being acquired by banking giant PNC which is rumored to be merging with FlagStar Bank. RBC is offering $150 for opening checking accounts through mail out letters and $25 for customer referrals.

IronStone Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank, offers free business checking to accounts with DBA status. Lockheed Federal Credit Union is offering 2%interest on some checking accounts and 2% interest on children's savings accounts.

For more information, contact your local bank.

©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.

Cobb Superintendent to speak at Democratic Women meeting

Dr. Michael Hinojosa, the new Cobb County Superintendent of Schools, will be the guest speaker at the Cobb Democratic Women's monthly meeting on Thursday, September 8 between 6 - 8 p.m. The meeting will be held at Scalini's Restaurant, 2390 Cobb Parkway SE in Smyrna, Ga.

"Come learn the latest on education in our Cobb County schools, and bring a friend!" said RuthE Levy, organization chairwoman.

The organization will also be collecting school supplies to be donated to children at the YMCA Battered Women's Shelter. Needed school items include paper, pencils, notebooks, gently used dictionaries, and working TI calculators.

For reservations and more information about this event, contact RuthE@RuthELevy.com or call 770-639-5658.

Who is getting hired???

Preliminary reports from the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) five city job tour are being compiled at the same time the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is about to release information on unemployment. "Although the government does not give a profile of WHO is getting hired, it does release data on the industries which are hiring," said Steven Rondone, economist at Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.

Andy Phelan, media director with U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson's office, (D) 4th District, said although CBC officials are still compiling data, preliminary estimates show, "from the Atlanta job fair, one company hired more than 60 sales reps, AT&T hired an engineer and one sales rep. The information is still coming in at this time."

Phelan said participants at CBC job fairs included:
Los Angeles - 10,000
Cleveland - 3,200
Detroit - 4,200
Atlanta - 4,500
Miami - 5,500

According to BLS, "Persons are classified as unemployed if they do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the prior four weeks, and are currently available for work."

Being employed is defined as "the total number of persons on establishment payrolls employed full or part time who received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the 12th day of the month" and does not equate to being told you have been hired.

©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.

Atlanta WingChun to hold self defense seminar

An open, hands on, martial arts seminar concentrating on kung fu will be held Saturday, September 17 between 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at Marietta Martial Arts, 2145 Roswell Road, Marietta, Ga. Participants must be at least 12 years old to attend, and martial artists from all styles are encouraged to take part in the training.

Paul Wang from Berkley, Calif., U.S. head instructor for the International Academy of WingChun® (IAW), will lead the seminar. Wang is a private student of Grandmaster Klaus Brand of Germany, founder of the IAW. Brand awarded Wang the WingChun® Diploma Teaching Certification, making him the most highly qualified IAW representative in North America.

The seminar will be followed by additional training in escrima and combat fighting techniques on Sunday, September 18 between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Grandmaster Klaus Brand

The organization will also hold an end of the year seminar with Grandmaster Brand on Saturday, December 10, between 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The seminar will again be held at Marietta Martial Arts. Advance reservations are recommended.

This will be Brand's second visit to Atlanta. “It is becoming increasingly apparent that self defense is a necessity, and our methods of counter attack are very proficient,” said Brand. “One must train to defend as well as increase self confidence in physical abilities. The Chinese mastered the art of self defense centuries ago, and we’re building on that philosophy.”

The IAW has branches in Africa, France, Germany, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Atlanta WingChun, the only IAW branch on the U.S. East Coast, is led by Instructors Kurk Johnson and Ayron Johnson. “This will be intense, hands on training. We suggest you be ready for a real workout and willing to learn techniques that will help you succeed if confronted with physical aggression,” Kurk Johnson said.

For more information and to make reservations for one or both seminars, call 678- 453-8119, or visit the website at http://www.atlantawingchun.com/index.html. For videos of this fighting style, go to http://www.atlantawingchun.com/media.html.

MLK's greatest speech: Opposition to War in Vietnam

Even though the festivities to install the national monument in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were canceled this weekend in Washington, D.C., I pause today to contemplate the full message behind one of King's most poignant sermons, "Why I Am Opposed to the War in Vietnam." Some of his pronouncements about war monies being taken from social programs ring true today and should give conservatives something to ponder and others specific marching orders.

Delivered far after King's "I have a Dream" speech on August 28, 1963 and his Nobel lecture delivered on December 11, 1964, King gave his message at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on April 30, 1967. His was a bold move, for those previously in his camp began to criticize him for not sticking to civil rights issues and crossing the line into human rights. Less than one year later, King was assassinated.

King began his remarks by quoting Dante: "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality. There comes a time when silence is betrayal."

Unfortunately, the way our country and the media are being operated today is worse than it was in 1967 when the unemployed and poor people are at issue. To listen to the speech, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b80Bsw0UG-U. For a full transcript, go to http://www.husseini.org/2007/01/martin-luther-king-jr-why-i-am.html .

©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.

Poetess Willie Mae Crump kicks off inspirational book tour

The public is invited to the signing of a stirring book of poetry entitled “Rhymes for Reasons: A Personal Journey of Prose and Prayer” written by Willie Mae Reid Crump. The event will take place on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Allen Temple AME Church, 232 Arnold Mill Road in Woodstock, Ga. Attendees will be able to purchase personalized, autographed copies. The signing begins a poetry reading and book tour throughout the U.S.

Crump, 68, whose signature mark is a butterfly, exhibits her own metamorphic change through poetry. She said it has been a long journey to her home in Roswell, Ga. from her birthplace of Pelzer, S.C. where a language arts teacher gave her the confidence to write.

“What the caterpillar thinks is his life’s very ending, the butterfly knows that it is just the beginning,” are lines from poetry which mark Crump’s latest adventure. “I think of that in terms of me,” Crump said. “It is just the beginning for me.”

Crump’s voice is lyrically sweet, and her 92 pages of poems are written from inner joy. “This book uplifts the spirit, encourages the heart, enlightens the mind, and brings enjoyment to the soul,” said Rev. Carl A. Moore, Sr., senior pastor of Allen Temple AME Church which is hosting the event.

Over a 25 year span, Crump felt compelled to write poems for birthdays, funerals, calls to ministry, anniversaries, and other special occasions. Friends encouraged her to get published so others could be blessed while reading her prose.

A strong church leader and community volunteer, Crump often makes gift baskets for the sick and includes poems in card form which have become tidbits for her new book. “One of my most heart-wrenching poems was written for my mother’s home-going,” Crump said. “She really loved my poems.”

This word weaver’s rhymes flow easily. They are highly descriptive, uncomplicated yet emotional, and devoid of hidden meanings. They are truly delightful as is the tenor of her performance of them. “The way the English language is written, you can make almost anything rhyme,” Crump continued. Kindness and honesty are her specialties as is storytelling.

“I grew up in rural South Carolina right outside Greenville. I loved words. I was placed in an oratorical contest in the 11th grade, and I won. That gave me a boost, and I thought I might have some potential! I could write poems easily. It was never cumbersome or difficult.”

Crump said it is very important to be positive, especially in these times. “The world is in such a state of disarray. People are so involved in their own lives that you have to encourage yourself.” She is strongly rooted in the Word of God and knows where her strength originates.

She did not write the standard query letter to publishers but decided to take the self-publishing route. She stepped out on faith after attending a Spiritual Gifts class. “What a testimony you can give to unbelievers,” is from one of her favorite poems in the book.

Dr. Yvonne Beckles-Thomas said of the book, “In a world rife with struggles, this book of poems will give people a chance to step away and remember that with God, life can be simple and good.”

Crump is a witness to the power of God’s favor, hard work, and creativity. Her next venture is a children’s book based on a squirrel she loved and helped tame with the help of her siblings while growing up.

For more information on this event or to schedule a book signing and poetry reading, contact Ms. Crump at 770-993-0594 or via email at lcrumpjr@bellsouth.net.

Photos from the event - ©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.

"Muslims for Life" blood drive invites all on September 11

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is launching “Muslims for Life,” a nationwide campaign to honor the victims of 9/11 on its 10th anniversary and uphold the message that Islam values the sanctity of life. During the month of September, they will hold blood drives at all mosques and prayer centers in the United States in collaboration with other community organizations. Their goal is to collect 10,000 units of blood which can help save 30,000 lives.

A local blood drive will be held on Sunday, September 11 at the Mosque at 6113 Oakbrook Parkway, Norcross, Ga. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public will be allowed to enter the Mosque for this event.

"The reason for this blood drive is to show fellow citizens of this country that
we love America as much as any other individual," said Mahmooda Rehman, president of the organization's Women's Auxilary. "Our faith teaches us to be loyal to the country you live in. What happened on 9/11 was barbaric. We will defend this country with our lives if need be. We welcome any individual with open arms to our Mosque, and it will be a great honor for us," she said.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a religious organization, international in its scope, with branches in over 195 countries. This is one of the most dynamic Muslim communities in modern history, with worldwide membership exceeding tens of millions.

The Community is an embodiment of the benevolent message of Islam in its pristine purity. The Community endeavors to exert a constructive influence of Islam through social projects, educational institutes, health services, Islamic publications and construction of mosques, despite being bitterly persecuted in some countries. Ahmadi Muslims have earned the distinction of being a law-abiding, peaceful, steadfast and benevolent community.

For more information on this campaign, go to http://muslimsforlife.org/ or call Rehman at 404-395-3213.

Who is Bernie Sanders? Could he beat Obama?

by Tomi Johnson...Cornel West recently stated in a Democracy Now! interview that he could endorse a "Bernie Sanders-like" candidate for president to run against President Barack Obama in the 2012 election, but doubted whether Sanders would run.

Who is Bernie Sanders? Bernard "Bernie" Sanders, U.S. Senator from Vermont, is a Jewish, democratic socialist who ran as an Independent. According to his website, "He is the longest serving independent member of Congress in American history." Sanders was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006 after serving 16 years in the House of Representatives.

On August 2, Sanders voted NAY on the Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to S. 365, an act to provide for budget control.

Last Thursday, Sanders and eight other senators called upon the president to safeguard the health of families by standing strong against efforts to weaken the Clean Air Act. "We are disturbed by media reports that a number of industry groups are urging the administration to set a weak ozone standard, or to avoid setting a new standard at all," the senators wrote. "Polluters are ignoring 40 years of data demonstrating that clean air investments are good for public health and the economy."

On February 15, 2010, "Bernie Sanders: The Most Disappointing Senator" was posted on the Bullshit Philosophy website. In it, Kevin stated, "He (Sanders) seems more concerned with maintaining cordial relations with the Democratic Party than with supporting progressive policies. Like most progressives in Congress, he talks a good game but doesn’t really follow through on it."

To learn more about Sen. Sanders, go to: http://sanders.senate.gov/.

©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.

Hope and Unity Rally rescheduled

According to Georgia Politico, "Due to Governor Deal’s restrictive policies regarding rallies at the State Capitol, we have moved the date to MONDAY, AUGUST 22 at 9 a.m. Website being updated now… tell your friends!"

For more information, go to www.hopeandunityrally.com.

Today's factoid: Frederick Douglass was a banker!

Frederick Douglass was not only an orator and abolitionist, but he was also President of the Freedman's Savings Bank in Washington, D.C.

The online release of the Frederick Douglass Papers is made possible through the support of the Citigroup Foundation and the Library of Congress. For more info, go to: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/doughtml/doughome.html.

©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.

Mountain Park Fitness launches weight loss program

Ever wonder why so many people are overweight? Maybe they have not found the right weight management or exercise program. Maybe it's too hot to run outside! Maybe they need access to a fitness gym 24/7. What to do?

Mountain Park Fitness 24/7 will introduce its new Thin & Healthy’s Total Solution® program at a health and wellness party as part of a Grand Opening celebration. The event will take place at Mountain East Community Church, 5365 Five Forks Trickum SW in Lilburn, Ga. on Saturday, September 10, 2011 between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. There will be prizes and giveaways, including free facials, body sculpting advice, and participatory Zumba demonstrations.

“I began my fitness training over 23 years ago and was tagged with the nickname ‘Ironman’ because my hobby was lifting weights,” said owner Alan Woodward. “Positively changing lives has been my passion.”

Woodward says his company’s new initiative is focused on metabolism retraining, movement, and motivation. The program is a system for permanent weight loss. Woodward, a Stone Mountain resident and former volunteer firefighter, knows the potential for people to become healthier and more productive.

The program is facilitated by licensed coach and sports nutritionist Taylor Blake. “Our goal is to help thousands of people,” Woodward concluded. “We will be using our life success plan as a tool to accomplish weight loss in an ethical, safe way.

“There is also a fun factor to our program; it is not boring,” Woodward said. Whether you want to lose 50 or 150 lbs., goals are set during the beginning session. “You will reach your goal through persistence.” Participation in the program costs $15 - $20 per week.

Mountain Park Fitness 24/7 is located at 5385-N Five Forks Trickum Road, Stone Mountain, Ga. For more information, contact Alan Woodward at 770-381-0077 or visit the following websites: http://mountainparkfitness.com AND http://www.thinandhealthy.com/.

©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.

Economist gives solutions to end unemployment crisis

by Tomi Johnson...Dr. William "Sandy" Darity of Duke University has a solution to end unemployment - a federal job guarantee program.

“The key idea of the federal job guarantee is to remove the threat of unemployment for all Americans,” said Darity. “I think a proposal of this type is closely related to MLK's social justice and antipoverty agenda that postdated the open accommodations dimension of the civil rights movement.”

Professor Darity responded to my post on paid volunteerism on August 9. He gave his unemployment recommendations to the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Budget and Deficit Commission in February 2011. He also published “A Direct Route to Full Employment” in the Review of Black Political Economy in July 2011.

Darity said he developed solutions to unemployment three years ago. He is presently Research Professor of Public Policy Studies, African American Studies and Economics at Duke University and Cary C. Boshamer Professor of Economics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"Robert Reich came close to advocating just such a proposal in his commentary on Tuesday, and Charles Peters has a piece on Slate arguing for a resuscitation of the WPA. Maybe momentum will build for genuine federal jobs program," Darity said.

Here are some main points from Darity’s plan:

Establish a National Investment Employment Corps

The nation faces an ongoing and sustained employment crisis. To address the crisis, the federal government should establish a job guarantee program for all adult citizens. The National Investment Employment Corps should offer all citizens 18 years of age and above an employment guarantee at a minimum salary of $20,000 with $10,000 in benefits, including medical coverage and retirement support.

An upper bound estimate of the expense of the program can be established by putting all 15 million persons unemployed at the peak levels of unemployment at the current crisis at a mean salary of $40,000, inclusive of materials and equipment per worker, with $10,000 in benefits. The total compensation package would amount to $750 billion which is less than the first $787 billion stimulus package and considerably less than the first phase of the bailout of the investment banks estimated at $1.3 trillion. This initiative would be far superior to the indirect incentive effects of stimulus measures because it would constitute a direct mechanism for job creation.

Establish job banks

States and municipalities can conduct an inventory of their needs and develop a job bank of tasks that require performance giving priority to the most urgent. This could include the construction, staffing and provision of high quality preschools, computer repair, upgrade and maintenance, sanitation workers, flood and other disaster service workers in hospitals and schools, and the extension, repair and maintenance of the public transportation infrastructure, e.g. roads, bridges, and dams.

To read more about Darity's plan, go to: http://www.springerlink.com/content/h1310q6327813743/ or watch his video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVyIMo_wQuU.

If you would like to comment about Dr. Darity's plan or have a plan of your own, please email tomimot@gmail.com

©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.