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JLUME 94 - NUMBER 3
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015
TELEPHONE (919) 682-2913 PRICE: 30 CENTS
7
With 'No More Campaigns to Run, ’ Obama Refuses to Back Down
By George E. Curry
NNPA Editor-in-Chief
WASHINGTON (NNPA) -
e strongest line in President
anta’s State of the Union
iress Tuesday night was ad-
bed. When he said toward the
J of his one-hour speech, “I
K no more campaigns to run,”
publicans laughed. He quick-
shot back, “I know because I
in both of them.”
That brief exchange tells us
at we can expect in Obama’s
al two years in office and re
sts two different realities. A
ifident and relaxed Obama,
iking it very clear that he is
I going to curl up in a corner
j concede the next two years
Republicans, outlined his bold
ion for the future, a vision that
es not abandon his key policy
sitions.
Republicans were mostly polite,
while making it clear they were
not endorsing Obama’s vision
for his final two years in office.
Noticeably absent from Tues
day’s State of the Union were
three of the most conservative
members of the Supreme Court:
Chief Justice John Roberts and
Associate Justices Clarence
Thomas and Antonin Scalia.
Thomas has called the event so
partisan that it makes him feel
uncomfortable. Scalia has dis
missed it as a “childish specta
cle” and Roberts has likened it to
“a political pep rally.” In modern
years, regardless of a court mem
ber’s personal views, the robbed
justices have attended the yearly
event, most of the time
isplaying no emotions.
Reviewing his accomplish
ments over the past six years,
Obama boasted, “We believed
we could reverse the tide of out
sourcing and draw new jobs to
our shores. And over the past
five years, our businesses have
created more than 11 million
new jobs.
“We believed we could re
duce our dependence on foreign
oil and protect our planet. And
today, America is number one in
oil and gas. America is number
one in wind power. Every three
weeks, we bring online as much
solar power as we did in all of
2008. And thanks to lower gas
prices and higher fuel stan
(Continued On Pafe 2)
NEWS ANALYSIS
Though Obama did indeed
a both times his name was on
i ballot. Democrats suffered
ijor losses in the 2014 mid-
re elections. Consequently,
publicans hold a 247-188 edge
the House. In the Senate, there
: 54 Republicans, 44 Demo
ns and two Independents who
dually vote with Democrats.
On Tuesday night, President
ama seemed to be setting the
ge for 2016 when in addition
he White House, there will be
najor battle for control of the
nate, where 25 Republicans
11 be up re-election, compared
punly 10 Democrats.
IThough it will be difficult to
It many of the proposals Presi-
kt Obama said will be in his
dget when it is delivered to
Ipitol Hill in two weeks, he
hued forcefully that his polices
d worked, despite strident Re-
blican opposition over the past
[years.
“We are 15 years into this
Iw century,” he began in his
dress to a joint session of
ingress. “Fifteen years that
wned with terror touching our
ores;.that unfolded with a new
neration fighting two long and
stly wars; that saw a vicious
tession spread across our na-
In and the world. It has been,
id still is, a hard time for many.
“But tonight, we turn the
ge. Tonight, after a break-
■ough year for America, our
pnomy is growing and creat-
>jobs at the fastest pace since
99. Our unemployment rate is
w lower than it was before the
ancial crisis. More of our kids
: graduating than ever before,
ore of our people are insured
In ever before. And we are
free from the grip of foreign
as we’ve been in almost 30
ars.
“Tonight, for the first time
ice 9/11, ur combat mission
Afghanistan is over. Six years
0, nearly 180,000 American
'ops served in Iraq and Af-
anistan. Today, fewer than
,000 remain. And we salute
Ie courage and sacrifice of ev-
/ man and woman in this 9/11
deration who has served to
ep us safe. We are humbled
d grateful for your service.
“America, for all that we have
dured; for all the grit and hard
>rk required to come back;
dr all the tasks that lie ahead,
Bow this: The shadow of crisis
is passed, and the State of the
lion is strong.”
As has become custom-
/ during State of the Union
ceches, Democrats stood and
plauded when Obama made
point that appealed to them
ale dour-faced Republicans
tiained seated. Unlike 2009
hen Rep. Joe Wilson, a Repub-
an from South Carolina, vio-
ed congressional decorum by
outing, “You, Lie,”
Maj. Gen. Vincent Stewart
First Marine tapped
to head Defense
Intelligence Agency
By Lolita C. Baldor
WASHINGTON (AP) - A Marine three-star general
will take control of the Defense Intelligence Agency later
this month, marking the first time an African American
or a Marine has held that post, the Pentagon said Jan. 13.
Maj. Gen. Vincent Stewart will be promoted to lieuten
ant general and take over the DIA on Jan. 23. His promo
tion was confirmed last month by the U.S. Senate.
Most recently Stewart was serving as the head of Ma
rine Forces Cyber Command, and he has also been the
Corps’ intelligence director.
James Clapper, director of national intelligence, said
Stewart’s “temperament, professional background, lead
ership skills and integrity make him eminently suited to
be the next DIA director.”
Stewart’s appointment comes more than eight months
after the previous leader was nudged aside amid ongo
ing conflict within the agency. Then-DIA chief Lt. Gen.
Michael Flynn and his civilian deputy director announced
last April that they would retire. Officials at the time said
their departures were hastened in part because of friction
associated with efforts Flynn was making to shake up the
agency.
The traditional role of the DIA has been to provide
military intelligence, including insight into the makeup
and capabilities of foreign military forces, to U.S. combat
units and defense planners and policymakers. It also pro
vides “strategic warning,” or the forewarning of immi
nent hostilities, insurgencies, attacks on the United States
or its forces or allies, hostile reactions to U.S. reconnais
sance activities and terrorist attacks.
Flynn, a career intelligence officer, had led the DIA
since July 2012 and he retired early last August. Typi
cally, the director’s post rotates among the Army, Navy
and Air Force about every three or four years. But it had
never gone to a member of the Marine Corps, which is
technically part of the Department of the Navy.
President Barack Obama talks with, from left, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.; Sen. Charles “Chuck”
Schumer, D-N.Y.; Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Minority Whip; Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; and Sen
ate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; after meeting with bipartisan, bicameral leadership
of Congress in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Jan. 13. (Official White House Photo by Pete
Souza)
Durham Committee Announces 2015 Officers
Former N. C. Sen. Ralph Hunt, chair of The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, has
announced the new slate of officers who have been elected to lead the organization for the next two years.
Hunt, who was elected to head the organization in 2014, will continue to lead the group for the next
two years under the terms of a recently adopted new constitution that provides for two year terms for
officers. The new officers, he said, were unanimously elected on a voice vote at a meeting held Thursday
evening, January 15, at the Delta House in Durham.
Continuity and stability are hallmarks of the new leadership group, Hunt said, noting that all three of
the group’s vice chairs were re-elected to their positions, as were many of the other officers.
Omar Beasley continues as first vice chair, Deborah Giles will continue to serve as second vice chair
and Mignon Schooler was re-elected as third vice chair. Paulette Morrison-Danner Was elected to serve
another two years as the organization’s executive secretary.
Attorney Ralph Hunt, Jr. was elected to head the political committee, following Walter Jackson, who
did not seek another term. Kimberly Williams Moore will serve as political committee vice chair.
Other new faces in the leadership team include treasurer Lolita Wynn, recording secretary Angie
Steele, assistant recording secretary Carolyn Wallace, health committee chair Dr. Sharon Elliott-Bynum,
health committee vice chair Wanda Boone and youth committee vice chair Antoinette Hilliard.
Re-elected to their current positions were civic committee chair Michael Palmer, civic committee
vice chair Pamela Oxendine, education committee chair Deborah Bryson, along with vice chair Vernell
Lassiter, economic development committee chair Jarvis Martin along with vice chair C. J. Broderick,
legal redress committee chair Leon Stanback and vice chair Ralph Frasier, and youth committee chair
LaManda Chestnut-Pryor.
Mark Abram and Frank Meachem exchanged positions with the DCABP housing committee, with
Abram becoming chair and Meachem becoming vice chair.
“I am delighted to have this team of people to work with me in continuing the work of this vital and
historic organization,” Hunt said. “I believe that together we can continue to build on the excellent
progress we made in moving the organization forward in 2014.”
The new officers will be installed and will assume their duties at the group’s annual meeting on
February 22.
NC’s NAACP leader plans 2015
demonstrations in capital
By Jonathan Drew
RALEIGH (AP) - Groups that have protested conservative policies by the GOP-led Legislature are
preparing for a new year of demonstrations undeterred by an election that sent Republicans back to both
chambers with veto-proof majorities, the leader of North Carolina’s NAACP said.
The Rev. William Barber, president of the state NAACP chapter, said reversing restrictive policies on
voting rights, expanding Medicaid and raising minimum wage remain among the groups’ key issues. The
groups are planning a gathering at the General Assembly on Jan. 28 and ongoing actions during the legis
lative session. On Feb. 14. they will hold a march known as the “Mass Moral March on Raleigh/Historic
Thousands on Jones Street,” which began in 2007 when Democrats led the Legislature.
Barber, who is delivering a keynote address Sunday at Duke University’s annual commemoration
for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., said in an interview that the demonstrations are based on issues, not
political parties.
“We don’t have any permanent enemies, only permanent issues,” he said.
Barber said he wasn’t discouraged by elections in November that preserved GOP control of the state
House and Senate, citing electoral districts drawn by Republicans.
“Because of the race-based redistricting, we already knew that many of them would still be in office,”
he said. “Even when you have a veto-proof majority, you cannot veto the voters and veto the right of
people to protest and to challenge.”
The GOP maintains that the districts are both fair and legal, and they were upheld in December by the
State Supreme Court.
Barber said his group’s lawyers are also looking at new rules announced for the General Assembly
about how the public can gather in the legislative building when either chamber is in session. A memo on
the rules from the Legislative Services Office says police can designate separate areas to allow legislators
to come and go from the chambers but that the restrictions won't deny free speech rights.
At their peak, the demonstrations that started during the 2013 legislative session drew thousands.
Nearly 1,000 demonstrators were arrested in 2013, and about 100 the following year. About half of the
people arrested resolved the cases with community service and a fine, and most of the rest were dropped
in September by the Wake County prosecutor who cited a U.S. Supreme Court decision on peaceful as
sembly and protest.
Groups in several other states coordinated with Barber’s group last year to hold protests at their state
Capitols, and he’s expecting that to continue this year.
Barber said people frequently ask whether he expects more arrests this year. He said the coalition’s
repertoire includes civil disobedience, and they’ll tailor their approach in response to the Legislature’s
policies.
“Whether there will be more arrests depends on them more than us,” he said.
On the eve of his speaking engagement honoring King, Barber said that he’s reminded that change in
the civil rights leader’s era required consistent effort.
“Change came when people consistently and morally and constitutionally protested until they changed
the political climate,” he said.