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OPINIONS/triie Cgarlom $o£t
Thursday, November 9, 2006
Charlotte needs
real leadership to
halt crime rate
Congratulations Charlotte! In addition to duping citizens
in the name of building the apparently oh-so-necessary
light rail system, successfLdly wrangling the NASCAR
Hall of Fame from other suitable locations, and now the
proposal to squeeze a baseball stadium into Uptown,
; Charlotte has yet another shiny big-city
i ornament to pin on its puffed out chest.
According a national crime report by the
: Morgan Quitno Press, which used FBI fig-
ures from 2005, the city of Charlotte is cur-
rently ranked the eighth most dangerous
city in the United States among cities with
a population of at least 500,000. Just
eighth, you say? Well, cut the city some
slack. After all, we did manage to move up
two whole notches from being ranked the
tenth most dangerous city last year. That’s an accomplish
ment for us, right?
Police Chief Darrel Stephens has already denounced the
results of the survey as being “pretty meaningless”. WeU,
this is what it does mean; a hike in robberies and homi
cides — 66 homicides already this year to be exact, though
given recent trends, I suspect by the time this piece is pub
lished that number will have risen. In 2005, the number of
violent crimes (homicides, rapes, robberies and aggravated
assaults) rose 9 percent while nationwide, violent crime
was up only 2.3 percent.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg also set a 10-year record for
homicides, ending 2005 with 85 kUlings. Not since 1995
have more people been slain in a single year.
Our so-called city leaders may not be impressed with
these numbers, but regular citizens who are forced to deal
with their affects eveiyday certainly are. As with any sur
vey, critics have denounced the survey's findings for a vari
ety of reasons, but the truth of the matter really is that
those of us who bother to pay attention are aware of the
escalating violence and surge in gang-related activity.
High school football players gunned down; neighborhoods
tagged with graffiti; homes invaded and residents assault
ed; child predators on the loose. Sugar-coating these issues
will not make them go away. In fact, it wiU continue to
grow, aided in large part by those bent on maintaining our
“tidy town” image and a grossly imder-funded, under
staffed prosecutor’s office.
According to a study released in 2003 by the National
Center for State Courts Currently, the state of North
Carolina has the highest felony dismissal rate, 35 percent,
among the 21 states that keep searchable records. Indeed,
at 50 percent, the Mecklenburg County court system now
has the highest charge dismissal rate of any court system
in the state. When repeat offenders are routinely ushered
through the revolving door of the criminal “injustice” sys
tem, they are all but given fi:ee pass to go back out and
commit another offense against innocent citizens.
Thke the case of Olivia Cook Sigmon, a 52-year-old moth
er who was senselessly gunned down in front other daugh
ter during an attempted carjacking on the Fovirth of July
weekend while driving home from watching fireworks ear
lier that evening. The assailant was later captured and
arrested, but just two months earlier, he walked out of jail
with a plea bargain agreement: probation and credit for
the three months he had already spent in jail awaiting sen
tencing.
The judge suspended his 8- to 10-month prison sentence
for stealing Charlotte City Council member Patrick
Cannon’s car out of his driveway in January 2004. At the
time this repeat offender was sentenced for stealing
Cannon’s car, he had several cheirges and convictions on
his record including larceny and several cases of larceny of
a motor vehicle and breaking and entering in Pender and
New Hanover counties. Another felony auto theft charge
was dismissed by the Mecklenburg Coimty District
Attorney’s Office in 2000.
The s£une weekend this crime occurred, several arrests
were made during yet another melee during the fireworks
display Uptown. Many of those arrested were also repeat
offenders. These cases reflect just a portion of the growing
number thi^ who have invaded the Queen City, threat
ening our civilized way of fife, such as the one Ms. Sigmon
and her family were trying to live, when many of them
should never have seen the light of day after their first
offense.
If you’re not sufficiently concerned by now, you should be.
And so should our so-called city leaders, particularly with
recent elections completed. These newly elected officials
will only be doii^ a disservice to the residents of this com
munity if they do not begin to take the issue of crime
Charlotte seriously and instigate get tough measimes to
keep the people they have pledged to serve safe. But for
now, I suppose we could look on the bright side—at least
Charlotte is not ranked number one for violence.. .yet.
ANGELA LINDSAY is a Charlotte attorney. E-mail her at Und-
saylaw00@yahoo .com.
Government has all
the checks and no
balances whatsoever
By the time you read this article the election of 2006 will be over.
I wanted to write it anyway in anticipation of the change I hope
and pray will take place in the Congress. I am trusting that we
will kick those good-for-nothing perpetrators (or is it just “trai
tors’?) out of office and finally let the world know that the
“American people” are not as stupid as we appear
to be, having selected and supposedly elected a
dunce for our president and a Congress that rub
ber stamps everything he proposes — even if it’s
illegal.
I was taught in my early years in school that the
three branches of government were instituted to
assure a system of checks and balances. In our
current administration, the only checks are those
being handed to Halliburton and Kellogg, Brown,
and Root, and all the other war profiteers, such a
Exxon oil receiving tax incentives despite profiting to the tune of
$10 billion per quarter.
Billions of dollars in checks are being passed among the corpo
rate insiders that Bush has brought in to perform jobs for which
they have no experience. In Iraq, where they are building the
largest U.S. Embassy in the world, at least $9 billion is still unac
counted for, and Congress is not checking on it.
Checks and balances? I think not. What have we gotten from this
corrupt government we Mve under is a direct contradiction of the
principles upon which the U.S. was foimded. Read the Declaration
of Independence’s list of complaints against King
George and you will find an eerie similarity to our
complaints about our “King” George. This adminis
tration is aU about the money and power, and they
will do anything to get it and keep it.
Heaven only knows what awaits us after the elec
tion, depending upon which way it goes. I know
change in the make up and control of Coi^ess is
not a done deal yet; Deibold will work hard to main
tain status quo with its corrupt and corruptible vot-
Cheyney
ing machines. So, don’t be surprised if your vote does not count.
Don’t be surprised if the exit polls say one thing and the results say
the opposite. And don’t be surprised if those candidates who were
behind by double digits win their contests. Computers can work
wonders, you know.
The way to check this gang of thieves is to kick them out of office,
if we can figure out how to get fair elections, especially in 2008. I
don’t know if that is possible, but I am not giving up on those of us
who want to bring back the original system of checks and balances.
I pray we wiU follow through, because right now the only checks
we have are those flowing through world banks, and the only bal
ances that count are found in those huge bank accounts of corrupt
politicians and corporations.
That said, I trust we are angry enough to turn out in droves and
change this system. We talk a good game; wUl we foUow it up with
the necessary action? By the time you read this, we wiU all know,
that is, unless marshaU law is declared or something else drastic
takes place. One never knows with the gang we have in charge
now. Power corrupts absolutely, right?
Tricl^ Dick Cheney and his wife are ranting and raving about
how great things are, and actuaUy lying about things she has writ
ten. The level of their temerity is mind-boggling. Condi is who
knows where, suddenly quiet and out of the pictme as the election
draws near. “Rum-filled” is stiU interviewing himself, asking and
answering his own questions before an embarrassing press corps
that cannot get a word in edgewise.
And then we have the “Decider” and his henchmen, Karl Rove,
Speedy Gonzalez, and Michael Chertoff (does his Russian sur
name really mean “son of the devil’?). These guys and their min
ions around the coimtry, some of whom have already been con
victed and sentenced for corruption, some of whom are awaiting
sentencing, some of whom are perverts of the highest order, and
some of whom are wealthier beyond their wildest dreams because
Bush is president, they have given us the worst corruption in his
tory. (Is Ken Lay still dead? Did he really die?)
I trust we have the wiQ to change this government before it’s too
late. Tbo many lies have been told, too many lives have been lost,
and too much money is missing. I trust our votes will reflect those
realities.
Let’s get back to real checks and balances. And may we never
again get ourselves into a situation like the one we are in now. We
must have a Congress that really does check the president when
he or she is out of order; and we can only have that kind of system
through a balanced approach to how we vote and for whom we
vote. AU the negative advertisements we saw were a stark indi
cation of how low some of these candidates would stoop to get elect
ed. They also fllustrated how stupid they think we are. Doesn’t
that just make you sick?
JAMES E. CLINGMAN, an adjunct professor at the University of
Cincinnati's African American Studies department, is former editor of the
Cincinnati Herald newspaper and founder of the Greater Cincinnati African
American Chamber of Commerce. He hosts the radio program,
"Blackonomics," and has written several books. You can contact him at
wwwhlackonomicsjcom or call (513) 489-4132.
Remembering a
noble man for his
art, humanity
By Melissa Powers
SPECIAL TO THE POST
David Chisholm was recently hit and killed by a
drunk driver; he re-defined the word ‘community,’
drawing peoples of aU kinds to understand his vision,
blending ideas to create his definition of family in his
art.
As you walk by the many buildings that inspired
his work, one captures the pure beauty of the Queen
City. His art reflects his passion for bold inventions,
but yet, subtle cleverness. He remained conscious of
his surroundings incorporating himself in each of his
work of art. I am writing to encourage our communi
ties to come together and promote self-involvement in
order to spark a change in our own community.
One way is re-educating ourselves on living art.
This brilliant, yet humble man achieved many of his
goals in life! If one only knew about his remote work
shop that transported his materials for his building
projects; some refer to it eis ‘an orange shopping cart.’
He even customized some of his tools used for special
carvings projects. A well-organized and detailed ide
alist a man we will miss so dearly.
My brother Ray was more than just a gifted man
that enjoyed creative art, this visual artists imder-
stood the science of art and its’ history. In the summer
of2004,1 had the pleasure to meet “Brother Ray,” and
our paths continued to meet. Then I realized this dis
tinguished gentleman was really my brother, a
teacher, a mentor, an educator, one who is true to his
way of fife. He was sent to cross my path for a real
reason. That reason was to teach me to refine my
appreciation and respect for life/creation through art
and truly imde'rstand the formation of light in its’
true existence.
Then take what he taught me to help others.
Brother Ray has inspired me throughout my journey
to keep searching for answers of the truth and be
patient for them when they return. This gentle soul
was such a patient and good Hstener; he even took
time to listen to my problems and offered the best
solutions. I will always remember my brother as one
that didn’t complain, kept a mental blueprint of his
life’s journey and always shared knowledge.
But for those that got to know Ray, this well trav
eled man had a mere elegance with his style, he chose
his words very carefully as he spoke, sincerely desired
love, peace and happiness towEirds aU mankind, a
true humanitarian. His desire was to help other dis
abled individuals to recapture their passion in life.
He wanted to open a recreational learning center ded
icated to other disabled individuals, whether physi
cally or mentally challenged, instructing them how to
craft, draw and paint, opening their minds to explore
a different way to vision light. He was very passion
ate about helping others and inspired so many to
keep their minds husy with things that reflects the
Creator.
What an incredible extraordinary man! Thank you
Brother Ray for being a true fiiend and teaching me
in order to refine myself, I must know SELF!
For family, friends and others that are interested in
networking to create an art gallery dedicated to
inspiring artists on behalf of David Ray Chisholm,
and/or have stories you’d like to share, please contact
me: KWU @ JazzUndaGround@aim.com.
MEUSSA POWERS lives in Charlotte.
But for those that got to know
Ray, this well traveled man
had a mere elegance with his
style, he chose his words very
carefully as he spoke,
sincerely desired love, peace
and happiness towards all
mankind, a true humanitarian.
Connect with ®j)e Posit
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Charlotte, NC 28230 or e-mail
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accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Race issues can be felt in fallout at the midterm elections
There have been several
incidents where race has •
played a part in the mid-term
elections and there has been
some attempt to discern how
it would affect the fortunes of
various candidates. Here is
my take.
First I think
that the TV ad
by Bob
Corker’s cam
paign showing
Rep. Harold
Ford Jr. being
solicited by a
White female
usmg a come-
hither.
approach (with the inference
that it was a sexual invita
tion), found Corker playing to
racism in the South where
the traditional taboo of White
women with Black men had
long been the source of raw
emotions. If he had not
meant to arouse that emo
tion, he could have used a
Black woman and the infer
ence would have simply been
that Ford was a “playa.”
Second, the highly-publi
cized incident in Virginia
where U. S. Sen. George
Allen was vying for re-elec
tion against James Webb,
saw Allen in a campaign
speech using a term
“Macaca,” which means mon
key, to characterize one of
Webb’s political operatives. It
was subsequently alleged
that AUen, son of pro football
coach George Aden, had also
regularly used the n- word as
a college student, all of which
sent his negatives into the
stratosphere..
The effect of these inci
dents, both in Southern
states, did not have the same
negative impact on candi
dates in a region where race
is so much of its public histo
ry. Even in 'Ifennessee and
^firginia, racial issues in the
campaigns played against
the backdrop of issues that
had far more punch, such as
the war in Iraq, the state of
the economy and immigra
tion.
It is difficult to clearly
determine whether racial
issues changed the outcome
of some elections.
Undoubtedly, the intensity of
focus on Allen’s behavior
made Webb a more viable
candidate. Moreover, the race
between Harold Ford and
Bob Corker also featured the
issue of race, with some vot
ers stating they opposed Ford
simply because of his race.
It has been amusing to wit
ness some reporters dancing
around the fact that the
attempt to create a negative
attitude among voters utiliz
ing race as the instrument
was the motivation in each of
these incidents. Most
reporters, especially in the
ratified air of the dominance
of conservatism as the main
orthodox ideology of the day,
have difficulty admitting that
racism is still a force in
American politics.
. The reticence of reporters
was also the case initially in
the famous incident in 1988
where Michael Dukakis faced
the Willie Horton add in
Massachusetts that sought to
prove that he was weak on
crime. And it was the same
problem in the 1991 Senate
campaign in North Carolina
when incumbent Jesse
Helms used the black hand
covering the white hand add
to illustrate the negative
impact that affirmative
action was purportedly tak
ing on white jobs, a direct
slap at Harvey Gantt, his
Afiican-American opponent.
To be accurate, some
reporters, such as the
Washington Post columnist,
E. J. Dionne, has come right
out and called the ad aimed
at Harold Ford, Jr. racist. But
for the rest of his colleagues,
the issue is how blatant does
the use of race have to be
before they, too, recognize
and interpret its true intent.
In. any case, it will be inter-
. esting to see in days to come
whether such tactics had the
effect of stimulating black
turnout or repressing it.
Already, a study by the Pew
Center on Politics and the
Press, has foimd that blacks
have the least confidence in
the integrity of the election
process and whether their
votes will be fairly counted.
RON WALTERS is professor of
Government and Politics at the
University of Maryland College
Park.