Sunday, September 25, 2011

Rekindling the spirit of the Million Man March

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has chosen this city as the host site for the 16th anniversary of the Million Man March. This year's celebration (Oct. 7-9) is being called the 16th anniversary of the Million Man March weekend.

“We have the means and ability to stop street violence by collective action in our communities, not by organizational competition. In many instances we can demonstrate our strength in combating this problem by working together. We should begin finding ways where we can collectively impact this problem and stop the fragmentation that seems to plague every step toward progress. A direct-action, frontline coalition of leaders and organizations is the best way to confront this problem at the neighborhood level. It will be difficult and vocal but we must pool our talent for the greater good.”

Haley wants to end state lawmakers' pension deal

Gov. Nikki Haley said she will move to cut special
pension treatment for legislators in the wake of a USA TODAY investigation that found legislators in South Carolina are among thousands nationwide who are positioned to benefit from special retirement laws.

Special retirement pay for lawmakers is “an absolutely terrible policy, and we intend to get rid of it as a part of larger pension reform come January,” said Rob Godfrey, a spokesman for Haley.

USA TODAY reported more than 4,100 legislators in 33 states, including South Carolina, are positioned to benefit from special retirement laws that they and their predecessors have enacted to boost their pensions by up to $100,000 a year.

Putting pot in its place

With a Rand study showing an increase in crime after some medical marijuana dispensaries were shut down, L.A. needs a better policy toward such facilities.

A Rand Corp. study this week seemed to nip the conventional wisdom about medical marijuana dispensaries in the proverbial bud, contradicting statements from law enforcement officials that these facilities are magnets for crime. On the contrary, Rand researchers said, crime actually increased in the vicinity of hundreds of L.A. dispensaries after they were ordered to shut down.