Custom Search
Showing posts with label Fire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fire. Show all posts

Saturday, December 30, 2017

U.S. SOLDIER DIES AS A HERO HELPING SAVE LIVES IN NYC FIRE (KWABENA MENSAH, 27)


U.S. SOLDIER DIES AS A HERO HELPING SAVE LIVES IN NYC FIRE:

KWABENA MENSAH 27, WENT HOME TO VISIT AND WAS KILLED BY A DEADLY BRONX BLAZE.

THE U.S. MILITARY TEACHES SOLDIERS TO CONSIDER OTHERS ABOVE THEMSELVES.

I SEND MY PRAYERS & CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY.


Sources: MSN


***** Army soldier, visiting NYC for holidays, died trying to save people from fire, father says


An Army soldier who was visiting New York City for the holidays was among the 12 victims in the deadly Bronx blaze, his father told CBS New York. Kwabena Mensah said his son, Emmanuel, spent his final moments trying to rescue other people in the building.

"That's what I think, because it was in his nature," the elder Mensah said. "He wanted to help people out."

The 28-year-old was in for the holidays – his first trip home since joining the Army a year ago. Kwabena Mensah was on the scene early Friday morning, looking for any signs of his son after checking area hospitals.

"I thought maybe he was coming back," he said. "Unfortunately, it turns out the other way."

Emmanuel Mensah's roommate was the last to see him. She made it out with her four children and husband but lost Mensah in the mix.

"Tried to call and phone everywhere, my husband went to hospital," she told CBS New York.

Kwaben Mensah took comfort knowing his son lived and died a hero.

"God is in control, I have no control. God is in control," he said.
The four-alarm blaze that broke out late Thursday is New York City's deadliest fire in 25 years, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. Four children, including a 1-year-old baby, are among the 12 killed.

The fire was started by a 3-and-a-half-year-old boy who was playing with burners on a kitchen stove located in a first-floor apartment, officials said.

"The mother was not aware of it, was alerted by the young man screaming," said Daniel Nigro, commissioner for the New York City Fire Department. "She exited her apartment with her 2-year-old, and 3-year-old and left the door open."

As smoke engulfed the building on Prospect Avenue just before 7 p.m. Thursday, family after family desperately ran out, barefoot and freezing, to try to get to safety.

"When I wake up, all I see is the flames going up, kids are on the fire escape," said neighbor Rafael Gonzalez. "It was one apartment and then it escalated to two apartments. It just kept going next and up — it escalated."

As firefighters scrambled to save tenants, the Red Cross arrived on scene to wrap residents in blankets and provide buses for shelter as temperatures lingered in the teens with the wind chill below zero.

"No coat or nothing, straight shorts," said Gonzalez. "Straight shorts so I know, therefore, I know they had to be cold."

"It was like freezing point, so it was worse for people who wasn't ready and dressed appropriately – with no shoes or any of that," said one woman who was evacuated to a warming bus.

The victims range in age from one to 63. Among the dead: a mother and her two daughters and niece. A family member didn't want to go on camera, but the heartbreak was obvious, CBS News' Don Dahler reports.

"Oh my God, those two little babies," they said. "God rest their souls, they're beautiful."

In another apartment, a woman and infant were found huddled in a bathtub.

In all, 170 firefighters were called in to fight the blaze, but the cold weather made things worse, since crews had to battle the flames with freezing hoses.

According to city records, the 100-year-old building has a number of open safety violations, including a defective smoke detector on the floor where the fire began.
The fire department is investigating whether that played any role in the tragedy.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Michael Steele vs GOP Brass: Ousted For 2012 Win?
















Republicans Maneuver To Oust Their Leader


Turning their attention to the 2012 presidential election, Republican leaders are digging in for a battle over control of the Republican National Committee, judging that its role in fund-raising, get-out-the-vote operations and other tasks will be critical to the effort to topple President Obama.

Some senior party officials are maneuvering to put pressure on Michael Steele, the controversial party chairman, not to seek re-election when his term ends in January or, failing that, to encourage a challenger to step forward to take him on.

So far, the effort has been tentative, with Mr. Steele’s most ardent opponents working behind the scenes to persuade an alternative to run against him — fearful that any overt moves will create a backlash in Mr. Steele’s favor among those committee members who tend to view the establishment in Washington with suspicion.

One man leading the effort is a Mississippi Republican Party committeeman, Henry Barbour, who is a nephew of Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi — a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, himself. Governor Barbour is said by people involved in the discussions to be among those eager to see a change at the top of the party and recently criticized party fund-raising under Mr. Steele.

Officials close to the presumed new House speaker, Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, and the Senate minority leader, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said that both men would prefer a new chairman as well, but that they were also resigned to Mr. Steele’s continued leadership should no clear alternative emerge to defeat him.

In an interview Tuesday night, Henry Barbour said, “I like Mike Steele, and I’ve worked hard to support him as chairman.” But, he added, “I do think we have to make a change, and I have actively talked to some other members in the last week or so and encouraged a few of them to consider running.”

Among those Mr. Barbour has approached is a member of Mr. Steele’s “kitchen cabinet” of advisers, Reince Priebus, who is chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin and who helped manage Mr. Steele’s first election for the chairmanship two years ago.

Several officials involved in the discussions, all of whom requested anonymity to share details of the talks, said Mr. Priebus had recently warned Mr. Steele that a run for re-election could prove difficult this time around, and advised him to consider leaving the chairmanship at a time when he could point to big Republican gains nationwide.

But Mr. Priebus has made it clear that he is personally uncomfortable with the idea of challenging Mr. Steele directly for the post, given their friendship.

The effort to woo Mr. Priebus was first reported Tuesday on the Web site of The Washington Post.

Mr. Steele, who did not respond to interview requests on Tuesday, has said he has not decided whether to seek re-election when his two-year term expires in January. The 168 members of the Republican National Committee, who vote on the chairman, will convene then in Washington for their winter meeting.

But he is taking steps to build the support he would need in the face of deep opposition by Republican leaders on Capitol Hill and beyond — making personal appearances and granting party money in visits across the country and even in territories like Guam and the Virgin Islands.

“Whether I run or not, I’m going to be judged by what’s happened over the last two years,” Mr. Steele told reporters last week, arguing that the party’s early investments in important states and races helped Republicans reach their historic victory of picking up at least 60 House seats. “I think you can safely say the party has re-emerged. It is a very different party. I think it’s a transcendent party.”

Mr. Steele conceded that his tenure had not been perfect, saying, “Everybody has a learning curve, and clearly I had mine.”

The moves against Mr. Steele are a result of a perception that has been developing for months among the party’s seasoned political hands in Washington. His critics say Mr. Steele has performed poorly at the helm. They argue that his fund-raising was lackluster and point to comments he made that at times proved distracting and were at odds with Republican orthodoxy, as when he said the war in Afghanistan was “not something the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in.”

As Henry Barbour put it, “There’s just too much at risk in the next cycle not to make a change.”

Mr. Steele said last week that he had modeled his effort after the 50-state strategy conceived by Howard Dean when he was chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Mr. Dean also infuriated leaders of his party four years ago by directing money and staff members to every state, not simply places where Democrats had a stronger chance to win..

Mr. Steele, his party’s first black chairman, dismissed criticism of his financial stewardship, saying he had purposefully focused on building grass-roots Republican activism rather than courting high-level donors.

But those working to remove him say a focus on high-level donors is one of the most important roles for a party chairman — if not the most important role — in a presidential election cycle.

Saul Anuzis, who represents Michigan on the Republican committee and ran for party chairman two years ago, said he was considering running again. “There clearly have been many major donors who have dropped off and have not contributed,” Mr. Anuzis said. “That’s a problem.”

But Dick Wadhams, chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, voiced tentative support for Mr. Steele. He said that while the national party gave less to states than it had in recent years, the resources it did provide proved critical in his state. “I don’t have any complaints,” Mr. Wadhams said. “I think there’s a chance he could be re-elected.”



View Larger Map


Sources: MSNBC, NY Times, Google Maps

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Fire Mac McCarley! Vote In New Charlotte City Council!






















































Looks like Charlotte City Attorney Mac McCarley set up Mayor Anthony Foxx by ill-advising him on how to correctly handle a recent Sexual Harassment incident involving an elected official (Warren Turner).

Sexual Harassment Complaints & Investigations are protected by the Federal Gov't (EEOC) period! No ifs, ands or buts.

Mayors have NO authority to usurp Federal laws and should NOT attempt to cover up Sexual Harassment Complaints just because the defendant is an elected official.

Mayors should also NOT hinder an Investigation by attempting to destroy the reputation of a Sexual Harassment victim.

If a City employee reports an incident of Sexual Harassment, it doesn't matter if the perpetrator is an elected Official or not, it still needs to be handled by the Human Resources dept in accordance with EEOC laws & guidelines.

In addition the victims are also protected by Federal Law from Retaliation.


If Charlotte City Attorney Mac McCarley did ill-advise Mayor Anthony Foxx on the proper handling of such a sensitive matter, one that's highly protected by Federal Law, I'd say its time for a new City Attorney to be hired don't you?

Perhaps if the Charlotte City Council doesn't think so than it may be time to get rid of them too during the next election in 2011, because this entire attempted Cover Up reeks of Blatant Disrespect for the Victim, Disregard for Federal Law, Legal Incompetence and Professional Stupidity!

And....since its assumed the victim is a Black Female, there could be grounds for a Racial Discrimination lawsuit as well.

In case Mac McCarley wasn't aware Racial Discrimination complaints are also protected by Federal law (EEOC).

Check out the videos, e-mails and articles below to learn more about this embarrassing debacle created by Charlotte's elected "dummies".






How Not To Handle A Sexual Harassment Claim


The City of Charlotte's clumsy handling of a sexual harassment complaint by one of its employees leaves the public not only suspicious of its elected leaders but also unsettled about how seriously top city officials take such complaints.

How would this scenario be handled at your workplace? A female employee complains to human resources or to a top boss that she has been sexually harassed. At many companies, that's a loud, clanging alarm bell which sparks an all-out internal investigation. The accused employee is interviewed and leaders try to determine what happened, whether the allegation has merit, whether this is the first time this person has been accused of such an act, whether a culture exists that allows such action and so on.

That, apparently, is not what happened when a female city employee complained that she had been the victim of inappropriate behavior by a male City Council member. Instead, City Manager Curt Walton, City Attorney Mac McCarley and Mayor Anthony Foxx agreed that Foxx would simply reaffirm with the City Council that such behavior would not be tolerated. Foxx sent the council an e-mail to that effect but gave no other information publicly. That left the eight male council members looking at each other quizzically, their reputations all clouded in the minds of an uninformed public.

McCarley has said that the issue was closed because there hadn't been a formal complaint. Formal or informal, official or unofficial: When an employee alleges that she has been sexually harassed, an internal investigation is warranted. The lack of any indication from Walton or Foxx that the city fully investigated the woman's claims leaves the public wanting more assurance that her accusation was taken seriously. How else is the public to feel confident that the scope of the problem, if any, has been determined? If the city did do a thorough investigation, it has done a lousy job of conveying to the public the depth of its concern. Walton and Foxx should have told the council, city employees and the public early on what it was doing to get to the bottom of the case.

Three city officials have told The Observer that it was City Council member Warren Turner's behavior that prompted the complaint and Foxx's March 14 e-mail. Turner said last week that no one from the city had told him the e-mail was about him. If true, that's beyond puzzling. Talking with Turner, if he is the accused, should have been among the first things city officials did.

Foxx said he was "taken aback" at the reaction to his e-mail. He shouldn't have been. It was a mysterious shot out of nowhere and aimed suspicion at all eight male council members.

A significant part of the problem here is that the City Council has no policy governing sexual harassment. It's unclear whether city policy against harassment applies to council members. You'd think such prohibitions are common sense, but the lack of a council policy leaves Foxx and council members with no road map for handling such accusations. Instead of a reasoned response, we get a vaguely accusatory e-mail, a confused public and a potential victim who has almost been forgotten in the political aftershocks.






Charlotte City Leaders Bungle Sexual Harassment Complaint Of Black Victim


Charlotte's City Leaders have completely unprofessionally bungled a recent Sexual Harassment Complaint, which will no doubt make the city liable and open the doors for future Lawsuits.

Who's going to win?

The victim because they tried to circumvent Federal Law by attempting to cover it up.

Is the victim Black or White?

A Blue Collar or low level Black, Female Charlotte City employee.

How do I know or why does this matter you ask?

Charlotte is an extremely Racist & Small-Minded city.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg's Leaders, including so-called Arrogant Black "Leaders" treat their Black Constituents like dirt, with the exception of individuals who are Fraternity/Sorority friends of those Black "Leaders".

Per Newsweek magazine North Carolina has a long history of intentionally mishandling Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault & Murder cases when the victims are Black Women.

If the victim in this case had been White Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx would have the accused person's (Warren Turner) head on a platter by now.

Isn't Anthony Foxx Black too you ask?

That doesn't matter, he's just a scared Token and a puppet with "no real teeth" or power.

Foxx relies too heavily on Charlotte's "Good Ole Boy" system by allowing himself to be pushed and pulled by Charlotte's White Leaders (like Susan Burgess, Hugh McColl & Mac McCauley).

Because Anthony Foxx was raised in the South (Charlotte) he believes that only White Leadership has all the brains.

I'd say this incident of trying to hide or cover up a Sexual Harassment issue, further proves Anthony Foxx is Charlotte's wrong choice of Leader for Charlotte.

In fact we actually need a whole new City Council.

Why?

Continue reading to learn more.


Warren Turner and Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx seem to both think they are above Federal Law when it comes to Sexual Harassment Complaints.

Turner has only been accused of Sexual Harassment by a Female City of Charlotte employee but apparently his buddy Mayor Anthony Foxx is attempting to cover up for him by trying to block the Investigation.

I don't know about you but doesn't this appear as if both Warren Turner and Anthony Foxx are trying to cover up this possible incident, destroy the woman's character, frighten her into being quiet or all three?

Destroying a victim's Character seems to be Anthony Foxx's regular defense style.

In fact the entire City Council recently voted to hire a Private Investigator.
no doubt to destroy the victim's reputation and Character. (Foxx's M.O.)

Who was included in the voting process?

Accused Member Warren Turner!

Can you believe it??

Shouldn't Turner have recused himself from the voting process on this issue?


There are different examples of Sexual Harassment with the most common being Quid Pro Quo, a Latin phrase which means "This for That".

The other most common form of Sexual Harassment involves Sexually Offensive Behavior.

So which was it?

Probably Quid Pro Quo as in you scratch my ball head (Turner) and I'll rub your back (the victim).

She must be a Black Woman.

How do I know?

Because if she were a White Woman Anthony Foxx (Charlotte's 2nd Token Black Mayor) would NOT have taken this issue of Sexual Harassment so lightly and as I mentioned above, would have Warren Turner's head on a platter by now.


Wait a minute!

Last time I checked aren't Sexual Harassment complaints protected by the Federal Gov't?

(U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII)


If a victim's Employer refuses to comply with Federal Law, the victim can bypass their Employer and file a Sexual Harassment Complaint with the U.S. EEOC's Office directly.

These elected "dummies" (Foxx & Turner) somehow foolishly believe they don't have to comply with Federal Law (EEOC) as it relates to properly handling an incident involving Sexual Harassment.

It doesn't matter if you are an Elected Official or not!

Anyone who commits acts of Sexual Harassment must submit to Federal Law.

And....

The victim is protected by Federal Law from Retaliation.


Isn't Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx an Attorney by trade?

Well doesn't he know that interfering with a Sexual Harassment complaint for the purpose of covering it up constitutes as a Violation of Federal Law?

I suggest these elected "dummies" (Foxx & Turner) attend Workshops on up-to-date Sexual Harassment Laws.

After all how can you manage an entire City if you aren't knowledgeable about Sexual Harassment and Federal Laws related to Sexual Harassment??

Former Charlotte Pat McCrory would NEVER have done something so Incompetent as attempting to cover up a Sexual Harassment complaint or block an Investigation.

Instead Pat McCrory would have allowed the City of Charlotte's Human Resource Dept and the City's EEOC Dept. handle such a sensitive matter.

Perhaps Mac McCauley (City of Charlotte's lying Attorney) needs to STOP incorrectly interpreting Laws just to please Charlotte City Council Members (Job Preservation) and really apply the Law as it stands per U.S. Supreme Court Cases.

This is why we need to get rid of our current City Council members and vote in new people who won't be afraid to hire a New City Attorney & New City Manager.


However I'm not surprised about Warren Turner.

He's an Arrogant, Absentee City Council Member who treats his Southwest Charlotte Constituents who reside in the Nations Ford, Arrow wood and Old Pineville road communities like dirt!

I wrote about Warren Turner in a previous post.

Hopefully this dirty expose' on Warren Turner finally means the end of his Political Career, than Southwest Charlotte constituents can vote into Public Office a real district Representative.

One who won't intentionally ignore residents who reside in the Nations Ford, Arrow wood and Old Pineville road communities.

Maybe this Sexual Harassment Investigation against Turner is payback.

As they say in the South "God doesn't like ugly".

Hmmm. Seems Charlotte has become the new "Dirty South" with all these Corruption Cover Ups.

Just like Tiffany Wright's Murder Case Cover Up,

Marcus Jackson's Cover Up and the Charlotte DSS Fraud Cover Up.

In case you weren't aware Charlotte's so-called Black "Leaders" are notorious for Cover Ups when it comes to their Family & Fraternity/Sorority associates.

I smell another Lawsuit being filed against the City of Charlotte don't you?

I also predict Mayor Anthony Foxx will ONLY be a one-term Mayor after this stupid legal screw up.

It doesn't pay to be Arrogant and Slick.

Stay tuned.






Mayor Anthony Foxx's New E-mail On The Recent Sexual Harassment Issue.


Dear City Council Members:

Last night, we reached unanimous agreement to place on our April 12, 2010 agenda a discussion and vote on whether to initiate a third party investigation. In order to expedite this process, I will exercise my discretion to place this matter at the end of tomorrow's budget workshop agenda.

If the City Council votes in favor of moving forward, this investigation will begin immediately instead of three weeks from now. In addition to the investigation, the action will suggest a review and update of our ethics policies and procedures to ensure that we have clear steps to manage any alleged incidents of misconduct in the future.

I want to thank all of you for cooperating with the process outlined on Thursday and led by Mayor Pro Tem Susan Burgess. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,

Anthony.




Anthony Foxx's Sexual Harassment Cover Up E-mail:

Dear City Council Members:

We owe the citizens of Charlotte our very best effort every day, and I appreciate all of you for your investment of time and energy in making our city a better place. The responsibility, of course, extends to our personal treatment of staff as well, including not engaging in any form of sexual harassment towards them. Any such behavior cannot and will not be tolerated by me, our City Council or the public we serve, and I ask you to keep that in mind.

For those of you traveling to Washington D.C. this week, I wish you safe travels and a productive series of meetings with our congressional leaders and others.

Best always,

Anthony.




Charlotte City Council Members Suggest Formal Policy On Harassment


Several Charlotte City Council members want to see a policy crafted regarding sexual harassment and the city's elected officials in the wake of an allegation of harassment against a council member.

That allegation was made informally, according to City Manager Curt Walton, and became public after Mayor Anthony Foxx e-mailed the city council members with a reminder not to engage "in any form of sexual harassment towards them."

Walton said no formal complaint was filed. City Attorney DeWitt "Mac" McCarley has said the matter was therefore considered closed.

The city of Charlotte does have a formal policy against harassment for employees of City Manager Curt Walton, but elected officials are not considered city staff.

In an e-mail to other council members obtained by NewsChannel 36 under the NC Open Records Act, councilman Patrick Cannon wrote, "We have discovered that indeed there is no such ordinance that governs elected officials. It's my thought that we as officials are not above the law and should be subjected to the same regulations regarding harassment as the next individual."

Cannon goes on to suggest that council adopt the city's policies against sexual harassment.

Mayor Foxx responded, "The city manager adopted procedures would place staff and council members in an odd spot. If we were to apply those procedures to the city council and if a formal complaint against either is ever filed, staff would be required to investigate and potentially discipline an elected official."

"We're being very intentional to create a process that will be useful in the future," Councilmember Nancy Carter said Tuesday.

"I'm just going to say, for the record, it ain't me. I'm not engaged in this," Cannon said at the city council meeting Monday night, echoing the comments of other city leaders to reporters in recent days. He said, "There is a gray cloud over all the heads" of male council members.

Susan Burgess suggested that city council hire an outside investigator to look into the allegation.

Because the outside investigation was not previously on the agenda for Monday's council meeting, Burgess needed a unanimous vote to have a formal discussion.

Council member Warren Turner blocked immediate action, calling the inquiry "a waste of the taxpayer's money."

In a later interview, Turner said he was not trying to hide anything, but felt the investigation could result in a lawsuit if the employee who made the claim is inadvertently identified.

"I think we very well could be violating people's privacy," Turner told NewsChannel 36. "If they had a private conversation with an individual that did not file a complaint, then it should remain in that context."

Turner later voted with the rest of council to discuss the outside investigation at a meeting on April 12.

City staff and council members have repeatedly emphasized that no formal complaint was ever filed on the matter.

Jenny Sharpe, a Charlotte attorney with a specialty in sexual harassment law, said that should not matter in this case. "There is no distinction between a verbal complaint and a written complaint."

However, Sharpe said she believes the mayor's e-mail was effective, legally speaking. She said a formal investigation would close the door on any liability for the city of Charlotte.

"Liability ceases once the harassment stops, so if the employer can show that it has taken prompt and effective remedial action under the circumstances and that there is a cessation of the conduct, then liability ceases for the employer," Sharpe said.



View Larger Map


Sources: WBTV, WCNC, McClatchy Newspapers, Newsweek, Google Maps

Monday, March 22, 2010

"Fire Nancy Pelosi!" GOP's Target For 2010 Elections












Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy










10 Reasons To Fire Nancy Pelosi


1.) Pelosi Called Opponents Of Government-Run Health Care Experiment "Un-American." (Speaker Nancy Pelosi & Rep. Steny Hoyer, "'Un-American' Attacks Can't Derail Health Care Debate," USA Today, 8/10/09)



2.) Last Night, Pelosi Once Again Ignored The Will Of The American People And Voted Again To Pass Their Government-Run Health Care Experiment. (H.R. 3590, Roll Call Vote #165, Approved 219-212; D 219-34; R 0-178, 3/21/10)


3.) Yesterday's Vote Came Just Four Months After Pelosi Rammed Through $1.2 Trillion Health Care Bill On A Saturday Night. (H.R. 3962, Roll Call Vote #887; Approved 220-215; D 219-39; R 1-176, 11/7/09)


4.) Leading Up To The Vote, Pelosi Made Clear Once Dems "Kick Open That Door ... There Will Be Other Legislation To Follow ... We'll Take The Country In A New Direction." (Greg Sargent, "Pelosi: Passing Health Reform Will Set Stage For Great Debate With GOP," The Plum Line, 3/15/10)


5.) Pelosi Claims To Be Unaware Of The Behavior Of Disgraced Former Rep. Eric Massa, And Continued To Defend Rep. Charlie Rangel Despite Ethics Committee Admonishment. (James Hohmann, "Nancy Pelosi Defends Charlie Rangel, Again," Politico, 2/26/10; MSNBC's "The Rachel Maddow Show," 3/11/10)


6.) In June, Pelosi "Laid Down The Gauntlet" To Rush Through Cap And Trade National Energy Tax. (Steven T. Dennis and Tory Newmyer, "Pelosi Flexes Muscle," Roll Call, 6/24/09; H.R. 2454, Roll Call Vote #477; Approved 219-212; D 211-44; R 8-168, 6/26/09)


7.) In February Of Last Year, Pelosi Passed President Obama's $862 Billion Stimulus, Promising To Create Jobs; Yet Since Then, America Has Lost 3.3 Million Jobs. (H.R. 1, Roll Call Vote #70: Passed 246-183; R 0-176; D 246-7, 2/13/09; U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed 3/5/10)


8.) Pelosi Has Failed To Run House In Spirit Of Bi-Partisanship, With Democratic Members Being "Explicitly Told Not To Work With Republicans." (Rep. Jim Cooper, "Reconciliation Rules - Not Bipartisanship - Will Kill Health Care Reform," The Huffington Post, 6/18/09)


9.) Despite Pelosi Promising "The Most Open And Honest Government In History," Even Dem Member Admits "Caucus Is A Real Disappointment" Because They "Aren't Transparent." (Rep. Nancy Pelosi, "Pelosi: 'We Will Create the Most Open and Honest Government in History'" Press Re lease, 1/18/06; Glenn Thrush, "Sestak Blasts Pelosi, Obama On Transparency," Politico, 1/7/10)


10.) Pelosi Accused The CIA Of Lying To Her And To Congress On Use Of Interrogation Techniques. (David Espo, "Pelosi on CIA: 'They Mislead Us All the Time,'" The Associated Press, 5/14/09)









Obamacare: Time To "Fire Pelosi"


This weekend, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ensured that the 111th Congress will live in infamy. Instead of listening to the people she used every procedural trick at her disposal to pass her health care legislation. She must be stopped.

Over the last year, the American people have witnessed a Speaker who will stop at nothing to achieve her vision of a Leftist government. She believes that she is no longer accountable to congressional rules, and national laws. Those are just guidelines that can be tossed away on a whim if determined they will prevent her from accomplishing her goals.

On Sunday, she cast them aside with reckless abandon and forced through her government takeover of health care.

Nancy Pelosi has no regard for public opinion. Even in a hostile electoral environment, she asked members of her caucus to fall on their swords so that she might add another achievement to her increasingly shameful legacy. Her actions are deceptive, dishonest, and simply unconstitutional, but she shows no remorse. To her, the ends justify the means.

Let there be no doubt: Nancy Pelosi’s sole priority in this entire health care drama has been authorizing a government seizure of the American health care industry and nationalizing a full one-sixth of our economy. She ignored the cold hard facts of the federal budget. Plainly put, you cannot add $1 trillion dollars to the budget and then claim that it’s revenue neutral, cut $500 billion from Medicare, and won’t affect recipients.

The math simply doesn’t work. But Nancy Pelosi doesn’t seem to have any problem with fudging the numbers when it’s to her advantage.

Worse yet, Speaker Pelosi has claimed that she would preside over the most ethical and transparent Congress in history. She has repeatedly denied Americans their Constitutional right to know what Washington is doing in their name, because she knows that if they find out, they will hold her caucus accountable.

For the sweetheart deals and arm-twisting tactics; for this unconscionable dereliction of her duty; for this gleeful defiance of the Constitution; and for the utter contempt with which she has repeatedly treated the American people, Speaker Pelosi MUST be fired.

The time has come for Americans to speak out. If you believe that American government should be open, honest, and transparent; if you believe that individual Americans, not the federal government, are best equipped to make their own medical decisions; if you believe that the Constitution of the United States – not this radical leftist agenda – is still the ultimate authority in our land, I am asking for your help to fire Nancy Pelosi.

I am asking you to pledge your support to punish her and every Democrat who joined her in this abomination and help Republicans regain the majority in the House.

The voice of the people was ignored on health care, but with your help we will make sure they hear it loud and clear when we remove Speaker Pelosi from her throne this November.





R.N.C. Rallies To "Fire Nancy Pelosi"


Fresh off a night of unsuccessful wrangling over health care legislation, Republicans have set out to take down Nancy Pelosi.

That’s hardly a secret or a news development, except that the Republican National Committee has begun a fund-raising drive to do it.

Visitors to the committee’s Web site on Monday morning were automatically redirected to firenancypelosi.com. The site, which features the House speaker in front of roiling flames with her fists raised, presses donors to help Republicans capture 40 seats in the House of Representatives, enough to thrust Democrats out of the majority. “40 Seats Means No More Madam Speaker,” a headline read.

The R.N.C.’s goal is to raise $402,010 (read, 40 seats in 2010) in 40 hours. And it appeared to be well on the way: By 10:40 a.m. Eastern time, the site said it had raised $279,429.

“Fire Nancy Pelosi” was one of the most common Google search phrase early Monday morning, and the committee urged its Twitter supporters to use the hashtag #FirePelosi.



View Larger Map


Sources: SWAC Girl, MSNBC, NY Times, GOP.com, RNC, Big Government.com, PBS, Youtube, Google Maps

Friday, March 5, 2010

Orgal Opata's 2 Dead Black Children vs Charlotte DSS Cover Up















Where's the NAACP?

Where are Charlotte's Black Leaders?

Oh! I forgot they are somewhere trying to get up in Pres. Barack Obama's face or somewhere raising money for him.

If you think North Carolina DSS Officials care about these 2 dead Black children, ha-ha-ha! Your dreaming!

They are just going to put them in a Pauper's grave, put the surviving siblings in a Foster Care home so NC continues receiving Federal Funding and lock the mother up for Life.

I doubt if NC DSS will even give the surviving children any kind of Mental Health Counseling to deal with this loss & tragedy.

No, that's only reserved for White Children who are grieving.

Will any NC DSS Officials or regular employees heads roll?

Don't count on it.

Will there be a NC DSS Cover Up?

Yes!

Welcome to North Carolina's Sad, Racist legacy!

Do I sound cynical or angry?

If so I should.

Each time a child (especially Low Income Black Children) fails or dies in North Carolina due to a Racist Educational System, Racist Law Enforcement System and Racist DSS System, it truly makes my heart weep.

This is 2010 for goodness sake NOT the 1800s!

North Carolina should be much further along in positive, equal Racial Relations by now.

May God Have Mercy On North Carolina's Corrupt Politicians, North Carolina's totally ineffective Child Abuse/ Child Neglect Laws established only to bring in Federal Funding which isn't used on Black Children and Charlotte DSS's Incompetent, Non-Caring, Slack Employees currently participating in North Carolina DSS's Federal Funding Money Laundering Scheme.

One day Pres. Barack Obama, his Administration, Congress, NC Politicians and NC DSS Officials will stand before God for all of the Children (regardless of their ethnicity) they allowed to fail and allowed to die.


Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy






Charlotte DSS Claims It Was Helping Mother Of 2 Dead Black Children Who Died In House Fire From Being Unsupervised


Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Department of Social Services detailed for the first time Friday the agency’s interactions since 2008 with a Charlotte woman now charged with murder in the deaths of her two toddlers in a Sunday house fire.

DSS had concluded recently that Orgal Opata was cooperating and her four children were receiving “appropriate supervision.”

But the Friday statement says social workers now have taken custody of the two surviving children, ages four and seven.

Police have said Opata, 26, left her four children home alone early Sunday when a kerosene heater caught fire at the west Charlotte house. Killed were two-year-old Josiah Hawthorne and one-year-old Gabriel Hawthorne. Investigators haven’t said where they believe Opata was during the fire on Rowan Street in the Thomasboro neighborhood.

The DSS statement says Opata was first reported to social workers in June 2008 on allegations she had left her young children unattended.

In that case, DSS “provided sleeping materials for the children and recommended services for the mother,” the agency says. DSS closed that case in August, 2008.

The next DSS involvement came last October, after three of Opata’s children were found at home alone. A passer-by reported discovering her Josiah in the street wearing a T-shirt and diaper. Firefighters went to the house and found two other children unattended, including Gabriel, then nine months old and lying on a bed facedown wearing a wet diaper.

She returned soon and told firefighters she was gone to pick up her daughter at nearby Thomasboro Elementary. Police charged Opata with child neglect in the incident.

In that case, “a social worker went to the home immediately and ensured the children’s safety,” DSS said Friday. After an assessment, DSS decided the family needed services.

“A social worker was assigned to the case and had regular contact with Ms. Opata and other family members,” according to the statement. “DSS referred Ms. Opata to community-based services and she cooperated with those service providers. During this time all information obtained by DSS indicated that the children were receiving appropriate supervision.”

State law requires DSS to respond to reports of child neglect and abuse. The agency reviews allegations, decides if the children are in danger or a family needs services. The agency can recommend or require services or go to court to remove the children from an unsafe home.







Charlotte DSS Releases A Statement On The Orgal Opata/ Dead Children Case:


Mecklenburg County Public Service and Information Department Media Advisory:


March 5, 2010

This is written summary regarding the involvement between the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services and Orgal Opata and is being made pursuant to G.S. 7B-2902:

This family came to the attention of the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Youth and Family Services in June 2008 when DSS received a referral alleging that the children were left unattended.

Based on information obtained during that family assessment DSS provided sleeping materials for the children and recommended services for the mother.

The case was closed on or about August 1, 2008.

On October 27, 2009 DSS received a referral that three of Ms. Opata’s children had been found at home alone.

A social worker went to the home immediately and ensured the children’s safety.

Based on information obtained during that family assessment DSS made a case decision that services were needed and the case was referred for ongoing Family Intervention protective services.

A social worker was assigned to the case and had regular contact with Ms. Opata and other family members, as well as collateral contacts who could provide information.

DSS referred Ms. Opata to community-based services and she cooperated with those service providers. During this time all information obtained by DSS indicated that the children were receiving appropriate supervision.

Following the tragic events of February 28, 2010 DSS filed a petition with the Mecklenburg County Juvenile Court and obtained protective custody of Ms. Opata’s two children.

Those children remain in the custody of DSS. Those proceedings are confidential pursuant to G.S. 7B-2901.

Media contact: Andy Fair 704-432-0021 or Andrew.Fair@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov







Child Advocate Says Orgal Opata's 2 Children Could Have Been Saved From Fatal Fire


A leading children's advocate says more could have been done to save two toddlers who died in a fire when their mother left them home alone.

The children -- 14-month-old Gabriel and 2-year-old Josiah Hawthorne -- died when a kerosene heater started a fire in their west Charlotte home Sunday morning.

Police say their mother had left them home alone with their 4-year-old brother and 7-year-old sister. A neighbor managed to save the older children.

"The little girl was saying, 'I begged my mommy not to leave,'" said one neighbor.

Much of the community is angry, trying to understand why the Department of Social Services allowed Orgal Opata to keep her children after another incident last October. In that case, Opata was charged with neglect after police say she left the children alone and her 2-year-old was found wandering the street in a diaper.

Some neighbors weren't surprised.

"Unfortunately, it's not unusual," neighbor Habib Al-Zaid said.

Brett Loftis, executive director of the Council for Children's Rights, said neighbors might have made a difference in this case if they had spoken out sooner.

"It's an absolute tragedy," said Loftis. "What we found out afterwards -- there were a lot of people that knew kids were being left unsupervised and these children were not getting appropriate care."

DSS is involved in the case, but they won't comment on the extent of their involvement. They tell us they're checking with their lawyers to see what they can say publicly.

Loftis says the agency can't do much if they don't have all the information.

"The problem is DSS is only one part of an intervention to make kids safe," he said.

He says the community, including schools, churches and neighbors, has to help when they see children repeatedly left alone.

"Anytime we know that something could have been done to save the life of a child, it's just horrendous to watch," Loftis said.

Opata is charged with murder in connection with the toddlers' deaths. She remains in jail under $1 million bond.

Gabriel and Josiah will be laid to rest Saturday at noon at Thomasboro Church of Christ on Bradford Drive in west Charlotte.



View Larger Map

Sources: WCNC, MSNBC, McClatchy Newspapers, Youtube, Google Maps

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Orgal Opata Charged With Murder Of Her 2 Toddlers, $1Million Bond








Charlotte Judge Sets $1 Million Bond For Woman Accused In Toddler Deaths


A Charlotte Judge set bond at just over $1 million during a brief Tuesday court appearance for Orgal Opata, the Charlotte mother charged with murder after two of her children died in a Sunday house fire.

Opata, 26, stood silently at the front of the courtroom, hands shackled to her waist, as Mecklenburg District Court Judge Regan Miller ordered that she be appointed an attorney. When he asked if she had any questions, she shook her head and mouthed “No.”

Gabriel Hawthorne, 1, and Josiah Hawthorne, 2, died in the blaze that destroyed the house at 920 Rowan Street in west Charlotte. Police said Opata left her children home alone but haven’t yet said where she was during the 6 a.m. fire.

Opata’s two older children, ages 4 and 7, escaped. Fire department officials say a kerosene heater in a bedroom sparked the fire.

Opata turned herself in at police headquarters uptown hours after the fire on Sunday. Investigators say Opata has refused to be interviewed by detectives.

She faces two counts of murder, three counts of reckless/gross felony child abuse, four counts of exposing a child to fire and one count of burning resulting in serious injury to a firefighter.

Opata had a previous conviction in Greensboro in 2007 for possessing cocaine and was sentenced to at least six months in jail. Six years earlier, she was convicted of larceny by employee in Greensboro and sentenced to six to eight months.

Last fall, Opata was charged with child neglect for allegedly leaving three of her children home alone. A passer-by reported finding one of the children in the street and took the child to a fire station. A hearing is set for Friday in that case.

After Opata’s court appearance Tuesday, Jerry Hawthorne, the father of the children who died, declined to be interviewed.

“I’ve been taking care of those kids -- blood, tooth and nail,” Hawthorne told reporters, as he stood in the courthouse with several relatives.

Court records show Hawthorne has lived in Greensboro and has been convicted of multiple drug-related offenses in Guilford County since 2000. Those cases included convictions for maintaining a place to sell drugs and possession with intent to sell marijuana and cocaine.

Hawthorne was released from prison in North Carolina in 2008, after serving about nine months on drug charges. He is awaiting trial on a charge of violating his probation by leaving the county.

Hawthorne also was charged in Mecklenburg in 2008 with contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, but that case was dismissed last year and details of the case are no longer available.







Charlotte DSS Liable For Deaths Of 2 More Black Children


Two more Black Children (both Toddlers) have recently died due to Charlotte-Mecklenburg's Lazy, Non-Caring DSS Officials and Lack of Proper Intervention.

As I've mentioned in previous posts Charlotte's Leaders especially the Black Leaders, don't give a darn about Black Children unless their parents are Fraternity/Sorority members.

North Carolina DSS Officials often keep Low Income, Single Mothers in Poverty by NOT allowing them to earn a decent salary while still receiving some type of Benefits until they become Self-Sufficient.

This modern Slavery tactic encourages these women to have more babies out of Wedlock, which of course means more Federal funds.

Its basically a Federally Funded Money Laundering scheme.

Who suffers most?

North Carolina's Minority Children because the Federal Funds are only used on North Carolina's White Children.

Its obvious the Civil Rights of NC's Minority Children are being violated.

Does anyone care? No!

Especially NOT Charlotte's Scared, Selfish Black Leaders.

Whenever NC or Charlotte DSS launches an Investigation all they usually do is ask the accused Mothers to attend Parenting Classes.

They don't order them to attend, nor do they order these Women to receive Mental Health Counseling, thus the cycle of Child Abuse/ Child Neglect continues.

On the other hand whenever NC DSS Officials place Children in Foster Care homes, quite frequently the Foster Care parents end up abusing those same Children Physically and Sexually.

When the Children die, NC officials just put them in a pauper's grave, hold a tired Child Fatality Task Force meeting and move on.

That's It!

No North Carolina DSS Officials or Staff heads roll not ever.

The ONLY reason Shaniya Davis received national attention is because her father was White.

If her father had been Black the News Affiliates and Mainstream Media would NOT have cared.

Especially not North Carolina's Biased Media organizations.

But get this!!!!!

Shaniya Davis' mother is out on bond!

Can you believe it?

She sold Shaniya Davis to settle a drug debt, the child was raped and killed, now her mother Antionette Davis is out on bond.

And....she's Pregnant again!!!!!

An independent, outside Investigation is most definitely needed.

When is the Obama Administration or U.S. Dept of Justice going to step in and make states like North Carolina with a long history of Poor DSS Oversight and Racism, obey the Law?

Aren't the Democrats supposed to be the political party of Social Conscience? (Liberal Socialism)

Does Pres. Obama care about ALL Children or just Malia and Sasha?

Who will speak up for these dead Children?

By the way Eugenics and Aborting all Black babies is NOT the answer!

Providing an Equal Education, Mental Health Counseling, Birth Control and Equal Opportunities to Minorities would help much more.

Those two children are now with Jesus but they died prematurely.

I'll keep praying.



View Larger Map

Sources: McClatchy Newspapers, WCNC, Youtube, Google Maps