Op-Ed

Beyond the Rhetoric: In Defense of ALEC

Published

11 years ago

April 20, 2015

By Harry C. Alford
NNPA Columnist

We all know of the recent horror of a North Charleston, S.C. police officer deciding to murder an unarmed Black citizen by firing eight rounds at his back as he tried to flee and then tried to cover it up. There was a consensus across America that this was a senseless and terrible act. As we mourn the death of 50-year-old Walter Scott, a father of five children, there appears to be an attempt by the liberal left to take political advantage of this tragedy.

MSNBC television news invited the Congressman James Clyburn (D-S.C.) to comment about the matter. What he said was absolutely shocking. He claimed that this murder happened because organizations like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) caused this. That they set up the atmosphere for this to happen with vicious laws like the Stand Your Ground legislation.

This was totally incorrect and it became obvious that he had been prepped with talking points that were misleading and total propaganda. He took the bait even as he had trouble stating the name of the organization. What we had here was a technique coming out of the liberal left to deceive the general populace into believing that there is an evil empire, known as conservatives, that will murder Black men, hurt Black society in general. The main “whipping boy” has become ALEC.

When Republican Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed a bill promoting religious civil rights, the leftists claimed this was anti-gay and began massive protests (on streets, written and televised media). In the end, they claimed it to be the fault of ALEC.

Why is this technique happening all of a sudden? ALEC, a partner organization of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, has a mission that is solid and pro-Americana. It is effective as state legislatures around the nation are becoming more and more pro-business and conservative in their legislative product. ALEC’s success is putting fear into the liberal left and they have begun creating “boogey men”. It reminds me of the unsuccessful Environmental Racism movement during the Clinton Administrations that ended in a big dud. It was a lie and in the end the world realized it was a lie.

ALEC is genuine when it claims itself to be: “The nation’s largest nonpartisan, voluntary membership organization of state legislators in the United States. Members work in a unique, public-private partnership to advance limited government and free market policy. ALEC works on issues of efficiency, effectiveness, accountability and transparency in government to reduce the cost of everyday life and provide real solutions for economic security. ALEC works on economic issues alone, clearly verifiable at ALEC.org and in myriad public statements – and for years has not discussed or acted on any firearms, elections or social-related policy.” I truly believe that the spreading of false and misleading information via the mainstream press and nationally televised news shows is a big disservice to our nation.

The hate being leveled at ALEC and other conservative entities is more than immense. I recently read a five page story written by a British publication, UK Progressive, which was one big diatribe of hatred and false accusations of the organization. Can you believe that, a magazine from England stepping up and trying to degrade an American organization whose mission is clear and actually beyond reproach?

It gets worse. The liberals have even put up a website which dedicates its entire being to spouting unjustified filth and lies about this mainstream organization. It is hard for me to imagine such a campaign of lies with the intent of forming unjustified hatred on a group of people with a mission that is American as “Apple Pie.”

ALEC is a friend of mine and I will debate and go face-to-face with anyone trying to spew such hatred. I and the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) are prepared to check them for what they are trying to do in such a wicked fashion. I tried to ignore them but when they slip a “game” on Congressman Clyburn, I must draw the line.

The NBCC is going to start working more closely with state legislatures. I am writing this article two blocks away from the Illinois State Capitol Building where we are advocating for better government in Illinois. Our Illinois chapters have been very successful in developing a great relationship with the state representatives and senators here. We will emulate this and our partnership with ALEC will remain firm. Great legislation as well as the development of future elected officials with a solid pro-business agenda will be the products of our efforts.

We, as well as ALEC, will continue to grow and whoa to the evil minds who try to play evil tricks on the American people.
Harry C. Alford is the co-founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®. Website: www.nationalbcc.org. Email: halford@nationalbcc.org.

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

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Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

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Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

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While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Activism

Essay: Intentional Self Care and Community Connections Can Improve Our Wellbeing

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Lorraine Bonner is a retired physician. She is also a sculptor who works in clay, exploring issues of trust, trustworthiness and exploitation, as well as visions of a better world.

By Dr. Lorraine Bonner, Special to California Black Media Partners

I went to a medical school that was steeped in the principles of classical Western medicine. However, I also learned mindfulness meditation during that time, which opened me to the multifaceted relationship between illnesses and the interconnecting environmental, mental and emotional realities that can impact an individual’s health.

Therefore, when I began to practice medicine, I also pursued training in hypnosis, relaxation techniques, meditation, and guided imagery, to bring a mind-body focus to my work in medical care and prevention.

The people I saw in my practice had a mix of problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and a variety of pain issues. I taught almost everyone relaxation breathing and made some general relaxation tapes. To anyone willing, I offered guided imagery.

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From my perspective, illness is only the outermost manifestation of our efforts to cope, often fueled by addictions such as sugar, tobacco, or alcohol, shackled by an individualistic cult belief that we have only ourselves to blame for our suffering.

To put these ideas into practical form, I would quote the immortal Mr. Rogers: “Find the helpers.” There are already people in every community working for liberation. Some of them are running for office, others are giving food to those who need it. Some are volunteering in schools, libraries or hospitals. Some are studying liberation movements, or are working in urban or community gardens, or learning to practice restorative and transformative justice, or creating liberation art, music, dance, theater or writing. Some are mentoring high schoolers or apprenticing young people in a trade. There are many places where compassionate humans are finding other humans and working together for a better world.

A more compassionate world is possible, one in which we will all enjoy better health. Creating it will make us healthier, too.

In community, we are strong. Recognizing denial and overcoming the fragmenting effects of spiritual disorder offer us a path to liberation and true health.

Good health and well-being are the collective rights of all people!

About the Author

Dr. Lorraine Bonner is a retired physician. She is also a sculptor who works in clay, exploring issues of trust, trustworthiness and exploitation, as well as visions of a better world.

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Activism

Opinion: Can Donald Trump Pole Dance?

Given all that is happening, if the presidency was more like pole dancing, you know Trump would be flat on his butt.

Published

3 months ago

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Oakland Post

iStock.

By Emil Guillermo

The news cycle has been buzzing the last few weeks. Xi, with Putin and Kim, the sweethearts of Trump carousing alone without him? The victims of the pedophile Epstein speaking out publicly in DC.

Then, there’s the release of that salacious letter Donald Trump allegedly wrote to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump said the letter didn’t exist. But it does.

Timing is everything.

Additionally, there are further concerns, such as the Supreme Court removing restrictions on ICE interactions. ICE Agents can stop anyone now. For any reason. And there’s the threat of the U.S. sending the military to fight crime in Chicago. Trump even posted a meme of himself as a character in “Apocalypse Now.”

All that with bad polls and bad economic numbers, and these topics are dominating the news cycle — Trump era chaos.

Given all that is happening, if the presidency was more like pole dancing, you know Trump would be flat on his butt.

The reality is the opposite. He keeps going strong like nothing’s happened. Inexplicably, Trump always seems to defy gravity.

That’s why to reassure myself with reality, I just think of Trump on a pole. Dancing. He was born on Flag Day, after all.

I’ve got pole dancing on my mind because I’m in Canada at the Vancouver Fringe Festival doing my show, “Emil Amok 69, Everything’s Flipped,” about how the current political situation gets very personal.

Get tickets here if you’re near:

I’ve performed at 16 fringe festivals, and I always look for unique performers. This year, in my same venue (the Revue Stage) I found her in a show, “The Pole Shebang.”

Andrea James Lui may look like a typical Asian American at first.

But she’s Asian Canadian, married to an Australian, who now lives down under.

At the Vancouver Fringe, she highlights her special identity.

Pole Dancer

Yes, pole dancing has come to the fringe. Leave your dollar bills at home, this is not that kind of pole dancing.

This is more Cirque Du Soleil-ish- acrobatic stuff, yet it’s hard to deny the sexiness when a woman flawlessly swings from a pole with her legs apart.

The show is more intriguing than it is titillating.

Lui has created a behind-the-scenes look at the “polar” experience.

“She could have been a physicist,” says her big sister Christina, who despite saying that, supports her sister 100 percent.

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Trump on a Pole

So that’s how I’ve come to the polar metaphor.

As Trump flails in the news, I picture him on a pole.

The letter to Epstein is further proof of the character of the man.

Will he stay afloat?

Not if the presidency were more like pole dancing.

You can’t lie on the pole.

That’s one way all of us in the Trump era can get to the truth.

About the Author

Emil Amok is a veteran journalist, commentator, and stage monologist. He has written a weekly column on Asian Americans for more than 30 years.

Contact: www.amok.com