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January 2006 8A Gore Holler: Pimping the King dream Continued from page 2A Gore said that there is sull much to learn about the National Security Agency’s domestic surveillance pro gram: “What we do know about this pervasive wiretap ping virtually compels the conclusion that the president ot the United States has been breaking the law repeatedly and pensistendy,” he main tained. Bush has pointed to a con gressional resolution passed after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, that authorized him to use torce in the tight against terrorism as allowing him to order the program. The pro gram authorized eavesdrop ping of international phone calls and e-mails ot people deemed a terror risk. Gore was repeatedly inter rupted by applause Monday as he spoke to the American Constitution Society tor Law and Policy and the Liberty Coalition, two organizations that expressed concern with the legality ot the surveillance program. Gore, also a tormer mem ber ot the Senate trom Ten nessee, proposed that a spe cial counsel be appointed by Auworney General Alberto Gonzales 1o investigate whether there have been vio lations of the law. Referring to reports that private telecommunications companies have provided the Bush administration with access to private information on Americans, Gore said any company that did so should immediately end its complic ity in the program. SCLC: New Prez takes bull by the horn Continued from page 2A Steeles fervent tundraising and businessmans approach to the SCLC presidency, the group is debt free, back in the black, current with all its operating expenses and has not missed one payroll. Dunng his bref tenure, Steele has raised some $1.5 million. And Steele has already raised $700,000 of the $2 million pledged by the likes of Sun Trust, \’%}acll()\'m‘ Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Geor gia Power and other major cor rate giants to finance an g?:LC international hcndqtur— ters on Aubum Avenue. The groundbreaking is set for Valen unes Day, February 14, with SCLC’s founders. “It is a 2 mirade,” he says of SCLC's renaissance, “but [ was led here by God. | can raise hell and | can raise money.” “It says to the entire nation that the most important organiza tion that Atrican Americans have had during the last half of the century is !imd< in opera tion, and that we can carve our way and think through the next century under the princ\i})lcs of Martin King,” says Dr. Vivian. “When we talk about SCLC, we're talking about a moral and spiritual movement.” This rebounding movement Steele has spearheaded has now gone international - panimlarf;' in the Middle East with offices in Israel and Palestine. “We're around the world,” Stecle says proudly. “I'll be going to Cug; in four or five weeks to set up a lconflict fi\lm:g}n!oam& li{)n] and throughouyt Euro \;‘fi be. going to establish oofiS flict rwofxotion centers.” The Tuscaloosa native admits there has been some criticism of his international forays and questioning whether SCLC is Qogglpmd from page 1A part of the Republican Party, 1o wrn back the dock on cvil nghts. llf Dr. King were alive, he would not um his head trom such machinations on the part of the folks who call them selves conservatives,. What is conservative abour structuring a society with any and every thing to hamper the realizations of a peoples civil nghts, the nght to vore, the right t attend desegregated schools, the right to borrow money, the n’gh[ o live where one pleases? Sudh a philosophy represents —the Congress: We don't need congress’ Continued from page 5A buy, especially vou “gangstas” out there. As Jill Scott says, “Am I warching it or is it watching me?” Lets throw the Congress out. Based on what it 1s doing now, we dont need it Brothas, let’s get out our plattorm guldtlxh heeled shoes, our pink and mustard-colored crushed vel vet, dephantear bellbottomed suits, and our wide-bnmmed hats with the teathers on the sides, and lets kick it like George. Swtahs, like Johnny Gill sang, “Put on vour red dress.” break out vour spiked heels, and mavbe a feather boa to accent it all. Cowboy King (George 1s comin' 1o a street near vou looking to add to his stable. It you aint quite up on vour game, mavbe hell lec Condi give you a retresher course on Il()\\' 1o "g('l over.” H(‘(l\‘. we dnlf( nu‘d no stinkin' Congress. We can get paid without them; George and his buddies. Lets see it thevll let us roll with them, ‘cause Georee and his homies rove it really is all about the gcnjamins. :\\k'-—'.lié_{h(.; A Whart good is Congress if it cannot or will not impeach this Commander-of-Thieves? Atter all, they impeached the real Playa, the onginal Pimp, Bill Clinton, for getin’ it on with just one of his ladies. George Bush has been doin” it to most of the country and a brotha foregoing pressing domestic concerns. “International con cerns are domestic concerns because you are in a global soci ety.” Steele counters. “Our kids are going global; the jobs are abroad.” When Steele assesses what went wrong with SCLC and what mmrii‘)med 10 its precipi tous dedine as a civil riyju.s force in America, he savs “We forgot our mission.” The mis sion, he says, “is to stay in the streets; to advocate for the least of these. We left the streets and went to the suites. That's where we made our mistake. You never leave your base; you never abandon your comerstone.” Yet the charismatic politico is quick to quip, “Its a new day and a { / / E l\ \_\- 5 i FTTAUR A Lep i 2525 WASHINGTON ROAD 738-0554 worse kind of bigotry and dis crimination. Dr. King would not be b(};uiled the pfi’\ony = have a dream celebrations.” Pimping the King message has become the stuft of wl:?fil the smoke and mirrors are made nowadays. He would frown on the celebration. The current President’s hell bent desie to stack the Supreme Court of the United States of Amernica (all American courts) with justices whose resumes and court records show a consistent pattern of nterpreting, the law and the Constitution of the United States (all Amencan Constitu cant even get a hearing on Bushs high crimes and misde meanors, John Conyers” efforts notwithstanding, A long ume ago, 56 men signed a document dcd.lring they were not going to take it anymore. They told King George they were fed up. They put their lives, their éunilic.\. and their tortunes on the line, | guess they were just tired of the nonsense, and tiw\' decided 1o at least act like a Congress and do something about (Twir mis treatment by someone they called, “A Prince, whose charac ter 1s thus marked by every act which may detine a Tyrant...” They went on 1o say that this man “is unfit to be the ruler of a free pec )plc.“ Hey Congress! Hello! Are vou listening? Stop pimpin’ us; and hollaatchaboy, é;mrgc about pimpin’ us, wo. If you aint down tor that and dont wanna represent for “vo peeps” then let the doorknob lhi(clm where the good Lord splitdha. I'm out! kanes = Chgrcon, an acponct pro o a de Unmesity of Couarouats Apraan Amenao Suckes deparmment. s former acetor of e Concirona Her dd newspaper and fuoder of e Contter (I;u ot Ao Ameam (Hvonter of Comonene. Fe hoss e wicko progeom. Blackononus."andhas wrrten sevend books, nchubng Black-o- Knowkerge-Saf To book § lmgman jor a speech or purchase his g:)/o'. g 0 1w his Web site, wune blacko nomics.com or call him ar 513/ aaaeglse . . new way for SCLC.” Stecle says poverty, violence and racism were the three societal ills that topped Dr. King's agen da and those are sl the most pressing issues impacting black folks today. “The Movement s sull alive,” Steele passionately con tends. “But people are still wait ing for a Dr. King to come back and hes not going o come back. But his spirit, and his teachings and his principles are here. But how can you teach his prinaples and theories if you dont have an institution, if you dont have [a robust] SCLC?” AUGUSTA FOCUS tions) in a manner that is anti black is tragic The Supreme Court, for many years, deferred to the southern states, permit ting them to violate the consti wiional rights of blacks with impunity. For fifty-eight years, from Plessy to Brown, the Supreme Court engaged in the worse kind ofdcni;fi. endorsing a humanely untenable doctrine of separate but equal. In the process, it served as co-conspir ator for the southern (and some northem too) racist state-rights advocates. Now in 20006, the Executive Branch is stacking it in such a manner as to once again block the fulfillment of Family Dentistry DR, VARNELL GAINES & ASSOCIATES ’f mtf ”“‘%&)’ wii“%’ikmz RRLT eB L S R e.AL D fii‘; "Show your smile!" S 8 IF NO ANSWER 860-9454 "If you're worried about going to the dentist...don't worry, call us! We take the time to CARE!" Emergencies Welcome Mon 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Tues 9:30 AM- 6 PM, Thaurs 10:00AM - 6:OOPM Fridafi 9AM -2 PM, Saturday 9 AM - 1 PM BT YT _- .. 5 e -‘ ‘.: . > “ ‘.‘! ; E ’ ? ’¥Tl 4 ,',?. PI \ e .j... . ; ‘ » ! P & ~ \ o - :‘ 3 A - : P - 5 ar ; ¢ D,/ il g, ’ ‘ , " . ! 5.._)‘ .N v i i | | :\ ( w’: | R Seemgtnmrfpracs o - X “’ v Byl ¢ Learn tips on planning a successful and stress free Family Reunion: « Seminars + Trade Show + Local Site Visits And new this year—information on other Georgia Destinations! February 4, 2006 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Augusta Towers Hotel & Conference Center 2651 Perimeter Parkway AUCUSTA = CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU For more information or to make a reservation, contact *Cousin® Michelle Bovian at mbovian@AugustaGA.org, or call 706-823-6600 or 800-726-0243. constitutional rights. Dr. King would not approve; he woulfi be saddened. A number of persons parad ed 1o dias or rostrums across the country supposedly givin%_g trib utes to Dr. King, Many, far too many, came from sources that talked his talk, but dont nearly walk his walk. |. C. Warts, the black Republican poster-figure, stood in the Georgia gt.nc Capitol building and delivered one of the most pitiful King tributes that this desk has ever heard. That should come as no surprise if you consider some of the other speakers, but J. C. Watts, a I)Ld\' man? FEven when you consider his expedient Republican rantings and well rehearsed verses, his message was off the cuff and borcl’lvinle or no coherence. He did nor even care enough to prepare remarks. h is a sad day when the “new negro” has disgraced his race to that point. It seems that in this phony world where truth is rarer than fiction and decep tion is the order of the day; Dr. King’s true message does not resonate. Thc pimping is so insulting. Sometimes it makes you want to holler.