The Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris

DIGITAL DIGITAL Version2020 2021 Version

Vol: 2 No: 29

JANUARY 22 2021

EDITORIAL Page 29 Published by The Village Press, Inc.

PHILIP RAY HAS RETURNED...Page 34 1

1/22/2021

Read the full text of Joe Biden's speech after historic election Biden is set to become the next president after a historic win.

Joe Biden, the president-elect of the United States, addressed the nation Saturday night after the tumultuous and historic election against Donal d Trump came to a conclusion earlier in the day.

Biden, a son of Scranton, Pennsylvania, fittingly garnered the final electoral votes he needed to go back to the White House as the apparent winner of the Keystone State, according to ABC News analysis.

The man who served alongside the first Black president for eight years is making history again, bringing along the first female vice president in Kamala Harris, riding a shift in independent voters, many of whom chose Trump in 2016 but made a different choice this time around.

Nearly 50 years into his political career and two unsuccessful presidential runs later, Biden is set to ascend to the highest office in the land amid the historic coronavirus Published by The Village Press, Inc.

pandemic, deep political divisions among the electorate and simmering racial unrest, all of which converged on the country in the months leading up to the election.

won with the most votes ever cast on a presidential ticket in the history of the nation, 74 million!

And what I must admit has surprised me, tonight we're seeing all Biden, who suffered deep losses over this nation, all cities in all over the course of his life, including parts of the country, indeed across his son Beau, pledged to be a presi- the world, an outpouring of joy, of dent to all Americans and push to hope of renewed faith in tomorheal the deep divisions in the U.S. row, bring a better day. And I'm humbled by the trust and confi"I pledge to be a president who dence you've placed in me. seeks not to divide but unify," he told the ecstatic crowed in DelaI pledge to be a president who ware, the state he represented in seeks not to divide but unify. Who the Senate for decades. "Who doesn't see red states and blue doesn't see red states and blue states, only sees the United States. states, only sees the United States. And work with all my heart with the confidence of the whole peoMORE: Joe Biden defeats Donald ple, to win the confidence of all of Trump for president in bitter and you. And for that is what America I historic election believe is about. It's about people.

And that's what our administration Read his full speech here: will be all about.

Hello. My fellow Americans and the I sought this office to restore the people who brought me to the dance, Delawareans. I see my bud- soul of America, to rebuild the backbone of this nation, the middle dy Tom -- Sen. Tom Carper down class, and to make America rethere and I think -- I think Sen. Coons is there and I think the gov- spected around the world again.

And to unite us here at home. It's ernor's around. Is that Ruth Ann? the honor of my lifetime that so And that former Gov. Ruth Ann Minner? Most importantly, my sis- many millions of Americans have voted for that vision. And now, the ters in law and my sister Valerie. work of making that vision is real, Anyway ... it's a task -- the task of our time.

Folks, the people of this nation have spoken. They've delivered us a clear victory, a convincing victory, (Continued on page 6) a victory for we, the people. We’ve 2

1/22/2021

A big chunk of Trump’s 1776 report appears lifted from an author’s prior work The report was meant to be the definitive conservative rendering of U.S. history. But historians have slammed it as sloppy and slanted.

President Donald Trump’s 1776 Commission was supposed to be the definitive “patriotic” rejoinder to the academic left for what conservatives view as a slanderous rendering of U.S. history. But the report released by the commission on Monday has been mocked by historians as slapdash and slanted. And a good chunk appears lifted or recycled from other publications.

An entire page of the report suggesting classroom discussion topics for teachers appears to be copied nearly verbatim from an opinion piece published in 2008 by one of the commission’s members, Thomas Lindsay.

The similarities are pronounced enough to raise questions about how much original Published by The Village Press, Inc.

work actually went into the construction of the 1776 report. And it will undoubtedly fuel criticism that the final product was not meant to be an academic endeavor but, rather, a partisan effort to tilt the educational playing field.

Lindsay, a conservative academic who was president of Shimer College from 2009 to 2010, did not return a request for comment.

Lindsay’s 2008 work appeared in Inside Higher Ed and was presented as a criticism of a recently published book by former Harvard University president Derek Bok. The article argued that, at the time, universities were not devoting enough resources to teaching the basics of American government and civic participation. As a remedy, Lindsay, then a deputy chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities, suggested several discussion prompts for teachers: — First, what is the meaning of human equality as articulated in the Declaration’s assertion that “all men are created equal”? Equal in what respects? What view of human nature does this presuppose? Does the Declaration mean to include African-Americans, as Abraham Lincoln, along with Frederick Douglass and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., insisted?

— Second, what does the Declaration mean by asserting that we possess rights 3

that are not “alienable”? Who or what, precisely, cannot alienate our rights? Are all rights deemed inalienable, or only some? And why?

— Third, why does the Founding generation consider government just only when it is instituted by the consent of the governed? Is justice for the Founders merely consent-based? If not, what might trump consent?”

Now a senior fellow at the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation, Lindsay was one of 16 conservative academics tasked by the Trump administration to help craft the 1776 Commission report.

And nearly the entirety of page 39 and page 40 of that report lifts from his 2008 article without attribution in an effort to offer prompts for teachers “to encourage civics discussion among students.”

— What does human equality mean in the statement that “all men are created equal"? Equal in what respects? What view of human nature does this presuppose? Does the Declaration intend to include African Americans, as Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Martin Luther King, Jr. all insisted?

— What does the Declaration mean by asserting that all persons possess rights that are not “alienable”? Who or what, precisely, can alienate our rights? Are all (Continued on page 5)

1/22/2021

Kamala Harris was escorted to the ceremony by the Capitol Police officer who led rioters away from Senate

Eugene Goodman, the Capitol Police officer who led rioters away from the Senate during the January 6 insurrection, escorts Kamala Harris to the inauguration ceremony.

Goodman became the face of resistance to the insurrection when shortly after the Capitol Hill attack, video showed him leading a mob of Trump supporters in the opposite direction of the Senate chambers. At the time, lawmakers were debating an objection to Arizona's Electoral College vote count.

In footage captured by Huffington Post (CNN)Eugene Goodman has been hailed reporter Igor Bobic, Goodman is seen as a hero ever since he lured rioters away being chased up a Capitol staircase by from the Senate chambers during the the mob. When he reached a landing, January 6 insurrection on Capitol Hill. he looked to his left, where he noticed The Capitol Police officer's courageous the door to the Senate chambers was actions were recognized again on still unguarded. He led the rioters to the Wednesday when he escorted Kamala right, away from lawmakers and toward Harris to the inauguration ceremony. He backup officers. was there in his new role as acting deputy The Senate chambers wouldn't be seSenate sergeant at arms. cured until one minute later, according to Eugene Goodman, the Capitol Police CNN's timeline of events from the riot. officer who led rioters away from the SenOnce Goodman led the rioters into a largate during the January 6 insurrection, eser hall, backup officers arrived, though corts Kamala Harris to the inauguration they were still outnumbered by rioters. ceremony.

President Biden signs executive orders on climate, virus

shows Biden's ability to hopefully unify the country.

MORE: Joe Biden's first act: Executive orders on pandemic, climate, immigration "It sets the bar higher for restoring the promise of America as the place that welcomes diversity and people with skills and President Joe Biden has signed a series of work ethic to improve our economy," says Grossman. executive orders from the Oval Office Biden also focused on safeguarding DACA, hours after his inauguration. which offers work permits and deportaBiden wore a mask while seated behind tion relief to undocumented immigrants, the Resolute Desk with a stack of orders is something on the minds of many. This early Wednesday evening. He said there includes Benito Abat, who came here was “no time to start like today.� from Ecuador and is now an American The first order Biden signed was related citizen. to the coronavirus pandemic. He also "Fortunately, I'm a citizen, but I have signed an order reentering the U.S. into friends without papers, they are honest the Paris climate accord.

Presidential historian Ken Grossman says people working hard," says Abat, of Cold right out of the gate, Biden tackled sever- Spring Harbor. al immigration issues as well. He says that Biden will look to reverse many of the 400 Published by The Village Press, Inc.

4

A bipartisan trio of lawmakers introduced legislation last week to award Goodman with a Congressional Gold Medal for potentially saving lives on one of the darkest days in US history.

immigration changes President Donald Trump made without approval from Congress, including the prepandemic travel and immigration restrictions on several Muslim countries.

Biden is also challenging all Americans to wear a mask for the first 100 days of his administration. The request comes after the country's COVID-19 death toll crossed 400,000 Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The Associated Press was used in this report.

1/22/2021

(Continued from page 3)

rights deemed inalienable, or only some?

And if the latter, why are they different?

—Why did the founding generation consider government’s powers to be "just" only when government is instituted by the consent of the governed? Is justice for the founders based on nothing more than consent? What considerations might be more authoritative than consent?

The report goes on to lift at least five more paragraphs from Lindsay’s 2008 article as well as adding other paragraphs specifically questioning the ways that the works of progressive politicians “differ from the principles and structure of the Constitution.”

Dr. Matthew Spalding, the executive director of the 1776 Commission, did not dispute that he and Lindsay borrowed from past work. Instead, he framed the repurposing of material as part of the commission’s mission.

"Dr. Thomas K. Lindsay and I are both involved with the 1776 Commission and—as with other Commissioners—contributed our own work and writing, under our own names, to the 1776 Report, which was an advisory report to the President," said Spalding.

The top text appeared in a piece written

by Thomas Lindsay for "Inside Higher Education," while the bottom text appeared in the 1776 Report.

The 1776 Commission was established last September as a counterpoint to The 1619 Project, a feature from the New York Times that sought to reenvision American history from the perspective of Black Americans and the institution of slavery.

In December, the commission named several professors and lawyers affiliated with right-wing organizations and conservative think tanks to its board. According to the Federal Register, the commission met just twice — on Jan. 5 and Jan. 15 in Washington — before publishing the 45-page document on Jan. 18. The report also acknowledges several current White House officials and assistants “who assistPublished by The Village Press, Inc.

University, ran the 1776 Report through TurnItIn, a plagiarism detection service used primarily by universities and colleges, and claimed that 26 percent of the content had been lifted in various ways from other sources without citing other sources.

Material from a 2002 Heritage Foundation article summarizing the founding fathers’ views against slavery appears to be recycled in Section Four of the 1776 report, which argues against viewing the founders as “hypocrites” for owning slaves.

The top text appeared in a piece written by Matthew Spalding for the Heritage Foundation, while the ed with [its] preparation.” bottom text appeared in the 1776 Report.

Upon its publication, the report was criti- Another section lifts sentences from an cized by historians for its lack of scholaressay published on the website for the ship and factual accuracy. Though it Intercollegiate Studies Institute, an educaclaimed, for instance, that George Wash- tional nonprofit that focuses on promoting ington “freed all the slaves in his family conservative values on college campuses: estate” by the end of his life, Washington The top text appeared in a piece written had only freed one slave upon his death,

by Matthew Spalding called "Rule of Law," and requested that the rest of his slaves while the bottom text appeared in the be freed after the death of his wife. Even 1776 Report. upon Martha Washington’s death less Both the Heritage Foundation article and than three years later, several slaves rethe ISI essay were written by Spalding, mained in bondage, transferred to her who in addition to being the executive grandchildren. director of the commission is a professor Other historians disputed the report’s of Constitutional Law at Hillsdale College. suggestions that Martin Luther King Jr. The top text appeared in a piece written would have opposed affirmative action,

by Matthew Spalding called "Rule of Law," pointing to his explicit support of prowhile the bottom text appeared in the grams that would grant preferential treat- 1776 Report. ment to Black people.

The sourcing of the report’s material has come under scrutiny. Courtney Thompson, an assistant professor at Mississippi State

5

1/22/2021

To all those of you who volunteered and worked the polls in the Folks, as I said many times before, middle of this pandemic, local I'm Jill's husband. And I would not elected officials, you deserve a be here without the love and tire- special thanks from the entire naless support of Jill and my son tion. And to my campaign team Hunter and Ashley, my daughter, and all the volunteers and all who and all our grandchildren and their gave so much of themselves to spouses and all our family. They're make this moment possible. I owe my heart. Jill’s a mom, a military you. I owe you. I owe you everymom, an educator. thing. And to all those who supported us, I'm proud of the camAnd she has dedicated her life to paign we built and ran. education, but teaching isn't just what she does. It's who she is. For I'm proud of the coalition we put American educators, this is a great together. The broadest and most day for y'all. You're gonna have diverse coalition in history. Demoone of your own in the White crats, Republicans, independents, House. And Jill’s gonna make a progressives, moderates, conservagreat first lady. I'm so proud of her. tives, young, old, urban, suburban, rural, gay, straight, transgender, I'll have the honor of serving with a white, Latino, Asian, Native Amerifantastic vice president who you can. I mean it. Especially those mojust heard from, Kamala Harris, ments -- and especially those mowho makes history as the first ments when this campaign was at woman, first black woman, the its lowest ebb, the African Amerifirst woman from south Asian decan community stood up again for scent, the first daughter of immime. grants ever elected in this country.

You always had my back and I’ll Don't tell me it's not possible in have yours. I said at the outset, I the United States! It’s long overwanted to represent -- this camdue. And we're reminded tonight paign to represent and look like of those who fought so hard for so America. We've done that. Now many years to make this happen. that’s what I want the administraOnce again, America's bent the arc tion to look like and act like. For all of the moral universe more tothose of you who voted president wards justice. Kamala, Doug, like it trump, I understand the disapor not, you’re family. You've bepointment tonight. come an honorary Biden. There's no way out.

(Continued from page 2)

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

6

I've lost a couple of times myself, but now let's give each other a chance. It's time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again. And to make progress, we have to stop treating our opponents as our enemies.

They are not our enemies. They are Americans. They are Americans.

The Bible tells us, “to everything there is a season: a time to build, a time to reap, and a time to sow and a time to heal.” This is the time to heal in America. Now this campaign is over, what is the will of the people? What is our mandate?

I believe it's this: Americans have called upon us to marshal the forces of decency, the forces of fairness, to marshal the forces of science and the forces of hope in the great battles of our time. The battle to control the virus. The battle to build prosperity. The battle to secure your family's health care. The battle to achieve racial justice and root out systemic racism in this country.

And the battle to save our planet by getting climate under control.

The battle to restore decency, defend democracy, and give everybody in this country a fair shot.

(Continued on page 12)

1/22/2021

DIGITAL Version 2021

New York AG sues NYPD over excessive force at Black Lives Matter protests

and unlawful practices that the NYPD utilized in response to these largely peaceful protests,” James said. “We found that the NYPD arrested or detained hundreds of protesters, legal observers, medics and others without legal justification … in total, we found over 155 incidents of officers using excessive and unreasonable force against protesters.”

Protests erupted nationwide following the New York state Attorney General Letitia May 25 police killing of George Floyd, a James is suing New York City's police deBlack man, in Minneapolis. partment, citing widespread excessive use Several videos of NYPD actions went viral, of force from the country’s most recogincluding one in which a police cruiser was nizable police force during this summer’s driven into a crowd, prompting outrage Black Lives Matter protests. from numerous New York congressional Spectrum News New York first reported lawmakers such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio the news Thursday morning. According to -Cortez (D). the network, this is the first time that the Thursday’s complaint, which was filed Empire State’s top prosecutor has sued with the U.S. District Court for the Souththe NYPD. ern District of New York, comes after a The civil suit calls for the NYPD to be given probe by the city’s Department of Investia court-appointed monitor to “eliminate gation found that “NYPD’s use of force ongoing unlawful policing practices and and certain crowd control tactics to retheir effects.” spond to the Floyd protests produced exAt a press conference Thursday, James cessive enforcement that contributed to called the NYPD’s actions unacceptable, heightened tensions.” but “nothing new.”

Three protesters who were victims of exShe said that since May her office has re- cessive force during last summer’s demonceived more than 1,300 complaints and strations spoke at Thursday’s press conferpieces of evidence stemming from the ence. One of the protesters, Andrew NYPD’s conduct.

Smith, recounted how an NYPD officer “We found a pattern of deeply concerning pulled down his mask, which he was wearPublished by The Village Press, Inc.

7

ing due to the pandemic, and then pepper sprayed him.

Study shows coronavirus will lower US life expectancy by more than a...

Man sentenced to life for killing Black student in case that changed...

“It is clear to me that the foundation of the police force in our legal legal system was not intended to recognize and protect the rights of Black people,” Smith said.

“My hands were high up in the air. I was no threat. I was not being aggressive or hostile, but somehow I was still assaulted by the police officer who is supposed to be a part of the police force sworn to protect and serve.”

The NYPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.

1/22/2021

DIGITAL Version 2021

THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE The "APPRENTICE" was a television broadcast showing how individuals with certain talents can be governed and trained to bring about successful results of assignments through proper management.

The Trump theory as an APPRENTICE president, was to follow the same procedures. The Charlottesville Riot lead to the death of a woman. The mishandling of the "Wall" and Border issue lead to the separation of thousands of Immigrant children from their parents for years and a Wall that was not completed across the US Southern border, after four years.

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

This Apprentice president had many downfalls but NONE as challenging, difficult or criminal as the Racist Riot and Attack on the U.S. Capital building, leaving many dead including a police officer. We are in a worse position now

8

Don Durant

than when this Apprentice came to office, and now after two Impeachment Hearings with guilty verdicts, he is planning a "Red Carpet Exit with Fly Overs, and 21 Gun Salutes" as he is run out of office.

1/22/2021

DIGITAL Version 2021

Marjorie Taylor Greene says she will introduce impeachment articles against Biden Newly elected Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Wednesday said she plans on filing articles of impeachment against President-elect Joe Biden on his first full day in office next week.

During an appearance on Newsmax Wednesday evening, Greene, a vocal supporter of President Trump, said that she is planning on introducing a measure to impeach Biden on Jan. 21, one day after his inauguration.

“I would like to announce on behalf of the American people, we have to make sure our leaders are held accountable, we cannot have a president of the United States who is willing to abuse the power of the office of the presidency and be easily bought off by foreign governments, foreign Chinese energy companies, Ukrainian energy companies, so on Jan. 21, I will be filing articles of impeachment on Joe Biden,” Greene told Newsmax’s Greg Kelly.

Greene did not specify what the articles might charge Biden with.

But Greene in the interview cited an argument advanced by several Trump allies in the final months of his reelection campaign that while vice president, Biden threatened to withhold a loan to Ukraine if thenProsecutor General Viktor Shokin was not replaced.

Shokin at the time was investigating the founder of Burisma Holdings, a natural gas giant in Ukraine, of which Biden’s son Published by The Village Press, Inc.

Hunter Biden had served as a member of the board since 2014.

The U.S. threatened to withhold roughly $1 billion in loan guarantees if Shokin was not replaced as prosecutor general, a message Joe Biden delivered to officials in Kyiv while serving as vice president and recounted during a 2018 Council on Foreign Relations conference.

Taylor Greene shared a clip from the 2018 conference on Wednesday, writing “Quid Pro Joe, in his own words...” and “Americans will not tolerate this.”

While Biden did leverage aid in order to persuade Ukraine to oust Shokin in March 2016, it came amid larger criticism that Shokin was not pursuing allegations of corruption among the country’s politicians.

The former vice president has denied acting with his son's business interests in mind, and there is no evidence of criminal wrongdoing by either of the Bidens. There is no evidence that Hunter Biden's work influenced U.S. policy.

In her Newsmax interview Wednesday, which aired hours after the House voted to impeach Trump for a second time, the Greene said she plans on filing the articles of impeachment to show Americans that “there are Republicans in Congress that are willing to stand up and fight for them.”

“I’m a big believer of having people in office who are actually willing to do the job, and I can’t imagine people in this country being so fearful of a future of a Biden presidency that they may be willing to commit violence like they did in the Capitol here in Washington, D.C. We cannot have that, I do not condone 9

that violence,” the congresswoman said.

Impeachment trial tests Trump's grip on Senate GOP Pelosi mum on when House will send impeachment article to Senate Trump was impeached in December 2019 on charges of abuse of power and obstructing Congress for pressuring Ukraine’s thennewly elected president to investigate the dealings of the Biden family in a phone call. He was acquitted by the GOP-controlled Senate last February.

Last week’s deadly pro-Trump riot on the Capitol came after Trump urged his supporters at a rally earlier in the day to march toward Congress in opposition to lawmakers’ official Electoral College count of Biden’s 2020 presidential win, repeating his unsubstantiated claims that the election was “stolen.”

Greene’s pledge to move to impeach Biden came the same day the House voted in favor of an article of impeachment against Trump, which charged him with inciting the violent mob on the Capitol. Ten House Republicans sided with Democrats in the 232-197 vote.

1/22/2021

House impeaches Trump for 'incitement of insurrection' House Republicans who voted for impeachment explain why (CNN)The House voted Wednesday to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time in a swift and bipartisan condemnation of the President's role inciting last week's riot at the US Capitol.

The House voted 232 to 197 to impeach Trump exactly one week after rioters forced lawmakers to flee from the very chamber in which they cast ballots in the fourth presidential impeachment in US history -and the first time a President has been impeached twice. Ten Republicans, including the House's No. 3 Republican, Liz Cheney of Wyoming, joined all Democrats to impeach Trump for "incitement of insurrection."

While impeachment won't force Trump from office -Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said Trump won't face his trial until after President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in next week -- the vote was a visceral response from lawmakers in both parties furious at Trump after a deadly pro-Trump mob overran Capitol Police, ransacked the US Capitol and put the lives of Vice President Mike Pence and lawmakers in danger last week.

"We know that the President of the United States incited this insurrection, this armed rebellion against our common country," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on the House floor ahead of the vote. "He must go. He is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love."

The speed of the vote and the Republican support underscores the fury that lawmakers feel about Trump's role inciting the rioters who overtook the Capitol, who were fueled by Trump's months of false rhetoric about the election being stolen from him.

Cheney's statement was cited by impeachment supporters and detractors alike Wednesday after she charged that Trump "summoned this mob, assembled the mob and lit the flame of this attack."

"There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution," Cheney said.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Wednesday that Trump "bears responsibility for Wednesday's attack on Congress by mob rioters," urging the President to accept his share of responsibility and "quell the brewing unrest." McCarthy, however, argued the House should create a bipartisan commission instead of impeachment.

"I believe impeaching the President in such a short timeframe would be a mistake," McCarthy said. "No Published by The Village Press, Inc.

investigations have been completed. No hearings have been held."

The division within the Republican Party starkly contrasts the House Democrats' 2019 impeachment of Trump, when House Republicans were united in opposition. The Republicans besides Cheney voting to impeach Trump on Wednesday were Reps. John Katko of New York, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Fred Upton of Michigan, Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington, Dan Newhouse of Washington, Peter Meijer of Michigan, Tom Rice of South Carolina, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio and David Valadao of California.

Rice, a Republican from a conservative district who was not expected to vote for impeachment, said in a statement after the vote that it was the President's response to the riot that led him to cross the aisle.

"The President has not addressed the nation to ask for calm. He has not visited the injured and grieving.

He has not offered condolences. Yesterday in a press briefing at the border, he said his comments were 'perfectly appropriate,'" Rice said.

"I have backed this President through thick and thin for four years. I campaigned for him and voted for him twice. But, this utter failure is inexcusable," the South Carolina Republican added.

In the Senate, McConnell is not planning to bring the Senate back for a trial before January 19, meaning the trial won't begin until Trump is out of office and Biden has been sworn in.

The majority leader said in a statement following the vote that a trial could not be completed ahead of Biden's inauguration even if it started beforehand, and he wanted Congress and the executive branch to spend the next week focused on "facilitating a safe inauguration and an orderly transfer of power."

In a note to his GOP colleagues Wednesday afternoon, McConnell wrote, "I have not made a final decision on how I will vote and I intend to listen to the legal arguments when they are presented to the Senate."

McConnell has indicated he believes impeaching Trump will make it easier to get rid of the President and Trumpism from the Republican Party, sources said Tuesday. McConnell is facing a delicate balance -a number of his GOP colleagues have made clear they oppose impeachment and the Kentucky Republican

10

(Continued on page 16)

1/22/2021

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Hire Curator of African Art, Natasha Becker is First to Serve in Newly Created Position THE FINE ARTS MUSEUMS of San Francisco (the de Young and Legion of Honor) expanded their curatorial team at the end of the year, hiring an inaugural curator of African art. Natasha Becker officially started at the Museums in the newly created role on Dec. 1.

Working in the department of the arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, Becker oversees the collection of African art. Her appointment was announced Dec. 3.

“The collaborative and innovative underpinnings of Natasha’s curatorial practice, her knowledge and study of art history and African history, and her experience presenting contemporary African art will bring exciting opportunities to the stewardship, interpretation, and development of our collection,” Christina Hellmich, curator in charge of the arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, said in a statement.

“Spanning multiple disciplines, Natasha’s curatorial expertise expands the possibilities for the presentation of African art at the Museums by bringing contemporary conversations to our historical collection.”

“Spanning multiple disciplines, Natasha’s curatorial expertise expands the possibilities for the presentation of African art at the Museums by bringing contemporary conversations to our historical collection.”

Over the past decade, Becker has worked as an independent curator organizing exhibitions and programming in Cape Town, South Africa, and New York. Most recently, she worked with a few New York City institutions. She was a curatorial adviser at the FACE Foundation and served as a guest curator at the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice art gallery.

Becker is also co-founder of Assembly Room, a New York art space and platform for independent women curators, and the Underline Show in Johannesburg, which also provides opportunities for independent curators.

Born and raised in South Africa, Becker earned a master’s degree in African history from the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, and completed Ph.D. coursework in art history at Binghamton University in New York.

“This is a time for accountability, for asking real questions, and for transformation in U.S. museums. I believe in the contemporary value of historical collections and the important role of today’s artists in connecting people and leading these conversations,” Becker said in a statement.

“I am deeply honored to join with African and African diaspora artists and communities in bringing forward our complex experiences and adding our diverse voices to the de Young’s collections, exhibitions, programs, and scholarship.”

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco include the de Young in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park. In 2020, the de Young presented “Soul of the Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power, 1963-1983.” The Legion of Honor is organizing “Wangechi Mutu: I Am Speaking, Are You Listening?” a major survey of the Kenyan-born, New York-based artist, forthcoming in May. CT

Shawna Thomas named executive producer of ‘CBS This Morning’

audience without pandering to them and use those precious two hours, as well as unlimited time online, to expand the creative storytelling that the journalists of Thomas worked at NBC News for over a decade as a senior producer for CBS News are already famous for.”

'Meet The Press' Susan Zirinsky, president and senior execIn an official statement, Shawna Thomas was named executive producutive producer of CBS News, revealed in er of “CBS This Morning.” the statement, “Shawna Thomas is one of CBS has officially announced Shawna Thomas as executive producer of the top news minds in our field…she’s a “CBS This Morning,” with her first day set for Feb. 1. Thomas has had an hands-on storyteller, accomplished jourimpressive career already, serving as the Washington, D.C. bureau chief nalist and an inspiring leader.” at Vice News, specifically overseeing politics and policy coverage for She later details how Thomas, “has con“Vice News Tonight.” sistently embraced new ways and She also spent just over a decade at NBC News, where she later served platforms to deliver high-quality journalas a senior producer of “Meet The Press.” Most recently, Thomas was a ism to audiences everywhere. She has the content development executive for the news team at the now-defunct, passion and experience to take “CBS This Morning” to the next level Quibi. during these transformational times.”

Thomas, per the official statement, says, “When CBS News decided to Thomas attended George Washington University, earning a B.A. in pobring the news back to the mornings many years ago, I took note and litical communication before going on to earn a master’s degree in cheered them on for not trying to just copy the other network morning broadcast journalism from the University of Southern California. Thomshows.” as replaces Diana Miller as executive producer, who left the show last She goes on to detail her excitement for the new chapter in her career, year. explaining, “I am excited to join a show that is determined to inform the

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

11

1/22/2021

(Continued from page 6)

That's all they're asking for, a fair shot. Folks, our work begins with getting COVID under control.

We cannot repair the economy, restore our vitality or relish life's most precious moments, hugging our grandchildren, our children, our birthdays, weddings, graduations, all the moments that matter most to us until we get it under control. On Monday I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as transition advisors to help take the Biden-Harris COVID plan and convert it into an action blueprint that will start on January the 20, 2021. That plan will be built on bedrock science.

It will be constructed out of compassion, empathy, and concern. I will spare no effort, none, or any commitment to turn around this pandemic. Folks, I’m a proud Democrat. But I will govern as an American president.

I'll work as hard for those who didn't vote for me as those who did.

Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end here and now. The refusal of Democrats and Republicans to cooperate with one another, it’s not some mysterious force beyond our control.

It's a decision. A choice we make.

And if we can decide not to cooperate, then we can decide to cooperate. And I believe that this is part of the mandate given to us from the American people.

They want us to cooperate in their interest, and that's the choice I'll make. And I'll call on Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, to make that choice with me. The American story is about slow yet steadily widening the opportunities in America. And make no mistake, too many dreams have been deferred for too long. We must make the promise of the country real for everybody, no matter their race, their ethnicity, their faith, their identity, or their disability.

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

MORE: 'I am rooting hard for you': As Trump remains defiant, here's how past one-term presidents conceded

great nation. It's always been a bad bet to bet against America.

We're good people. This is the United States of America, and there has never been anything, Folks, America has always been never been anything we've been shaped by inflection points, by moable -- not able to do when we've ments in time where we've made done it together. hard decisions about who we are and what we want to be. Lincoln in Folks, in the last days of the cam1860 coming to save the union. paign, I began thinking about a FDR in 1932 promising a beleahymn that means a lot to me and guered country a new deal. JFK in my family, particularly my de1960 pledging a new frontier, and ceased son Beau. It captures the 12 years ago, when Barack Obama faith that sustains me and which I made history, he told us, "Yes, we believe sustains America. And I can." hope, and I hope it can provide some comfort and solace to the Well folks, we stand at an inflec230 million -- thousand Americans tion point. We have an opportuniwho have lost a loved one through ty to defeat despair, to build a nathis terrible virus this year. My tion of prosperity and purpose. We heart goes out to each and every can do it. I know we can. one of you. Hopefully this hymn gives you solace as well. It goes I've long talked about the battle for the soul of America. We must like this. restore the soul of America. Our “And he will raise you up on eanation is shaped by the constant gles' wings, bear you on the breath battle between our better angels of dawn, and make you to shine and our darkest impulses. And like the sun and hold you in the what presidents say in this battle palm of his hand.” And now tomatters. It's time for our better gether on eagles' wings, we emangels to prevail. Tonight, the bark on the work that God and hiswhole world is watching America. tory have called us to do with full And I believe at our best, America hearts and steady hands, with faith is a beacon for the globe. in America and in each other, with We will not lead -- we will lead not love of country, a thirst for justice. only by the example of our power, Let us be the nation that we know but by the power of our example. I we can be. A nation united, a naknow, I've always believed, many tion strengthened, a nation healed. have you heard me say it, I've always believed we can define The United States of America, laAmerica in one word: possibilities. dies and gentlemen, there has That in America everyone should never, never been anything we've be given an opportunity to go as tried we've not been able to do. So far as their dreams and God-given remember, as my grandpop -- our ability will take them. grandpop, he said when I walked You see, I believe in the possibility out of his home when I was kid up of this country. We're always look- in Scranton, he said "Joey, keep the faith." And our grandmother ing ahead, ahead to an America when she was alive, she yelled, that’s freer, more just. Ahead to an America that creates jobs with "No, Joey, spread it." dignity and respect. Ahead to an Spread the faith. God love you all.

America that cures diseases like May god bless America and may cancer and Alzheimer's. Ahead to god protect our troops. Thank you, an America that never leaves anythank you, thank you. one behind.

Ahead to an America that never gives up, never gives in. This is a 12

(Continued on page 17)

1/22/2021

White Army vet charged in shooting Black girl at Trump rally IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A white military veteran shot and wounded a 15-year-old girl when he fired his gun into a car carrying four Black teenagers during a tense confrontation at a rally in support of President Donald Trump near the Iowa Capitol last month.

Michael McKinney, 25, is charged with attempted murder in the Dec. 6 shooting in Des Moines. McKinney, who was heavily armed and wearing body armor, told police he fired the shot in self-defense. A resident of tiny St. Charles, Iowa, McKinney has posted on Facebook in support of the far-right Proud Boys and against Black Lives Matter.

In a news release detailing McKinney’s arrest, the state police described an afternoon shooting at a parking lot and didn't mention the Trump car rally or the race of those involved. A city police spokesman said initial reports indicated the shooting was traffic-related. Division of Criminal Investigation spokesman Mitch Mortvedt said the agency released the immediate facts and circumstances as required.

But a review by The Associated Press shows the shooting was sparked by a belligerent political clash between a large group of white Trump supporters and four unarmed Black girls all aged 16 and under.

The teen driver’s mother said the girls argued with Trump supporters about politics and were subjected to racial slurs. Rallygoers blamed the teens for starting the confrontation, saying they were harassing and threatening the crowd.

The girls’ car ended up surrounded by Trump supporters who were yelling and honking horns before the driver went in reverse and struck a pickup. It’s unclear whether the collision was accidental. McKinney told police he fired at that point to protect himself.

An investigator says in court documents that McKinney does not appear to be among those rallygoers who exchanged words with the girls before the shooting. Bystander video obtained by police shows McKinney approaching the vehicle, pulling a handgun from his waistband and firing into the car from 15 feet (4.5 meters) away, according to court documents.

The bullet hit the leg of a girl who had been arguing with members of the crowd through the vehicle's sunroof. The car sped off to take her to a hospital.

The 73-year-old owner of the pickup, Bob Brekke Jr., told AP he was glad that McKinney shot into the car and scared the girls away, saying he worried that they might be armed.

“I felt relieved,” said Brekke, whose truck was scratched in the collision.

Brekke said the girls had been yelling anti-Trump epithets at him and others as the rally progressed through the heavily Democratic city. He said their vehicle drove wildly, veering in and out of the caravan, and followed it to the parking lot where the route concluded.

Fans of the president, who were gathering to support his attempts to subvert the November election, initially “were having fun” taunting the girls, Brekke said.

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

Brekke, a retired airport security worker, said he asked whether they were on welfare and unemployed. He said they called him a white supremacist and threatened him and his wife.

McKinney's attorney, Kent Balducci, said the Jan. 6 mob attack at the U.S. Capitol that included many ex-military members won't help his client's case, because the public will draw comparisons.

But he argued that the “political factors are extraneous” and that McKinney’s actions should be viewed as self-defense. The teenage driver may have been using the vehicle as a weapon instead of merely trying to flee the angry crowd, he said.

Balducci said McKinney wore body armor because he had been threatened during previous Trump rallies, and that he feared for his safety when the car reversed.

Trump supporters have blasted authorities for charging McKinney, arguing that his shot protected rallygoers. They include an Iowa Department of Public Safety employee who organized the event and has fundraised for McKinney’s defense.

McKinney, who left the Iowa National Guard in 2017 after a fiveyear military career, faces 25 years in prison if convicted. McKinney remains jailed after a judge last month rejected his request to reduce a $500,000 bond.

Danielle Gross, the teen driver’s mother, said her daughter was so traumatized by the shooting that injured her cousin that

she didn't leave the house for a week afterward. She said the girls made an ill-advised decision to confront

rallygoers and that the situation escalated quickly.

“They were saying some racist slurs and the girls argued with them and it went from there,” Gross said, adding that she hasn’t heard from the police since the day of the shooting and that she fears for her family’s safety.

Authorities declined comment on whether the shooting might have been motivated by race. Polk County Attorney John Sarcone noted that the attempted murder charge against McKinney carries far more prison time than a state hate crime charge, with a maximum of five years.

After the shooting, McKinney apparently tried to cover his tracks, putting the spent shell casing in the trunk of his car and not initially coming forward as the shooter, court records show.

After others identified him, he admitted his role and surrendered his pistol. Police say he was carrying two loaded magazines in his pants and had another firearm in his vehicle, which was outfitted with Trump decals.

13

1/22/2021

Donald Trump executive order banning diversity training suspended by Labor Department The Labor Department has suspended enforcement of Donald Trump’s executive order restricting diversity training by government agencies and contractors that the president labeled "divisive" and "un-American” after a federal court judge blocked it.

Late last month U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman granted a preliminary nationwide injunction in a lawsuit filed by LGBT rights groups in the Northern District of California, saying the groups were likely to prevail on their First Amendment claims.

“Plaintiffs have demonstrated a likelihood of success in proving violations of their constitutional rights,” Freeman wrote in a 34-page order. “Moreover, as the government itself acknowledges, the work Plaintiffs perform is extremely important to historically underserved communities.”

In guidance issued by the Labor Department on Monday, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs will stop investigating any agency or contractor suspected of violating the executive order and will take no enforcement action. A hotline set up to collect complaints will no longer be used.

The department "is fully complying with the preliminary injunction," a Labor Department spokesperson told USA TODAY. Trump diversity training ban blocked:Donald Trump executive order banning diversity training blocked by federal judge Democrats call it a 'political stunt':Trump diversity training ban challenged by Senators Bob Menendez, and Elizabeth Warren Megan Petersen, senior director for policy, public sector and counsel at industry trade group ITI, said the move is a "welcome step toward undoing an Executive Order that fails to acknowledge the realities of systemic racism in America, fully undercuts companies’ efforts to promote a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce, and that was implemented contradicting all normal federal rulemaking processes.”

Trump’s executive order was seen by critics as a broadside against diversity and inclusion programs seeking to reverse patterns of discrimination and exclusion going back decades. The incoming Joe Biden administration is widely expected to scrap it.

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. Trump is traveling to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump's executive order, which affected government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, educational institutions, nonprofits and any others that have federal contracts or plan to apply for them, had an almost immediate chilling effect on reinvigorated efforts to address racial disparities in the workplace after the death of George Floyd, a Black man, under the knee of white officer in Minneapolis in May. A USA TODAY investigation found that more than 55 years after the Civil Rights Act, less than 2% of the top executives at the nation’s largest companies are Black.

"This is welcome news for federal contractors and grantees, many of whom had embarked upon the difficult task of attempting to comply with the order’s vague requirements in order to avoid potentially crippling penalties for violations," Franklin Turner, a partner with law firm McCarter & English, told USA TODAY. "In all likelihood, the issue will be moot when Presidentelect Biden takes power in less than two weeks and promptly rescinds the order. At that point, I fully expect that collective sighs of relief will be heard in corporate Zoom meetings across America," said Turner, who represents multinational contractors and small and mediumsized companies.

Trump executive order under fire from corporate America, Democrats Democrats had called on the federal government to back off the order, calling it a political stunt. Bob Menendez, DN.J.; Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.; and 18 other senators sent a letter opposing the implementation of the executive order, saying it stifles "much-needed efforts in our states to reduce racial and sex-based discrimination."

“We cannot as a nation expect to work towards and achieve equality without first acknowledging and addressing the biases that are deeply rooted in the fabric of this nation," attorney Avatara Smith-Carrington who represented the LGBT groups in the November lawsuit, told USA TODAY last month.

'It's already having a massive effect':Corporate America demands Trump rescind executive order on diversity Biden likely to dump Trump diversity ban:Biden administration likely to overturn Donald Trump diversity training executive order The executive order's stated goal was "to combat offensive

14

and anti-American race and sex stereotyping and scapegoating."

The Labor Department previously told USA TODAY the elimination of "race and sex stereotyping and scapegoating in employment" was "a key civil rights priority of the Trump Administration."

Trump diversity training ban faced other challenges Civil rights groups including the NAACP Legal Defense Fund filed another lawsuit in October alleging the executive order violates free speech rights in an "extraordinary and unprecedented act by the Trump administration to undermine efforts to foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace."

A White House memo in late September suggested rooting out "ideologies that label entire groups of Americans as inherently racist or evil" in diversity training materials by searching for keywords such as "white privilege," "systemic racism," "intersectionality" and "unconscious bias."

Asked about his executive order during the first presidential debate, Trump said: "They were teaching people that our country is a horrible place, it’s a racist place. And they were teaching people to hate our country. And I’m not gonna allow that to happen."

Biden responded, “Nobody’s doing that.”

“The fact is that there is racial insensitivity," he told Trump.

Trump took aim at critical race theory The target of Trump's executive order was critical race theory, which teaches that racism pervades government and other American institutions, giving white people an advantage.

Trump seized on the issue following appearances by conservative activist Christopher Rufo on Fox News' "Tucker Carlson Tonight."

"What I've discovered is that critical race theory has become, in essence, the default ideology of the federal bureaucracy and is now being weaponized against the American people," Rufo, director of the Discovery Institute's Center on Wealth & Poverty in Seattle, said on Carlson's show.

Rufo celebrated achieving his goal – "persuading the President of the United States to abolish critical race theory in the federal government" – posting on Facebook moments after Trump issued the order.

The Trump administration also challenged corporate efforts to recruit more Black executives and executives of color into leadership ranks.

1/22/2021

The pandemic has brought unprecedented hardship for small businesses, and it has disproportionately impacted the Black small business community. That’s why we are working with American Express to launch the Coalition to Back Black Businesses—a multi-year initiative to support Black small business owners in their recovery.

Coalition to Back Black Businesses and we hope these grants can help the Black business community begin to emerge from this crisis stronger than ever.

APPLY BY 9/21/2020.

Learn more at webackblackbusinesses.com.

Over the next four years, the initiative will provide $10 million in grants, leadership development and business mentoring and other development opportunities to empower Black-owned small businesses in U.S. communities that have long been struggling with economic growth. We’re proud to be a part of the Published by The Village Press, Inc.

15

1/22/2021

(Continued from page 10)

famously loathes anything that divides his conference, according to a source familiar with the matter.

But the source says McConnell is also keenly aware of the moment in history -- and the moment for the Republican Party. McConnell's shift against Trump has been apparent for those watching him closely. He cut off contact with Trump weeks ago and has made clear he has no plans ever to speak to him again.

For House Democrats, the disagreements that divided their caucus on impeachment in 2019 simply never materialized. Democrats quickly coalesced around using impeachment in the final days of Trump's presidency to serve as a proper response to the President's conduct and as a way to push for his removal from office before the end of his term, although that scenario looks unlikely.

Pence sent a letter Tuesday saying he would not seek to invoke the 25th Amendment as Democrats had urged, and Trump is not considering resigning.

Pelosi has brushed aside Republican efforts to take a different action, such as censure, in response to Trump's role in the riot. She named impeachment managers on Tuesday evening, a team of nine Democrats who will be led by Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, ahead of a likely trial not long after Biden is sworn in. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said late Tuesday the House would send the articles to the Senate immediately.

Democrats only grew more resolute in their push to impeach Trump over the riot as more information has come out about the attack on the Capitol, including violent images of Capitol Police officers being attacked, and the death of a Capitol Police officer.

Wednesday's vote occurred while thousands of National Guard troops were present every nook of the Capitol complex ahead of next week's inauguration, and they slept on the floors of the Capitol building the night before the impeachment vote.

After the House vote, Trump released a video statement calling for calm as the threat of new riots -which Trump said he'd been briefed on by the Secret Service -- casts a pall over Washington. But he did not mention the historic impeachment that had occurred a few hours earlier.

Trump has showed no contrition for his role in last week's Capitol riot, railing against impeachment on Tuesday in his first public remarks since the incident.

A source close to the President said he's not considering resigning.

"It's been analyzed," Trump said of his remarks last week to the crowd before the riots. "People thought what I said was totally appropriate."

What the trial could look like Wednesday's impeachment vote will complicate the opening days of the Biden administration, both in his efforts to reach out to Republicans and because the Senate is likely to be tied up with a trial just as Biden is taking office.

In a statement Wednesday evening, the Presidentelect noted that "it was a bipartisan vote cast by Published by The Village Press, Inc.

members who followed the Constitution and their conscience," before turning to the pandemic.

"This nation also remains in the grip of a deadly virus and a reeling economy," Biden said. "I hope that the Senate leadership will find a way to deal with their Constitutional responsibilities on impeachment while also working on the other urgent business of this nation."

Biden is still awaiting word on whether the Senate will be able to do an impeachment trial alongside Cabinet confirmation hearings and Covid-19 relief legislation. Aides say Biden and his team are working behind the scenes with Senate Democrats -- and House impeachment managers -- to keep the impeachment trial as swift as possible, although the length remains an open question.

Both Biden and Schumer have argued that the Senate will try to divide its days, so the Senate can confirm Biden's nominees and consider Covid-19 stimulus legislation while also carrying out the impeachment trial.

House impeachment managers are just starting to lay out their strategy for the case they plan to bring and are wary about stepping on the first days of Biden's presidency.

Several managers told CNN decisions have not been made over a key issue: Whether to seek witnesses and attempt to subpoena documents for the trial, which could prolong it.

But McConnell indicating he's in no rush to bring the Senate back early into session, House managers have more time to begin their strategy sessions.

Raskin told CNN that they are still assessing whether to seek witnesses.

One possible witness is Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The article of impeachment references Trump's pressure campaign against the official to "find" the votes necessary to overturn Biden's win in the state.

Asked if Raffensperger would be called as a witness, Rep. Madeleine Dean, one of nine impeachment managers, said she didn't "want to preview" the case and they were only just beginning organizational meetings.

Democrats, though, seem to be wary about starting the trial on the same day Biden is sworn into office.

"Certainly not," Dean said when asked if it would be a good idea to start on January 20. "The President and vice president deserve (their day)... We have to restore a peaceful transfer of power which Donald Trump deliberately incited people against."

16

1/22/2021

(Continued from page 12)

Read Kamala Harris's Inauguration Speech It's a statement that was used by nearly every journalist today (myself included), but one that I will never grow tired of writing: Today, history was made. Today, Kamala Harris became the first female, Black, and South Asian vice president of the United States of America. It's a moment more than worthy of all of the articles, retweets, and phrasal repetitions. It's a win that was hard fought, both for Vice President Harris and for American democracy.

Today, history was made. Tonight, we celebrate.

And in that vein, the The Presidential Inaugural Committee is hosting a "Celebrating America" special streaming across major platforms. The event had star-studded, packed with performances from Demi Lovato, John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, and more, but it was the words from our new VP that was truly music to my ears.

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

In case you missed it, read her moving words here: Good evening. It is my honor to be here. To stand on the shoulders of those who came before. To speak tonight as your Vice President.

In many ways, this moment embodies our character as a nation. It demonstrates who we are.

Even in dark times, we not only dream, we do. We not only see what has been, we see what can be. We shoot for the moon, and then we plant our flag on it. We are bold, fearless, and ambitious. We are undaunted in our belief that we shall overcome; that we will rise up. This is American aspiration.

In the middle of the civil war, Abraham Lincoln saw a better future and built it with land grant colleges and the transcontinental railroad.

In the middle of the civil rights movement, Dr. King fought for racial justice and economic justice.

American Aspiration is what drove the women in this nation, throughout history, to demand equal rights. And the authors of the Bill of Rights, to claim freedoms that had rarely been written down before.

A great experiment takes great determination. The will to do the work, and then the wisdom to keep refining, keep tinkering, keep perfecting. The same determination is being realized in America today. I see it in the scientists who are

17

transforming the future. I see it in the parents who are nurturing generations to come, in the innovators and educators, in everyone, everywhere, who is building a better life for themselves, their families, and their communities.

This too, is American aspiration.

This is what President Joe Biden has called upon us to summon now. The courage to see beyond crisis. To do what is hard, to do what is good, to unite, to believe in ourselves, believe in our country, believe in what we can do together.

Thank you, and may God bless America.

Truly, words we all needed to hear.

1/22/2021

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

18

1/22/2021

'Extraordinary' corporate revolt over campaign donations shakes political world

At least one firm, greeting card maker Hallmark, has asked for refunds, requesting that two GOP senators who objected last week, Josh Hawley of Missouri and Roger Marshall of Kansas, return their PAC donations.

In announcing their decisions, many companies described their actions as only temporary suspensions to review their political giving. The chemical company Dow, however, promised a more lasting punishment for those who backed Trump in Congress. It said it would cut off donations to lawmakers who voted against certifying the election for the entire two-year terms of the House members involved and the sixyear terms of senators.

The Lincoln Project -- the group of Republican (CNN)Some of the country's largest firms are and former Republican strategists scrambling to distance responsible for searing ads opposthemselves from last ing Trump's reelection -- is pledgweek's insurrection at the ing to keep the pressure on comUS Capitol by freezing or panies that bankroll the politicians reassessing their political it views as backing Trump's actions, donations -- sending tremalong with those that try to add ors through a political sysloyalists to the President to their tem that has relied for corporate boards. decades on the predictable "If you are a member of the Trump flow of corporate financial administration right now ... and support. you don't take action on what are Companies such as Google, obviously illegal and dangerous Coca-Cola and UPS all have things that Trump is doing, then pledged to suspend contriwhen you go out to get a seat on a butions across the board, corporate board, people are going while others took aim speto remember that," Rick Wilson, a cifically at lawmakers they roots donors contributed a staggering $4.8 Lincoln Project co-founder, told CNN in a reviewed as complicit in President Donald billion to Democratic groups and candidates up cent interview.

Trump's effort to disrupt the certification of and down the ballot via the online fundraising "We are going to be very diligent about making Joe Biden's election. platform ActBlue. sure actions have consequences," he said.

"This is extraordinary. It's corporate America Other reformers on Monday blasted compasaying, 'Enough,' " said Richard Levick, the CEO nies that opted to freeze donations to Republi- Even more important than halting contributions is the new message that corporate Ameriof LEVICK, a Washington-based public relations cans and Democrats alike -- given that only ca delivered to Washington this week, said firm. "Capitalism is trying to ride to the rescue Republicans voted against certifying Trump's Michael Malbin, a political science professor at of a political system that doesn't have an andecisive White House loss. swer" for Trump's conduct.

"These corporations' announcements are noth- the University of Albany and an expert on campaign money.

The Democrat-led House of Representatives ing more than a PR stunt -- and a bad one at plans to vote Wednesday to impeach Trump that," Tiffany Muller, the president of End Citi- "The fact that major organizations are saying for "incitement of insurrection," but convicting zens United, said in a statement. "There's only that they are disgusted matters," he said. "This is a public statement about what they believe Trump would be a tall order in the narrowly one party -- and specifically 147 members of divided Senate.

Congress -- who incited the violent and deadly is right and wrong."

Business PACs are significant players in politics, assault on our Capitol," she added. accounting for more than $360 million in federal contributions during the 2020 cycle -- with about 57% of the money flowing to GOP candidates, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks political donations.

"I've never seen anything like this," said Fred Wertheimer, who runs the watchdog group Democracy 21, of the corporate retreat in the wake of the riot by pro-Trump supporters.

"The key is: Is this temporary or is this real?"

"To do this for two or three weeks, and after the heat falls off, go back to business as usual isn't going to solve anyone's problems," he added.

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott, the new chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, were among those in Congress who objected to the presidential election results. The backlash among the business community to that vote after the Trump-incited attack on the Capitol could impair Republicans' fundraising effort to flip both the House and Senate in 2022.

"Rick Scott will spend the next two years at the NRSC explaining his vote to the donors," said a GOP strategist involved in congressional races who requested anonymity.

Chris Hartline, a NRSC spokesman, told CNN, "We have no interest in engaging with nonsense from DC consultants who have no idea what they're talking about and I have no intention of responding to anonymous quotes, ever."

"Rick Scott will raise a ton of money," he add-

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

ed. "He will help build a strong grassroots operation. He will stay on message. And we will win back the Senate majority in 2022."

Wertheimer and others in the campaignfinance reform world said the corporate reexamination could provide a needed push to overhaul election laws and center them on small-dollar contributions. A measure advanced by Democrats, who will soon control both congressional chambers and the White House, would give federal candidates as much as a 6-to-1 match of public funds for small donations.

Democrats have become increasingly adept at attracting small-dollar donations: In the 2020 election cycle alone, nearly 15 million grass-

19

1/22/2021

Donald L. Ryan January 20 at 12:32 PM ¡ Hello Hempstead Family, I am officially announcing my intent to seek re-election on March 16, 2021. I believe that experience matters and I was not able to accomplish all of the things that I wanted to do for our Village. We were successfully able to stop harmful PILOTS that did not create substantial employment opportunities, and the overdevelopment of our Village. I am ready for the next 4 years to be about negotiating development in the best interests of our residents, strengthening the quality of life in Hempstead, and remain committed to a restoring Hempstead as a Hub for economic opportunity and entertainment. Let’s continue this together.

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

20

1/22/2021

DIGITAL Version 2021

23 die in Norway after receiving Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine: officials Twenty-three people died in Norway within days of receiving their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, with 13 of those deaths — all nursing home patients — apparently related to the side effects of the shots, health officials said.

Common reactions to the vaccine, including fever and nausea, “may have contributed to a fatal outcome in some frail patients,” Sigurd Hortemo, chief physician at the Norwegian Medicines Agency, said in a Friday statement.

All 13 were nursing home patients and at least 80 years old. While officials aren’t expressing serious concern, they are adjusting their guidance on who should receive the vaccine.

The news comes just over a week after officials reported the deaths of just two nursing home residents after they received the Pfizer jab.

More than 30,000 people in Norway have received the first shot of the Pfizer or Moderna coronavirus vaccine in the Scandinavian country since late last month, according to official figures.

“We are not alarmed by this,” Steinar Madsen, medical director with the agency, told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. “It is quite clear that these vaccines have very little risk, with a small exception for the frailest patients.”

“Doctors must now carefully consider who should be vaccinated,” he added. “Those who are very frail and at the very end of life can be vaccinated after an individual assessment.”

The agency reported Thursday that a total of 29 people had suffered side effects, including the 13 people who died.

Twenty-one women and eight men experienced side effects, officials said.

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

Besides those who died, nine had serious side effects — including allergic reactions, strong discomfort and severe fever — while seven had less serious ones, including severe pain at the injection site.

In total, more than 57,000 cases and 500 coronavirusrelated deaths have been reported in Norway, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Health officials noted that around 400 people die each week in the nursing home population.

A Pfizer rep said the pharmaceutical giant is “aware of reported deaths” following the administration of the vaccine in Norway and is working with the Norwegian Medicines Agency “to gather all the relevant information.”

“Norwegian authorities have prioritized the immunization of residents in nursing homes, most of whom are very elderly with underlying medical conditions and some which are terminally ill,” a spokeswoman said in a statement. “[The Norwegian Medicine Agency confirms] the number of incidents so far is not alarming, and in line with expectations.”Officials said common side effects of the vaccine, including fever and nausea, may have contributed to the deaths.

“All reported deaths will be thoroughly evaluated by [the agency] to determine if these incidents are related to the vaccine,” she added. “The Norwegian government will also consider adjusting their vaccination instructions to take the patients’ health into more consideration.”

21

1/22/2021

African American Gun Manufacturer “Civilian Force Arms” Yonas Hagos of Civilian Force Arms National African American Gun Association

USA –-(Ammoland.com)- I ran across a Company called “Civilian Force Arms” they are an African American owned “Gun Manufacturer” in the United States.

Yes right here in the USA and they are thriving. The company was founded by Yonas Hagos who is a USA Army Veteran and Purple Heart recipient.

The company is delivering a World Class AR-15 platform that is dependable and performs at a quite a high level.

Yonas Hagos, a child refugee from Sudan, has always dedicated his life to serving his country and others.

After being wounded by a rocket propelled grenade in Iraq during the height of the war in 2004, Yonas became an avid community volunteer and entrepreneur.

Volunteering as a Mission Continues Fellow, he along with other post 9/11 Veterans dedicated their time and energy to rebuilding communities across the nation.

Soon he turned his drive to serve into business, launching three successful businesses helping to employ fellow Americans.

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

Now he is focusing on what he does best, designing and building custom AR-15s. Yonas prides himself on producing weapons that are American Made, Built To Survive.™ This is a solid Veteran owned organization that the NAAG community needs to support “Nationwide” and buy products from.

They are based in Illinois.

Company Website: https://www.civilianforcearms.com/about Location: Civilian Force Arms 1208B Badger St. Yorkville, IL. 60560 Telephone: 630-882-3498 / Phone: 815-341-9165 Email; levon@civilianforcearms.com About National African American Gun Association (NAAGA): The goal of the National African American Gun Association is to have every african american introduced to firearm use for home protection, competitive shooting, and outdoor recreational activities. We are a civil rights organization focused on self preservation of our community through armed protection and community building. The National African American Gun Association provides a network for all african american firearm owners, gun clubs and outdoor enthusiasts. We welcome people of all religious, social, and racial perspectives. We especially welcome african american members of law enforcement and active/ retired military.

22

1/22/2021

DIGITAL Version 2021

MARKET ABOUT OUR PUBLICATIONS OUR African-Americans represent a substantial growth In the Bible it is said, “...My people perish for lack of knowledge…” Hosea 4:6 KJV. This statement is not only true for the Saints but for the African American community’s of Nassau County. Over the years I have personally seen the deterioration of the fabric of the Black community first hand and it began in the schools. Now this is not a bad thing but it is an important thing that needs to be addressed before it is too late.

While living on Long Island places a lot of pressure on many residents. Long Island is among the top 25 markets in the country. Anything and everything is available to the residents living on Long Island except a professional, stable and strong community news source. If we are not informed how can we make informed decisions?

This is why the VILLAGE PRESS was birth and will launch this coming September. An informed community is the worlds best customer as well as best neighbor. We are committed to making that happen.

The marketing and sales teams here at the VILLAGE PRESS have a very simple customer marketing strategy.

We believe that it is our obligation to meet the client where they are most comfortable, like at Home on a Saturday morning with our Home Delivery Workforce. Or as with this digital publications. Or at their quiet get-a-away; Like their personal SPA, the Gym, or HAIR SALON or even their BARBER SHOP with our Live Streaming Internet Radio Network.

Or even at WORK during a break with our Internet Television Podcast.

There is no magic to this marketing thing we just want to comfortably meet our clients where it is convenient for them.

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

23

segment of the American consumer market for companies and organizations. As a young population with growing economic power and influence it is an important market for those organizations looking for future domestic growth.

When looking toward the future prospects of the African-American demographic some key factors indicate a fertile economic opportunity for corporations.

The buying power of African-Americans is $I trillion and expected to grow to $I.3 trillion in the next few years. A younger, growing population and higher educational achievement are the engines behind gains in economic power and show no signs of slowing down or plateauing.

Overall growth in the number of households with incomes higher than $50,000, $75,000, and $I00,000 indicates the overall buying power increases are broad-based and not concentrated at the top, allowing for increased branding and sales opportunities for companies. Along with exercising more purchase power, African-Americans have started adopting behavioral changes in their lifestyles. These lifestyle changes and consumer behaviors are concentrated in a majority that is in a prime age demographic, have more durable household income levels, and are driven by cultural and ethnic awareness. Cultural identity and ethnicity are key drivers for consumption for African-Americans.

African-Americans are very receptive to advertising and programming that include positive cultural themes and include people of color. Black consumers are more likely to support or purchase products and services that are represented or owned by people of the same ethnicity. Not only are African-American consumers culturally aware they are early adopters of new technology and are heavy users of digital media. Blacks are more likely to positively receive advertising and content via mobile phones and use applications to recommend products to others or rate their experiences.

African-Americans consume television and video at higher rates than the general population.

Black adults are adopting healthier habits including greater participation in exercise and athletics, eating healthier organic foods, cutting back on riskier habits like smoking and drinking alcohol.

Healthier living also includes financial awareness, literacy, and preparedness activities like managing debt, saving, investing, and retirement planning.

1/22/2021

DIGITAL Version 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS Editorial Page Political News Business News Religious News Opinions Black History Law & Order Education Health Technology Wealth Management Investment Entertainment Food, Fashion Life and Living Travel Sports News

Page 3 Page 4 Page 6 Page 8 Page I0 Page I2 Page I4 Page I6 Page I8 Page 20 Page 22 Page 24 Page 26 Page 28 Page 30 Page 32 Page 34

SUBSCRIPTION RATES MONTHLY HOME DELIVERY $5.00 p.m.* MONTHLY INTERNET RADIO $2.50 p.m.*

TELEPHONE: I.833villprs

MONTHLY INTERNET TV

$2.50 p.m.*

MONTHLY DIGITAL

$6.00 p.a.*

I-833-845-5777

EMAIL: thevillagepress7@gmail.com subscribe@thevillagepress.online info@thevillagepress.online

CALL FOR

FACEBOOK:

BUSINESS

Facebook.com/the-village-press

ADVERTISING RATES

WEB-SITE:

I-833-Villpre

thevillagepress.online *Ask about our CUSTOMIZE SUBSCRIBER PACKAGE RATES...

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

24

1/22/2021

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

25

1/22/2021

ANDREAUS GUILTY

AFRICAN AMERICAN MEDIA NETWORK

National Rifle Association Files for Bankruptcy and Plans to Move to Texas

Wayne LaPierre Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows entities to continue operating while working on a plan to repay creditors and pauses pending litigation. Besides James’s case, Washington D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine has filed a separate lawsuit against the NRA’s charitable arm, accusing it of The National Rifle Association of America, the gun-rights misusing donor funds. group feared for its lobbying clout but now threatened Whether the NRA’s maneuver will succeed in halting with dissolution by the state of New York, filed Friday for those cases isn’t certain. “Bankruptcy normally stays all Chapter 11 bankruptcy with plans to regroup in Texas. litigation, but there is an exception for regulatory authoriRestructuring in federal court will help the NRA exit “a ties like the New York attorney general,” said Eric Snyder, corrupt political and regulatory environment in New chairman of the bankruptcy practice at the law firm Wilk York,” according to a statement on its website. The NRA’s Auslander. “There will be a battle over whether the petition filed in Dallas listed assets and liabilities of as state’s regulatory power is an exception to the federal much as $500 million each. stay.”

The filing marked another dramatic twist in months of Moving Out infighting and external legal pressure that have battered The NRA struck a defiant tone Friday, asserting that it is in the New York-based NRA, one of the most powerful influ- “its strongest financial condition in years” and is “not inencers in American politics. New York has been at the solvent” on a question-and-answer web page about the forefront of pursuing the NRA in court, with Attorney bankruptcy filing.

General Letitia James suing to dissolve the organization “The plan can be summed up quite simply: We are and accusing leader Wayne LaPierre and three others of DUMPING New York, and we are pursuing plans to reinfleecing it. corporate the NRA in Texas,” LaPierre, the group’s execuInside The National Rifle Association Foundation Annual tive vice president, wrote in a letter on its website, citing Meeting (Continued on page 28) Published by The Village Press, Inc.

26

1/22/2021

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

27

1/22/2021

were diverting funds from this charitable organization for their own personal use,” she said during a virtual town hall session on Friday hosted by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio“costly, distracting and unprincipled attacks” by politiCortez, the New York Democrat. “We will continue our cians. effort because this organization has gone unchecked for James retorted in her own statement, saying, “The NRA’s years and it’s critically important that we continue to hold claimed financial status has finally met its moral status: them accountable, even in bankruptcy court.” bankrupt.” She said New York would “not allow the NRA The NRA’s turmoil began with a power struggle in 2019 to use this or any other tactic to evade accountability and between North and LaPierre, which included allegations of my office’s oversight.” self dealing. A subsequent state probe found wrongdoing Letitia James blamed for more than $64 million in losses in the last The NRA has enjoyed enormous sway in Washington for three years alone, James said when she filed her suit. its full-throated defense of the firearms industry and gun As part of litigation arising from the power struggle, the rights, beating back repeated attempts for stricter laws in NRA claimed that North plotted with its former ad agency, the wake of mass shootings, especially since the 2012 Ackerman McQueen Inc., to smear LaPierre by leaking deSandy Hook school massacre in Connecticut. But the inter- tails of his spending. North and Ackerman denied the nal rifts and James’s lawsuit dented the group’s image of claims. The NRA has also accused James of trying to cirinvulnerability, and President Donald Trump’s impending cumvent the organization’s legal rights by demanding indeparture is poised to remove one more NRA ally in Wash- formation about its members as part of a “political witch ington’s power structure. hunt.”

For years, the NRA has received millions of dollars annual- The case is National Rifle Association of America, 21ly from the NRA Foundation, whose donors get a tax de30085-11, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District duction -- until the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the of Texas (Dallas). group’s successful grassroots fund-raisers.

A report detailing alleged lavish spending under LaPierre, published in April 2019 by The Trace, led James to open a probe into the NRA’s nonprofit status. After former NRA President Oliver North complained about financial misconduct at the gun association, LaPierre pushed him out of his unpaid post. The NRA sued North in an attempt to bar him from seeking legal fees, and North countersued.

James filed suit in August, alleging the NRA for years diverted millions of dollars in charitable donations to enrich the organization’s top executives in violation of laws governing nonprofits. James also is demanding millions of dollars in restitution and penalties. The case immediately posed one of the biggest legal threats the NRA faced since its founding in New York in 1871.

No Letup The NRA countersued James in federal court, accusing her of violating its First Amendment rights. The organization also accused her of weaponizing her regulatory and legal power under the guise of protecting state residents.

James said Friday she will continue to pursue the NRA despite the case in Texas.

“We filed suit against the NRA because basically they (Continued from page 26)

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

28

1/22/2021

DIGITAL Version 2021

EDITORIAL Like many of you the last 50 years under the Trump administration has been difficult to say the least...

Let us not gloss over all that God has done in these trying times, he has kept us and he never abandoned us, so we owe him.

Additionally you must know that nothing happens unless God allows it, and he allowed Trump to have his way for 4 long years, From days of low character, and but for those who watched; we saw that while Trump had free no integrity to months of bold will, God would not allow his face lies. And a pandemic of Biblical proportions. Through 2 will to manifest. presidential impeachments and At every turn, Trump either mis-stepped, misunderstood, a chaotic excuse for an relied on wrong thinking or fell insurrection. I survived. pry to poor judgement.

However the good news is we It is my opinion that Trump lost now have one of the most this election on his own accord, experienced, well trained, educated, church going leaders he could not help himself, when all roads were open to him he we ever had.

President Joe Biden has served still managed to hit the guard this country for 8 years as Vice rail.

That is the kind of God we are President under President encouraged to serve and learn Obama and he has served in about. At no turn did he allow Congress for decades.

Trumps deepest desires to manHe has a monumental task in ifest. front of him but he is the man Oh! Yes he tried but he failed. for a time such as this.

Larry Montgomery, Sr. Publisher and Chairman

We have been quiet for a few weeks and we maybe silenced again however, know this, what God has for us will be and as long as we hold on to his unchanging hand we will receive all that he has for us.

The road has not been easy but for God’s mercy and grace we are still on it. And with over 410,000 of us who did not make it this far this last year, but they left here knowing that it is not all about us but it is about the one who’s we belong to. I thank God for allowing both you and I yet another opportunity to see his Glory manifest with this new day, a day we have never seen before and will never see again.

Be safe, be thankful and stay close to the one who loved you even when you didn’t know him.

COLUMNIST

Phil Andrews

Joysetta Pearse Published by The Village Press, Inc.

Sr. Pastor Arthur L. Mackey , Jr.

Chef Arrette Harvey

LISA-ANNE BYERS

Don Durant

Shuray Bethea 29

1/22/2021

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

30

1/22/2021

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

31

1/22/2021

AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM NOTE: A face mask must be worn, and non-contact thermometers will be used to measure temperature. A reading of 99.5 = Entry Denied.

Joysetta Pearse

Social distancing will be observed so seats are limited. Reservations are required. Call the museum Wed-Sat 10 am – 5 pm to make reservations

516-572-0730 or email: taags.aam@gmail.com *Some of Ms. Baker’s costumes are for mature audiences.

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

32

1/22/2021

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

33

1/22/2021

PHILLIP RAY The issue with 1/6/2021 assault and encouragement is not whether you support Trump the issue is how you showed your support. If Trump had ever considered facing the people and being truthful he would still be president. You Retrumplicans have been bamboozled lied to and tricked.

If Trump would have stuck to the script he would not have lost the election. Kiss me and tell me you love me before you ... don't curse me, lie to me and think I'm a fool that is American politics' 101. If you went about it the right way and got nowhere that should tell you something. Bullying never goes it s way. You made D.C. and the Capital police look silly but bring that to the hood and and we will make bacon out of chitterlings I assure you. And if you convince a number of foolish legislators to go along it will just get worst for you. Your guy lost get over it and move on. We'll see you 2024 for a rematch. But step this way with your Trump should stay in office and let me know how it works out for you...bang...bang...bit*h!

David Bythewood

Prior to WW II, we had the American Bund (Nazis).

They had a huge presence on Long Island and a presence all over this country. Most certainly, they were being watched by the FBI. So, they purportedly ceased to exist. They did not and are still here. But, not nearly as strong as then. No matter, they are still here and have been emboldened by Trump. And, now, they have parallel groups like the Proud Boys, etc. So we have a sickness in our society hat needs to be ejected.

On the 6th, we saw them all rally around he who appears to be their new leader, a sick sociopath named Donald Trump. He brought them together as they have never been able to accomplish. And, now, we Published by The Village Press, Inc.

can see them and those who side with them here n facebook and all over. And, the conclusion that has been drawn is that all who voted for Donald Trump are totally in with them. They are not.

I have known and spoken to many who are in the voted for Trump category and while we who are opposed to Trump fear his fascism and attempt at dictatorship, they too have fears that caused them to vote for Trump. And their fears are not in the category of anything that might violate civil or human rights.

Their fears are legitimate.

What they fear is that the Democrats have gone and are going so far to the left that they are becoming socialists and/or communists. This fear is fed by the amount of attention given to people like OcasioCortez and that fear is accompanied by another which is the Democrats attacking the Constitution, specifically the 2nd Amendment. IO too fear both even though I am a lifelong Democrat, I have questions about where the Democratic Parry is headed.

So, understand these fears and that they are legitimate. If the Democrats do these things they will alienate more and more and will solidify the antiDemocratic sentiment that is now and has been growing.

If the Republican Party was still the part of Eisenhower and Goldwater and if the Democratic Party was still the party of John F. Kennedy, these fears would not exist for that which is done by both parties has moves them far from what they were and from what most of their members want them to be. But, I see hope with Murkowski and Cheney and believe that I see hope with Biden and Harris.

34

1/22/2021

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

35

1/22/2021

Trump administration issues racist school curriculum report on MLK day Washington (CNN)A commission stood up by President Donald Trump as a rebuttal to schools applying a more accurate history curriculum around slavery in the US issued its inflammatory report on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Trump announced that he was establishing the commission last fall, following a slew of Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the country. He blamed the school curriculum for violence that resulted from some of the protests, saying that "the left-wing rioting and mayhem are the direct result of decades of left-wing indoctrination in our schools."

The commission is an apparent counter to The New York Times' 1619 Project, a Pulitzer Prize-winning project aimed at teaching American students about slavery. Trump, speaking last fall, called the project "toxic propaganda."

A sitting US president typically has the power to dissolve existing presidential commissions and advisory councils, which sometimes provide reports and recommendations to the White House.

It's not clear what action President-elect Joe Biden will take with the commission once he's in office.

Trump's presidency has been marked by his racist statements and actions, including his incitement of a mob, which included White supremacists, to storm the US Capitol on January 6 in protest of Biden's victory.

Trump says Department of Education will investigate use of 1619 Project in schools Trump says Department of Education will investigate use of 1619 Project in schools A White House statement calls the report "a dispositive rebuttal of reckless 're-education' attempts that seek to reframe American history around the idea that the United States is not an exceptional country but an evil one."

The report, released less than two weeks after supporters of the President stormed the US Capitol building, calls today's ideological divisions akin to those experienced during the Civil War. "Americans are deeply divided about the meaning of their country, its history, and how it should be governed. This division is severe enough to call to mind the disagreements between the colonists and King George, and those between Confederate and Union forces during the Civil War," the report states.

The report's authors also argue that "the Civil Rights Movement was almost immediately turned to programs that ran counter to Published by The Village Press, Inc.

the lofty ideals of the founders," specifically criticizing affirmative action policies.

"Today, far from a regime of equal natural rights for equal citizens, enforced by the equal application of law, we have moved toward a system of explicit group privilege that, in the name of 'social justice,' demands equal results and explicitly sorts citizens into 'protected classes' based on race and other demographic categories," the report states. "Eventually this regime of formal inequality would come to be known as 'identity politics.' " The commission is chaired by Larry Arnn, the president of Hillsdale College. He drew criticism for his comments in 2013 when he said state officials visited the college to see whether enough "dark ones" were enrolled The commission's vice chair, Carol Swain, once wrote that Islam "poses an absolute danger to us and our children."

The report argues that identity politics are "the opposite of King's hope that his children would 'live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.'"

Commission members also took aim at feminists and the wide use of ethnic and racial identities in American life, arguing that they were constructed by "activists."

"A radical women's liberation movement reimagined America as a patriarchal system, asserting that every woman is a victim of oppression by men. The Black Power and black nationalist movements reimagined America as a white supremacist regime.

Meanwhile, other activists constructed artificial groupings to further divide Americans by race, creating new categories like 'Asian American' and 'Hispanic' to teach Americans to think of themselves in terms of group identities and to rouse various groups into politically cohesive bodies," the report states.

"While not as barbaric or dehumanizing," the report states, identity politics "creates new hierarchies as unjust as the old hierarchies of the antebellum South, making a mockery of equality with an ever-changing scale of special privileges on the basis of racial and sexual identities."

American universities, the report's authors say, are "hotbeds of anti-Americanism, libel, and censorship that combine to generate in students and in the broader culture at the very least disdain and at worst outright hatred for this country." And in a section about to school curriculum, the authors suggest "states and school districts should reject any curriculum that promotes onesided partisan opinions, activist propaganda, or factional ideologies that demean America's heritage, dishonor our heroes, or deny our principles."

They also declare that "educators must convey a sense of enlightened patriotism that equips each generation with a knowledge of America's founding principles, a deep reverence for their liberties, and a profound love of their country."

The commission does not have authority to enforce the recommendations it has made for educators.

36

1/22/2021

DIGITAL Version 2021

THE NEW ONLINE SELF -PUBLISHED BLACK AUTHOR BOOK STORE

OPEN FOR BUSINESS...

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

37

1/22/2021

US military chiefs warn troops against “sedition and insurrection” before Biden inauguration

to the QAnon conspiracy theory, or have far-right tendencies.

Regardless of their passions or views, military leaders aim to keep the armed services as apolitical as possible. Otherwise, some might associate the military with one party or another, and that isn’t healthy for a democracy.

Second, the Joint Chiefs tend to speak out when something really egregious has happened, and there’s no question the Capitol insurrection fits the bill. “[T]hey have developed a finely tuned This is a remarkable statement by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. ‘political’ (small p) radar on when to weigh in,” CNN Pentagon Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, meets correspondent Barbara Starr tweeted on Tuesday. with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz at the Pentagon on For example, after President Donald Trump said some attendees September 22, 2020. Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images at the 2017 far-right rally in Charlottesville were “very fine peoIn a statement sent out to the entire US military, all eight mem- ple,” all the Joint Chiefs spoke out against racism and bigotry. bers of the Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned the Capitol insurrec- “The Army doesn’t tolerate racism, extremism, or hatred in our tion — incited by the current commander in chief — and warned ranks. It’s against our Values and everything we’ve stood for service members not to do anything to impede President-elect since 1775,” Milley, who was chief of staff of the Army then, said Joe Biden’s inauguration. at the time.

Top military officials prefer to stay out of anything tinged with Based on this letter, it looks as though America’s top military politics. For one to say something after last week’s event would officials won’t tolerate another thing: the attempted overthrow be noteworthy and rare enough. For all eight Joint Chiefs to of American democracy by force. speak out together — in a “message to the Joint Force,” no less — shows just how perilous they deem this moment to be.

“The violent riot in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021 was a direct assault on the U.S. Congress the Capitol building, and our Constitutional process,” the letter signed by all the Joint Chiefs reads. “We witnessed actions inside the Capitol building that were inconsistent with the rule of law. The rights of freedom of speech and assembly do not give anyone the right to resort to violence, sedition and insurrection.”

While that may be a general statement about the insurrection meant more for the public, the next section was clearly meant The claim: In 1861, 11 senators and three U.S. House members for the troops they help lead. were expelled from Congress for refusing to acknowledge Abra“As Service Members, we must embody the values and ideals of ham Lincoln's electoral win the Nation. We support and defend the Constitution,” they Amid reports that some House Republicans are expected to chalwrote. “Any act to disrupt the Constitutional process is not only lenge the Electoral College results and vote against Presidentagainst our traditions, values, and oath; it is against the law.” elect Joe Biden's win, based on unsubstantiated claims of mas“President-elect Joe Biden,” they concluded, “will be inaugurat- sive voter fraud, some social media users have shared what they ed and will become our 46th Commander in Chief.” allege to be a similar time in history.

There are likely two main reasons why Joint Chiefs Chair Army A viral Facebook post claims to tell what happened to a group of Gen. Mark Milley and the seven others felt the need to pen the congressmen in the 1860s. letter.

"In 1861, 11 senators & 3 representatives were expelled from First, veterans and possibly even some active-duty troops were Congress for supporting the insurrection and refusing to recogallegedly involved in the attack on the Capitol last week. That nize Abraham Lincoln's electoral win," reads a meme, with over means the military community certainly contains people who (Continued on page 39) wrongly believe the presidential election was stolen, subscribe

Fact check: Congress expelled 14 members in 1861 for supporting the Confederacy

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

38

1/22/2021

THE INTERNATIONAL GRAPEVINE

THE INTERNATIONAL GRAPEVINE FRIDAY EVENINGS

(Continued from page 38)

2,000 shares posted Dec. 31 to the Facebook page of the band CAKE. The post was deleted after USA TODAY reached out for comment.

But similar versions of the claim have also been shared by other users on Facebook. USA TODAY reached out to them for comment.

Fact check: Clinton, Obama left federal government with a lower deficit than when they arrived History of House and Senate expulsions Per Article I, Section 5 of the United States Constitution: "Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member."

There are no specific grounds of expulsion that are expressed in the Constitution. However, expulsions in the House and Senate have concerned cases of disloyalty to the country or conviction of a criminal statutory offense involving abuse of one's official position, according to a Congressional Research Service Report. To date, five members in the House and 15 in the Senate have been expelled.

"In devising this framework, the Constitutional Convention drew upon British legislative tradition as well as nearly 175 years of precedent in the colonial assemblies in North America," reads the site of the U.S. House of Representatives. "Other than the two-thirds requirement, however, the Framers left it up to the House and Senate to determine their own rules and the type of behavior that might warrant expulsion from their respective chambers."

Framers set the two-thirds threshold because expulsion would remove someone who was elected by the popular vote of his or her constituents and, while "the House has wide discretion to act in such cases, it has demonstrated keen deference to the peoples’ choice of their Representatives."

Expulsion is used sparingly, and members who faced expulsion from the House have sometimes chosen to resign instead, and the House has never expelled a member for conduct that took Published by The Village Press, Inc.

place before their House term.

Fact check: 'Greatest danger to American freedom' quote misattributed to Thomas Jefferson 14 members expelled in 1861 Lincoln's victory in the presidential election brought forth the secession of Southern states. The Senate began to explore what to do with the seats that were left vacant by Southern senators, according to the Senate.

In March 1861, Maine Sen. William Pitt Fessenden argued that Southern states did not have the right to withdraw from the Union, and by leaving the Senate, the Southern members had resigned their seats. Others had argued that states did not have the right to secede. The Senate agreed with Fessenden and declared that the seats of six of the departed colleagues as "vacant" and struck their names from the Senate roll.

Debate followed in July regarding Southern members who did not formally notify the Senate of their withdrawal and whose terms had not yet expired. Sen. Daniel Clarke of New Hampshire offered a resolution to expel the 10 Southern senators, and Sen. James Bayard of Delaware objected, arguing that expulsion should be reserved for cases of individual misconduct.

The resolution passed with a final 32-10 vote expelling the absent members.

The 10 senators were expelled in July 1861 for being engaged "in a conspiracy against the peace and union of the United States Government" for their support of the Confederacy, according to the Senate.

Fact check:Over 159 million people voted in the US general election The resolution for expulsion cited their failure to appear in the Senate and alleged that members "engaged in said conspiracy for the destruction of the Union and Government, or, with full knowledge of such conspiracy, have failed to advise the Government of its progress or aid in its suppression."

The call for expulsion makes no mention of their purported refusal to acknowledge Lincoln's election.

The senators expelled in July 1861 were: James Mason and

39

(Continued on page 42)

1/22/2021

Poet Amanda Gorman to read at Biden’s inauguration

Poet Laureate of Los Angeles, and three years later she became the country’s first National Youth Poet Laureate. She has appeared on MTV; written a tribute to Black athletes for Nike; and has a twobook deal with Viking Children’s Books.

The first work, the picture book “Change Sings,” comes out later this year.

Gorman says she was contacted late last month by the Biden inaugural committee.

She has known numerous public figures, NEW YORK — At age 22, poet Amanda including former Secretary of State Hillary Gorman, chosen to read at the inauguraRodham Clinton and former first lady tion of President-elect Joe Biden, already Michelle Obama, but says she will be has a history of writing for official occameeting the Bidens for the first time. The sions.

Bidens, apparently, have been aware of “I have kind of stumbled upon this genre. her: Gorman says the inaugural officials It’s been something I find a lot of emotion- told her she had been recommended by al reward in, writing something I can make the incoming first lady, Jill Biden. people feel touched by, even if it’s just for She is calling her inaugural poem “The Hill a night,” says Gorman.

We Climb” while otherwise declining to The Los Angeles resident has written for preview any lines. Gorman says she was everything from a July 4 celebration feanot given specific instructions on what to turing the Boston Pops Orchestra to the write, but was encouraged to emphasize inauguration at Harvard University, her unity and hope over “denigrating anyone” alma mater, of school president Larry Ba- or declaring “ding, dong, the witch is cow. dead” over the departure of President When she reads next Wednesday, she will Donald Trump. be continuing a tradition — for DemoThe siege last week of the U.S. Capitol by cratic presidents — that includes such Trump supporters seeking to overturn the celebrated poets as Robert Frost and Ma- election was a challenge for keeping a ya Angelou. The latter’s “On the Pulse of positive tone, but also an inspiration. GorMorning,” written for the 1993 inaugura- man says she has been given 5 minutes to tion of President Bill Clinton, went on to read, and before what she described dursell more than 1 million copies when pub- ing an interview as “the Confederate inlished in book form. Recent readers insurrection” of Jan. 6 she had only written clude poets Elizabeth Alexander and Rich- about 3 1-2 minutes worth. ard Blanco, both of whom Gorman has The final length runs to about 6 minutes. been in touch with.

“That day gave me a second wave of ener“The three of us are together in mind, gy to finish the poem,” says Gorman, addbody and spirit,” she says. ing that she will not refer directly to Jan. 6, Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in but will “touch” upon it. She said last memory, and she has made news before. week’s events did not upend the poem In 2014, she was named the first Youth she had been working on because they Published by The Village Press, Inc.

40

didn’t surprise her.

“The poem isn’t blind,” she says. “It isn’t turning your back to the evidence of discord and division.”

In other writings, Gorman has honored her Black ancestors, acknowledged and reveled in her own vulnerability (“Glorious in my fragmentation,” she has written) and confronted social issues. Her poem “In This Place (An American Lyric),” written for the 2017 inaugural reading of U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith, condemns the racist march in Charlottesville, Virginia ( “tiki torches string a ring of flame”) and holds up her art form as a force for democracy: Tyrants fear the poet.

Now that we know it we can’t blow it.

We owe it to show it not slow it Gorman has rare status as a poet, and has dreams of other ceremonies. She would love to read at the 2028 Olympics, scheduled to be held in Los Angeles, and in 2037 wouldn’t mind finding herself in an even more special position at the presidential inauguration — as the new chief executive.

“I’m going to tell Biden that I’ll be back,” she said with a laugh.

1/22/2021

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

41

1/22/2021

(Continued from page 39)

Robert M. T. Hunter, of Virginia; Thomas L. Clingman and Thomas Bragg, of North Carolina; James Chesnut Jr., of South Carolina; A.O.P. Nicholson, of Tennessee; William K. Sebastian and Charles B. Mitchel, of Arkansas; and John Hemphill and Louis T. Wigfall, of Texas.

John Breckinridge, of Kentucky, was expelled later, on Dec. 4, 1861, for disloyalty to the Union who had "joined the enemies of his country, and is now in arms against the Government he had sworn the support," according to the Senate.

Breckinridge began his U.S. Senate term on March 4, 1861, when Lincoln began his presidency. At that point, seven Southern states had already seceded. Breckinridge hoped secession could be stopped, but once secession became a reality, he delivered one of his final speeches and returned to Kentucky.

In October 1861, Breckinridge sent a formal letter of resignation to the Senate. Expulsion was introduced months later by Michigan Sen. Zachariah Chandler, as Breckinridge had accepted a prominent military position in the Confederacy.

Three members of the House were expelled in 1861 for their disloyalty to the Union as well, according to Congressional Research Service. They were John Bullock Clark and John William Reid, of Missouri, and Henry Cornelius Burnett, of Kentucky, according to History, Art and Archives of the U.S. House of Representatives. Their expulsions also do not cite any sort of refusal to recognize Lincoln's election.

Fact check:These 5 election statistics do not discredit Joe Biden's victory Our rating: Partly False The claim that 11 senators and three U.S. House members were expelled in 1861 for refusing to acknowledge Lincoln's win is PARTLY FALSE, based on our research. It is true that 14 members were expelled. However, the reason for expulsion cites their support for the Confederacy, and it is false to say they were expelled for refusing to acknowledge Lincoln's election.

Our fact-check sources: United States Senate, Constitution of the United States Congressional Research Service, June 27, 2016, Expulsion, Censure, Reprimand, and Fine: Legislative Discipline in the House of Representatives United States Senate, Civil War Expulsion Cases, Civil War Expulsion Cases 1 (1862) United States Senate, July 11, 1861: Senate Expels Ten Southern Members United States Senate, The Civil War Senate Reacts to Secession The Congressional Globe, March 14, 1861 United States Senate, Breckinridge Expulsion Congressional Research Service, Jan. 5, 2012, Recall of Legislators and the Removal of Members of Congress from Office History, Art, & Archives, United States House of Representatives, List of Individuals Expelled, Censured, or Reprimanded in the U.S. House of Representatives

Incitement and the First Amendment The distinguished member of the law professoriate Jonathan Turley, writing in The Hill on January 9, makes the extraordinary argument that the second impeachment of Donald Trump would not only “gut the impeachment standard but also free speech.” Turley previously argued that the first impeachment of Trump — charging that Trump withheld sending congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine to pressure that country into launching an investigation of Hunter Biden — was not a “high crime and misdemeanor.” And his present anti-impeachment stance runs true to form.

While Turley testified to Congress twice that “an article of impeachment does not have to be based on any clear crime,” he thought that Congress should “look to the criminal code to weigh impeachment offenses.” His “free speech” reasoning is that “Trump never actually called for violence or riots.”

Turley is wrong. What he ignores is that Trump’s incendiary words were based on a lie. He claimed to have won the election. That statement was false. He claimed to have won by a landslide. That statement was false. He claimed that the election was tainted with “massive fraud.” That claim was rejected in nearly all of the 62 court cases (61-1)

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

filed by Trump’s lawyers. That claim was rejected by state court judges appointed by Republicans and by federal judges appointed by Trump to whom he offered no proof; only emphatic insistence.

Trump’s words incited to violence and revolution. They were not free speech. In 1919’s Schenck v. United States, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes stressed that, “[F]ree speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theatre and causing a panic.” The Supreme Court effectively overturned Schenck a half century later in Brandenburg v.

Ohio, the case relied upon by Turley, but Holmes’ maxim retrains its vitality.

In Brandenburg, the Court enunciated a new legal test. Speech may be prosecuted if it is “directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to produce such action.” Trump’s hour-long tirade on the Ellipse could not fit this standard more neatly. If his words were not directed to inciting lawless action, what else was their purpose? It would not have been possible to reverse the result of the election without force and violence. Can Trump’s lawyers plausibly argue that a peaceful protest was going to overturn an election that Trump claimed he had won by a landslide?

Trump summoned the violent mob of terrorists to Washington. Someone financed and organized their trip, and we can only speculate who this was. Was it Trump’s “Stop the Steal” PAC or someone else? Investigation will discover the truth.

The feral mob brandished white supremacist and nazi flags that they held as they listened to Trump’s words, as Justice Douglas put it in Brandenburg, “brigaded with action” and carried their odious standards into the Capitol building, which Biden called our “citadel of liberty.”

These weren’t protestors exercising their constitutional rights. This was, as Shakespeare put it, insurrection “foul, base and bloody.”

Trump incited the mob to a fever pitch. He told them on December 19 to be in Washington on January 6. “Be there, he tweeted, “it will be wild.” When a loyalist assured him that, “the calvary [sic] is coming,” Trump retweeted: “A Great honor.” The only thing missing was “Charge,” and the trumpet’s bugle call.

On the Ellipse Trump repeated his false claims that: “We won this election, and won it by a landslide.” He said to the mob: “You will never take back our country with weakness.” He exhorted them to “walk down to the Capitol.” Walk down and do what? He left it to the neonazis to fill in the blanks. His remarks were underscored by his avatar Rudy Giuliani who told the crowd to engage in “trial by combat.” Then, there was the war cry uttered by Donald Trump, Jr.: “We’re coming for you.” All that was missing were the words of revolution, “Aux armes, citoyens.” And they didn’t need to say that. It was well baked in to the cake. The House has published a draft resolution of impeachment to be finalized this week, and brought to the floor as early as Wednesday.

The Resolution charges Trump with “high crimes and misdemeanors against the Government of the United States;” it alleges that Trump “encouraged — and foreseeably resulted in — imminent lawless action at the Capitol.” It states that Trump “incited” a mob unlawfully to breach the Capitol, injure law enforcement personnel, menace Members of Congress and the Vice President, interfere with the Joint Session’s “solemn constitutional duty to certify the election results,” and engage in violent, deadly and seditious acts. In so doing, the impeachment resolution claims that Trump “gravely endangered the security of the United States and institutions of government.” The events of January 6 were undoubtedly the greatest assault on democracy since the Civil War. Blood spilled. Five people died in the melee, including one brave member of the Capitol police. Flags fly at half-staff in his honor and memory.

The events of January 6 were undoubtedly the greatest assault on democracy since the Civil War. The impeachment is in the seasoned hands of Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

According to House majority Whip James Clyburn, Pelosi’s plan may be to vote on the impeachment resolution, but delay sending it to the Senate until after Biden is inaugurated, and his new team is confirmed.

Such pressing issues as distribution of Covid vaccine, dealing with the raging pandemic and the wounded economy should not be overshadowed by an impeachment trial. There is precedent for proceeding with an impeachment after the accused has left office. The remedy would be not Trump’s removal but his disqualification from holding any “office of honor, trust or profit under the United States.”

What did the mob hope to accomplish at the Capitol last Wednesday?

Many of them spoke of “revolution.” What did Trump hope to accomplish in inciting them to inevitable violence? Some came to kill and terrorize. Authorities found pipe bombs and assault weapons. A group chanted “hang Mike Pence.” And “let’s get Pelosi.” The insurrection all but succeeded in a massacre of members of Congress. Had that happened, would Trump have been able to declare martial law, and suspend certification of the election pending further developments? At this point, no one knows.

One thing is certain. There is a new tone in our political life, mean and violent. Biden said: “This is not who we are.” I wonder as the world watches in horror.

42

1/22/2021

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

43

1/22/2021

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

44

1/22/2021

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

45

1/22/2021

TO ORDER A COPY Pastor Arthur L. Mackey Jr. Senior Pastor Mount Sinai Baptist Church Cathedral 243 Rev. Dr. A. L. Mackey Sr. Avenue, Roosevelt, New York, 11575 artbren12@aol.com

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

46

1/22/2021

Published by The Village Press, Inc.

47

1/22/2021

https://www.thevillagepress.online/contact-us Published by The Village Press, Inc.

48

1/22/2021