Urban Pro Weekly

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

September 25 - 31, 2014 VOL. 4 NO. 4

Photos by Vincent Hobbs

Ashley Black

From Davidson to GRU with loads of creative living & service in between

GRU golfers invited to compete in MEAC conference GRU Head Coach Jack O’Keefe

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UrbanProWeekly - SEPTEMBER 25 - 31, 2014

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UrbanProWeekly - SEPTEMBER 25 - 31, 2014

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POLITICS

COMMENTARY

Backroom deals?

Get used to it!

UPW

URBANPROWEEKLY.COM

Published by

Urban Pro Weekly LLC 3529 Monte Carlo Drive Augusta, GA 30906 Executive Publisher BEN HASAN 706-394-9411 bzhasan54@yahoo.com Executive Managing Editor FREDERICK BENJAMIN SR. 706-306-4647 editor@urbanproweekly.com Sales & Marketing 706-394-9411 Contributors VINCENT HOBBS Photography & New Media View Urbanproweekly on Facebook

You wash my back and I’ll wash yours — is the way things are done in Augusta politics. White politicians perfected the tactic and have been using it since time immemorial. So now that blacks are in power — all of a sudden — the practice has become an abomination.

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Political Analyst AUGUSTA If there is anyone out there who seriously thinks that politicians are not constantly counting votes and assessing their strengths and weaknesses, they are, at best, naive and, at worse, ignorant as a sack of golf balls. And if any of them are thinking about running for office, boy, are they in for a rude awakening.

The furor about who will be the interim District 7 commissioner underscores a serious disconnect from reality that has beset a significant sector of the electorate. Folks really should get a better grasp of political realities.

The one thing that you can seriously count on a politicians to do is — act like politicians.

In fact, if there are potential candidate out there who actually believe that they can be effective without engaging is some manner of wheeling and dealing, (whether in the backroom or the powder room) not only will they be utterly useless to their constituents, but they won’t get much respect from their colleagues.

Perhaps more than guile, people skills and the gift of gab, a successful politician needs courage. Why? Because as soon as you cast an unpopular vote, a

segment of your constituency will be calling for your blood.

Witness the circus that has encircled District 10 commissioner Grady Smith.

The nitwits have come out in force simply because they think he has had the temerity to draw down a little political capital. That’s all. If you fall in that category, you’ve been had. You’ve been duped by the folks who make their living duping y’all.

Don’t get me wrong. This columnist falls in that category. Anyone who reads this commentary should do so with a great big grain of salt. This commentary writer does not take himself seriously and neither should anyone else. This is merely his opinion.

Everyone engaged in this aspect of popular political entertainment — and I’m including in that number tv news producers, daily newspaper editorial writers, tabloid columnists and, of course, talk show hosts — makes their money by speculating on events which may or may not be true. We’re just having fun at your expense. But then, you already know that — or at least, you should.

Anyone who really takes the time to analyze what this interim appointment is really about, will realize that the hullaballoo is much ado about nothing.

For instance, the idea that anyone who takes the District 7 interim position

Mayor-elect Hardie Davis has been suspected of making a deal or two during his stint in Atlanta. We don’t know if it’s actually true, but we just thought we’d mention it.

should promise not to run for the position in March doesn’t make any sense.

Why should any citizen have to subject themselves to such a requirement.

Another idiotic notion that is afloat is that “best friends” shouldn’t serve on the same political body. Really? What is the rationale for that. Seriously. That’s just dumb.

Another brilliant idea is that a politician should never vie for a leadership position by wheeling and dealing.

Really?

Have you guys out there ever heard of a guy named LBJ? Wake up people, you’re being duped.

COMMUNITY

NEW ORLEANS STILT WALKER SHAKA ZULU (L) greets the crowd before the start of a children’s parade during the 34th annual Arts in the Heart festival, held in downtown Augusta on Broad Street. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Former District 7 commissioner weighs in on the interim appointment process

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA In the wake of a raucous public meeting on Monday to discuss the District 7 interim appointment, a former District 7 commissioner has called for the commission to make an appointment without further delay.

Dismissing calls for further public hearings on the matter, Jerry Brigham fired off a note to the media with a simple request — appoint someone now.

In a brief note Brigham said, “The commission needs to do its job and make an appointment without dragging their feet any longer. . . If the appointee does not represent the district, we, the voters, will take care of that in March.”

Brigham also noted that the interim appointee should not be barred from seeking the seat in the

March special election.

“I remember the commission making several appointments to fill terms until an election could be had, without all this fuss. But, they were black. . . Some went on to win their election others did not. I do not believe that you can stop a person from running for public office.”

Brigham’s comments were in direct opposition to those of Sonny Pittman, who chaired the West Augusta Alliance meeting.

In a letter to the commissioners on Tuesday, Pittman presented a list of conditions he would like to see before the interim commission was appointed.

Pittman is calling for more public hearings on the matter and also that any candidate appointed to the interim position must agree not to seek the position in March (2015) when the matter will finally be decided in a special election.

Pittman, himself, at one point

was considered to be in the running for the spot. Others that have expressed interest in the appointment include Sean Frantom, Kenny Echols and Hap Harris.

Super District 10 Commissioner Grady Smith, who has assumed unofficial coordination, of the interim appointment has come under media fire for allegedly “making a deal” to have Harrison appointed to the post in exchange for his vote on a range of issues considered by the commission in the past and future.

Smith has denied the allegations and underscored the fact that he was in no position to make a deal with the remaining eight commissioners who could appoint anyone of their choosing with or without his input.

The District 7 seat became vacant when the previous holder Donnie Smith resigned in the midst of allegations that he defrauded his employer this past spring.

Tomesha Saunders needs your help

TOMESHA SAUNDERS is a 33-year-old single mother of two who was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) in 2006. CHF is the failure of the heart to adequately meet the needs of the organs and tissues to provide the daily oxygen and nutrients needed for the body. Treatment for CHF involves an immediate life modification along with medications. Some patients with CHF have had to receive a mechanical device inside the body to help assist the heart. However, Tomesha’s case doctors have determined that she will need a new heart.

Since the CHF diagnosis, Tomesha’s mobility has been limited and she has been unable to take care of her children. With your help, she could have a second chance at enjoying the joys of motherhood again.

Here is Tomesha’s plea to the public: “Recently I was notified by Emory University that they have a heart for me and the operation can take place in October of 2014. The doctor explained to me that the surgery will be cover under my insurance however, my insurance will only cover 50% of the medications needed after the surgery. This is why I am asking for your help.

The medications needed after the surgery are very expensive. For example, one of the main medications needed is called Valcyte. The cost of this medication alone is $2,000.00. The total cost of my medications is $10,000. I am asking for your help in raising $5,000.00 for medications. The Georgia Transplant Foundation has offered to donate $5,000.00 towards my medications on the bases that I pay the first $5,000.00. The deadline to turn in this money is October 2014. If I an unable to pay the $5,000.00 for my medications before the surgery my window of opportunity closes and my time with my love ones is limited.”

Tomesha’s mother Mrs. Denise Berry Saunders is pleading with the public to assist her with raising funds to help pay for her post-surgery medications.

Commissioners Bill Fennoy and Ben Hasan have opened an account at Wells Fargo Bank to assist Tomesha. It is called the Tomesha Saunders Health Heart Fund.

For more information about Tomesha’s fund raising efforts, visit her website Healthy Hearts at www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/ healthy-hearts/189292.

5 UrbanProWeekly • SEPTEMBER 25- 31, 2014

IMAGES

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COMMUNITY

HAPPENINGS

2015 Tourism Grant applications now available Applications for the 2015 Tourism Grant are now available from the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). Applications may be picked up at the Augusta CVB offices in Enterprise Mill, located at 1450 Greene Street, Suite 110 in downtown Augusta, or downloaded from the Augusta CVB website at VisitAugusta.com/Corporate/Tourism-Grant.

The Augusta CVB administers the Tourism Grant each year, in partnership with the city of Augusta.

The purpose of this grant program is to provide funds for marketing and other qualified expenses directed towards increasing the number of overnight visitors to Augusta from outside the area. Any non-profit, governmental or quasi-governmental

organization, that wishes to promote its event and/ or product to visitors from outside the area, is eligible to apply for the grant.

Tourism Grant applications must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2014. For more information please contact Jay Markwalter at Jay@VisitAugusta.com or 706.823.6605.

Augusta Mini Theatre will celebrate 39 years with 13th Annual Alumni and Friends Chef’s Showcase Augusta’s first community arts school, Augusta Mini Theatre, founded in 1975, as a nonprofit community arts school, is turning 39 on October 8.

On October 8, between the hours of 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm, the arts school will celebrate its Founder’s Day with open house.

On October 12, at 2:00 pm, the arts school will celebrate the anniversary during its 13th Annual Alumni and Friends Chefs Showcase at Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center.

More than 25 chefs, caterers and restaurants will prepare delicious feasts and serve them to the four hundred (400) attendees.

Participating Chefs, caterers and restaurants are Jackie M’s & Son Café’ & Catering, Liquid Sunshine, Mrs. Earline Brown, Mrs. Julia Jackson, Roux’s Gourmet Catering, Sophia’s Antiques, The Harvest Table Buffet, Villa Europa, …a little taste of nawlins, Augusta Technical College Culinary Arts Program, Charlie Williams, Collins Catering Services, Dent Creations, DeShawn’s Seafood Restaurant, Edible Arrangements, French Market Grille, Ashley’s Fish

& Seafood, 209 Restaurant Cafe’ & Catering, Carrabus Italian Grill, Augusta Coca Cola Bottling Company.

Entertainment will be provided by the Mini Theatre Students, Alumni, DJ Scorpio and guitarist Robert Reid.

Tickets are on sale online at www. augustaminitheatre.com, or by phone at 706-722-0598.

Adult admission is $39.00 and stu-

MEETING NOTIFICATION Augusta Aviation Commission

Tai-Chi at Noon Every Mon-Wednesday-Friday Afri-Aerobics Every Tuesday & Thursday

its funding from donations proceeds from plays, fundraisers, Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) and city of Augusta, through Greater Augusta Arts Council.

To donate send donations to Augusta Mini Theatre, 2548 Deans Bridge Road, Augusta, Ga 30906 or go online at www.augustaminitheatre.com

You don’t have You don’t have to live with to live with BACK PAIN or any other kind BACK PAIN of discomfort, including headaches,

or any other kind of discomfort, neck stiffness, shoulder pain, muscle including headaches, neck stiffness, tension, shoulder pain, muscle tension, sleep sleep difficulty or hand The Augusta Regional Airport difficulty or Brice hand numbness/weakness. numbness/weakness.

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Aviation Commission Masters 2014 Sub Committee Meeting is schedDrug Testing Now Available! uled for Monday, September 29, 2014 706-736-5551 Most Insurance Accepted at 10:00 a.m. in the FBO Conference Room located at the Private Aviation 1132 Druid Park Ave, Augusta, GA 30904 Services (FBO) at the Airport.

2 Locations: 1125 Druid Park Ave. • 2583 Tobacco Road Please feel free to contact Airport Augusta, GA 30904 Hephzibah, GA 30815 Administration at 706-798-3236.

Humanitree House Juice Joint & Gallery Humanitree House Juice Joint & Gallery hosts a variety of events including those that allow the artistic and literary communities to dialogue, educate, and interact.

dents admission is $16.00. Businesses, civic and community groups, churches and individuals may purchase tables at $390.00 per table. The table seats 10.

Augusta Mini Theatre offers drama, piano, violin, African/modern dance and visual arts classes. Teen pregnancy workshops titled Making Proud Choices, for ages 15-19 and receive

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UrbanProWeekly - SEPTEMBER 25 - 31, 2014

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SPORTS

FEATURE

GRU Savannah State • Bethune-Cookman • Florida A&M North Carolina Central • Hampton • Maryland Eastern Shore

GRU invited to join MEAC Golf team can now compete for NCAA crown in traditional HBCU conference

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer

“

It gives us a chance to play for a conference championship, which we haven’t been able to do previously.

It’s great to be able to try and win a conference championship in our first season in MEAC. — Head Coach Jack O’Keefe

AUGUSTA The plight of historically black colleges and universities (HCBUs) through the years has created opportunities for athletes who don’t happen to be African American. It is no longer a novelty to see white, hispanic or Asian students participating in sports where African Americans have been traditionally underrepresented. Such sports include tennis, soccer, bowling and golf.

Now, in a highly unusual move, an entire team from a non-HCBU institution has been invited to compete in a traditionally HBCU athletic conference.

Georgia Regents University (GRU) announced recently that its men’s golf team has been invited to join the MidEastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

Clearly, the move creates a win-win situation for both parties. With the departure of MEAC member Florida A&M’s (FAMU) golf team, the conference was in danger of falling below the six-team threshhold that it needs to maintain in order to host an NCAA championship series. MEAC invited the GRU golf team which, as an independent, has not been eligible to compete for an NCAA championship.

MEAC, which is headquartered in Norfolk, Virgina announced recently that GRU will be an associate member for men’s golf.

Last week, GRU Director of Athletics Clint Bryant told UrbanProWeekly, “We are really excited about our men’s golf program joining the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as an associate member.”

In 1991, the school moved its sports program from Division 1 to Division 2, but left its men’s and women’s golf program in Division 1.

“It has been increasingly more difficult to make it as a Division I Independent in recent years, and the MEAC invitation couldn’t have come at a better time.

Georgia Regents University Augusta is honored to be a member, and we look forward to competing against the fine institutions that make up the MEAC.” According to Bryant, the golf program has been an independent and, as such, has not been able to compete for a conference championship for over 20 years. GRU has tried to become a member of a conference in the past.

“We sought association membership in a conference, but because we were so good, no one wanted to let us in,” Bryant said.

GRU’s opportunity came when FAMU dropped their golf program earlier this year. According to Bryant, “This is a winwin situation for GRU and MEAC.” MEAC consists of historically black institutions across the Atlantic coastline and includes Howard University Continued on next page

and South Carolina State University. However, not all of the teams in MEAC have golf programs. GRU will be competing against Savannah State, Bethune-Cookman, North Carolina Central, Hampton and Maryland Eastern Shore.

According to Bryant, the women’s golf team will follow suit in the future.

“We feel that we can raise the bar on the level of play in MEAC,” Bryant said.

“Many HBCU’s have golf programs, but if you go on their website, African American golfers are not very well represented — they already have solid representation among white players,” Bryant added.

GRU head men’s coach Jack O’Keefe said, “We have some expectations for a great season, and we’re off to a good start.”

GRU men’s golf accomplished a fourth place tie with Elon University (NC) in their season opener at the Tar Heel Intercollegiate, hosted by the University of North Carolina on September

21st. GRU golfers competed against 18 other teams at the event, scoring even on par.

Belonging to MEAC will “give us a chance to play for a conference championship, which we haven’t been able to do previously. It’s great to be able to try and win a conference championship in our first season in MEAC.” The men’s team will travel to Columbus, OH for the Jack Nicklaus Invitational, hosted

by Ohio State, on Sunday and Monday.

The team follows a bustling schedule that has them crisscrossing from the Southeast to the Midwest in nine events on the national calendar, followed by an MEAC conference championship in April 2015.

The MEAC will host the 2014 Men’s Golf Championship from April 25-27, 2014, at the Crosswinds Golf Club in Savannah, Ga. In May 2015, the men’s golf team will compete in NCAA Regionals play, followed by the NCAA Finals to be held at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla.

GRU women’s golfer Lexi Bollant practices on a rainy afternoon on the putting green at the J. Fleming Norvell Golf House on the GRU campus. Bollant is a freshman student from Buffalo, Minnesota.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

GRU men’s golfer John Yi practices on a rainy afternoon at the J. Fleming Norvell Golf House on the GRU campus.

Yi is a freshman student from Marietta, GA. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

9 UrbanProWeekly • SEPTEMBER 25- 31, 2014

GRU head men’s golf coach Jack O’Keefe (R) watches as senior student Jack Heasman (R) works on his chip shot at the J. Fleming Norvell Golf House on the GRU campus. Heasman hails from London, England. The men’s golf team recently joined the MidEastern Athletic Conference as an associate member. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

UrbanProWeekly - SEPTEMBER 25 - 31, 2014

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PEOPLE

FEATURE

On point with Ashley Black GRU student Ashley Black is a local actor, model and community crusader who also happens to be the President of The Rosewood Club at GRU. Black, with her trademark dazzling smile and non-stop energy, oversees the first branch of The Rosewood Club that is chartered and recognized by a state university as an official campus organization.

Originating in 2011 from HBCU Hampton University, Rosewood Club founder Roger BrownePerryman saw a need to provoke and encourage his peers to make positive changes in their culture, community and their own well-being by approaching First, let’s find out more about your background. Where did you attend high school and what’s your major at GRU? Tell us about your educational background.

I attended Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School where I focused on music, art, and dance. I was president of the Symphonic Winds Band during my senior year when we received a Grammy for our excellence in music. My mother had me apply for Davidson and to be honest, I accidentally got accepted. I really was not trying to get accepted at the time. I planned on attending my zoned school Hephzibah High School, because during my middle school years, I played summer league basketball with the team. I would have won a state championship if I had not been accepted into Davidson. I would not have changed the path I was directed in though — Davidson gave me an outstanding education and my passions for music, dance, and art were immensely fulfilled.

I am currently majoring in Biology Pre-Med at GRU as an upcoming senior.

What are some of the community projects that you participate in as an individual?

I first started volunteering with the Red Cross when I was in high school and received “Volunteer of the Month” in June 2005. I was volunteering like I had a full time job! I’ve worked with a mentor program at Glenn Hills High School called “Reach One, Teach

their lives as a continuous flow of achievement in education, career, volunteering and community outreach.

The name “Rosewood” is based on the historical significance of the town of Rosewood, Florida, a predominantly black community, which was burned to the ground in January 1923 by a rioting white mob of two hundred men, according to eyewitness accounts.

Rosewood Augusta, according to the club’s web site, is “…an organization of young men and women built on philanthropy that intends to eliminate negative

One,” where we are focused on the students improving their academic grades, attendance and participation within the school. I’ve also volunteered at the Golden Harvest Food Bank, the Salvation Army and I also donate clothes annually to Goodwill.

How did you get involved with The Rosewood Club?

Craig Patillar first brought the idea to Bryan Hatcher, our current Vice President, and they worked together on chartering The Rosewood Club at Georgia Regents University. One day, I came across Bryan constructing the constitution for The Rosewood Club. I was just being nosey as to what he was working on, read it and immediately was interested in the organization and what it stood for. The ideals and beliefs were very similar to mine. We were chartered in April 2013.

What are some of the activities that The Rosewood Club sponsors or coordinates in the CSRA? In our first year of being chartered, we put on a “3-On-3 Back to School Tournament” to raise school supplies for children in the area. We also started our first annual “Jaguar Madness” event which is free to the community in an effort to bridge the gap between GRU sports and the community and to increase community involvement.

We also started our first annual “Rosefest”, which is a week dedicated to our organization on-campus during the last week of March. We

stereotypes placed on different cultures through community service, unity, and charisma by using the M.A.C method (Manners+ Attire+ Confidence) which are the essential qualities that leaves lasting first impressions and help position individuals for success…”

UPW spent some time with Ms. Black to find out more about her accomplishments and to discover more about the Augusta chapter of The Rosewood Club and what impact they are making at GRU and in the CSRA. — Interview and photo by Vincent Hobbs

do different awareness, community and school involvement events, and also give back to the community and university.

Last year, we did a Mayor Awareness event where the mayoral candidates came to the campus and were able to answer student and faculty questions and bring awareness to their campaigns. This year we are continuing the “Jaguar Madness” event which will be in early November as well as the Rosefest.

We are also preparing for our first annual Rosewood Benefit Gala and our first annual Rosewood Golf Tournament where we will be raising funds for special organizations within the community.

Why do you feel that organizations like The Rosewood Club are important to college students?

We focus on fighting negative stereotypes of college students by doing a lot of resume-building activities and by preparing our members to succeed in the professional world. A lot of students graduate with degrees, yet struggle to find jobs pertaining to their degree.

We want to build our members to excel in interviews and build lifelong relationships with business professionals around the community.

I always say, “Surround yourself with excellence and it will in due time become you; surround yourself with idiocy and in due time, that too will become you.”

You are also known as an

accomplished actor in the CSRA, with several productions under your belt. What led to your interest in acting?

I’ve always been an animated person especially when I tell stories.

A friend of mine, Kenneth Brown Jr., suggested I start taking classes with his acting group, Blue Bistro Theater.

This led to starring in one stage play after the next — with celebrities, such as actor Tony Vaughn from “Meet the Brown’s” and R & B Diva Syleena Johnson and R & B singer Tony Terry. I was also the brand ambassador for Oxywater Black, appearing in a national TV ad.

Are there any current acting projects that you are working on?

I am currently starring in and producing a web series called ‘Karma’, written and directed

by Karlton Clay. The web series premiered on September 19.

Where do you envision yourself in five years?

I plan on working a job related to the degree that I will have obtained from GRU. At the same time, I will be saving up and searching for sponsors to start my own nonprofit organization to assist children around the area by offering the arts for free. I believe Davidson is a model school for providing a healthy, wholesome development to our youth. Since space is so limited at Davidson, I plan on providing opportunities to any child who wants to do any type of fine art around the area.

I always say, “Surround yourself with excellence and it will in due time become you; surround yourself with idiocy and in due time, that too will become you.”

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Chinese dancers perform on the Global Stage during the 34th annual Arts in the Heart festival, held in downtown Augusta on Broad Street.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Arts in the Heart 2014 Guitarist Marissa and the alternative rock band Outwash perform on the Community Stage during the 34th annual Arts in the Heart festival, held in downtown Augusta on Broad Street.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

13 UrbanProWeekly • SEPTEMBER 25- 31, 2014 (Above) Tai Chi students perform an exhibition of the Chinese martial art on the Global Stage during the 34th annual Arts in the Heart festival, held in downtown Augusta on Broad Street. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Arts in the Heart 2014 Children perform a musical piece as part of the CSRA Chinese community’s presentation on the Global Stage during the 34th annual Arts in the Heart festival, held in downtown Augusta on Broad Street.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

UrbanProWeekly - SEPTEMBER 25 - 31, 2014

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UPW

Commentary

U.S. bombing in Syria: Is it legal?

Washington Gripped by Madness: When war is not war, combat is not combat, and boots are never on the ground

By Tom Engelhardt And now the bombs are falling on Syria.

On April 4, 1967, Martin Luther King delivered a speech at Riverside Church in New York City titled “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence.” In it, he went after the war of that moment and the money that the U.S. was pouring into it as symptoms of a societal disaster. President Lyndon Johnson’s poverty program was being “broken and eviscerated,” King said from the pulpit of that church, “as if it were some idle political plaything on a society gone mad on war... We were taking the black young men who had been crippled by our society and sending them eight thousand miles away to guarantee liberties in Southeast Asia which they had not found in southwest Georgia and East Harlem. I could not be silent in the face of such cruel manipulation of the poor.” Twice more in that ringing speech he spoke of “the madness of Vietnam” and called for it to cease.

Don’t think of that as just a preacher’s metaphor. There was a genuine madness on the loose—and not just in the “free-fire zones” of Vietnam but in policy circles here in the United States, in the frustration of top military and civilian officials who felt gripped by an eerie helplessness as they widened a terrible war on the ground and in the air. They were, it seemed, incapable of imagining any other path than escalation in the face of disaster and possible defeat. Even in the years of Ronald Reagan’s presidency, when there was a brief attempt to paint that lost war in a more heroic hue (“a noble cause,” the president called it), that sense of madness, or at least of resulting mental illness, lingered. It remained embedded in

a phrase then regularly applied to Americans who were less than willing to once again head aggressively into the world. They were suffering from, it was said, “Vietnam syndrome.”

Today, almost 25 years into what someday might simply be called America’s Iraq War (whose third iteration we’ve recently entered), you can feel that a similar “madness” has Washington by the throat. Just as King noted of the Vietnam era, since 9/11 American domestic programs and agencies have been starved while money poured into the coffers of the Pentagon and an increasingly bloated national security state. The results have been obvious. In the face of the spreading Ebola virus in West Africa, for instance, the president can no longer turn to civilian agencies or organizations for help, but has to call on the U.S. military in an “Ebola surge”—even our language has been militarized—although its forces are not known for their skills, successes, or spendthrift ways when it comes to civilian “humanitarian” or nation-building operations.

We’ve already entered the period when strategy, such as it is, falls away, and our leaders feel strangely helpless before the drip, drip, drip of failure and the unbearable urge for further escalation. At this point, in fact, the hysteria in Washington over the Islamic State seems a pitch or two higher than anything experienced in the Vietnam years. A fiercely sectarian force in the Middle East has captured the moment and riveted attention, even though its limits in a region full of potential enemies seem obvious and its “existential threat” to the U.S. consists of the possibility that some stray American jihadi might indeed try to harm a few of us. Call it emotional escalation in a Washington that seems remarkably unhinged.

Princeton professor Cornel West has been a frequent critic of President Obama and has called him a ‘war criminal’ in the past. Getty Images It took Osama bin Laden $400,000 to $500,000, 19 hijackers, and much planning to produce the fallen towers of 9/11 and the ensuing hysteria in this country that launched the disastrous, never-ending Global War on Terror. It took the leaders of the Islamic State maybe a few hundred bucks and two grim videos, featuring three men on a featureless plain in Syria, to create utter, blind hysteria here. Think of this as confirmation of Karl Marx’s famous comment that the first time is tragedy, but the second is farce.

One clear sign of the farcical nature of our moment is the inability to use almost any common word or phrase in an uncontested way if you put “Iraq” or “Islamic State” or “Syria” in the same sentence. Remember when the worst Washington could come up with in contested words was the meaning of “is” in Bill Clinton’s infamous statement about his relationship with a White House intern?

Linguistically speaking, those were the glory days, the utopian days of official Washington.

Just consider three commonplace terms of the moment: “war,” “boots on the ground,” and “combat.” A

T

single question links them all: Are we or aren’t we? And to that, in each case, Washington has no acceptable answer. On war, the secretary of state said no, we weren’t; the White House and Pentagon press offices announced that yes, we were; and the president fudged. He called it “targeted action” and spoke of America’s “unique capability to mobilize against an organization like ISIL,” but God save us, what it wasn’t and wouldn’t be was a “ground war.”

Only with Congress did a certain clarity prevail. Nothing it did really mattered. Whatever Congress decided or refused to decide when it came to going to war would be fine and dandy, because the White House was going to do “it” anyway. “It,” of course, was the Clintonesque “is” of present-day Middle Eastern policy.

Who knew what it was, but here was what it wasn’t and would never be: “boots on the ground.” Admittedly, the president has already dispatched 1,600 booted troops to Iraq’s ground (with more to come), but they evidently didn’t qualify as boots on the ground because, whatever they Continued on next page

Syria bombing from page 14

And we’re only weeks into an ongoing operation that could last years. Imagine the pretzeling of the language by then. Perhaps it might be easiest if everyone -- Congress, the White House, the Pentagon, and Washington’s pundits -- simply agreed that the United States is at

“war-ish” in Iraq, with boots on the ground-ish in potentially combat-ish situations. Former State Department whistleblower Peter Van Buren spent his own time in Iraq and wrote We Meant Well: How I Helped Lose the Battle for the Hearts and Minds of the Iraqi People about it. In “Apocalypse Now, Iraq Edition,” he catches perfectly the mind-boggling strangeness of Washington doing it all over again, this time as the grimmest of farces.

Tom Engelhardt, co-founder of the American Empire Project, runs the Nation Institute’s TomDispatch.com.

His latest book, co-authored with Nick Turse, is Terminator Planet: The First History of Drone Warfare, 20012050. His other most recent book is The United States of Fear (Haymarket Books). Previous books include: The End of Victory Culture: a History of the Cold War and Beyond, The American Way of War: How Bush’s Wars Became Obama’s, as well as of a novel, The Last Days of Publishing.

LETTERS White House violates constitution In his Gettysburg address, President Abraham Lincoln stated, “ We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth .”

Unfortunately, the resolve of the American people has withered and the dead soldiers at Gettysburg have died in vain.

Recently, the White House declared the United States was at war with the Islamic State (ISIS) radicals. By making such a statement, the White House has officially declared the U.S. a dictatorship. Article I, Section

8, of the U.S. Constitution clearly states, Congress shall power to declare war. The White House has willfully usurped the Constitutional authority of Congress.

Words have meaning. The word war was intentionally used by the White House to convey a sobering, emphatic message to the American people. War has not only been declared on ISIS, but also on American citizens.

We the people of the United States no longer have an opinion that matters. It’s no longer we the people, but I the dictator.

Kevin Palmer, Martinez, GA

UPW FORUM COMMENTARY by Al Gray

The courage of Augusta ministers needed statewide The 2500 statewide votes by which Karen Handel lost the Republican Party nomination for governor to Nathan Deal in 2010 hurt this writer deeply. The corruption-plagued Deal became governor because the personal commitment to total courage had fallen short……leaving sighs of regret that “I should have…” or “we could have….” Four years later we have another chance to restore faith and honor in the office of Governor of Georgia. It will take one word – COURAGE. In that decisive month of August, 2008, Nathan Deal came on the local Austin Rhodes Show twice and his powerful supporter, Congressman Paul Broun, was on once, each time for a half-hour. Knowing that your author was well versed in Deal’s voting record, scandals, and escape from Congress barely ahead of an ethics investigation, Rhodes allowed the next half-hour each time for a through rebuttal of the Deal propaganda.

If only the COURAGE to speak out on talk radio programs had extended to a statewide effort, Nathan Deal

would be just another failed, bankrupt politician.

Why can such bold statements be made? Going into the August run-off, the entire Republican Party establishment and almost all local officials of that party were solidly behind Deal.

It was a powerful machine, yet here in the CSRA, it lost and decisively so!

Counties within 50 miles of the WGAC radio station voted for Handel by 60% to 40%. Had we Handel supporters had the COURAGE to take our talk radio strategy across the state, Deal would have lost and our state spared four years of embarrassing outrages.

Courage is a more than a word. It is the difference in victory and defeat.

Courage arose in an unexpected way a dozen years ago in your city, when a group of brave ministers in the black community took the full measure of charges against Georgia Senate Majority Leader Charles Walker under prayerful consideration and stepped out to endorse a white Republican, Randy Hall. Their decision shook the state. To discontinue support of the most powerful

black, Democratic Party politician in Georgia history took stamina and it did not come without repercussions, yet they did it with clarity and firmness of voice.

Their stand now gives you moral authority to take a position with those of us who are Independents, principled Republicans, Libertarians, and motivated voters in ridding our state of the Deal gang. We need to be telling our churchgoing brothers and sisters who normally unfailingly cleave to the Republican Party of the brave Augusta Ministers for Hall in 2002 and their stand. We should use every chance we get to remind them of the moral qualities that men and women of fail of all colors profess to live by, to raise their children by, and live religious lives for. We should ask them to have courage too – the courage to ditch their partisan loyalties for just one election year to make things as right as citizens of this great state can make them.

The governor’s race isn’t about President Obama. It is about us and our courage to confront powerful

office holders gone astray. If your ministers can do that, then why won’t they and their ministers do this?

Talk to the people of other races in West Augusta, Columbia County and across our area. Tell them of your concerns. Let them know that you will rejoice if they just show the same gumption, independence, and honor to present the same principled opposition in showing Nathan Deal the door as your ministers did in 2002.

Surely they wouldn’t want you to have a higher moral ground!

Georgia is in the heart of the Bible Belt but Georgians have had the unhappy history of letting charlatans bamboozle their way into office or stay after they have gone wrong. In 2014 one hopes that we have the courage as Augusta ministers of 2002 and that honor prevails.

— Al Gray Al M. Gray is a CSRA political activist with a background in Cost Recovery Accounting and a frequent speaker to the Augusta Commission on public policy reform

UrbanProWeekly • SEPTEMBER 25- 31, 2014

were doing, they would not be going into “combat” (which is evidently the only place where military boots officially hit the ground). The president has been utterly clear on this.

There would be no American “combat mission” in Iraq. Unfortunately, “combat” turns out to be another of those dicey terms, since those nonboots had barely landed in Iraq when Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Martin Dempsey started to raise the possibility that some of them, armed, might one day be forward deployed with Iraqi troops as advisers and spotters for U.S. air power in future battles for Iraq’s northern cities. This, the White House now seems intent on defining as not being a “combat mission.”

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UrbanProWeekly - SEPTEMBER 25 - 31, 2014

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CHURCH

WORSHIP

Church briefs Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church will hold its Annual Women’s Conference on September 26-27. The theme is “Values To Christian Growth Guest speakers for the event include Sister Inez Kemp, Dr. Dorothy Gandy and Sister Jeanette “JJ” Clark.

Thankful Baptist Church will celebrate its 143rd Sunday School Anniversary on Sunday, September 28 at 3 p.m. The guest speaker for the event will be the Rev. Gregory Young, pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Orangeburg, S.C. Zion Hill Baptist Church will celebrate its Annual Homecoming on Sunday, September 28 at 2:30 p.m.

Galilee Missionary Baptist Church will hold its Fall Revival, Monday through Wednesday, Sept. 29 - Oct. 1. The guest revivalists will be the Revs. Christopher Culbreth, T.C. Edwards and Elliott R. Bing.

The Evangelism Ministry of Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church will hold a Bible Study Class every fourth Thursday at the Oak Pointe Community Center located at 730 East Boundary.

For information call 706.722.1031

Everfaithful Missionary Baptist Church 314 Sand Bar Ferry Road Augusta, Georgia 30901 (706) 722- 0553

Church School Sunday 9:25am Morning Worship Sunday 11am Evening Worship 6pm (1st & 3rd Sunday) Midday Prayer 12pm Wednesday Intercessory Prayer/Bible Study 6pm Wednesday

Bishop Rosa L. Williams, Pastor

Radio Broadcast: Sundays • WKZK 103.7 FM at 7:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Services 10 am Wednesday Services 7 pm 2070 Brown Road, Hephzibah, GA 30815 (706) 592-9221 | www.alwc.net

Good Shepherd Baptist Church

Rev. Clarence Moore, Pastor 1714 Olive Road / P. O. Box 141 (mailing address) Augusta, GA 30903 706/733-0341- Telephone/706/667-0205 – Fax E-mail address: admin@goodshepherdaugusta.org Web address: goodshepherdaugusta.org Rev. Clarence Moore Church Service: 7:45 & 11:00 a.m.

Church School: 9:45 a.m. / Prayer Service: 11:00 a.m. – Wednesday Bible Study: 9:00 a.m. - Saturday / 7:00 p.m. - Wednesday

Daily Morning Prayer

6:30 a.m. - 6:45 a.m.

218-548-1625 • Access Code 2331#

Family Planning & Women’s Services Patients

Starting September 15, 2014 THERE WILL BE A NEW FEE REQUIREMENT AND ALL PATIENTS MUST PRESENT A PHOTO ID

Accepted Photo ID • State Issued Driver’s License • Government Issued ID • Student ID

Accepted Proof of Income

• W-2 Form • Current tax return • Current paychecks or paycheck stubs • Unemployment / Department of Labor compensation notice or check stub • Notarized statement of income from employer on letterhead • WIC or Food Stamp approval letter including family size and income.

To qualify for a fee discount, you must provide proof of income.

Patients who do not provide proof of income will be expected to pay full fees at the time of the visit.

Accepted Forms of Payment • Cash • Debit /Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover) • Medicaid • Peach care for Kids • Amerigroup, Peach State, WellCare

UrbanProWeekly • SEPTEMBER 25- 31, 2014

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UrbanProWeekly - SEPTEMBER 25 - 31, 2014

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Voice Off video installation opens at GRU’s Byrd Gallery Sept. 22

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UrbanProWeekly - SEPTEMBER 25 - 31, 2014

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