In Brief - January 31st, 2008

I really enjoy reading community newspapers. There is a level of personality and authenticity to them that you don't see in larger papers, even in their local sections. On my morning bus ride, I borrowed a gentleman's The Facts newspaper, a paper distributed primarily in the Central District that covers local Black news and events.

These sorts of publications are fundamental to creating a sustainable progressive ethos in our cities, states, and nation. This and other forms of "alternative media" such as the netroots when used together have the ability to reach peoples' hearts and minds in ways that past activists could only dream of. Progressivism is about positive people creating positive changes to their lives, the lives of others, and their surrounding environment. In order to do this, we must take advantage of every tool at our disposal, even little local newspapers.

Also, Black History Month begins tomorrow, but I wanted to begin today with something I'll do throughout the next month: a summary of interesting Black History facts. For each Thursday In Brief, I'll include some lesser known moments in Black History.

Now for the news:

In the Pacific Northwest

• Newsflash: it's been snowing. I have actually been rather impressed with how city/state services have handled the weather situations, but they may soon be running out of resources to maintain this level of responsiveness in Oregon. This weather is abnormal, and I wonder if climate change deniers still feel the same way as sit waiting for I-90 to reopen.


• Seattle in recent years has had number of incidents where citizens have claimed that police officers have been using excessive force. It turns out that Police Department doesn't think that's too big of a deal, since they have for the most part rejected recommendations for disciplining officers.


• Areva Incorporated, a French energy conglomerate that specializes in nuclear energy, has begun lobbying Idaho Governor Buch Otter and other state lawmakers. Their goal is to gain approval for tax incentives for uranium enrichment sites.

Across the Nation

• Soldiers coming back from Iraq have suffered from a host of challenges to their mental and physical health. A large number have suffered from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and it's now reported that some of that could be due to concussions suffered during battle. Couple this with the increased number of soldier suicides, and we have a full-blown crisis upon us.


• The FCC's auction for the all-important 700 MHz "C" Band of wireless spectrum may be nearing completion as a $4.71 Billion bid went un-topped in the 10th round of the contest. A great breakdown of the impact of this auction is here.


• It's not really news, but CNET's Sophia Cope offers a great perspective on why Real ID is a fatally flawed idea.

Around the World

• David Too, a member of the opposition party in Kenya, was shot and killed yesterday. This postpones the aformentioned peace negotiations in Kenya, which will resume Friday. This timeline really breaks down the tragic sequence of events.


• Progressives in the Bolivan government, led by President Evo Morales, are proposing ammendments to that country's constitution that among other things include aggressive wealth redistribution and nationalization of industries. It's being met by strong opposition from the country's white elite, who call this a "move towards socialism."


• I wasn't aware that we were bombing Pakistan, but apparently we are. The attack, carried out by a pilotless U.S. Predator, is reported to have killed 13.

Black History Moments

• Today in 1797, Congress refused the recorded petition submitted by African Americans. The petition was called the North Carolina Slave Petition, which was the first petition for an end to slavery from freed Blacks.


• Today in 1865, the 13th ammendment was passed, which upon ratification abolished slavery.


• Today in 1956, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s home in Atlanta was bombed.