By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

Nov. 19, 2009 – Katrina victims were handed a win on Wednesday when a federal judge ruled that the Army Corps of Engineers’ mismanagement of maintenance of  levees  in the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet was directly responsible for flood damage of homes in St. Bernard Parish and the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans.

The ruling could pave the way for residents of the area devastated by Hurricane Katrina to seek damages from the government totaling millions of dollars. 

U.S. Judge Stanwood Duval, Jr. ruled the federal government’s failure to maintain the levees adequately caused some of the flood damage and awarded four plaintiffs a total of $7000.00 in damages. 

“Judge Duval exposed 40 years of the Army Corps of Engineers’ gross malfeasance with regard to the operation and maintenance of the (channel),” said Pierce O’Donnell, c0-attorney for the plaintiffs.  “The people of this city have been vindicated. They didn’t do anything wrong and it’s time they be compensated.”

The ruling opens the door for an estimated 100,000 residents, business and local governments who lost property during Hurricane Katrina, to sue for damages; costing the government millions of dollars.

But the ruling won’t deliver compensation checks very soon.  No doubt the decision will be appealed and may make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Ken Holder, spokesman for the Army Corps of Engineers agrees. “Until such time as the litigation is completed, including the appellate process up to and through the U.S. Supreme Court, no activity is expected to be taken on any of these claims.”

Bruno and O’Donnell, attorneys for the plaintiffs’ legal team said they plan to come to Washington, D.C. and meet with members of the Obama administration and Congress to convince them to consider revisiting requests for compensation by New Orleans-area residents; not just for their clients by for all those in the areas flooded by corps-related failures of the levees.

Failures that have cost thousands of Gulf Cost residents their homes, their happiness and their hope for a full recovery.

Nov, 18, 2009 – The Senate isn’t only split decision on what a health care reform bill should look like: according to the latest Washington Post-ABC poll, so are the American people.

The survey found Americans “deeply divided over the proposals under consideration and majorities predicting higher costs ahead,” according to survey.   The poll discovered 48 percent polled supporting the Dems with 49 percent opposed.

Because these numbers have been somewhat unchanged the last three months, it appears to be the reason Congress is having such a hard time getting a bill out of Congress – the division is down  partisan lines and neither side is giving an inch.

Black lawmakers had established a “war room” on health care reform during the debate in the House in an effort  to keep groups like the NAACP, the Urban League and advocacy groups up to date lending their support to the process.  While the 41 Congressional Black Caucus played a pivotal role in getting the House bill, they have less influence over the Senate’s version.   They only have one CBC member in the Senate, Illinois Sen.  Roland  Burris (D). Burris filled Obama’s seat following his presidential win.

Check out The Washington Post-ABC poll by clicking the link below:

  The latest Washington Post-ABC News poll “In that survey, a combined 67 percent of respondents felt strongly one way or the other, while the new poll puts the number at 69 percent. ABC News notes the “essentially even split” despite the fact that “negatives abound: Fifty-four percent of insured Americans think it’ll increase their own costs; among all, 56 percent think it’ll raise overall costs, six in 10 think it could shut down many private insurers and 61 percent oppose covering abortions in federally supported plans.”

Where are you when it comes to health care reform? 

Nov.  17, 2009 – There seems to be no end to the criticism of President Barack Obama, and now conservative  commentators are seizing on his bow to Japan’s emperor during his visit to Japan likening his actions to “groveling”  to a foreign leader.

Let’s be serious, the president would have had to bow regardless, Emperor Akihito is short – not to mention he was following protocol by doing so.  It sound a bit silly to be discussing and analyzing not only the bow – but how low the president bowed his head.  

The president greeted Akihito, the son of the man who ruled when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941, with a simultaneous handshake and a deep bow.  The bow brought the 6’-1½’ president’s head below Akihito for just a few seconds. 

I doubt the president’s bow to the emperor of country that is our ally will weaken the U.S.‘s  status or that of the leader of the free world?  Obama acted out of respect for his host, and there is nothing wrong with exhibiting respect and power at the same time.

The State Department does have guidelines for foreign visits. In the 2007 “Protocol for the Modern Diplomat,” emissaries are advised to be aware of greeting rituals such as kisses, handshakes or bows and to follow a country’s tradition. “Failure to abide with tradition may be interpreted as rudeness or a lack of respect for colleagues,” it says. Of course this may not apply to the president, but good protocol is a suggested form of behavior.

Obama isn’t the first president to bow to a foreign head of state.  Ian Kelly, State Department spokesman, told reporters that the bow was “a sign of respect to the emperor.”

The bottom line is the bow isn’t a threat to our national security.  Let’s move on, and remember how much Obama has improved America’s international image by being respectful rather than arrogant.

What do you think, was the president showing respect or weakness with the bow? 

Photos: See Pics From Obama’s Asian Tour

U.S. President Barack Obama, left, walks with Mayor of Shanghai Han Zheng, right, at Xijiao State Guest House in Shanghai, China, Monday, Nov. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Nov.  16, 2009 – President Obama is breaking new ground with his visit to China, and it’s not his foreign policy it’s his popularity.  

The headline in “The Hindu” on-line news paper reads; “In China, Obama’s popularity challenges race stereotypes.”  Stereo-types that aren’t much different than those here in the U.S. according to Raymond Zhou, a popular newspaper columnist, “Much of China’s simmering intolerance is color-based. It is not an exaggeration to say many of my countrymen have a subconscious adulation of races paler than us. The flip side: We tend to be biased against those darker skinned.”

But skin color was the cause for a racist outburst by some in China when a bi-racial contestant won a realty show. Lou Jing, the daughter of an African-American father and Chinese mother became the target of racial slurs on Internet blog site when she won a popular Shanghai reality television show.

The reaction to the 20 year-old contestant brought the debate about race in China to the front page of papers previewing the visit of America’s first Black president.

One interesting finding; last week a survey of 3,381 on a Chinese website asked what people found most attractive about the president.  Half responded, “his smile,” 30 percent “his skin color.”  

The president’s popularity is higher among younger Chinese — similar to his appeal to young folks in the U.S.  That could be why the president will follow his bilateral meeting with Party Secretary, Yu Sheng, and Mayor of Shanghai, Han Zheng with a town hall meeting with future Chinese leaders.

The town hall will be streamed live on The White House website from the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. 

After hosting the town hall Obama will leave Shanghai for Beijing where he’ll attend another round of meetings with President Hu Jintao of China in Yangyuan Hall of the Diaoyutai State Guest house.   Later that evening the two heads of state will have dinner.

Nov. 13, 2009 – The Army announced Thursday they will charge the Ft. Hood shooter with 13 counts of premeditated murder, and President Obama ordered a review of what the government knew about Major Nidal Malik Hasan and if any warnings signs were ignored.

Hasan was charged with the killing 13 and injuring 29 and if he is found guilty could face the death penalty.

Reporters from the Pentagon and investigator contend Hasan acted alone but as inquiries continue more may be discovered about what happen. 

There could be more charges in Hasan’s future. Chris Grey, spokesman for the Army Criminal Investigation Command told The Associated Press, it had not been decided whether to charge Hasan with the death of the unborn child of a pregnant soldier who died. 

Hasan an Army psychiatrist remains in the hospital suffering from multiple injuries as the investigation tries to uncover if the government miss-managed information that would have given authorities a warning or linked him to a radical Islamic cleric.

As Ft. Hood tries to return to normal, the relationships with Muslim Army personal will no dubitably be strained.  Early reports indicate Hasan allegedly shouted “Allahu akabar” just before opening fire.  This has led to speculation his action was a terrorist attack. 

It’s difficult to know how many Muslims are in the military and estimates range from 4,000 -12,000 are active in the armed forces.  The recent shooting at Ft. Hood will most likely place them all under increased scrutiny.

Qaseem Uqdah, a former Marine Corps gunnery sergeant, who heads the American Muslim Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Council in Washington, D.C., told the Seattle-Post Intelligencer, he estimates counts upwards of 15,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and Coast Guard members.

Homeland Security is overseeing the investigation of possible overlapping information that may have signaled a problem.  The president has requested the first round of the inquirer into Hasan be delivered Nov. 30.

Nov. 12, 2009 – President Barack Obama has joined his 43 predecessors in the Hall of Presidents at Disney World.  But the first African-American president is sharing the limelight with the introduction of Disney’s first African-American princess:  Princess Tiana.

Disney didn’t know in 2006 when it began creating the 2-D hand drawn animated film it would be making its debut alongside another “first”; the first African-American president.  

And now Disney has both.

“We worked on him [Obama] for a little over eight months; this figure is the most technical advance in detail accuracy.  The technology allowed us to get the pitch of lips — how he moves his lips when forming his words,” Diego Parris, of Imagineering for Disney told me. (They also worked on a John McCain figure until the election.)

Obama’s likeness stands on stage in the Hall of Presidents Exhibit and delivers brief remarks along with the likeness of President George Washington following a highlight presentation on the history of U.S. presidents.  Parris said, Obama’s participation included recording his remarks for Disney at the White House and staff assisting with the details on his attire, lapel pin and watch.  

I can’t say who is providing the voice for President Washington ’s role, but I do know who’s the voice for Princess Tiana.  Actress Anika Noni Rose, you may remember her from the film “Dream Girls.”     

“Princess Tiana is the first Disney princess introduced in 10 years, the ninth Disney princess and the first American princess created by the animation dynasty.  The movie, “The Princess and the Frog” is scheduled to open next month.

 The musical fairy tale is about a young girl from New Orleans who is mistaken for a princess by a prince of a frog who requests a kiss to break the spell.  I think you can fill in the rest.  Having the story take place in New Orleans gives a city that has faced some bad times some good PR.
 

To capture the feel and the spirit of the city, filmmakers took more than 50,000 photos of local images to use as reference and inspiration including streets, buildings, restaurants and the garden district.

Some critics have questioned the film taking place in New Orleans where Blacks suffered such harrowing experiences during Katrina, why the princess ends up with a frog and why her suitor isn’t also from states (he’s from a fictional land)? 

Having a Black president has brought about a lot of discussions about race, role models and altering realities for stereo-types. I think the same is true for the introduction of a Black princess.  

Now little girls and boys of all races won’t think its make believe; they’ll see a president and a princess giving fairy tales new endings.

Nov. 10, 2009 – A new Gallup Poll has found the majority of Americans thought the election of an African-American as president would improve race relations in the U.S.

But has it?

Well, the jury is still out on that assumption.  Gallup surveyed 1,521 adults Oct. 16 to 19 and discovered less than half of those polled felt race relations have improved.  Only 41 percent saw improvement and 22 percent polled said race relations had worsened since Obama had become president.

African-American surveyed were more likely than Whites to say race relations are improving.  Fifty-three percent of the Blacks surveyed saw positive trends, while only 39 percent of Whites acknowledged improvement.   

Gallup’s Lydia Saad said, “Black Americans are particularly optimistic about Obama’s long-term impact, with 79 percent expecting relations to get better. This compares with 58 percent of non-Hispanic Whites” surveyed.

The good news; Blacks and Whites express optimism for the future in race relations. Sixty-one percent believe things will improve because of the election of the first African-American president.

The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.  African-American participants carry a six percent margin and Whites a four percent margin of error.

Do you think race relations have improved since the election of President Obama?

November 8, 2009 – Lawmakers expressed jubilant gratification along with tempered celebration with the passage of  H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.  The president was quick to congratulate Congress understanding this bill will be one of the defining policies of his presidency.

Black lawmakers in the House were united early on a reform bill with a public option; so while they are pleased with the passages of H.R. 3962, they are cautiously optimistic of what the final bill will have after it is merged with the Senate version.

President Obama:

“The Affordable Health Care for America Act is a piece of legislation that will provide stability and security for Americans who have insurance; quality affordable options for those who don’t; and bring down the cost of health care for families, businesses, and the government while strengthening the financial health of Medicare.  And it is legislation that is fully paid for and will reduce our long-term federal deficit.”

Rep. Barbara Lee, (D-Calif.) Chairwomen, Congressional Black Caucus

“While there is still much work to do, I applaud President Obama, Democratic Leadership and the Chairmen of the Tri-Committees for their efforts to bring us to this point.  

“I also want to thank in the Tri-Caucus, Progressives Caucus and particularly the 42 members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Together we have led the fight for a strong public option, which is included in the health care bill that the House approved today.

“When others were pronouncing health reform dying—and the public option dead and buried—we kept on fighting! And we will keep fighting until a final health care bill is on the president’s desk that includes not only a strong public option, but provisions to achieve health equity, eliminate health disparities and to limit the rate of increase for those with private plans.”

Rep. John Conyers (D- Mich)

“While the bill is far from perfect, I supported it because it will expand access to health insurance to 96 percent of Americans, end discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, help our seniors by closing the prescription drug benefit donut hole, and increase competition and choice with a public insurance option.

 I voted for this bill because the cost of inaction is too high.  Each year, 44,000 people die because they do not have access to insurance.   Without reform, this number would rise, Americans would be at greater risk of losing their coverage, and our business community would continue to fall behind international competitors as their future profits are drained by burdensome health care costs.”

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.)

“Legislation created by the bill will improve employer-based coverage for 403,000 Marylanders, will cover 44,00 0 Maryland residents who lack insurance and will provide 147,000 Maryland families with “affordability credits” to help them afford insurance.

It also improves Medicare for 90,000 beneficiaries in Maryland, including beginning closure of the prescription drug “doughnut hole” for 4,700 Maryland seniors.

On the financial front, this legislation will protect 900 Maryland families from joining the estimated one million nationally who declare bankruptcy due to medical costs.”

Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.)

“This may be one of the most important moments in our history,” said Rep. John Lewis.  “It has been a long tough struggle, but we took significant steps this evening toward making a powerful difference in the lives of every American.  This is not a perfect bill, but it is the beginning we must make to transform health care in America and make sure that healthcare is a right and not a privilege.”

Del. Elanor Norton (D-D.C.)

“The incredible diversity of the Democratic Caucus, representing Republican, right-leaning, moderate, and progressive areas, meant that we could go to the floor only with a bill that sensitively put all of America together into one convincing bill.  That is why we have produced a bill that satisfies deficit hawks, who are more wary of increasing deficits than of any other issue, as well as single-payer advocates, who believe that only Medicare for all can markedly reduce costs while providing adequate health care to the middle class and the uninsured.  Thus, there can be no doubt that the Affordable Health Care for America Act is a balanced bill.”

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.)

“This bill is not only morally right, but an imperative for working-class families” said Johnson. “When this bill becomes law, 166,000 households in my district could qualify for affordability credits if they need to purchase their own coverage, 65,000 seniors will benefit from a strengthened Medicare, 15,000 small businesses will be able to join the health insurance exchange and thousands of families could avoid bankruptcy due to catastrophic health care costs.”

Nov. 6, 2009 – The feisty and outspoken New York Rep. Charles Rangel (D) and several other Black lawmakers will most likely be cleared of any wrongdoing by the House ethics committee on Friday.

Rangel has been the subject of an investigation looking into several financial irregularities, including his failure to report more than a half million dollars in assets.  Rangel always maintained it was an accounting error and that he would be cleared. 

Republicans have tried unsuccessfully for months to get him to step down from chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, one of the most powerful committees in Congress, but Rangel declined to do so and for good reasons. 

Roll Call is reporting Rangel along with four other members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) will be cleared of any misconduct for taking a privately financed trip to the Caribbean.  The investigation centered on whether a trip to the Caribbean privately financed broke House travel rules.  I was told by staffers, lawmakers checked with the ethic committee before taking the trip and it was deemed permissible.  It’s not clear why the committee started the probe after the members reported it in their disclosure filings.

The four other Black lawmakers who will reportedly be cleared are: Reps. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-MI), Donald Payne (D-NJ), and Del. Donna Christensen (D-Virgin Islands).

On Thursday a group of high-profile New York Democrats held a rally on the steps of City Hall to show their support for Rangel.  Former New York Mayor David Dinkins told the crowd, Rangel has had a long record of public service, “Folks seem to have a short memory.”

David Jones, one of the organizers of the rally chided the media for their coverage of Rangel, “Where is the balance? Everything makes him out to look like he’s on the take.”

This will be good news for Rangel and the other four Black lawmakers who can put this all behind them. But for California Reps. Maxine Waters (D) and Laura Richardson (D)  it’s just beginning.  Last week the ethics committee opens two probes looking into Waters role facilitating meeting with minority bankers and government officials and Richardson relationship with the lender who foreclosed on her home.  (See my Blog Oct. 30)

The House ethics committee has launched investigations into seven Black lawmakers; more than 15 percent of the total members in the House, no White members are under any full-scale ethics committee probe.  Politco.com is reporting, an eighth Black member, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Ill.) would also be under an investigation if the Justice Department hadn’t stepped in and asked the committee to stand down.

The 10 member committee seems to have targeted Black lawmakers and is keeping them on the ropes of defending their names and reputations.  It appears to be a distraction they just have to cope with. 

Several of the 42 members of the CBC are majority ranking members and chair powerful House committees, some of these investigations could be a way to weaken their influence or remove them from power under a cloud of controversy. 

It can’t be ignored that all of the ethics investigations are focused on Black lawmakers; they are being held to higher standard and it looks like the other 393 lawmakers are getting a pass.

Nov. 3, 2009 — Democratic candidates for governor in New Jersey and Virginia were defeated and Republicans are calling these races a “referendum” on President Obama.  But just what did we learn Tuesday night from the results?

President Obama campaigning for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine.

 President Obamas influence in these races can’t be discounted, but neither can the fact that Gov. John Corzine was having problems in New Jersey more than a year before the re-election, and he just couldn’t get Dems behind him which lead to his defeat.  

Corzine’s defeat wasn’t linked to any of the president’s issues, and based on exit polling by CNN, more 55 percent of those surveyed said the president didn’t influence their vote.  Chris Christie, former federal prosecutor   won with the economy as his primary issue; promising to fix the state’s fiscal problems. 

The same was true for the race in Virginia.  Bob McDonnell defeated Creigh Deeds who ran a lack-luster campaign and just wasn’t able to motivate Democratic voters to turn out.  McDonnell was able to capture the enthusiasm of Republican which ended a 12 year streak of Democratic governors in the Commonwealth. 

But two New Yorkers named “Bill” registered the biggest political bang of the night in my book.  One won, and one lost, but both delivered.

 Democrat Bill Owens managed to win an upstate New York congressional seat that has been held by Republicans for 100 years.  Owens won the 23rd District seat by defeating a conservative Independent candidate, Douglass L. Hoffman. 

Owens was helped a bit by the endorsement of the Republican candidate Dierdra Scozzafava who pulled out of the race; endorsed Owens and siphoned 6 percent of the Republican vote away Hoffman because her name remainded on the ballot.    

African-American William “Bill” Thompson, New York City’s comptroller lost his race against  third-term billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg.  But he ran a strong race and loss with a much smaller margin than expected.

  Bloomberg outspent Thompson 10 to 1 close; close to 90 million dollars on his campaign, that’s about $170 per vote.  Bloomberg won 51 to 46 percent over Thompson, not bad for a guy with only $8 million dollars to spend.