Birmingham City Council Approves $240K for Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

16th Street Baptist Church, Birmingham, Al. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

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"The Birmingham City Council has approved emergency funding for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, whose director said it could be forced to close if budget cuts continue." http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20100922/APN/1009221515

The Republican's Southern Strategy = Racism

Examples of Republican Party Racism.

What is the Southern Strategy? Wiki has an excellent introduction to the Southern Strategy. "In American politics, the Southern strategy refers to a Republican Party (GOP) method of winning Southern states in the years after the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by exploiting opposition to the cultural upheaval of the 1960s/70s and in reaction to the changing economics of the South." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_strategy

Other excellent articles on the "Southern Strategy:" " Conservative and preponderantly white national party," http://uncpressblog.com/2010/04/30/southern-strategy/ "Some Republicans seem to want to re-fight the Civil War -- and the civil rights movement." https://www.salon.com/2010/04/11/gop_southern_strategy_lives_on/

Institute of Southern Studies on the history of the new Southern Strategy: https://www.facingsouth.org/2006/10/the-southern-strategy-at-election-time.html

In Alabama we see the Southern Strategy in the Governors race. Robert Bentley in his political platform has highlighted "State Rights." Bentley says, "I believe the Tenth Amendment establishes limits on the federal government, which have not been enforced." Dr. Bentley has not replied to questions I have submitted to him regarding his statement and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Bentley's political platform concerning State Rights: http://www.robertbentley2010.com/index.php?page=protecting-our-constitutional-rights  (The link listed was the link of Robert Bentley's political platform. It has been removed and replaced with "RB 2010 - Random Banter" How convenient considering the legal actions being taken against Alabama due to Bentley's racist policies based on state rights.)

Does Dr. Bentley believe the Civil Rights Act should not be enforced since this is a Federal Law? How about the 1965 Voting Rights Act? Both acts were established to counter white supremacy codified by state law. The Federal Government ended Jim Crow, Alabama did not. Alabama still maintains vestiges of Jim Crow in the state Constitution via the Miscegenation (interracial marriage) Clause. Racists within Alabama's governing bodies have prevented the removal of this clause.

UPDATE: Sep. 7, 2011 Gov "State Rights" Bentley's political platform statement has been removed from the web, the effect of racist policy and its application has not been removed. Examples: Comments about non-Christians  http://www.adl.org/PresRele/RelChStSep_90/5963_90.htm Anti-immigration law, "Legalizing Racism..." http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/08/03/legalizing-racism-right-wing-attempts-to-sanction-xenophobia-through-anti-immigration-laws/    an article from this blog on immigration.  http://scottsborostories.blogspot.com/2011/06/why-alabamas-immigration-bill-is-bad.html 

Locally we see the Southern Strategy being implemented via surreptitious efforts of the Alabama Republican Party sending its representatives to Jackson County to organize groups of rural whites. This is evident in the formation of the Jackson County Patriots. Republican, Council of Conservative Citizen, CCC, ( http://alcofcc.wordpress.com/who-we-are/ This Word Press Blog was cancelled, they accomplished their mission and did not want to be exposed as racists.), organizers from St. Clair and Jefferson County's were present in the initial organizing phase of the Patriots. The 2 speakers standing before the group, which Senator Barron challenged, are Republican, CCC, organizers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK1Plin6WC0 On local discussion al.com/forums, you witness the same action when the conservative extremists are challenged. They lie, attack and make threats. This is the face of the far right "New Republican Party."

The Republican Party attempts to infuriate hidden racial prejudice in the hearts and minds of white people in our nation. The Republican Party propagandists prey on white guilt and racial prejudice like a hawk hunting a mouse. We witness this bigoted ideology from Republican ultra-conservative propaganda artists such as Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh just to name a few. Republican Tea Party signs http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/16/10-most-offensive-tea-par_n_187554.html

Stories about Republican racism on the Web: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDHnWVPKqSY http://thinkprogress.org/2010/08/03/inglis-racism/ http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/07/obama_racism.html {Watch the slide show on the link from New York mag.com.)

Race baiting Republicans, birthers and massive lies. The Republican Southern Strategy spreads across the nation to drum up hatred of our black President: http://readersupportednews.org/off-site-opinion-section/72-72/2830-the-backlash-against-obamas-blackness

The Republican Party's Southern Strategy is reflective of the Republican Party, some cases the racism is very visible, other cases the racism is covert. Which ever the case the Republican Party is travelling down a regressive, ultra-conservative road not in keeping with our Republic's Constitution. For some reason, the Party of Lincoln has decided they will do better if they appeal to hidden racial prejudices of whites. A political ideology that stands to damage our nation and the Republican Party for many years in the future. The Southern Strategy is an example of the greatest American war of all times, "The Culture War," there are no winners in this war.

Scottsboro residents upset over long-standing drainage problem

Click on image to expand view.

Update: August 25, 2010--At a meeting at St. Paul AME Church last night, Rev. Anderson stated he had met with the Mayor and other city officials to include FEMA representatives. Officials have suggested that residents which were flooded should move. It was stated property owners homes will be purchased and new homes will be made available at no charge to the current property owners. Currently flood victims are staying in area motels. Food assistance is being provided. Rev Anderson stated the motel stays will be extended, FEMA trailers will be made available as well as public housing. It was stated efforts are being made to acquire furniture to replace lost furniture. Fund raisers are scheduled at St.Paul Church, North Houston St., Friday and Saturday at 6PM. City council Meeting Link: http://arklite.blogspot.com/2010/08/city-council-meeting-monday-august-23.html

Cost of improved drainage could cost $17 million. http://thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=6818d2b02874b883

A helping hand. http://thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=7f473e4cf6e400ae

History of flooding. http://thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=54e73eae2aef599f


Video Link: Storms cause heavy flooding in Scottsboro
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Story Link: Scottsboro residents upset over long-standing drainage problem - WAFF.com: North Alabama News, Radar, Weather, Sports and Jobs-

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Flooding faults...It's their fault, no it's their fault, no it's their fault. No who's on first, no whose on second. Double talk and refusal to accept responsibility.

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Priorities...Recreation or infrastructure? Failed drainage, urban blight, neglect. But new soccer fields, tennis courts and a splash park are far more important than adequate infrastructure to prevent flooding. The continued neglect of the minority community can not be tolerated. You witness the results of this trend of continuing neglect on the above video link.

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Recreation Project will cost near $4 million dollars. http://arklite.blogspot.com/2010/08/scottsboro-city-council.html
http://thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=d696a97a94680997

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Priorities seem to be confused with our current leadership. Which is more important, infrastructure or recreation?

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Here's the problem folks, a larger well planned drainage system usually does not have a nice big bronze "vanity plaque" on it that lists those who built the ditch. Maybe a large "vanity plaque" should be erected with a drainage project, maybe then an adequate drainage system could be built.
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A larger well planned drainage system will cost many millions but it must be accomplished or we will experiance flooding problems on a much more frequent basis due to development changing the course of smaller waterways and over stressing historical area drainage. Changing climate patterns will also result in more extremes in weather. Scottsboro's drainage system must be improved sooner rather than later and must receive a high priority.

Gurley, Alabama C.M.E. Church Visit to Scottsboro Boys Museum

On Friday July 30, 2010 the CME Church of Gurley, Alabama Vacation Bible School visited the Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center. There were 14 young people and adults who made the trip to Scottsboro to learn about the Scottsboro Boys Case and how the case relates to our legal system and race relations in the United States today.