After the Great Depression, Congress conducted numerous hearings and determined that it was ultimately the mixing of �commercial� and �investment� banking industries and the inherent conflicts of interest and fraud in some banking institutions� securities activities that caused the collapse of our financial markets. Sound familiar? Congress passed the Banking Act of 1933 commonly known as the Glass-Steagall Act which prohibited the mixing of these activities in order to prevent this from ever happening again.
In 1999, Congress repealed the Glass-Steagall Act and passed in its stead the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act which enabled commercial lenders to underwrite, trade and purchase instruments such as mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations.

Consumer groups across the nation vehemently opposed the breaking down of these barriers, we warned that this was dangerous and could lead to another financial collapse. Instead of heeding our warnings, Congressional leaders in the Senate viciously attacked the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and included amendments to eliminate it as a Red Herring. Our allies in Washington capitulated in order to protect CRA, we were placed on the defensive and we blinked.
The result, in less than ten years time the financial markets have crashed and once again Wall Street and K Street are holding our neighbors and neighborhoods hostage pointing the gun at taxpayers and saying it is the fault of CRA . This time we are prepared for the fight, we will not sit silent, we will not blink and we will not rely on others to defend us.

In 1999 the State of North Carolina passed the first anti-predatory lending legislation in the nation followed by numerous cities and states across the country and what did Washington do? The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency stepped in on the side of the lenders and pre-empted these laws and said we could not protect our own communities.

In 2001-2002, anti-predatory lending ordinances in Atlanta GA, Dayton OH, and Philadelphia PA were all overturned or preempted by the federal government. Under pressure from Wall Street or K Street many cities including Toledo and Cleveland OH repealed their ordinances and too many states threatened by Wall Street weakened their existing laws or passed laws that were worst than doing nothing. Now they are demanding that we give them $700,000,000,000.

Deregulation and Greed caused this problem NOT OUR NEIGHBORS. Here is how this whole mess happened:   Read More »

I am passing on this article from the Air Force Times about veterans who are fighting to have Segways classified in the same catagory as wheelchairs under the ADA (medical devices). Segways have been donated to over 150 disabled vets of Iraq and Afghanistan, and there are solid medical reasons for using them rather than wheelchairs. The current rules don't cover them and the proposed rules would classify them in the same catagory as golf carts and bicycles. Fellow Democrats this is important, Please take 5 minutes out of your day to comment. Comments can be submitted at http://www.regulations.gov.

The deadline is Aug. 18.

Sample Comment

I am writing to support the position of the Disability Rights Advocates for Technology that the Segway should be classified identically to the wheelchair, it is specifically designed for indoor and outdoor environments. The footprint of the Segway is smaller than a wheelchair, and it weighs less than power wheelchairs and most scooters. The proposed guidance threatens to deal a severe setback to America�s disabled community and senior citizens, by discriminating against Segways and other technology devices that improve the quality of their lives.

I am writing this post on this blog because YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE and I WANT YOU TO SEE THIS. Many of you know of the controversy that arose in NC regarding voter suppression during the early vote/ONE STOP period. The people of North Carolina are "paranoid" and overly suspicious and "understandibly so, but it was just a tragic mistake no harm done" after all we have been your beneficent white liberal supporters for over 30 years. well the proof of intent is in the pudding.

There is strong evidence that their efforts suppressed early voting in the 4th congressional district and pushed early voting in the 11th congressional district which is the only district Hillary Clinton won. The evidence is actually overwhelming.

District Early Vote Total Vote % Early Vote
01 20,909 128,873 16.22%
02 20,930 111,853 18.71%
03 18,084 92,174 19.51%
04 16,656 166,914 9.98%
05 18,557 94,782 19.57%
06 24,988 89,861 27.89%
07 25,720 124,333 20.68%
08 22,500 103,690 21.69%
09 20,873 103,595 20.14%
10 15,127 80,707 18.74%
11 41,037 126,539 32.43%
12 39,100 127,587 30.64%
13 11,892 120, 711 9.85%

WVWV actively and intentionally suppressed early voting in the 4th and 13th districts and turned out voters in the 11th which is the only district that Hillary won. There is some evidence of suppression in the east but not as clear cut as in the 4th and 13th. The 4th district had the overall highest voter turnout in the state and it went 76% for Obama.

Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they are not out to get you.

I am devestated and crushed. John Edwards the strongest voice in the fight for universal healthcare, in the fight against poverty and the only candidate with practical proactive programs to provide every American with the opportunity to share in the American Dream has bowed out of the Presidential race. My heart is broken, BUT..... all hope is not gone. John Edwards it is not too late to run for SENATE

There he stood ramrod straight all dressed up in his fatigues and airborne beret grinning from ear - to -ear. There she was with a smile on her face that would light a city block! Such joy! I look on and see two children too young to have been through all they have been through.

I am so joyful and I am so blessed to be here!! I give him a big hug. He feels frail, his eyes are weak (but only a mother would notice the pain in them) his skin is a little damp and ashen.

We check in to post. We check in to the clinic to get his clearances, they send him to the emergency room, there is concern that his stitching may not have survived the long long flight back...   Read More »

About one week ago we received a call from Afghanistan saying that my son-in-law was undergoing emergency surgery for a gall bladder problem. We latter learned that he was not recovering well and that he had been placed in ICU and might be medivaced to Germany.

We called on the LORD to protect and heal my son. We had a great Christmas, he called and videocalled almost every two to three hours he looked so good considering.Today we were notified that he is again in ICU and undergoing additional surgery.

Now I turn on the news and I hear that PM Bhutto has been assasinated and I know that it has gotten far more dangerous where my son has been stationed. I know that other mother's sons are also facing real danger as a result of this failure to focus on the Taliban and Al-Quieda. Our nation has compromised its moral authority in this region of the world when America turns a blind eye to injustice, and sacrifices freedom for safety it finds that it is caught in a quamire. We are not safer since 911 and we have made the world completely unstable.

I don't know how we fix this mess. I feel so sorry for our next President because it will take more than 8 years to clean up the mess this President has left behind.

Send my baby home. Send our boys home. Pray for Peace

This is a cautionary post. I was at breakfast this morning when a local African American candidate came up to me and said I see that Diane Cottoti is your candidate but don't forget about me. I said Diane is my neighbor and my friend but I had made no endorsements.

I went in to work and Farad Ali who is a close friend and ally who is running in the same at large race was livid because there was an ad that stated that I had endorsed Diane in the Black newspaper FIRST NAME on the List in a race with 9 people running for 6 spots on the November ballot, 4 of whom are African American. Such an endorsement would have negative implications for the African American candidates.

AS THE FOUNDER OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CAUCUS OF THE NC DEMOCRATIC PARTY THERE IS NO WAY IN H@!! I would undermine the candidacy of African American candidates in this manner.

Neither my husband or I recall being asked to have our name listed in such an ad. Further, as an officer of the local democratic party I would not endorse in a primary race.

DO Not presume that you can list people in an ad without their expressed consent.

THE VETERANS CORPORATION SEEKS APPLICATIONS FOR VETERAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
SUPPORT GRANT INITIATIVE

Tuesday, September 4th 2007 (Washington D.C.) - The Veterans Corporation
(TVC) is seeking applications for the first year of its Veteran
Entrepreneurship Support grant initiative.

This initiative will support educational projects and organizations that
address the entrepreneurial needs of Veterans, including Service-Disabled
Veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserve forces, who are
starting, growing or preparing a small business for deployment.

Grants will
be awarded in three program categories: 1) Education; 2) Veteran Outreach;
and 3) Service-Disabled Veteran Assistance.

Proposed projects should be proactive and collaborative endeavors that
leverage additional support and serve as catalysts for long-term changes in
the Veteran entrepreneurial community.

These grants are for non-profit organizations, agencies, or any other
organization dedicated to providing training and business development
assistance to our nation's Veterans. These are not business grants or for
individual use. Applications will only be accepted from organizations that
propose activities to directly promote and advance Veteran entrepreneurship
in the United States.

Grants will be made in six-month or twelve-month periods. Multi-year grants
will not be accepted. The maximum grant amount is $50,000. Organizations
can apply for multiple grants. Currently, the grant deadline for general
program grants is open.

Visit Link for complete grant guidelines
and application.

The National Veterans Business Development Corporation, doing business as
The Veterans Corporation, is a Federally-chartered 501(c)(3) organization
that was created by Public Law 106-50, the Veterans Entrepreneurship and
Small Business Development Act of 1999. This Act recognized that America
"has done too little to assist Veterans.in playing a greater role in the
economy of the United States." The Corporation is charged with creating and
enhancing entrepreneurial business opportunities for Veterans, including
Service-Disabled Veterans.

CONTACTS:

Patrick Bowers
(202) 449-4687
PBowers@Veteranscorp.org

Chris Baily
(917) 304-3822
cbaily@neof.com

I saw this viral video and thought Deanne would love it!

Link

As you know I have been extremely frustrated with Senator Christopher Dodd and his pandering to the financial services sector at the expense of ordinary Americans struggling to hold on to their dream. Senator Chuck Shumer has stepped up to the plate and introduced some legislative relief for those families. BUT Senator Dodd(Chair of the BANKING COMMITTEE) has backed off of introducing anti predatory lending legislation and any kind of government regulation in exchange for "voluntary action" by lenders. STOP THE MADNESS!!! Please email the following letter for the sake of our suffering families. Tommorrow begins today!!!

 Dear Sen. Dodd, A Set of Principles depends upon Principled People. We have a mortgage foreclosure crisis because unprincipled, greedy people ignore voluntary best practice documents in favor of profits at the expense of the American consumer. Only a strong national anti-predatory standard, that does not preempt state anti-predatory lending laws, will prevent a future occurrence of these predatory practices. Act now, in your position as head of the Senate Banking Committee and as a candidate for President of the United States, to stop predatory lending once and for all. We applaud and support Sen. Schumer’s proposal, the “Borrower protection Act of 2007” and hope you will take aggressive steps to expand on this effort and offer every American the protection they need from predatory lending practices. Two million American families now are facing foreclosure, the time for hearings, niceties and voluntary agreements is over - the time for action is now. Thank you

Email letter to this  Link href="http://dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/3128&cat=Opinion</a></p><p mce_keep=">

Why do we elect them to Congress? TO MAKE CHANGES that will benefit the people. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE CRIS DODD is chairman of the powerful Banking Committee and he is in a strong position to push through legislation that will curb predatory lending and help borrowers who are facing this pending foreclosure tsunami. INSTEAD he does NOTHING oh... except accept $4000 in contributions from the CHIEF LOBBYIST OF THE PREDATORY LENDERS Hmmmm...

Now that it appears that Wallstreet is recovering the need to assist consumers seems to be fading fast...We the people dont seem to count.   Read More »

I have been weighing whether or not to speak on this matter. I watched with great pride the NCAA Women's Basketball tournament. It was a phenomenal event full of inspiring stories worthy of our praise.

I was primarily interested in the advancement of my Tarheels, followed closely by the progress of the other local teams NC State and Duke.

I was envious of my cousins who had tickets to the final four in Cleveland.

As we on this site have praised Elizabeth Edwards for her courage and bright outlook in her fight against cancer. I watched a woman who I know was an inspiration to her, KAY YOW 30 year coach of the NC State womens basketball team continue her 20 year battle against cancer. Her team inspired by her courage and grace played above themselves to advance to the sweet 16.

I was shocked when Coach G and the Lady Blue Devils lost to Rutgers in the most improbable fashion. YOUR BEST PLAYER AT THE KEY MOMENT DOESNT MAKE THE SHOT. WOW!! What a game.

I was transfixed by the fact that Coach G left Duke for Texas. I was angry when I found out that she is the 5th highest paid coach on Dukes campus. Who other than Coack K deserves more money than she does? Is this sexism? I was appalled by the thought that the Lacrosse coach could make more money than Coach G. Because whatever you think about the rape allegations, the FACT IS THAT THOSE BOYS are mysogynists and have a history of denigrating women.

I watched with awe the grace and beauty of the women's game and the high quality of the action produced by the final four teams. My tarheels were spectacular, but fell to the mighty mighty Tennessee Vols under the leadership of Pat Summit, the first womens coach to be paid equal to the mens coach and the first woman offered a head coaching job with a mens team which she turned down.

I watched these amazing young women from Rutgers take on and defeat the storied ladies of LSU. C Vivian Stringer and her young women had found cinderella's slipper and were having a great time at the big dance.

David v. Goliath, that was the final game. What a game! What a great story for all women for all young girls.

Rutgers came from obscurity to play in the biggest game of their careers against the most storied team in the Women's game. They had soo much to be proud of.

When I first heard about the Don Imus statement, I didnt believe it. I went to MSNBC and tried to find the transcript and could not. I went to Keith Olbermann looking for a Worst Person in the World citation and didnt find it. And then I was emailed a copy of the tape. I heard it with my own ears and I was angry. I waited to see what would happen where were the outcries. I knew that Rev. Sharpton and Rev. Jackson would take up the story. BUT I WAS MOST PLEASED when I went to the NOW website and I saw upfront and center a call for Imus' resignation and an email letter writing campaign.

Today, I stayed home to watch the news conference and I cried and cried and I cried. The pain I felt was overwhelming, when Coach Stringer talked about her battle to be the first African American cheerleader in her school, I remembered, when she said "They have done nothing wrong" I was shot in my heart by her pain and the pain of those 10 young women.

Don Imus assaulted their dignity, their reputations and their hard work for what???? There is no excuse for the pain he inflicted upon these beautiful women. It wasnt funny and it was an insult to all women and especially to BLACK WOMEN.

I was PAINED to see all of those Fresh perms on those young beautiful heads. Not one nap to be found. Was this their choice or were they too ashamed to wear the crown that GOD gave them.

LET THERE BE NO MISTAKE THIS WAS RACIST AND SEXIST and I dont care how good a person DON IMUS thinks he is, he dug deep into a wound that I will no longer allow to fester.

John Edwards has boldly and clearly stated that he will not appear on FOX. I expect a similar statement from Democratic candidates about the Don Imus show.

I applaud Staples and Bigelow Teas for withdrawing their sponsorships and I think all good hearted people should go to their websites and send them a thank you note.

I and others have been deeply wounded by this assault. THAT IS A FACT and I will not get over it, why should Don Imus get a pass? This is not the first offense or the second. Remember the evil statements about Venus and Sabrina or his statements about Gwen Ifill? When will it end. Assaulting the dignity of young women IS NOT FUNNY!

These are some pretty awesome young women, 3.0 GPAs, accomplished musicians and scholars. They are young women of distinction and worthy of our respect.

The Democratic Party is the last bastion of hope for protecting women's rights and dignity. Let us stand with the Women of Rutgers and honor their success.

I am honored to be a board member of NAAV, I was asked to join because of my work with Housing. I am proud that I have been able to assist a number of veterans obtain and maintain their housing choices. The article below discusses the different veterans groups that are actively serving and recruiting minority veterans.

Returning From the Sand Without A Helping Hand:
Newly Formed Organizations Aim to Assist African-American and Minority Veterans

By Rodric J. Bradford

The strong African-American presence in every major war in the history of the Untied States is an unbreakable chain in the country�s history that links generations of soldiers with the common values of national loyalty, pride and courage that their wartime sacrifices will make lives better for future generations of African-Americans.
�African-Americans have served in every war and conflict in which the U.S. has been involved, our involvement pre-dates the establishment of the U.S. as a nation,� says Robert A. Cocroft, chairman emeritus, executive director and founding member of the National Association of Black Veterans. �This involvement has clearly demonstrated our patriotism and right to be full-fledged Americans.�
These characteristics are still heavily engrained for minorities fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, however as the wartime technology, logistics, uniforms and artillery all evolve, the ability for these soldiers making the ultimate sacrifice to access financial, social, psychological and career assistance resources is often like trying to find a needle in a haystack. This problem is magnified even further for returning soldiers that live in smaller and rural communities without the geographic proximity like a lot of their fellow soldiers that hail from large metropolitan areas.
�A veteran�s wartime experience collides with the civilian world upon their return home,� says Constance Burns, the Washington, D.C. Liaison for the National Association of Black Military Women (NABMW). �Often they do not make it if they do not have access to any resources.�
With that experience in mind, Burns has established the National Association of American Veterans, Inc. (NAAV), a 501(c)3 nonprofit professional organization that provides leadership empowering those they serve. NAAV is committed to assisting severely wounded and single parent service members and veterans with financial and dependency needs through advocacy and support from other veterans and concerned Americans. Burns is the President, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NAAV.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C. and made up of four geographic regions nationwide, NAAV also boasts a strong presence in rural and southern communities, with in-depth outreach to returning soldiers and veterans in Florida, Mississippi and North Carolina.
�In rural areas soldiers are often unable to get to remote urban sites,� says Retired U.S. Army Reserve Brigadier General Dr. Carrie Nero, vice president of NAAV. �We make sure our representatives make visits to assist them in any way they can.�
A veteran of the war in Iraq herself, Nero served as a Deputy Commander of Medical Affairs and took a long, unbiased look at the medical care of veterans upon her return from the war.
�We have soldiers coming back from the war that are severely injured in considerably different ways than veterans that returned home wounded in previous wars,� says Nero. �We have to go to the areas where it is most needed and put soldiers in touch with the right contacts.�
Incorporated in November 2005, NAAV recently completed its first calendar year in 2006 with great success, focusing on outreach with single parents and soldiers that are often located in remote or rural areas. To further ensure efficient outreach, NAAV has an advisory board that consists of mostly veterans who are responsible for a specific geographic location.
NAAV lives up to its motto of �Caring About Those Who Served,� by fulfilling its mission to assist all service members and veterans as well as their dependents, the severely wounded warriors and single parents. NAAV lends its expertise and valuable guidance by helping veterans access their benefits, improving communication and coordination between veterans and federal or state agencies, and collaborating among health agencies and medical professional organizations, educational organizations and the public.
�We are growing continuously and receive calls from veterans all the time,� says Burns. �It is an effort we pursue 24 hours a day, seven days a week.�
NAAV�s continuous efforts have already earned public praise from the war�s Commander-In-Chief, President George W. Bush, on two separate occasions.
A vital component of NAAV�s vision is a commitment to the emotional and professional re-acculturation of veterans back into the mainstream of American life. Pro bono legal service for service members and veterans is offered through the firm Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham with offices established across the country. By empowering service members and veterans with information on education, housing, medical care and providing job training and career coaching, NAAV maintains and enhances the quality of life for service members and veterans through its services and stewardship of resources.
�We are constantly putting resources together to provide as many services as we can,� says Burns. �The needs for our services are escalating and we are under great demand.�
Financially NAAV has paid numerous utility and other household bills for veterans and their families, but pays an equal amount of attention to the social and psychological needs of returning soldiers. Whether it be helping a soldiers� parents trying to get brain trauma and psychological assistance for their child or referring a veteran from Iraq or Afghanistan to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder counseling services, NAAV caters to the whole person that makes up the soldier, not just their wallet or their wounds. NAAV recently added a chaplain to conduct further counseling outreach.
�Many veterans receive counseling while they are in the war,� says Burns. �However, counseling for the whole family is needed when veterans return to the United States to prevent divorce or suicide.�
Family issues are a top priority of NAAV and families, especially single-parent households, should look no further than to NAAV to fulfill their specialized needs.
�We want to help the severely wounded single parent by taking an active role in helping families,� says Burns. �We have a strong commitment to help put their lives back together.�
Because of age, lack of need and relative inexperience, many minority soldiers are not familiar with the services offered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) upon their return from the ongoing Middle East conflicts. For numerous years the VA has been publicly criticized from external and internal organizations for not making their services as known as they should be, and for a general lack of resources for veterans. NAAV works with the VA to ensure its services are known to young veterans that may not have easy access to the VA�s resources. NAAV carries on a close and continuing relationship with personnel within the VA system to better meet the needs of their clients more efficiently and effectively. A vital part of NAAV�s relationship with the VA is through communication with support personnel working in the VA Medical Centers across the country, in both urban and rural areas.
�We strive to be a comprehensive program and supportive of the VA,� says Burns.
Nero shares the same dedication in keeping returning veterans in the loop about VA�s medical resources.
�Our intent is to reach out to all geographical areas and stay connected with all VA hospitals,� says Nero. �Nobody returning from the war who needs our services will be turned away. I have internal inspiration to help because traditionally we have eagerly served our country during times of war.�
And traditionally one organization that has been on the forefront for assisting African-American veterans for nearly 40 years is the National Association for Black Veterans, Inc. (NABVETS). Established by seven Vietnam combat veterans and incorporated in Milwaukee in 1969, NABVETS was initially known as the �Interested Veterans of the Central City� before the 1973 reorganization to its current name. As a membership service organization, NABVETS accomplishes its veterans services through partnerships with community-based and veterans� organizations, federal, state and local governments, human service agencies and concerned citizens to address issues concerning African-American and other minority veterans.
�A key issue African-American veterans are dealing with returning from the war is being informed about the benefits to which they are entitled, and for those with stress-related issues, finding the source of help,� says Cocroft. �We provide information on benefits available to veterans and provide claims services. We also have chapters located around the nation that provide a myriad of services to local populations.�
Since its inception NABVETS has provided direct services to 65,000 veterans and on behalf of 240,000 veterans, primarily of the Vietnam and post-Vietnam era. NABVETS partners with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in most localities, including rural areas to assist minority soldiers in acquiring their benefits.
�Benefits are not a handout, they are remuneration for a service provided that benefits all Americans,� says Cocroft. �Accepting these benefits assists the veteran to catch up economically with their non-veteran counterparts.�
With an estimated 20 to 25 percent of all fatalities in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars attributed to minority soldiers, through its years of work NABVET understands those fortunate enough to return from the war have to benefit from its advocacy for family and youth empowerment and community development for some semblance of returning to a normal life. NABVETS consistently leads several campaigns to bridge the void for mainstream services to African, all low-income and homeless veterans.
�Overall, the available resources have not improved for African-American veterans from the first to second war in Iraq,� says Cocroft. �The G.I. Bill is still under funded for those who attend school and the award of compensable disability remains a challenge for many African-American veterans.�
The Hispanic population is the fastest-growing demographic in the United States, and the same trend has been experienced in the military, with a higher percentage of Hispanics serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom than in any previous war. With this glaring need in mind, the Hispanic War Veterans of America (HWVA), a 501(c)19 nonprofit veterans organization was licensed in January 2004. HWVA�s mission is to ensure that Hispanic and other veterans and their families have full access to veteran benefits accorded by federal and state laws as well as full access to business and educational opportunities.
�There are a lot of veterans that are returning disenfranchised,� says Jess Quintero, president of HWVA. �We thought nobody would cover the issues predominant for this group coming back from the war and that is why HWVA was established. We are opening doors for people that they will never know who opened them, but that is alright because we receive the personal satisfaction of doing so.�
That personal satisfaction has come in the form of purchasing computers for relatives of deceased veterans in Texas to proactive communications with the federal government regarding resources available to veterans. HWVA�s senior advisory board includes Congressman Joe Baca of California, Tom Davis of Virginia and Silvestre Reyes of Texas. HWVA has already began a series of meetings with Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka from Hawaii, as Senator Akaka will become the Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee in 2008.
�It is performing the little things that do not need to be publicized but helps us all as veterans,� says Quintero. �We want to help with any issue that effects any minority veteran. It does not make a difference who you are there is always additional veteran resources needed.�
Regardless of age, race, color or gender, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have taken a considerable toll on the entire nation, as 2007 marks the fourth year of the war, it has hit closer to home for some than others, but the pain is still great.
�Anyone can help by contributing to any organization, or going to see the veterans in the hospital,� says Burns. �It is the beginning of the healing