Commentary

Give grave diggers life

Saturday, 18 July 2009 00:00 Judge Greg Mathis

When family members lay a loved one to rest, they expect that the final resting place for their body will be the same as the one they envision for their soul: peaceful. So it’s no surprise that relatives of those buried in Burr Oak are outraged that the graves of their dearly departed have been desecrated all because of greed. Those who are responsible should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law; life in prison for such deplorable behavior is not too much to ask.

Three health care stories

Friday, 17 July 2009 13:10 Joseph C. Phillips

In May of 2004 the New York Times published an article entitled “Health Care Leads Other Issues in Canadian Vote.” The substance of the article was that in the elections that were upcoming, the future of the Canadian health care system was the predominate issue. On the one side were liberals seeking to reverse the trend of privatizing diagnostic services and increase federal aid to provincial governments. On the other conservatives were trying to increase private sector involvement as a way to lower costs and increase service.

Misguided stimulus spending

Friday, 17 July 2009 12:54 Judge Greg Mathis

When Congress, after much debate, approved a $787 billion stimulus package designed to created jobs and jump start the nation’s economy, it was envisioned the funds would be used to repair roads and bridges and to tackle other needed infrastructure repairs in urban areas across the country. These repair programs would create hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of badly needed jobs. It was a win-win situation: communities would be improved and Americans would be working again. Unfortunately, states are not spending the funds as intended and the economy is still stalled.

Let's stop playing the lottery with our children’s health

Friday, 17 July 2009 12:52 Marian Wright Edelman, NNPA Columnist

As Congress drafts legislation to reform America's health care system, our Senators and Representatives must consider the impact of the unjust lottery of geography on children like Carlos Sanchez (not his real name). For five years, Carlos, 15, received pediatric care at the Upper Cardozo Health Center, one of the 39 sites that are a part of Unity Health Care, Inc., in the District of Columbia. Carlos was enrolled in Medicaid, but when his family could no longer afford the cost of housing in D.C., they moved just across the state boundary line into Maryland where rents are more affordable.

Criminal justice cycle must end: Time for treatment, not more prisons

Thursday, 16 July 2009 15:51 Dr. Henrie M. Treadwell

In communities across America, citizens, public officials and civic leaders fight against the criminal justice cycle. It's the maddening sequence in which people are incarcerated for drug-related crimes, returned to their neighborhoods without counseling, treatment or healthcare, and then swiftly sent back to prison for resuming old habits.

Santa Clara County Probation Program's alternative to warehousing youths

Thursday, 16 July 2009 15:30 Marian Wright Edelman

At the Children's Defense Fund's Cradle to Prison Pipeline® Summit in Sacramento, CA, earlier this year, we heard from young people from Missouri and California who are trying to get out of the pipeline with the help of caring adults. Here's the story of one of them: At 13, Diego Ramirez's violent, alcoholic father kicked him out of the house and onto the streets of one of San Jose, CA’s most dangerous neighborhoods.

President Obama in Africa: Taking responsibility begins at home

Thursday, 16 July 2009 15:24 Nicole C. Lee, NNPA Columnist

While discussing Africa ahead of his trip to Ghana, President Obama stated he is not a big believer in excuses. I understand the President’s frustration.