FEDERAL Watch - Bernanke Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress

July 17, 2012

COMMITTEE ON BANKING, HOUSING, AND URBAN AFFAIRS
The Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress
Senator Tim Johnson (D/SD) - Chairman
Senator Richard Shelby (R/AL) - Ranking Member

The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is one of twenty Senate committees tasked with conducting Senate business related to specialized areas of legislative interest. Although the Senate has a longstanding history of writing and passing legislation focusing on our nation’s banks, the Senate Banking Committee was not formally established until 1913, with Senator Robert Owen of Oklahoma, sponsor of the landmark Federal Reserve Act, as its first Chairman; since then, the Committee has undergone various transformations and reorganizations. Now known as the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs to underscore the diversity of issues under its purview, the Committee plays an integral role in managing legislation that affects the lives of many Americans. These areas of jurisdiction include, but are not limited to: banking, insurance, financial markets, securities, housing, urban development and mass transit, international trade and finance, and economic policy (an official list of these legislative and policy issues can be found in the “Jurisdiction” section of our website). Further information about how Senate Committees generally operate can be found here.

The Committee is led by Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Ranking Member Richard C. Shelby (R-AL). The Committee is currently made up of 22 Senators; 12 Democrat, and 10 Republican

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The most effective way that the Congress could help to support the economy right now would be to work to address the nation's fiscal challenges in a way that takes into account both the need for long-run sustainability and the fragility of the recovery. Doing so earlier rather than later would help reduce uncertainty and boost household and business confidence.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke
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Testimony Ben Bernanke
Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke's comments today - July 17, 2012, to the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs committee offered NO real focus (hopeful or otherwise) on Urban Affairs as it relates to our Urban cities economy and unemployment. 

His standalone 8% unemployment rate speaks to his office's disconnect of the double to quadruple levels of higher percents of unemployment of densely populated cities of African American, other People of Color and Work Challenged (un-, under-employed; un-, under-degreed and certificated; un-, under-financed neighborhood-level business; disabled; and re-entry - especially those returning from WAR, INCARCERATION, BOOMERANG EMPLOYMENT, BOOMERANG RETIREMENT and DEGREED students without employment).   Or, his unwilliness to be INCLUSIVE of the entire American population.

In Milwaukee, some of  the Census tracts are yet incurring over 30% of unemployment.
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ByProducts
By not addressing the mandates that will build a bottom up recovery, we do continuous harm to the overall economy and continue to give an incomplete picture.

It gives legislators more room for manipulation and passing the buck - kicking the can down the road.

It gives the Dr. Charles Evans, Federal Reserve of Chicago, an opportunity to continued to mask the problem of discrimination and predatory behavior in urban environments that stifles growth, efficiences and equity. 

It also enhances Evans arrogance when he is contacted relative to Wisconsin representatives (Jeffrey Joerres - Manpower, David Lubar - Lubar and Company and Carol Maria - Wisconsin Business Growth Fund) not connected to African American and People of Color neighborhood businesses  - NO RESPONSE.

It allows Governor Scott Walker - without Skin-the-Game, to use the Fed report of 8% and misrepresent the truth of unemployment.  Such is the case of Governor Scott Walker recently on CNBC Squawk Box comparing a bogus Wisconsin labor report of 6% unemployment to the quoted national norm of 8%; when again, the largest urban city of Wsconsin - Milwaukee is an enduring concentrated poverty city with over a regular 30% unemployment rate.   It is noted, based on the poverty level, some census tracts reach as high as 50%. 

Do not miss Governor Walker's fast talking and misrepresentation of the TRUTH.

CLICK - June 11. 2012.

View FULL speech.

Listen to Chairman Bernanke testimony.

Be informed and let your representatives (federal-state-local) know what you think.

Urban Commerce Councils seeks People, History and data for Urban Health Care engine

DETROIT, MI (MPA) - On Friday, July 13, 2012, Milwaukee Professionals Association changed the name of MKE Commerce Council to Urban Commerce Councils to help promote infrastructurally the Affordable Health Care Act.

On Monday, July 16, 2012, Detroit, Michigan, the emphasis for unpacking the URBAN HEALTH CARE initiative is to focus on large urban areas where African American, People of Color and Work Challenged (un-, under-employed; un-, under-degreed and certificated; un-, under-financed neighborhood-level business; disabled; and re-entry - especially those returning from WAR, INCARCERATION, BOOMERANG EMPLOYMENT, BOOMERANG RETIREMENT and DEGREED students without employment) are densely populated.

"We know that the target populations have been by-design without health care and have created history with behaviors that are not attached to Wellness.  The focus is on just the opposite of what has not been a mainstay.  It includes:  Education-Education-Education for Phase I", said Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association.

MEET KHALIL GIBRAN MUHAMMAD - American Historian

The Condemnation of Blackness: Race, Crime, and the Making of Modern Urban America is a book by Khalil Gibran Muhammad.  CLICK for an overview by Muhammad of the book.
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Bill Moyer Interview
I like the way Khalil addresses the historic ignorance of African Americans by all; and, how the ignorance has been by-design - how it has perpetuated the privilege mentality.  How baggage is assumed and passed on due to ignorance and lack of wealth for sustainability.  His convesation of history allows us all to do so much better.

The indepth discussion opens the windows-doors that allow review and honesty of the history of the United States founding fathers.  Their lack of morals and criminal behavior.   How the history books are devoid of truth and protrays the continuation of deceit and wrongdoings.  How today's racism is so alive and well.

He talks about the dishonest wording of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence - "all men created equal".  

Thomas Jefferson was an owner of slaves, after the July 4, 1775 date - refused to free them and had children by an African American woman.  His contradictions went further to articles/papers defending the privilege of Caucasians.  This history as is so much other history then and now are NOT known and must be shared with our elementary thru college students to help set the framework for a better society - a society that is moving to a majority of People of Color.

The by-design criminalizing and perpetuating a climate of disparity for crime and unsafe environments also allowsd enslavement through lack of knowledge, ownership, wealth-building of African American and other People of Color. 
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Treat yourself to an interview of Bill Moyer of Khalil Gibran Muhammed.

DRYHOOTCH.org - Record Heat & Medications, a deadly mix

July 15, 2012

High heat records have been broken across the country nonstop all summer.

Did you know the medications you amy be taking may make the problem worse, even cause heat stroke & death?

Certain medications, including those used for PTSD, depression, anxiety, etc, are known to increase the risk for heat stroke because they inhibit the body's ability to regulate its temperature. Psychiatric medications—particularly antipsychotics, lithium and topirmate—affect the body's ability to stay cool by causing a decrease in sweating, promoting fluid loss and dehydration, or changing how people experience heat; i.e., they may not even feel heat. Heatstroke is the most severe of the heat-related illnesses, and is a medical emergency. It occurs when the body's temperature-regulating system breaks down. The victim can't sweat and is unable to cool himself. Internal body temperature can rise as high as 108 degrees, which can cause irreversible brain damage and death. High internal temperatures can injure almost every organ, including the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, and muscle. It can cause permanent disability and even death. A few facts about heat stroke:

CLICK Full Story
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Milwaukee Professionals Association supports Dryhootch.org, a neighborhood organization.

URBAN HEALTH CARE - Learn, Learn, Learn

CLICK for President Obama Tutorial

USA - July 13, 2012 is the day Milwaukee Professionals Association and Urban Health Care hit the road.

No one, no family, no neighborhood, no city, no state, no nation can be prosperous if the flock is NOT well.

We know from day-to-day reports, advertisements and monitoring our feelings that we have a "health disparity" in America.  For Urban cities that have enduring concentrated poverty, it is equivalent to 3rd World countries.

Well, on March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama, 44th President, signed into the Affordable Health Care law.  YAHOO!

He used a hefty amount of his political power to do it; but he did.
Now, the People must step up and "fine-tuned" the points that were prevented by those on the Republican side of the idle-aisle.  We must take the ball and run with it to the goal.

The unrealistic "all-or-nothing" stalemate implemented by the Republicans, left parts of the Affordable Health Care "in need" of serious tinkering.  Republicans have acted like disgruntle children on a ball field expecting privilege - calling for privilege and at the same time disrespecting the game, attendees and procedures of play.  The referee/coach/parent or head person in charge have to take charge by removing the unnecessary barriers, bullying, mean-spiritedness and interject reasoning and reasonableness for ALL.

On June 28, 2012, the United States Supreme Court, 5-4 decision, upheld the Affordable Heath Care Law.

With the GO light on, it is up to those head persons in charge, the People-in mass taxpayers, to help ensure that the game is played fair with compliance, risk management, quality control and changes where needed to improve our National Healthcare law.

What Can WE do?
For starters, we can learn as much as possible about what is on the table - what is in the law.

No. 1 - View/Listen to the tutorial by President Obama more than twice for better understanding.
No. 2 - See that adult members of your family also review the tutorial more than twice for understanding.
No. 3 - Talk it over with the family for comparison of ideas, discussing facts and understanding your health care rights.
No. 4 - Talk it over with your health care providers and compare your notes.
No. 5 -  Be sure information that is shared is accurate.
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CLICK - Get Started

URBAN HEALTH CARE - Affordable Health Care Benefits for Wisconsinites

How the Affordable Care Act is Benefitting Wisconsin

*  Cheaper Prescription Drugs for People with Medicare

$37,919,307 in total savings for 59,345 seniors, averaging $638.96 in savings per person in 2011

*  Free Preventive Services

1,111,000 people and 647,617 seniors with Medicare get preventive services for free

*  No more Lifetime Limits on Care

2,142,000 people no longer have a lifetime limit on their care

*  Health Insurance on Your Parent's Plan

27,511 more young adults under age 26 now have insurance on their parent's plan

*  Better Value for your Premium Dollar

1,536,000 people protected by the 80/20 rule that requires insurers to spend 80% of premiums on care & quality

*  Covered by Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan

1,000 people who were uninsured because of a pre-existing condition now have coverage

*  Building Affordable Insurance Exchange

$38,757,139 to help States build new marketplaces where consumers will have the same kinds of choices as members of Congress

*  Improving Public Health

$18,600,000 in grants to improve public health

*  Community Health Centers

$13,800,000 to support and expand community health centers

For more

Larson Weekly Report - July 12, 2012

Dear Friend,

A lot of changes are going on in the   state and across the country. This week's newsletter will examine the   efforts being done to improve the overall health and vitality of our   state to build a better Wisconsin.

As usual, please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns or   opinions you may have about our community or our state.

  Sincerely,
  Chris Larson
  State Senator, District 7
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Improving the Health of Our Economy

This  past Tuesday, realizing that he lost the election and given the certainty of losing a frivolous lawsuit, former Senator Wanggaard acknowledged the will of the people by finally conceding to John Lehman. With this turn of events, one more hurdle to getting Wisconsin moving forward on job creation has been removed.
  
Tuesday, July 17 the Senate will meet   to complete the transition of power. Also during this ceremonial session day, Senator Fred Risser will be made Senate President while Senator Tim Carpenter will be named Senate President Pro Tempore. In the meantime, I have been working with my democratic colleagues on restructuring the existing Senate committees. It is likely that committee assignments will be announced by Wednesday, July 18 at the latest. I look forward to holding public hearings and working with other legislators once the committees are announced to get Wisconsin moving forward on job creation and improving the health of our economy.
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Affordable Care Act Upheld by Courts

With the Supreme Court ruling to uphold the Affordable Care Act on June 28, 2012, our country is one step closer to ensuring all Americans have access to basic, affordable health care coverage. The Supreme Court's decision is expected to benefit our neighbors with low- to middle-class incomes who are not offered health care benefits through an employer, people with pre-existing medical conditions, and businesses that struggle to offer health benefits to their workers. Below is a list of just some of the changes our family, friends, and neighbors should expect to see as this legislation is implemented:

*  Eliminating lifetime caps on health insurance benefits and preventing denials of coverage for a pre-existing    condition

*  Limiting insurance companies from charging higher rates due to heath status, gender, or other factors

*  Allowing children to remain on a parent's health plan until age 26

*  Guaranteeing that health insurers clearly explain a health plan's benefit to consumers

*  Discounting branded medications for seniors who hit a donut hole in coverage for their Medicare    prescription drug benefits

*  Providing yearly wellness exams with no co-pays or deductibles for neighbors with Medicare

*  Putting greater emphasis on primary care

*  Giving states the opportunity to offer more affordable home and community based services to    individuals with disabilities through Medicaid rather than    institutional care in nursing homes

Most states are beginning to move forward with state-based reforms to better tailor the Affordable Care Act to meet their needs. Many of these changes will have to be solidified by states in November 2012. While Governor Walker has publicly stated that he does not plan to move forward in implementing the Affordable Care Act, Wisconsin's Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has verified that our state will need to follow the timeline set forth in the Affordable Care Act.

Click here for more information about the timeline for provisions in the   Affordable Care Act.

This positive and necessary step forward on health care coverage could not have come at a better time as health care costs continue to rise exponentially and families are negatively impacted by the stagnant economy. I will continue to keep you apprised of any updates on this important issue.
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Office Phone: (608) 266-7505
Toll-free Phone: (800) 361-5487
Email:   Sen.Larson@legis.wi.gov

Mailing Address:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
  
Web Site: 
SenatorChrisLarson.com

HYPOCRISY - Penn State Today - How long before UW Regents?

Today, we hear from the Board of Regents/Trustees and President of Penn State, in a "let's be honorable, trustworthy and transparency is the key mode".

This was not the regents/board and president (their) position when the NEWS first came out and even after it was out.

It appeared that "cover-up", silence and disregard of the errored leadership of those selected to monitor for the People.

The report shows incompetence, lack or Risk Management, and Compliance for starters.

The troubling details, Coach Joe Paterno - mascot/high paid deceased coach, Jerry Sandusky - the recently court-tried child molester, conflict of interest factors with others, greed and lack of Code of Conduct is layed out as a result of the investigation.

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How Long before the

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN REGENTS & UW- MILWAUKEE CHANCELLOR

are next?

When the powerful wrong are entrenched, they begin to crumble by the foolish though t that they are:  "too big to fail and too big to jail.  The arrogance and bad conduct is LOCKSTEP.

It is deadlock, until the moment of truth catches up with them all.  Then, it is the complete unraveling of the scams, the greed, the misrepresentation of the truth, stealing from the People, the cronyism, the conflict of interest, the bullying the brutality, the fraud, abuse, the disregard - the DISCRIMINATION.

 

Milwaukee Professionals Association has asked the U. S. Office of Justice for a widespread wrong behavior investigation that starts with failure to fufill Wisconsin State Statute 36 and widespread "by-design" DISCRIMINATION against African American and People of Color in the city of Milwaukee. 

An investigation that will look at massive $$millions of government funding through administration and state Bill 514 that has excluded African American recruitment of students-professors-advisors and dean.

Redlining the City of Milwaukee for real estate projects, developers and outsourcing employment-studies-projects through alumni and/or donor for hire groups by the Board of Regents,  Chancellor Michael Lovell and decison makers has a CULTURE of deceit.

And just as the Penn State scandal, everyone is "lock step" in the wrongdoing. 

THEREFORE, they should ALL be brought up on charges of "Derelection of Duty" and other violations surely to be found in a thorough investigation - cronyism in procurement, hiring practices, class placements, training practices, arbitrary and capricious committee decision making, failure to provide public information, conflict of interest and discrimination/ bias/stacked deck hiring of Chancellor Michael Lovell.

We call for scrutiny at ALL level and watch the by design disregard for customer care and moral right. 

UW System Board of Regents and Pres. Kevin P. Reilly, December 2011Seated (left to right): Michael Falbo, Judith Crain, Regent Vice President Brent Smith, Regent President Michael Spector, System President Kevin Reilly, Katherine Pointer, and Mark Tyler
Standing (left to right): Mark Bradley, Troy Sherven, Edmund Manydeeds, Gerald Whitburn, Tony Evers, Gary Roberts, Tim Higgins, Charles Pruitt and Jeffrey Bartell Not Pictured: John Drew, José Vásquez and David Walsh

=================================================

                                                                              
Just as the
Board of Trustees of Penn State turned their heads and enabled the wrongdoing, the same is true with Wisconsin's 18-member Board of Regents, Dr. Kevin Riley - University of WI System President, Chancellor Michael Lovell and Provost Johannes Britz- University of WI - Milwaukee, UW-Milwaukee cabinet, UW- Milwaukee governing staff and UW-Milwaukee Student Association leaders.

Stay tuned - investigations and large suits.

Schacknow - Today's Primer, July 9, 2012

TODAYS PRIMER                             
Peter Schacknow, Senior Producer, CNBC Breaking News Desk

Earnings season and the Fed’s next moves are in focus as Wall Street opens a new trading week. The Dow and the S&P 500 are coming off their second losing weeks in three, but the Nasdaq is currently riding a five week winning streak.


The only economic report of the day comes at 3pm ET, when the government issues May consumer credit figures. Economists look for a $7.8 billion increase, compared to April’s $6.5 billion rise. The marquee event of the week is likely to be the latest FOMC minutes, due out on Wednesday afternoon, as the Street looks for hints about any further quantitative easing moves.  Other reports out this week include the June federal budget statement on Thursday and the June Producer Price Index on Friday.


Earnings season officially gets underway after today’s closing bell, with quarterly numbers from Dow component Alcoa (AA). Among the overall trends investors will be looking for this quarter: how much blame is assigned to Europe for any shortfalls.


Among the week’s most widely watched reports will be Google (GOOG) on Thursday afternoon, and JPMorgan Chase (JPM) on Friday morning, as investors await further information on JPM’s $2 billion trading loss first announced two months ago.


FX Alliance (FX) is a stock to watch this morning, with the provider of foreign exchange trading platforms agreeing to be acquired by Thomson Reuters (TRI) for $22/share in cash. That represents a 40 percent premium over Friday’s closing price of $15.70.


Activision Blizzard (ATVI) also makes this morning’s watch list, with multiple reports saying Vivendi is interested in selling its 60 percent stake in the video game maker, a sale that reportedly could raise as much as $10 billion. Reuters reports that Time Warner (TWX) and Microsoft (MSFT) could be among possible bidders.


Facebook (FB) could see its $1 billion purchase of Instagram approved by the FTC by mid-August, according to the New York Post.


The board of Yahoo (YHOO) will meet Wednesday to discuss the status of the company’s CEO search, according to CNBC’s Kayla Tausche. Interim CEO Ross Levinsohn is still considered the leading candidate for the permanent job, but it’s unclear if the board will make a final decision at that Wednesday meeting.

Dryhootch.org seeks your INPUT - a quick survey

We need your input on what programs and events you'd like in the Milwaukee Dryhootch's.
Please take a couple minutes at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DryhootchMKEprogram

Thank you!

Visit Dryhootch.org at: http://dryhootch.org/?xg_source=msg_mes_network
================
Milwaukee Professionals Association supports Dryhootch.org, a neighborhood-level organization.

Isn't it Funny how things remain INCOMPLETE, Why?

                      President Lyndon Johnson - Civil Rights Law signing - July 2, 1964
                                           Dr. Martin Luther King Jr (standing - behind)
USA
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Pub.L. 88-352, 78 Stat. 241, enacted July 2, 1964) was a landmark piece of legislation in the United States^[1] that outlawed major forms of discrimination against African Americans and women, including racial segregation. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools, at the workplace and by facilities that served the general public ("public accommodations").
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This past Monday, July 2, 2012, marked the 48th year since the United States enacted a major piece of legislation - The Civil Rights Act of 1964.
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The bill was called for by President John F. Kennedy in his civil rights speech of June 11, 1963, in which he asked for legislation "giving all Americans the right to be served in facilities which are open to the public—hotels, restaurants, theaters, retail stores, and similar establishments," as well as "greater protection for the right to vote." Kennedy delivered this speech following a series of protests from the African-American community, the most concurrent being the Birmingham campaign which concluded in May 1963.

Emulating the Civil Rights Act of 1875, Kennedy's civil rights bill included provisions to ban discrimination in public accommodations, and to enable the U.S. Attorney General to join in lawsuits against state governments which operated segregated school systems, among other provisions. However, it did not include a number of provisions deemed essential by civil rights leaders including protection against police brutality, ending discrimination in private employment, or granting the Justice Department power to initiate desegregation or job discrimination lawsuits.

After filabusters and more delays for speeches, hearing, maneuvering and drafting, the law was passed and signed by President Lyndon Johnson, 36th President, July 2, 1964.

For more, Wikipedia CLICK.
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Today, July 6, 2012, African Americans are yet fighting police brutality, suppression of voting rights, segregation, massive discrimination and elected officials failing to enforce the laws on the books to complete the sentence - All Men are created equal.

The Good News is, we shall overcome because we, The People, every generation, will no longer tolerate racial and gender injustices.
<sup>=====================================

Milwaukee Professionals Association speak out everyday for civil rights and the removal of injustices.</sup> 

Candidate Delta Triplett - Wisconsin Senate District 6

CANDIDATE DELTA TRIPLETT - 6th District

                                                               About the Candidate
================================================================

Wisconsin 6th Senate District Candidate Delta Triplett is sensitive to the needs of his district.

One of those things is the high unemployment rate. Mario Dickens, a local minority business owner addresses his challenges as small urban businesses have a difficult time gaining creative financing to expand, and the need to get people trained, so he can hire them to expand his business. Mario also faces challenges to employ people locally from within Milwaukee’s communities; Instead, he is forced to find skilled talent from outside of the county, and as far as New York. Thus the need for Delta’s solution for these businesses to partner with Milwaukee Public Schools to train and educate a diverse, talented workforce in which companies’ like Mario’s can draw from. This will also increase the quality in education Milwaukee Public Schools delivers to our children.

View the video for specifics of what Candidate Triplett will focus on.

Take Action: Volunteer and Vote for Delta on Aug. 14th., 2012 for Jobs, Educational Excellence, and Community Growth.

Schacknow - Today's Brief - July 5, 2012

July 5, 2012
TODAYS PRIMER                            
Peter Schacknow, Senior Producer, CNBC Breaking News Desk

Wall Street resumes its holiday-shortened trading week this morning with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq coming off gains in three straight sessions and five of six. The recent rise in the major averages has the Dow, the S&P, and the Nasdaq all at their highest levels since early May.

It’s a busy day for economic numbers as investors go back to work, with no less than three reports on the state of the nation’s labor market. At 7:30am ET, we’ll see the Challenger report on planned job cuts for June, followed by the ADP report on private sector employment at 8:15am ET, and the Labor Department’s weekly look at initial jobless claims at 8:30am ET.  Economists think the ADP report will show 108,000 new private sector jobs in June, compared to 133,000 in May, while jobless claims are expected to come in at 385,000 for the week ending June 30, down from 386,000 the prior week.

At 10am ET, the Institute For Supply Management’s non-manufacturing index should come in at 53.0 for June, according to consensus forecasts. That would follow a reading of 53.7 for May.

Also out today: the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly look at mortgage applications at 7am ET, the Energy Department’s assessment of natural gas inventories at 10:30am ET, and its report on oil and gasoline inventories at 11am ET. The reports on mortgage applications and oil and gasoline inventories were postponed from their usual Wednesday release by the July 4th holiday.

Investors will be paying closer attention than usual to interest rate announcements from the Bank of England (7am ET) and the European Central Bank (7:45am ET) this morning. The BOE is expected to announce a third round of economic stimulus measures, while the ECB is widely forecast to cut its benchmark interest rate 25 basis points to 0.75 percent.

Barclays (BCS) is once again a stock to watch, as Moody’s cuts its outlook for the bank because of the disruption caused by the Libor-fixing scandal. Barclays’ standalone financial strength has been lowered to “negative” from “stable”.

Apple (AAPL) has suffered a court defeat in a case involving Taiwan’s HTC, with a London court ruling that HTC’s devices do not infringe Apple patents.

Best Buy (BBY) is said to be testing a new design strategy for smaller stores that borrow heavily from the look of Apple’s retail outlets, according to the Journal. 

Ad agency stocks like WPP Group (WPPGY), Interpublic Group (IPG), Omnicom (OMC) and Monster Worldwide (MWW) might draw some interest, after French agency Publicis Groupe announced a deal to buy rival BBH and its partly owned Brazilian affiliate for an undisclosed price.

4th of July - Independence Day, 19th of June - Independence Day, Why?

                                 July 4, 1776 and June 19, 1865

The United States of America celebrates their independence on the fourth of July each year to commemorate its separation from England.

Most people know that, but why we celebrate the Declaration of Independence and why its so important they may not know. Here is a closer look at why we celebrate the Declaration of Independence.

Imagine if you will, for a moment what it might be like to always have someone else telling you what to do, where and how to live, and especially what to wear? How would that make you feel? Somewhat childish and a bit rebellious I presume. You may even find yourself doing absurd things to make your point well known that you were not going to be ruled by someone else; after all, it is a free country.

Well, before the Declaration of Independence it wasn’t a free country, and colonists felt angry toward Great Britain for always imposing taxes on them and basically telling them how they should live. They no longer wanted to be under British rule and so began starting to make their own government and rules.

The Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and appointed a committee of five men to work on a draft of the declaration.

The committee is known today as The Committee Of Five. The committee consisted of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston.

Thomas Jefferson was delegated by the committee to singly write the Declaration although Adams and Benjamin Franklin made many revisions before it was finally submitted to Congress on June 28, 1776.

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776 and signed by the President of the Continental Congress, John Hancock.

So the main reason why we celebrate the Declaration of Independence on the fourth of July is because that was the day it was adopted by the colonies and essentially the day that the United States of America was born.

That was the day in history that the United States became a free and independent state from England.

For More
====================

                January 1, 1863 AND June 19, 1865

Now, imagine if you will, how African Americans must have felt being SLAVES - being told what, when, where and how much from July 4, 1776 - June 19, 1865.  Being treated as less than Caucasian.

Being enslaved for 87 years after the Declaration of Independence (1776 - 1863).

Being enslaved for an additional 2 1/2 years(1865) until Texas was notified that the war had ended.

For African Americans, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. 

 

Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19^th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.

Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863.

The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order.

However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.

For More

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If Americans became FREE on July 4, 1776.
Then, why on  June 19, 1865, Juneteenth Day, were African American said to be FREE?

Why on July 4, 2012, African American are yet seeking to be FREE?

Think about it - really think about it.

Larson Report - Celebrating Independence Day, July 3, 2012

                                               State Senator Chris Larson - 7th District
Dear Friend,
Remember to take time this holiday   week to honor our veterans and the troops that are actively serving. In   commemoration of Independence Day, this report will include information   about holiday events in the community, emphasize the importance of   buying local, and provide tips on flag etiquette.

As usual, please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns or   opinions you may have about our community or our state.

Sincerely,
Chris Larson
State Senator, District 7

Happy 4th of July!

The anniversary of our nation's   Independence Day is Wednesday, July 4. Join family, friends, and neighbors in celebrating the past events that secured our nation's fundamental rights and freedoms. It is also an important time to remember those in uniform who have served or are currently serving to protect our freedom and keep us safe.

If you are looking for a way to show   your patriotism for our country or state, flags are available for purchase through my senate office. A 3'x5' nylon United States flag costs $13.00, while a 3'x5' nylon Wisconsin State flag is $16.00. Only checks are accepted and should be made payable to the State of Wisconsin. Orders will be fulfilled by my office once a check and request form are received.

Cities across Wisconsin, including many of those in our community, will be hosting 4th of July events this year that will include parades, games, ceremonies, and fireworks. Continue reading to see what events will be going on in the Milwaukee area on Wednesday, July 4.

Cudahy
Neighbors will be starting the 4th of July celebration this year with a parade at Noon. The parade will again be on Lake Drive starting at   Grange and ending on Armour Avenue. There will be a variety of family-friendly events following the parade, including an ice cream and   Cracker Jack giveaway, an opening ceremony on the main stage, and performances by Cudahy High School's Poms group and Jazz Ensemble band, as well as local musicians. A fireworks display will light up the sky at 9:20 p.m. The local Lions Club will have food available throughout the event.
  
Click here for more information about the event.

Milwaukee
Join in celebrating the 4th of July holiday with Milwaukee in parks across the city. Families and friends can gather throughout the day for picnics, games, performances, and parades. At night, the sky will be filled with fireworks bursting across the city.
  
Click here for a list of participating parks and activities at each   location.
  
Oak Creek
Attend Oak Creek's annual celebration on Wednesday, July 4, which will   include a parade, ice cream social, live music, and fireworks. The   parade starts at 9 a.m. on the corner of Groveland Drive and Shepard Avenue and winds its way through the city ending at the Legion.

Click here for more information about the event, including a map of the   parade route.

South Milwaukee
July 4th festivities for the City of South Milwaukee will be located at   the Brown Pavilion (Areas 5 and 6) in Grant Park. Community members and visitors will be able to participate in races and games, and enjoy a spectacular fireworks display. Food and refreshments will be available in the Brown Pavilion.
  
Click here for more information and a listing of events for the day.

Schacknow - TODAY'S PRIMER, July 3, 2012

July 3, 2012
TODAYS PRIMER                            
Peter Schacknow, Senior Producer, CNBC Breaking News Desk

Wall Street will have an abbreviated trading session ahead of tomorrow’s July 4th holiday, with the closing bell set to ring three hours early at 1 p.m. New York time. Though Monday’s mixed session would ordinarily be nothing to write home about, the selloff that many had anticipated following Friday’s rally did not occur. The Nasdaq Composite’s two-day gain of 3.6 percent is its best such performance in seven months.

U.S. automakers will be out with June sales figures throughout the morning, with overall sales expected to be up by nearly 21 percent over a year ago. We’ll also get May factory orders from the government at 10 a.m. New York time, with economists expecting a 0.1 percent rise following an April drop of 0.6 percent.

There are no corporate earnings set for release today, and very few for the rest of this holiday-shortened trading week.

Barclays (BCS) is our lead stock to watch this morning, with CEO Bob Diamond quitting in the wake of the Libor manipulation scandal that saw the bank fined more than $450 million by U.S. and U.K. regulators. That comes a day after chairman Marcus Agius stepped down from his position.

Microsoft (MSFT) will take a $6.2 billion non-cash charge to write down goodwill in its online services division. Most of that writedown is related to its 2007 purchase of aQuantive, an online ad agency, for $6.3 billion. Such writedowns are required by accounting rules if the value of an investment or an acquisition has diminished.

Chesapeake Energy (CHK) is in the news for multiple reasons: Investor Carl Icahn told CNBC’s Fast Money that the company is a “very undervalued asset” and that he wouldn’t sell his shares now.

Separately, Reuters is reporting that Chesapeake, along with Canada’s Encana, (ECA), are the targets of a Justice Department probe involving possible bidding collusion between the two in Michigan land deals two years ago.

Forest Labs (FRX) has responded to a letter sent by Icahn to the company yesterday, which accused the board of putting chairman/CEO Howard Solomon’s interests ahead of shareholders. The drugmaker says it is “not surprised by Mr. Icahn’s theatrical display of self-serving rhetoric”.

Apple (AAPL) won another interim victory in its ongoing legal battle with Samsung, with a judge rejecting a Samsung request to lift a ban on U.S. sales of its Galaxy Tab 10.1. A patent trial involving the two is set to begin July 30.

General Motors (GM) and Facebook (FB) are said to be in talks to return GM to Facebook as a paid advertiser, according to the Wall Street Journal. That comes a few months after a GM executive said Facebook ads had little impact and that GM would stop advertising on the social networking site.

The Journal also reports that Navistar (NAV) will announce it’s backing away from pollution reduction technology that has hurt its sales and caused conflict with federal regulators.

Urban Health Care in Milwaukee for the People - Health Wellness and an Economic Engine

MILWAUKEE (MPA) - July 3, 2012, Milwaukee Professionals Association/MPA see a "new economic engine" for the city of Milwaukee that is A-perfect for to jump start sustainability.   It is putting in place an Urban Health Center defined and ran by those who live in the city of Milwaukee.  The goal is state-of-the-art quality care and wellness for Milwaukeeans, while creating an employment, entrepreneurial and economic pipeline.

Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association said, "the 5-4 decision by the Supreme court opened the door to innovative opportunities in Urban Milwaukee.  We see this as an excitement time. A time for Innovative thinking and connecting for a framework of real enduring employment and business development.   For linking and networking education, technology, research and case learning to skyrocket NEW solutions in health services and social deficits".
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URBAN HEALTH CARE IN MILWAUKEE – ALL HANDS on DECK

There is a “health crisis” in urban Milwaukee that has “health-wellness” on its ear.

Twenty-first century “In-the-neighborhood access” to primary and specialty care for Milwaukeeans is equal to a third world country.

We have the people-land-funds. 
We have people in need of employment that can be trained and are trained.
We have real estate available for use.
We have public policies in place for use.
We have government funding for the population that is geared elsewhere.

We have the educational sites that with the right emphasis, can have a growing medical talent pool.

Here is where we start.

The neighborhood level planners, entrepreneurs, MKE Commerce Council and other public square thinkers will work over the next six (6) months to put in place a NEW Urban Health idea by and for the People of Milwaukee - within traveling distance and using public transportation.

We will work with like-minds, experts in the field, government representatives and models to present an attractive and useable care-giver model for Urban Milwaukee that addresses today's needs.

ALL HANDS on Deck, WE, Not Me Initiative-Plan-Project addresses HEALTH CARE as a primary focus of change for its BOTTOM-up Recovery - economic affluence and BETTER-BEST sustainability at the neighborhood-level.

Our densely populated neighborhoods on the north and south side have chronic health challenges that can be properly managed and overcome with proper due diligence (education-communication-access-connectivity-solidarity in message-strategic planning and buy-in from the Get-go, creating networks for tracking records, access to “trained” and “sensitive” health care providers) and maximizing our resources.

People Buy-in

The total population through all methods of neighborhood-level outreach (individual, adults, youth-young adults, mothers-fathers-siblings-relatives, schools, churches, neighborhood businesses, private and public organizations with community services) must be educated and in a neighborhood network of sharing information.   No one is exempt.

So that there is transparency, best practices and accountability of all, we will also work during this time to educate the People on the benefits and concerns that will come from our National Health Care law.

 We call for every man-woman-child, no one is exempt, to support the removal of obesity, high blood pressure, heart attacks, diabetes, AIDS, cancers, childhood illnesses, low-birth weight infants, drug addiction, alcohol addiction, mental health illnesses, homicide trauma and other befalling illnesses from becoming older and through negative practices.  This is a tall order but can be done with commitment and follow-thru.

WE see EDUCATION OUTREACH to the people, of what-who-where-when as Step 1.  Therefore a 

Neighborhood-level TOOL KIT NETWORK will be our major Action Plan.

 Stay tuned.

the Gao Kao, or college entrance examination of china gets Examination

                                               Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
                           Students arrived for the first day of the college entrance test in June in Wuhan, Hubei Province

Beijing, CHINA - The test that can determine the rest of a high school student graduate's life is called the Gao Koa. It is the prerequisite for entrance to almost all higher education in China. The test is given in early June of the year.  Recently, the highly revered exam has received criticism.

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Global Competitiveness
There are fewer slots than there are available graduates. This year there were over 9 million HS graduates for 7 million higher ED slots.

There is a quota bias system that favor students who live in the larger cities vs rural areas.
The tests are given for 2-3 days.

Students take the test very seriously. In fact, in the video you will see a young man named Yang who has been studying 13 hours for 7 days a week for 365 days.

You will also see a young man named Gao who has options outside of China due to his family's wealth - they are accountants. They have allotted $40K a year for their son to study aboard.   Therefore, he will not take the Gao Koa test.

Both Yang and Gao have parents that have given much for their son to advance.
It appears that both of the families are a family that is single-male child.

Yang's parents are not able to send him abroad for study. They have already invested in an apartment cost for him in high school so he would not have to take much time in travel from studying.

Back to America
Either one of these young men would run rings around any and all of the students here in America. It speaks to the location of America's school achievement, but more to the priorities and efficiencies we have in place for the population to serve.

Because America yet has a hype from its legacy, students yet come here for higher education.
For those who can pay big bucks, they are advanced to the front of the line. It allows well-off students from China to buy a spot in America's higher education universities for the right price.

University of WI - Milwaukee

seated, L-R -- Provost Johannes Britz and Chancellor Michael Lovell

The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Chancellor Michael Lovell and Provost Johannes Britz visited China, last of 2011, and signed an agreement to create a "special" training component for some of the Chinese students that can afford to come - no doubt similar to Gao.

The problem with the revenue streaming, Chancellor and Provost went 6506 miles to Beijing, China and have refused to created a pipeline (2.1 miles) to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to ensure that Milwaukeeans, who pay taxes and entitled to a public education, state statute 36, get a competitive education.

Do they think the Chinese students are coming and not going to return home to empower their family and country values.

This is another version of those in places of TRUST, failing to provide principled-centered leadership while "walking and chewing gum". UW Regents, Chancellor Lovell and Provost Britz are moving Wisconsin, especially Milwaukeeans to the fiscal, education and technology cliff.

Yes. We know about the economy. That's the point.
Yes. We know about what Governor Scott Walker has proposed and done.
Yes. We know revenue is a concern. But, UW-Milwaukee was put in place to "grow-our-own" as a way of sustaining our state. The last time I checked, we owe a debt that is in the "trillions". Training others and failing to train your own is "derelection of duty", "abandonment" and "greed" - we see this with the banks.

View video
Full Article

Schacknow - Today's Primer, July 2, 2012

TODAYS PRIMER                            
Peter Schacknow, Senior Producer, CNBC Breaking News Desk
Investors are waiting to see if last week’s late momentum will carry over into this holiday-shortened trading week, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq both coming off their biggest daily gains of 2012.

Friday’s rally saw the Dow, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq finish with their first simultaneous June gains since 2004, and the Dow registering its best June percentage gain since 1997.

The week will begin with two economic reports, both at 10 a.m. New York time. The Institute For Supply Management’s monthly manufacturing index is seen coming in at 52.0 for June, compared to May’s 53.5 reading. And economists think construction spending was unchanged in May, compared to a 0.3 percent increase in April.

Though the second quarter is now history, earnings season doesn’t get underway in earnest until next Monday, when Alcoa releases its quarterly numbers. Today’s earnings calendar is virtually blank.

Amylin Pharmaceuticals (AMLN) is a stock to watch this morning, as Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) strikes a deal to buy Amylin for $31.00 per share or $5.3 billion in cash. In a follow-on deal, AstraZeneca (AZN) will pay Bristol-Myers $3.4 billion for the right to collaborate on developing Amylin drugs after the deal is complete.

Lincare Holdings (LNCR) is another stock involved in a takeover deal, as it’s being bought by Germany’s Linde for $4.6 billion in cash. Lincare is a specialist in home-based oxygen therapy, while Linde is a maker of industrial gases.

A smaller deal sees technology distributor Ingram Micro (IM) buying wireless device company BrightPoint (CELL) for $650 million in cash. Ingram is seeking to expand into the mobile market, which has higher profit margins than its core personal computer business.

Barclays (BCS) chairman Marcus Agius has resigned, in the wake of the Libor probe into interest-rate fixing that resulted in Barclays paying more than $450 million in fines. Chief executive Bob Diamond is also said to be under pressure to resign, but has not done so.

Apple (AAPL) is paying $60 million to China’s ProView Technology to settle a trademark dispute over the iPad name.

The Wall Street Journal says Dell (DELL) may announce a deal as soon as today to buy Quest Software (QSFT), following a back-and-forth bidding contest with private equity firm Insight Venture Partners. Dell’s most recent offer had been worth $27.50 per share, or about $2.3 billion.

GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) experimental once-daily lung drug showed positive results in a late stage clinical trial. The treatment is used for patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

Dish Network (DISH) has removed AMC from its offerings, following the expiration of the contract between the two. Dish says it dropped AMC because it was charging fees that were too high for a low-related channel. AMC countered by pointing out that its show “The Walking Dead” is the highest-rated scripted drama on cable, and that Dish has refused to discuss rates.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater International Tour 2012

Bonjour, Hola, Hej, Shalom
Ailey just opened a 4-week engagement in Paris with a stunning gala performance.  See where the Company will venture next on its 2012 International Tour.

Paris, France
June 25 - July 21, 2012Theatre Du Chatelet
View the Performance Calendar

Geneva, Switzerland
September 4-9. 2012
Théâtre du Léman
View the Performance Calendar

Barcelona, Spain
September 13-15, 2012
Grand Teatre del Liceu
View the Performance Calendar

Copenhagen, Denmark
September 18-23, 2012
The Concert Hall - Tivoli
View the Performance Calendar

Jerusalem, Israel
September 29, 2012
Jerusalem Theatre
View the Performance Calendar

Tel Aviv, Israel
October 2-6, 2012
The Israel Opera House
View the Performance Calendar

For More info