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Tuesday, June 19, 2012

JUNETEENTH - Celebrating while Remembering, June 19, 2012

June 19, 2012

 USA-WORLD - June 19, 2012 is the 146 year of celebration of Juneteenth Day.

Here's to the celebrants across the globe that remember and share with others a time in African American History that benchmark slavery in the United States of America.  May we know that the transition is yet in progress.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th 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.  Much More . . .
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The Spirit of Juneteenth
"But, if this part of our history could be told in such a way that those chains of the past, those shackles that physically bound us together against our wills could, in the telling, become spiritual links that willingly bind us together now and into the future - then that painful Middle Passage could become, ironically, a positive connecting line to all of us whether living inside or outside the continent of Africa..."     
Tom Reed
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Visit

Schacknow - TODAY'S PRIMER, June 19, 2012

                            
Peter Schacknow, Senior Producer, CNBC Breaking News Desk

Despite a mixed day yesterday and muted reaction to the Greek elections, the major U.S. averages could be headed for a rarity: their first across-the-board June gains since 2004. The soon-to-end quarter is not quite so bullish: the Dow, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq have quarterly losses ranging from about 3.5 percent to 6.4 percent.

The Federal Reserve’s policy setting Open Market Committee begins a two-day meeting today, culminating in its latest policy statement and a news conference by Fed chairman Ben Bernanke tomorrow.  More economists are expecting some sort of easing move, based on recent weakness in economic data.

While investors await the Fed statement tomorrow, they’ll get a few key pieces of data today starting with May housing starts at 8:30am ET. Economists look for a 0.4 percent increase to an annual rate of 720,000 units, following a 2.6 percent rise in April. At 10am ET, the Labor Department will be out with its April JOLTS survey, a measure of job openings.

FedEx (FDX) is among the companies set to release quarterly earnings this morning, along with Discover Financial (DFS), Barnes & Noble (BKS), and Jefferies Group (JEF), while Adobe Systems (ADBE), Jabil Circuit (JBL), and La-Z-Boy (LZB) are out with earnings reports after today’s closing bell.

Oracle (ORCL) is a surprise stock to watch this morning, following an earnings report that was not scheduled to be released until Thursday afternoon. Oracle earned $0.82 per share for its fourth quarter, four cents above estimates, and authorized an additional $10 billion for stock buybacks. The early release was seen by many as a way of alleviating concern over the news that Oracle executive vice president Keith Block has left the company.

Chesapeake Energy (CHK) has named Vincent Intrieri to its board, according to CNBC’s Kate Kelly. Intrieri is senior managing director for activist investor Carl Icahn. Kate also reports that a new Chesapeake chairman and additional directors will be named by Friday.

J.C. Penney (JCP) President Michael Francis has left the company, with CEO Ron Johnson assuming responsibility for marketing and merchandising. A brief statement gave no reason for the departure of Francis after just over eight months on the job.

OfficeMax (OMX) is in the news this morning, after investment firm Neuberger Berman called on the company to pay a dividend or repurchase shares. Neuberger also disclosed in an SEC filing that it’s raised its stake in the office supplies retailer to 5 percent from an earlier 4 percent.

Microsoft (MSFT) has launched its first tablet computer, called the “Surface”, designed to compete with Apple’s (AAPL) iPad and spur sales of its upcoming Windows 8 operating system.

Bank of New York Mellon (BK) has settled a dispute with Prudential Financial (PRU) over foreign exchange transaction pricing. This case is one of several in which BNY Mellon was accused of improperly charging customers in currency transactions. A court filing says BNY Mellon has agreed to repay more than half the revenue earned from Prudential’s trades.

Lockheed Martin (LMT) and the union representing 3,600 striking workers will meet with federal mediators later this week in an attempt to settle a more than eight week old strike. Mediation sessions will begin tomorrow, as the union remains on strike in a dispute centering on pension benefits.

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) will be in the news again today, as CEO Jamie Dimon heads back to Capitol Hill for another round of Congressional Testimony, this time before the House Financial Services Committee. His testimony will be identical to that given to a Senate Panel last week.

Monday, June 18, 2012

REMEMBERING Mr. Rodney Glen King

RAILTO, CA - Rodney Glen King (April 2, 1965 – June 17, 2012), 47 year-old father of 3, was found on Father's Day at the bottom of his oval swimming pool.

Mr. King is well-known for his unbelievable and "horrific" 15 minute beating by Los Angeles police, afterwhich the historic riot of April 29, 1992 erupted in LA.

He is believed to have drowned.
He was recently in the midst of promoting his NEW book, "The Riot Within"

Video by ABC

Milwaukee County Chairwoman DIMITRIJEVIC joins Milwaukeeans in Juneteenth Day Celebration

Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic will participate in Milwaukee’s Juneteenth Day parade on Tuesday, June 19.

Chairwoman Dimitrijevic and a number of her colleagues will march alongside a new clean diesel Milwaukee CountyTransit System (MCTS) bus.  MCTS will also hand out children’s activitybooks and crayons throughout the parade route.

“Many of my colleagues and I are excited to honor African-American heritage in Milwaukee,” Chairwoman Dimitrijevic said.  “The Juneteenth Day parade is a great opportunity to meet with residents and honor the progress we have made on civil rights. 

MilwaukeeCounty is the most diverse county in Wisconsin, and that diversity is our strength.”

Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic
Juneteenth Day Parade
Tuesday, June 19, 2012, 10:00 a.m.
Intersection of N. 19th Street andW. Atkinson Avenue

Juneteenth Day was first celebrated in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, and marks the ending of slavery in the United States.  In 2009, then-Governor Jim Doyle signed a bill recognizing Juneteenth as a legal holiday in the state of Wisconsin.
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Harold Mester
Public Information Manager
Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors
harold.mester@milwcnty.com
414-278-405
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                                          Ms. Juneteenth Pageant - Milwaukee.com

Juneteenth Celebration Schedule

Global NEWS - Mexico, Greece and Egypt

L-R: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Russia - President Barack Obama, USA

G-20 Summit
SAN JOSE DEL CABO, Mexico (AP) - President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin need one another, an uncomfortable truth for the superpower leader facing a tough re-election and the newly elected Russian leader who is deeply suspicious of the United States.

The two men will use their meeting Monday, the first since Putin returned to Russia's top job, to claim leverage. Much of the rest of the Group of 20 economic meeting will be devoted to the European fiscal crisis and the fate of Greece as a part of the euro zone.
"I expect that it will be a candid discussion, it will get down to business," White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said ahead of the lengthy morning meeting between Obama and Putin.
"We'll be able to sustain cooperation in some areas, we'll have differences in other areas, and we'll work to try to bridge those differences."  MORE
==================================
ATHENS, GREECE - New Democracy leader Antonis Samaris called the result a victory for all of Europe.

"Today the Greek people expressed their will to stay anchored with the euro, remain an integral part of the euro zone, honor the country's commitments and force their growth," he said.  MORE
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EGYPT - Mohammed Mursi, 61, Freedom and Justice Party (founded by the Muslin Brotherhood) wave recognizing victory won in Sunday's election as the next leader of Egypt.
The Muslim Brotherhood's party declared on Monday that its candidate Mohamed Morsy had won Egypt's first free presidential election, beating Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister Ahmed Shafik and ending a tradition of rule by presidents plucked from the military.   MORE

Sunday, June 17, 2012

The Audacity of many Caucasians - DISRESPECT of our President of the United States, President Barack Obama

A lie cannot live.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
 =============================================

The Audacity of many Caucasians - DISRESPECT of our 44th President of the United States,
                          President Barack Hussein Obama
==============================================


USA (MPA) - The terrean is being littered with disrespectful Americans - individuals showing how they can exercise a lack of decorum and Code of Conduct in a nation that quickly tries to set itself apart as the "best" this and that. 

The widespread INDIGNATION of the citizenry must speak out and up when disrespectful acts and  incendiary comments are made to just disrespect and berate President Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America.

Certainly, we expect due process, discourse and questions answered.
That is not what is/have been taking place when it comes to President Obama.  It has been a bombardment of RACIST attacks.  Yes, Racist attacks with hidden agendas.  Yes, Racist attacks because of historic wrongdoings that are often based in deep and false beliefs.

We must call for decorum and respect because it will serve us in a time of need.
We must call for decorum and respect because without it, there is a huge injustice and lack of democracy for all.

Some clearly needed areas for support are:
  •  the Office of President
  •  our form of government - Constitution
  •  our diversity of People
  •  our image around the world as a fair and just nation
  •  our leadership ability
  •  our TRUST
The giant cloud of RACISM has a long history and will need like-minds to dispose of it.  We can not allow racial epithets, Period.

The widespread ignominy falls on All, even though a few causes it.

Our 1st African American president, President Barack Hussein Obama  has stood BOLDLY the last 3 plus years, standing tall during the blame game, outright lies, day-to-day false trues and spins to favor the agenda of a few/but too many, blockbuster campaigns of deception, elected officials and pundits going over the wall to break the spirit of the truth, greed by the banks but forced to help for the sake of our country, for saving one of our country's icons - automative industry, FOR PASSING THE HEALTH CARE BILL FOR ALL AMERICANS, for seeking to IMPROVE the HEALTH CARE BILL FOR ALL AMERICANS, for outreach of hand to his domestic and foreign policies, for hitting-the-floor running before and after taking the oath of office, for inheriting a "sloppy mess" going over the fiscal cliff and trying with growing odds to hold onto his commitment to the people he gave his word to, for calling on those elected in the U.S. Congess to do their fair share for the people, and for returning, returning and re-returning for bi-partisan support.  For being a gentleman and not stooping low to the gutter level of many of his critics.

We owe this President, RESPECT. 
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Since the coarse behavior is coming from a high number of communication outlets, their representatives, ELECTED and/or appointed individuals who represents the People, it speaks volume about the caliber of people we have in office as well as how the 1st Amendment is getting a "dirty name" from those who choose to step all over it. 
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Heads-up
Email I - For those Americans that did not get the email, the country is about ALL of the 313,741,000 million Americans (June 16, 2012) - not just what the disrepectful Caucasian brothers and sisters may feel.

In fact, it is getting to be less-and-less about the Caucasian and more about the "haves" - wealth standard - millions and billions.

Email II - There are 7 Billion people in the world - most are People of Color. Most with wealth and/or resources America and Americans want-need. The top seven countries in population growth are:
  1. China (1,351,430,000 - June 16, 2012)
  2. India (1,203,710,00 - March, 2011)
  3. United States (313,741,000 - June 16, 2012)
  4. Indonesia (238,400,000 - March, 2010),
  5. Brazil (196,555,000 - June 16, 2012)
  6. Pakistan (179,845,000 - June 16, 2012)
  7. Nigeria (170,123,740 - July, 2012)
The 21st Century Email says simply: 
The golden shoes of privilege as it has been and for only Caucasians are in transition for "phasing out".
=================

Photo
Center:  Neil Munro - White House Rose Garden

Examples of Disrespect
June 15, 2012
Neil Munro of the Daily Caller is a prime example of the crude and rude behavior we see our president and the people enduring due to "inappropriate behavior".  Inappropriate behavior that comes with justification - just as Munro and his Editor did.

When you listen to Munro, he states that he knew the protocol format for such events, Rose Garden, at the White House and he chose to disrespect the host of the event, the purpose of the event - as a guest.  He further gives in his disobeyance tactic, he uses the term "American Workers".  It was American-born workers/citizen through birth, that President Obama was talking about.  Given Munro's behavior, I took his comparison of the shooting/murder of Trayvon as a dig.

Munro said  the President did not answer his question, he did answer his question.  Munro just did not like his answer.  I like the way the President used it as a "teachable moment" - to state the rule of questions while he was giving his statement.

The president, clearly irritated by the disruption, stopped reading from his statement and said, "It's not time for questions, sir." Munro later interrupted him again, causing President Obama to say: "I didn't ask for an argument. I'm answering your question."
Stop it. Stop the "Homer Simpson" and "Beavis and Butt-head" behavior. 
Stop the craziness.  Tell the truth - give the facts.  Stop the Racism.
Stop trying to use the 1st Amendment for what it is NOT - NOT intended. 

It hurts the many who are serious in their agenda of reporting the NEWS and issues because of the reckless and inappropriate few seeking a BIG STORY and/or 15 minutes of fame at somebody's expense.  It is nothing smart that they do.

In a statement on the Daily Caller site, Editor-In-Chief Tucker Carlson defended Munro, saying, "A reporter's job is to ask questions and get answers.

"Our job is to find out what the federal government is up to. Politicians often don't want to tell us. A good reporter gets the story. We're proud of Neil Munro."

We expect serious journalists, reporters and news outlets to"BLAST" this reporter and the Editor for their lack of appropriateness and unnecessary distraction for selfish gains.

We also think the White House should give Munro and the Daily Caller a huge TIME-OUT from the White House press endeavors given Munro's behavior and the Daily Caller condoning of such behavior,
CLICK for President Obama - Rose Garden
CLICK for Neil Munro - after.
=====================

September 9, 2009
Rep. Addison Graves "Joe Wilson" - South Carolina
 U.S. Congressman from South Carolina, Addison Graves Wilson, Sr., commonly known as "Joe Wilson", deliberate heckle "you lie" is another example of over the top intentional wrong behavior and disrespect of the President.  This abuse was during President Obama's speech to Congress about the National Health Care for the people of America.

This time it was a Republican, southern U.S. Congressman, lawyer, and Aide to Senator Strom Thurman.  He has also spent time in the U.S. Army Reserve, reaching the rank of Colonel where protocol is a must and the commandering chief is the President of the United States.

It is definitely safe to say that Rep. Wilson knew the protocol of the chamber.
It is definitely safe to say that Rep. Wilson had his agenda in mind rather than the people's needed healthcare for the American public.

This was the People's time - a time to hear about the state of our country from our President.
Therefore, Rep. Wilson's narrow partisan politics disrespected approximately 313,740,00 people in the United States.

This is a U. S. Congressman imposing on the People's time to engage his juvenile tantrum - hollowing at the president, "You lie".   What can we tell the children?

Protocol dictates, there is a time and place for everything; and, things should be articulated in certain forums a certain way.  Congressman Wilson having been trained in law school and the U.S. Reserve on procedures of how to conduct argument and appropriateness - he has been alive for the soft spot on his head to have "covered" over.  I would say he definitedly tried to embarrass and throw off President Obama. 

At no time is this type of behavior appropriate and acceptable - whether you been trained in a law school or not.  He embarrassed the people of his district, his fellow colleagues, his family and himself.

He is/was an embarrassment for our country.  His penalty should of been very severe with some time of permanent reminder on his record - more than a "rebuke by the House of Representatives".

It just did not set well with me.
It said that Congressman Wilson, on the one hand kept up the histoic southern disrespect and disregard for African Americans; and, on the other hand, he chose not to remember the southern culture that calls for being a "gentleman" and being RESPECTFUL.
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Then there are the Arizona Twins - Governor Jan Brewer and Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona.

Governor Brewer missed the emails on common sense, etiquette, protocol and karma of inappropriateness - what goes aournd will come around.  She was the raving Caucasian woman with her finger in President Obama's face. 
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer points at President Barack Obama after he arrived at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012.  Not good.  Out-of-order.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is up for reelection and seeking his sixth term, stated “We enforce the human-smuggling laws here." Arpaio also said. "Every chance I can get to take action on my own without turning them over to ICE, I do. Especially with the new policy the president has."

Sheriff Arpaio missed the emails that "the sheriff will go to jail for wrongdoing and wear "pink" garb, just like others". 

These two elected official have been allow to run "buck wild" without the public's crack down/scrutiny.
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                                        L- R:  Russ Limbaugh and Donald Trump

The same is true for the repeated bullying, juvenile and bufoonery behavior of Donald Trump and Russ Lumbaugh. They want/expect to be taken seriously as a business leader, a talk show host and great American - respected in their fields of endeavor; however, the volume of their casino royale bufoonery is just over-the-top and MUST be blasted every time they raise the ugly and hateful rhetoric.   Enough said.

                                                                     Sarah Palin
For the last group of Americans, former Governor Sarah Palin, the Birthers and the Tea Party.

Some of the ex-governor's statements defy logic and you wonder HOW/why she was elected to run the state of Alaska as its governor.  Ex-Governor Palin makes inflammatory and false statements timed in sound bytes about President Obama to incite the anger, extreme foolishness and fear of those she claim she hold dear.  Also, she exploits the same people for her personal gains.  She has been rightfully demonize for her mean-spiritedness, lack of ethics and promoting danger.  She will/can cause a lot of pain and incite riots.
The Birthers and Tea Party folk make "vulgar" remarks that say they got the emails, did not like them, GRAB the confederate flag, have swalled a gulp of FEAR that is strangling their way of thinking. 

They are charging-into-battle, FEAR mongering, stock piling varied resources, name calling of the president, blocking NEEDED legislation (laws that will save them from what the "haves" are waiting to place on ALL Americans not millionaires), bashing the Latino immigrants (many of whom they have exercised predatory acts and denied legal wages), bashing Latinos that were born here and are American citizens, exercising racist behavior as often as they can get away with it; and  trying to hold on to a "privilege life" that has seen its day
=======================

Hint:   The 7 billion population.
Hint:   The wealth and resources belong to People of Color in other countries.
Hint:    America's debt to People of Color.
Hint:   The largest oil providers of the world heirs are less than 25 years old.
Hint:    Arabspring
Hint:    BRIC - Brazil, Russia, India and China
Hint:   Africa
America is not liked as we ONCE were.
GET WITH IT.

Caucasians with their heads on sensibly can remain silent and allow the UNWISE of their population take them over the cliff with the extremist views.  Or, they can read the writing on the wall, "if the enemy is not inside, the world can do you little to NO harm".  Think about it.

President Obama did not DESTROY "collective bargaining" in Wisconsin, Governor Scott Walker did.  He is American, Caucasian and Republican.

He did it with the support of misguided folk, guided folk on-the-take and the "haves" folk.
GET WITH IT.
===============
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June 18, 2012 - Correction for this article
We stand by the article:  The Audacity of many Caucasians - DISRESPECT  of our President of the United States, President Barack Obama with the exception of the following sentence:

 It was American-born workers/citizen through birth, that President Obama was talking about. 

The above comment is incorrect regarding the 800,000 Dream Act immigrants President Obama referenced in the Rose Garden on June 15, 2012..  The pre-requisites for those identified for the exemption for President Obama's annoncement are:
  • Ages 16-30 years
  • been in the USA for five years and committed no crime
  • must be in school - HS graduate - served in the military
  • will be allowed to apply for a work permit
  • must re-certify every 2 years
They were brought to America through no fault of their own.
The recipients do not have to be born in America.  They are not citizens.
=========================

Now, let's be clear -- this is not amnesty, this is not immunity. This is not a path to citizenship. It's not a permanent fix. This is a temporary stopgap measure that lets us focus our resources wisely while giving a degree of relief and hope to talented, driven, patriotic young people 

President Barack Obama
=========================

We hope this provides clarity to the error and we add a link to the White House page for the speech.  CLICK

Global NEWS - China, Greece and Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia
The World - Sunday, June 17, 2012

MECCA - King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud arrived at the airport for the burial of his brother - deputy premier and Interior Minister Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz,  Prince Naref - successor to king - who died on Saturday, June 16, 2012
L-R:  King Abdullah and Prince Naref

The burial is held in Mecca (also spelled Makkah) an Islamic Holy city andlocated in the Hejez Province.  Prince Narif died while receiving medical attention in Geneva.  He is the second high official in the inner circle to die in the last year.

The  news of the Saudi prince death has been met with praise of his noble efforts toward terrorism, security of his country and peace.

U. S. President Barack Obama sent condolences on Saturday along with many high officials around the world.

"It was with great regret that I learned of the passing of Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud," the president said in a written statement.  For More
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                                                     GREECE - June 17, 2012
Greeks are voting in crucial elections which could determine the country's future in the eurozone.
                   L-R:  Antonis Samaras - New Democracy and Alexis Tsipras - Syriza

"Today the Greek people speak. Tomorrow a new era for Greece begins," New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras said after casting his ballot.
"We have conquered fear. Today we open a road to hope," Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras said.
The election marked the start of a new era for Greece as "an equal member of a Europe that is changing", he added.
===============

Today's election follows a previous inconclusive election held six weeks earlier.  The issue is remaining or not remaining with the Euro.

                                                       1 euro = 1.2637 US dollars

The Euro is the official currency of the eurozone, which consists of 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union.  For more
 ====================

China
33-year-old female fighter pilot Liu Yang.
Major in the People's Liberation Army

JIUQUAN, China - Saturday, June 16, 2012 Launching - China's 1st female astronaut

Dot at 6.37pm on Saturday, 'divine craft' or Shenzhou 9 lifted off for its space tryst with three astronauts including 33-year-old Liu Yang, a fighter pilot and a mother of one, on board.
Commander-in-chief of China's manned space programme Chang Wanquan announced the spacecraft had accurately entered its orbit, calling the spaceship launch a success.  For more

Saturday, June 16, 2012

HEALTH & WELLNESS - Wishing Robin Roberts a speedy Recovery


GMA - Good Morning America Host Robin Roberts has shared the news of her latest health diagnosis - MDS/Myelodysplastic Syndrome, known as pre-leukemia. It is a rare blood and bone marrow disease.

The disease is curable and Robin will receive a blood marrow transplant from her older sister later this year.

Health Note
Known information indicate that the disease is more often seen in individuals over 60 years young.   MDS is a pre-cancerous disorder half way between benign and malignant, said Dr. Martin Tallman, chief of the leukemia service at New York’s Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. It occurs when the bone marrow produces blood cells that break apart and disintegrate when they enter the blood stream.

“When the marrow produces blood cells, they’re cracked, they’re fragile and faulty and they disappear, he said. Those disappearing blood cells leave patients with a low blood count, Tallman told msnbc.com, which can leave patients feeling fatigued from anemia, susceptible to infections like pneumonia and suffering from internal bleeding. The condition is curable, though it can also lead to fatal complications, primarily through infection, and some MDS patients develop leukemia.
Learn more
========

Speedy and complete recovery to Robin.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Global Economy - Greek Candidate Alex Tsipras - President Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Sigh

Alex Tsipras - President of Synaspismos Party

GREECE ELECTION - June 15, 2012, all eyes are on Greece and this weekend's election.  On Sunday the election will take place with serious concerns about the radical challenger, 37-year-old Alex Tsipras of the Syriza Party.  Tsipras represents the Synaspismós Party, abbreviated name is SYN. 

SYN is the largest party of a left-wing political coalition formed in 2004 and named SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left).  CLICK

Tsipras challenges the terms of the bailout deal drawn up by Brussels and the International Monetary Fund. It has made him the anti-austerity candidate.  He has threatened to tear up the agreement which would mean Greeks none use of the Euro.

He accused the two main Greek parties of looting the country and handing over the national flag to the German chancellor.

His core message is: "Greece has been a European and international experiment, and the Greek people have been the guinea pigs. In the past two years we have suffered a social catastrophe."

More
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                                 President Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

WASHINGTON, DC - President Obama is looking ahead to a fruitful outcome at the G20 summit that will be held in Los Cabos, Mexico June 18-19, 2012, just following Greece weekend election.

President Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India have agreed to work together in providing strength during the Eurozone challenges.

Full story

Schacknow - Friday Currency Trading Brief, June 15, 2012

June 15, 2012
TODAY'S PRIMER                            
Peter Schacknow, Senior Producer, CNBC Breaking News Desk
Wall Street has a chance to accomplish a relative rarity today: of the past six times that the S&P 500 has started the week with a loss of 1 percent or more, it’s only finished the week higher once.

Ahead of Friday’s opening bell, the S&P 500 is up 0.26 percent for the week, as investors brace for the potential impact of this weekend’s Greek elections. Reflecting the market’s uncertainty, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq have alternated between gains and losses for the past seven sessions.

Today marks "quadruple witching day" on Wall Street, featuring the simultaneous expiration of various futures and options contracts. It occurs on the third Friday of the third month of each quarter
Economic reports out this morning include the Federal Reserve’s May report on industrial production and factory capacity utilization at 9:15am ET. Economists predict a 0.1 percent rise in industrial production following April’s 1.1 percent increase, while they expect capacity utilization to remain unchanged at 79.2 perdent.

At 9:55am ET, the University of Michigan’s preliminary June consumer sentiment index is expected to come in at 77.0, down from the final May reading of 79.3.

Today’s earnings calendar is completely blank, leaving investors to look ahead to key reports next week from companies like FedEx (FDX), Oracle (ORCL), Discover Financial (DFS) and Adobe Systems (ADBE).

Human Genome Sciences (HGSI) is a stock to watch today, as it sets a July 16 deadline for takeover bids. It’s also urging hostile bidder GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) – which has a $2.6 billion offer on the table – to join a friendly bidding process.  Human Genome has already rejected the $13/share offer as inadequate.

Videogame makers like Electronic Arts (EA) and Activision Blizzard (ATVI) also make our watch list today, following NPD Group’s report showing video hardware and software sales down 28 percent in May compared to the same month a year ago. NPD cites a shortage of new software titles as a primary reason for the drop.

The battle between Wynn Resorts (WYNN) and Japanese tycoon Kazuo Okada is escalating, as Okada files a preliminary injunction to protect his stake in the casino operator. Earlier this year, Wynn forcibly bought back the stake at a steep discount, after claiming Okada had engaged in improper activities.

Business software producer Yammer has agreed to sell itself to Microsoft (MSFT) for more than $1 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal, which says it’s not yet clear when the deal will be finalized. It was reported earlier in the week that Microsoft and Yammer were in discussions about a deal.

Facebook (FB) is reportedly set to file a motion to consolidate shareholder lawsuits against it over its troubled initial public offering, according to the New York Times. The paper says Facebook is expected to place at least some of the blame against Nasdaq

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Milwaukee Police Department and the Journal Sentinel are at-odds regarding crime report request - What do you think?

         June 13, 2012, Press Conference - Milwaukee Chief of Police Edward Flynn

MILWAUKEE(MPA) - June 14, 2012, The Journal Sentinel and Milwaukee Chief of Police Edward Flynn are at-odds regarding recent assault crime reports that may have been misreported as minor crimes.  The request was May 22, 2012 from Ben Poston, Reporter, Journal Sentinel for 828 incident reports. 

The chief and Police Sergeant Michael Jones provided a letter response to Poston, dated June 11, 2012.  The letter spoke of the open reports law and cited state statute 19.36 and case law examples as a reason for denial of a report.  The MPD/Milwaukee Police Department called the request "overly broad and burdensome".

Chief Flynn asked that the request be narrowed.
If it was not narrowed, a "prepayment" cost assessment would be:  Approximately $10,046.40
  • Rate of assessment:  $44.85 per hour
  • Time of ssessment:   224 hours of staff time (about 10 days)
  •  Cost per page:  $.25
CLICK for Letter from Chief Flynn and Sergeant Jones.

On June 13, 2012, a press conference was held.
CLICK for press conference article, click on FULL video.
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Milwaukee Professional Association is particularly interested in "clarity" of the reports, especially since Milwaukee Police Department has a well-documented history in adverse and questionable acts towards African American and other People of Color.  Too often they are the citizens/ Milwaukeeans  that repeatedly are recipients of "bad judgments" and "mishandling" of this-n-that dealing with law enforcement.  Openness of the records, timeliness, reasonable cost of the records and ongoing evaluation for improved law enforcement services that is fair, is WinWin for all.

Because, if we are to foster TRUST in our public safety arm to our city, it is an All Hands on Deck moment - We must ALL see reasonableness, fairness, transparency, best practices, ongoing training were necessary and accountability.

In solution building, it is our desire that the outcome will promote better tools for quality control assessment, built-in training that is not reactionary, better communication and updated state laws that help rather than restrict.  Our stakeholders/people's lives, livelihood and quality of life is at stake.
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Milwaukee Common Council Discusses Crime Numbers Audit
View the youtube video of their discussion.

What do you think?
mpapublicpolicyreview@gmail.com

Larson SPECIAL Report - Conversation in the Community



State Senator Chris Larson - 7th District
Conversation in the Community

NEXT MEETINGS
Hearing your thoughts and concerns is   important to me. Over the past year I held town hall meetings, listening   sessions, coffee and conversations, business tours, and in-district   meetings. I advertise these by posting on my Web site and Facebook, via   neighborhood groups, media alerts, and through direct emails.
Below are a few of the upcoming events   that I invite you to attend this summer if you are interested in talking   to me about issues facing our community or state, or if you want to   listen to the concerns and thoughts of your neighbors.
Please do not hesitate to contact my office for additional information.


BIKE  TOUR & LISTENING SESSION
Saturday, June 16 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  This 1-hour bike tour of our community will start at 1 p.m. at the Urban   Ecology Center in Milwaukee and will conclude at Alterra at the Lake in   Milwaukee. A listening session will be held following the bike ride   starting at around 2 p.m. Feel free to attend just the ride, just the   listening session, or both.
 
Urban Ecology Center (MAP)
1500 E. Park Place
Milwaukee, WI 53211

Alterra at the Lake (MAP)
1701 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202

  Click here to view a map of the bike tour route.


MOBILE LISTENING SESSION
Monday, June 18 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  Join me for a mobile listening session on the GreenLine. We will ride   the Bayshore-Airport route, boarding at the Oklahoma & Howell stop at   6:59 a.m. Feel free to hop on or off at any point during the listening   session.

Click here to view a map of the route.

OAK CREEK TOWN HALL MEETING
Monday, June 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  Stop by the Oak Creek Public Library to meet with me and neighbors as we discuss the future of our community.

Oak Creek Public Library (MAP)
  8620 S. Howell Avenue
Oak Creek, WI 53154

EAST SIDE TOWN HALL MEETING
Thursday, June 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  A community meeting will be held on Milwaukee's East Side. This is an opportunity to discuss any concerns you might have about our community with me and your fellow neighbors.

Urban Ecology Center (MAP)
  1500 E. Park Place
Milwaukee, WI 53211
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Office Phone: (608) 266-7505
Toll-free Phone: (800) 361-5487

Mailing Address:
State Capitol
  P.O. Box 7882
  Madison, WI 53707
  
Web Site:
  SenatorChrisLarson.com
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Milwaukee Professionals Association sends a YAHOO to State Senator Larson for the conversations at the neighborhood-level, especially the MOBILE chat.

Schacknow - TODAY'S PRIMER , June 14, 2012

                           
Peter Schacknow, Senior Producer, CNBC Breaking News Desk

Wall Street has put in a back-and-forth week so far, reflecting investor uncertainty over Europe. That uncertainty could well continue today, especially with the Greek elections looming this weekend. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 have alternated between gains and losses for the past six sessions, with stock index futures currently not indicating strong sentiment in either direction.

Investors will be hit with a triple dose of economic data at 8:30am ET, with the latest initial claims, current account deficit, and Consumer Price Index all out at once.

Economists are looking for first time jobless claims of 375,000 for the week ending June 9, compared to 377,000 the prior week.

May CPI is seen falling 0.3 percent compared to an unchanged reading in April, with the core rate expected to match the prior month’s rise of 0.2 percent.

And the first quarter current account deficit is expected to come in at $134 billion, compared to $124.1 billion in the prior quarter.

The Energy Department is out with its weekly look at natural gas inventories at 10:30am ET, while the Treasury will be selling $13 billion in 30-year bonds. The results of that auction will be available shortly after 1pm ET.

A light earnings calendar does have some notable names this morning, with supermarket giant Kroger (KR), retailer Pier 1 Imports (PIR), food producer Smithfield Foods (SFD), and recreational vehicle maker Winnebago (WGO) scheduled to report before the opening bell.

Nokia (NOK) leads our list of stocks to watch this morning, as the handset maker warns that its second quarter loss will be wider than expected, as well as announcing that it plans to cut another 10,000 jobs globally.

comScore reports that Yahoo (YHOO) lost search market share for the 9th consecutive month in May. It now has a 13 percent share, trailing Google’s (GOOG) 67 percent and Microsoft’s (MSFT) Bing at 15 percent.

Dow component United Technologies (UTX) has raised its quarterly dividend 11.5 percent to $0.48 per share. The increase is the company’s first since April of last year.

Ctrip (CTRP) has announced a share repurchase program of up to $300 million involving the China travel agency’s American Depositary Shares.

Edwards Lifesciences (EW) has won FDA panel approval for a new artificial heart valve that can be inserted without performing open heart surgery. The FDA usually – but not always – follows the recommendations of its panels.

Supervalu (SVU) is getting a further boost on takeover talk, following a more than 2 percent gain in Wednesday’s trading session. Barclays analyst Meredith Adler wrote a report this week suggesting that the supermarket chain has become a particularly cheap leveraged buyout target.

Best Buy (BBY) shares have been upgraded to “neutral” from “sell” at Citi, with the firm saying there’s now a more balanced risk/reward ratio following a 35 percent pullback since March 24.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Governor Walker "Dissing" of the City of Milwaukee Calls for him to PUT SKIN in the GAME

MILWAUKEE(MPA) - June 13, 2012, Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association continues to call out our rank and file in the "elected" category to stand up for best practices, transparency, customer care, principled-centered leadership and accountability.
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                                    L-R:  Governor Nikki Haley and Governor Scott Walker
CLICK

On June 1, 2012, Governor Scott Walker took another big leap in the "UnWise leadership category". 

"We don't want Wisconsin to become like Milwaukee," he said, adding that he wanted Wisconsin to help troubled cities in the state.  Journal Sentinel.

This is like the domestic violence male beating repeatedly the female counterpart and then branding her stupid for staying with him, when so many other factors are relevant - in this case, Governor Walker would be the domestic violence male.

To add salt, insult to injury, Governor Walker made the  statement while touring with a guest to our state, governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina.  The tour was at Quad/Graphics of Sussex, Wisconsin.

Where I come from, talking like this in front of "guest" and/or "in-the-public" is a breach of home training/etiquette, and it was taught at a very early age.


Then there is pitching and spinning talking points that are not ALL true before employees of Quad/Graphics, mainly Caucasian male, again he sends the wrong message.

Harry Quadracci cut his teeth on the printing business while operating in Milwaukee as the co-founder of W.A. Krueger of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Going forward, Quad/Graphics customers, staff and negotiations are still embeded in the city of Milwaukee.
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This type of over-the-top behavior/posturing will be "media-blasted" by MPA Public Policy Review until the cows come home and they are no where in sight, too many people are suffering.
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Put up 
Since the incendiary statement speaks of Governor Walker's lack of leadership while the county executive of Milwaukee county and his time in office as governor of Wisconsin, we are calling for the governor to put "skin-in-the-game". 

For Governor Walker to apologize to the City of Milwaukee by "putting up".
For Governor Walker to produce clear actions that are INFRASTRUCTURAL, systemic for value-added growth and devoid of divisiveness and partisan politics.
For Governor Walker to join Milwaukee Professionals Association in  2012 Show Us the Money and Resources series to bolster Wisconsin economy in the largest city of Wisconsin, the iconic city of Milwaukee.
For Governor Walker to stop "saying-one-thing" and doing another, bait-and-switch and create REAL employment and business development in Wisconsin.
For Govenor Walker to take the time to learn about the people of the city of Milwaukee - he was evidently too busy while county executive in Milwaukee.
                                   L-R:   Secretary Paul Jardin and Secretary Reggie Newson
For Governor Walker to put Secretary Paul Jardin - Department of Commerce and Secretary Reggie Newsom at the neighborhood-level for the next 12 months with NEW hands-on plans that are innovative and inclusive of technology (closing the digital divide) and education attainment (certificated and degreed).

For Governor Walker  to specifically seek balance through the BUY-IN of the stakeholders in Milwaukee that represents the dominate population - African American and other People of Color.

For Governor Walker to help grow hidden talent and vetted businesses at the neighborhood level in Milwaukee that will produce innovative ideas. 

For Governor Walker to stop appointing people to our boards and committees that are clueless of what their role and responsibilities are; and, for his office to hold them accountable.
For Governor Walker to actively pursue and monitor feedback from Milwaukee parents prior to any decisions about Milwaukee Public Schools.

For Governor Walker to support linkage-partnership of all three public schools (Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Area Technical college and University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee) in an ongoing effort for clarity of government funding and better results in education and technology attainment.

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

For Governor Walker to hold the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents accountable for not following state statute 36, failure to obey  publc information laws and "DISCRIMINATING" against African American and other People of Color in Milwaukee.

For Governor Walker to verify his statement of "We Are Open for Business" by being inclusive in/of "reform" policies and procedures from his office that specifically include African American and other People of Color business development (stakeholders of Wisconsin that are systematically and infrastructually been left out, by-design, through discrimination).

For Governor Walker to ask the Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce (he mentioned them in his speech to the Quad/Graphics employees) to survey the businesses that were left out of the survey he talked about at Quad/Graphics, especially those of Color and those at the neighborhood level in Milwaukee and urban cities of Wisconsin.  This will give a more "accurate" figure of what the businesses think and how best to assess the economy with ALL stakeholders at the table.  This is how Wisconsin will truly MOVE FORWARD.

For Governor Walker to speak of "true reform and bullishness" at the neighborhood level that will balance the economic market in Wisconsin, help move Wisconsin from the "fiscal cliff" in a real time scenario; and, NOT give an inaccurate forecast of Wisconsin economic market.

For Governor Walker to put creditability where there is mega DISTRUST.
For Governor Walker to target easy-access to state resources - tools for access-literacy-fluency of employment opportunities and business development with the following state-ran departments:  

 • Department of Correction
 • Department of Financial Institutions
 • Department of Natural Resources,
 • Department of Rules and Regulations
 • Foward Wisconsin
 • Government of Accountability
 • Labor and Industry Commission
 • UW System Board of Regents
 • Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
 • Wisconsin Health and Facilities Authorities

For Governor Walker to take his foot out of his mouth after making the disparaging remarks about Milwaukee - conditions he helped to create and ran away from - now demonizing.
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For Governor Scott Walker to remember:
"It is  incorrect and so very unwise to get in the presence of an out-of-state guest and "DIS" any city you have been elected to represent." 

Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association
ALL Hands on Deck, WE Initiative - re-defining, re-branding and Un-trapping Milwaukeeans.