January 28, 2010 - In the closest thing in America to a British style parliamentary Q&A with the Prime Minister; President Barack Obama went toe to toe with the Republican opposition at their recent retreat in Baltimore.

Coming off the stinging Massachusetts Senate loss and a contentious state of the Union address, the President impressed even his staunches opposition with his insightful and adroit responses to questions presented by House Republicans.

President Barack Obama debated House Republicans, including Minority Leader John Boehner and Minority Whip Eric Cantor. Photo by Charles Dharapak

 

While a 24-hour vigil was underway, with the names of those who died from HIV/AIDS being recited in front of City Hall, 10 Housing Works members were this morning arrested outside of Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the city's mayor, Michael Bloomberg.

The City of Atlanta has had its plague of troubles in recent years - a severe drought resulted in record-low water levels. That is, until recent rainfalls reversed the situation - this time causing floods in some areas requiring federal intervention for those whose homes were literally "swept away."On the economic front, Santa may not be visiting quite a few families this year as unemployment numbers for both the City and the state continue to climb, even soaring for several months above the national average. And if that's not enough, gun-toting gang-bangers and would-be thieves have made life miserable for college students, innocent shoppers and store and home owners in traditionally tranquil communities.

In awarding President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian committee is honouring his intentions more than his achievements. After all he has been in office only just over eight months and he will presumably hope to serve eight years, so it is very early in his term to get this award.

(New York, NY) - A gay sailor charged that he was forced to endure two years of brutal treatment by fellow U.S. Navy personnel because he refused to have sex with a prostitute. Following on the death of Navy Seaman August Provost at Camp Pendleton in July this year, another sailor has come forward detailing a pattern of abuse and brutality meted out to suspected or gay servicemen.

(New York, NY, Sept 2, 2009) - Even though he lost the race, his was a valiant effort. Anthony Woods' bid for California's 10th Congressional District was fought against the backdrop of many of history's leaders, who with military backgrounds embraced leadership positions as politicians. He is young and he has promise.

In 1963, after years of protests, sit-ins, deferred dreams, lynchings, murders and legal confrontations, 250,000 civil rights supporters gathered in the nation's capitol for one of the largest and most unforgettable political rallies in U.S. history. It would be referred to as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The date was August 28th.

Administration to lift the ban on travel to the U.S. by HIV positive individuals

By Justin Smith

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) stated on its website last week that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) could move forward with steps to change a regulation that has restricted HIV-positive people from gaining entrance into the United States.

 

It's it required for immigrants to be tested for HIV and under the present regulation immigrants have to be granted a waiver by the Department of Homeland Security to be able to travel to the United States. Congress passed the policy change last summer and President George W. Bush signed it into law, but the Bush administration was unable to implement the shift before leaving office. THE PROCESS When the HHS publishes the new regulation in the federal register a 45-day window will be opened so that the HHS may make adjustments to the proposal and send it back to OMB for budgetary approval. Could it take any longer?! but alas we're not done yet! After OMB approves the regulation, HHS will again enter the change into the federal registry for another 30 or 60 day review period, and then it will automatically go into effect. Congress can try to block the change in the 30 or 60 day review period.

ARNOLD SHYTZENEGGER

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California thinks that since California is going bankrupt that he has the right to cut welfare for children and AIDS Prevention funding for the state. California may not be going bankrupt but they are facing some major budget deficits that may be contributed to the allegation of the governor violating the system of checks and balances outlined in the state's constitution. The California Governor has cut the noses of HIV Activist spite our faces. HIV/AIDS Prevention programs are needed to help stop HIV infections through out the state. Think about this, Safer Sex kits can fall under Preventions programs. When people, especially poor people, need to go get free safer safe kits, which have condoms for male/females and lube where are they suppose to go? Also, Needle Exchange Programs can fall under HIV/AIDS Prevention, depending on the state. Needle Exchange Program help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS ANYWHERE. All in all, the US HIV Travel Ban, HIV/AIDS Prevention and Child Welfare cuts are just plain wrong. There needs to be a better plan on what to do about California's budget and the United States' Government attitude towards people who are HIV positive. We need to erase the HIV stigma and stop being afraid of something there is no need to be afraid of. Maybe we should be afraid of Governor's who think they're Emperors, that think they have the right to indirectly kill people.

Opportunity to comment on CDC proposal coming to a close, Aug 17th

By Sr. Correspondent, Antoine Craigwell

(New York, NY) -On Jul 2, a request signed by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, published in the federal register a proposed rule change to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), to remove the HIV ban that currently exists for those intending to migrate to the U.S. and for those in the country who are HIV-positive and trying to adjust their status.

 

The CDC notice referred to as 42 CFR Part 34, Docket No. CDC-2008-0001 stated that it is proposing to revise Part 34, the "Medical Examination of Aliens - Removal of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection from Definition of Communicable Disease of Public Health Significance," by removing references to HIV from the scope of examinations in its regulations. The CDC proposal included soliciting comments from the general public, which will end August 17th. The public is invited to submit comments by sending them to part34HIVcomments@cdc.gov. Information to assist with writing comments, such as links to fact sheets and other comments the CDC has so far received could be found at the CDC.. The CDC proposal referred to the Tom Lanton and Henry Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008, part of the Jul 2008 legislation reauthorizing the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which had removed language from the INA, and which had previously mandated that HIV be on the list of diseases that bars entry into the U.S.

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LGBT Task Force is a joint venture with National Black Justice Coalition

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC)  announces the rollout of the NAACP’s LGBT Equality Task Force, a new partnership of the NAACP and NBJC. The Task Force was announced in a Wednesday session of the NAACP Centennial Convention in New York this week. NBJC provided background research on LGBT issues such as Hate Crimes, ENDA, Safe Schools and HIV/AIDS.

Alice Huffman	Julian Bond
Sylvia Rhue	Jason Bartlett

Dr. Sylvia Rhue, NBJC Interim Executive Director noted, “The LGBT Task Force represents a historic moment for African American LGBT. I believe it will establish the foundation for the NAACP as a forward looking body, and finally moving it as it recognizes LGBT rights within the NAACP governing body.”

The LGBT Equality Task Force is comprised of seven members, and is co-chaired by NAACP National Chairman Julian Bond and California NAACP Chair Alice Huffman. Both co-chairs have track records as champions of LGBT rights.

"We are excited that we have the opportunity to achieve real progress on LGBT affirming resolutions with the NAACP,” noted NBJC Deputy Director Jason W. Bartlett. “The goal in mind is to have the NAACP affirm LGBT rights on hate crimes, ENDA, safe schools and more. The real test for the NAACP will be to take a stand saying marriage is a civil right. If the NAACP takes this step, true marriage equality for all Americans will be hard to stop—the NAACP's imprimatur is that powerful."

Source: The National Black Justice Coalition (www.nbjc.org)