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TheFieldNegro.com
Attorney and Special Master in Philadelphia's Family Court Division, he blogs at The Field Negro
PROFILE
Wayne Bennett
Guest
FROM Wayne Bennett
To the Point
Who's Accountable for Police Killings? In New York, the medical examiner called a videoed killing "homicide" by chokehold, but the grand jury did not return an indictment. In Ferguson, there was no video, and testimony conflicted, but there's been outrage nationwide because there was no indictment and no public trial. Now in Cleveland, there are troubling new revelations about the white policeman who killed a 12-year old black boy playing with a toy gun in a public park. President Obama wants to outfit cops with body cameras. Will that help restore lost confidence in the justice system?
To the Point
The Zimmerman Verdict and a Nation Divided Nobody doubts that George Zimmerman went out with a gun or that he used it to kill Trayvon Martin. But that wasn't enough for a jury conviction on second-degree murder or manslaughter charges, and Zimmerman has his gun back. On the streets of some American cities, there have been angry protests about race, politics and legal equality. Does Florida law favor gun-toting vigilantes? Did state prosecutors blow the case by over-charging and twisting facts? Will Zimmerman face future actions in civil courts?
To the Point
American History and the Politics of Gun Control A mystery to people from other countries, America's gun culture is as old as the Revolution, enshrined in the Bill of Rights, perpetuated by the Civil War and mythologized as "how the West was won." But, since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary, even gun owners are joining the movement for gun regulation — at the same time supporting the 2nd Amendment. The NRA is still warning about a plot for gun confiscation, but it's hunkering down for a major battle in Washington. We hear from gun owners on both sides and go to the inner cities, where gun violence is epidemic despite tough gun restrictions. If city kids can get around local controls, is that an argument for cracking down at the state and federal level?
To the Point
Tulsa, Trayvon and the Climate of Race Relations Bond was set today for two white men suspected of killing three black people and wounding two others in Tulsa, Oklahoma: $9.16 million apiece. The city's black community was terrorized by apparently random shootings last Friday night, an incident that comes on the heels of national concern about the killing of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida. Wayne Bennett is an attorney Philadelphia who blogs at TheFieldNegro.com .
Which Way, L.A.?
How Is America Reacting to the Debt Ceiling Drama? Nobody knows what the first default in US government history might look like, and it might take until midnight Tuesday before the world knows whether it's going to happen. The House and the Senate are still going in different directions. They look like they're working hard, but it doesn't appear they can resolve the debt-ceiling issue before the weekend. Informal surveys of ordinary Americans are getting responses like "shameful," lunacy," "clowns" and "embarrassment." How does it look in various parts of the country?
To the Point
How Does Gridlock Look from Outside the Beltway? As the debt-ceiling deadline looms, House Speaker John Boehner has been challenged by his own Republican majority. After re-working his plan for spending cuts and reducing the deficit, he held a news conference early this afternoon, telling reporters, "When the House takes action today, the US Senate will have no more excuse for inaction." A few hours before that, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said of the Boehner plan, "There is no question that this bill is a political act that has no life beyond its current existence in the House." Have Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill and at the White House lost touch with the American people? Does the President look like a weak leader? Do Republicans look like they’re out to get him? Do voters worried about their 401(k)’s wish a plague on both houses? We talk with reporters and other observers in different parts of the country.
Which Way, L.A.?
Obama, the 'Birthers' and the Anatomy of a False Accusation Barack Obama's birth certificate says he was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961. Local newspapers carried announcements at the time. Recent investigations by mainstream media have confirmed that he meets the Constitutional requirement that the president must be a "natural born citizen." Today, CNN aired the conclusion of Dr. Chlyome Fukino, a Republican and former Director of Hawaii's Department of Public Health, who described the so-called " long form " birth certificate stored in a vault in Honolulu. Such "birther" claims may appeal to the right-wing base of the Republican Party, but the repetition of a demonstrable untruth could do more harm to Republicans than Democrats.
To the Point
The Birthers and the Anatomy of a False Accusation Donald Trump is among those currently making the claim that Barack Obama is not a "natural born citizen," as the Constitution requires a President to be. Despite all evidence to the contrary, polls show that some percentage of Americans believe Obama was not born in Hawaii, but in another country. It turns out the contention was first made in 2004 by Illinois Democrats. But it's Republicans and some of their leaders who are repeating it today. We look at the history of a false report, why some people cling to it and its possible impact on next year's presidential campaign.
Which Way, L.A.?
Obama Skips Tradition of Attending NAACP Convention President Barack Obama spoke at the NAACP centennial convention last year, but is raising some eyebrows this year for being a no-show. George Bush was slammed for being the only president since Herbert Hoover to turn down invitations to speak at the organization's annual convention, until he finally accepted its invitation during his second term. This year the President is sending First Lady Michelle Obama to speak . Wayne Bennett, who blogs as "The Field Negro," is an attorney in the Philadelphia Family Courts.
To the Point
Obama Skips Tradition of Attending NAACP Convention President Barack Obama spoke at the NAACP centennial convention last year, but is raising some eyebrows this year for being a no-show. George Bush was slammed for being the only president since Herbert Hoover to turn down invitations to speak at the organization's annual convention, until he finally accepted its invitation during his second term. This year the President is sending First Lady Michelle Obama to speak . Wayne Bennett, who blogs as "The Field Negro," is an attorney in the Philadelphia Family Courts.
Which Way, L.A.?
The Cop, the Professor and the President of the United States In an incident now familiar to most Americans, Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates arrived home from a trip to China to find his door jammed. He and his driver tried to force it open. A neighbor reported a possible break-in, and Cambridge Police Sergeant James Crowley showed up at the home. After a verbal confrontation about racial profiling, Gates was arrested outside for disorderly conduct, a charge that was later dismissed . President Obama was asked about the incident at a press conference .
To the Point
The Cop, the Professor and the President of the United States In an incident now familiar to most Americans, a Harvard professor arrived home from a trip to China to find his door jammed. He and his driver tried to force it open, a neighbor reported a possible break-in and Cambridge Police Sergeant James Crowley showed up at the home. After a verbal confrontation about racial profiling, Henry Louis Gates was arrested outside for disorderly conduct, a charge that was later dismissed . The White House says tonight’s " beer summit " is an effort to start a dialogue on race relations in the United States. It follows President Obama’s comment that a white policeman acted “stupidly” by arresting Gates. Was it a case of “racial profiling?” Was the professor first to raise the issue of race? Did the President make a political blunder? Is it a "teachable moment" or a distraction from healthcare reform and the rest of the White House agenda?
Which Way, L.A.?
From King to Obama: America Receives Its First Black President Barack Obama declared that Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday should begin a new tradition of service. Today, with the First-Lady-to-be, he surprised a group of volunteers in Washington, DC sending cards, letters and packages to troops serving overseas. Photo: US President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle (L) pose with a group of volunteers during a National Day of Service Project. MANDEL NGAN/Staff/Getty Images News
To the Point
From King to Obama: America Receives It’s First Black President Barack Obama declared that Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday should be a day of service and today, with the First-Lady-to-be, he surprised a group of volunteers in Washington, DC sending cards, letters and packages to troops serving overseas. Barack and Michelle Obama then circulated through a crowd of very excited people, shaking hands and getting their pictures taken. There is, of course, heavy symbolism in the coincidence of Dr. King’s birthday falling on the day before the inauguration of America’s first African American president.
To the Point
From Making History to Governing the White House An African-American rode to the White House yesterday on what pollsters call "a storm of voter dissatisfaction" and the promise of change. The challenge facing Barack Obama is to transform his iconic status into effective leadership on war, the economy, health care and global warming. We talk about how he mobilized a diverse coalition of blacks, Latinos and whites, including young people across ethnic lines. What's the reaction from those African-Americans who thought it would never happen? What's left of the Republican Party? Will fellow Democrats help or hinder the Obama Administration?
To the Point
Are Political Spouses 'Fair Game?' In White House history, there's been more than one kind of First Lady. Laura Bush and Bess Truman, for example, have played very different roles and projected very different images from Eleanor Roosevelt or Hilary Clinton . The next First Lady will be either Cindy McCain or Michelle Obama , and American voters are sizing them up along with their husbands. "Fair game" is what one Republican group calls Obama, leading her husband to demand that his critics "lay off my wife." Though Cindy McCain says spouses and families should not be "fair game," Mrs. Obama has taken a lot more media heat, even from Mrs. McCain. If they get the White House they are likely to play different roles and project different images. Is that what makes for differing treatment? We look at the news coverage, the commentators and the blogosphere.
Recommended
To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
Left, Right & Center
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
To the Point
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?