Importance of Words

The first, easiest, and cheapest positive step anyone thinking about America's cities can take is to eradicate words like ghetto, pathology, at risk, culture of poverty, and permanent underclass from their vocabulary. These words are powerfully self-fulfilling rhetoric and alibis for indifference. Until we see these communities as real places with real people entitled to the same pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness as any other American, we will continue to regard them as targets of triage rather than as an integral part of our society. We will see them as inevitable victims rather than probable survivors. --Sam Smith

Lake Michigan destruction debated on radio

A 20 minute interview of 2 people on opposing sides of the Harbor Shores "development" is well worth hearing. Go to www.lansingcitypulse.com, scroll a bit and click on August 27 Show. The segment begins 38 minutes into the program.

Harbor Shores’ Plan B is best option for all

HP 8/29/08

Editor,

The only real difference between Harbor Shores’ Plan A, which involves the taking of irreplaceable and invaluable public land, and Plan B, which does not, is that Plan B is infinitely better for everyone, including the investors.

Plan B offers two major attractions to draw people to this area, instead of only one. Nature, dunes and wildlife have all but disappeared along the lake, and, unlike golf courses which are overly abundant, appeal to almost everyone. If the golf course fails, and it will, the park will still be there attracting investment and economic growth for all, not just the very rich. Marcus Robinson says that if the course fails, it will revert back to the city, but even so, the land will be irretrievably altered and once again subject to the City Commission, which thus far has shown little interest in protecting it.

One of the great myths is that no one uses Jean Klock Park. I was there with some friends recently, swimming and enjoying the sunset along with at least 50 other people, including families with children cooking hot dogs. There were only two garbage cans, which of course were overflowing. Apparently the city of Benton Harbor claims it cannot afford more garbage cans.

Thousands of dollars from the wrongful sale of Grand Boulevard were supposed to be dedicated to the park’s maintenance. Where did this money go? A recent private gift of $200,000 for upkeep also seems to have disappeared. Not to mention the fees collected by the city for the many events that take place in the park, as well as parking fees that accompany those events. Is there any accountability?

Another myth is that if you are against the taking of the park, you are against Harbor Shores and the renewal of Benton Harbor. Many of those who have been fighting to save the park have invested significantly in downtown Benton Harbor, particularly in the Arts District. The dissension that these myths have created has already done a great harm to this community.

Harbor Shores should admit that there is a way for everyone to be satisfied. If it’s leaders had told the truth and followed the law in the first place, there would be no need for lawsuits.

Scott Elliott Benton Harbor

Upton not facing reality about U.S. problems

Editor, (H P, 8/21/08)

On Aug. 8 The HeraldPalladium featured an article on Congressman Fred Upton’s position on energy, whereby he declared, “I think it’s the only issue” in the upcoming election.

Is Congressman Upton so out of touch with the realities of what is happening to America that he believes that resolving this one issue will resolve everything for all Americans?

Possibly Congressman Upton needs to be reminded that there are other important issues currently affecting Americans, such as: 1. Significant loss of jobs (including in Southwest Michigan) since he has been in office.

2. Rapid expansion of the federal deficit that could be devastating to all Americans if not reversed quickly.

3. Billions of dollars being wasted in Iraq.

4. 50 million Americans without any health insurance.

5. Pension plans in jeopardy throughout the public and private sectors.

Evidently Congressman Upton does not consider the above listed issues important.

It’s a shame he represents the citizens of Southwest Michigan with such an attitude and has a congressional record that ignores any resolutions of these issues.

John Aurand Bridgma

Pinkney on video & prison visit report

Hear Rev. Pinkney speak in two videos (1-2 min. each) at this link:

http://terryhowcott.com/closeup.asp?cid=9&pid=1018&offset=50 (scroll down about halfway)

* A report from Pastor Wylie-Kellermann who visited Rev. Pinkney recently -

Friends:
I was camping with friends north of Alpena when I learned that Rev. Pinkney had been moved to Kincheloe in the UP, so made quick arrangements to visit him as a pastor last Saturday.
Edward's been up there now two weeks already. I was able to spend a couple hours with him. He seems in remarkably good spirits and utterly hopeful given what he's been through. He sent greetings and expressed gratitude for everything that people are doing on hs behalf and on behalf of the continuing struggle in Berrien County. Needless to say, he's eager to see the appeal move forward.
I was able to report on the meeting here in Detroit and some of the press that had been generated. Acknowledging the pall of fear that hangs over Benton Harbor, he urged organizing and media work in a larger circle around the state. We also talked some about strategies for getting the word out in the wider religious community.
He has a low security classification which would ordinarily make him eligible for movement to a camp (or even downstate I would think), but he had seen paperwork with sentencing designations from the judge which urged no special programs or privileges. He estimated that about thirty percent of the Hiawatha prison is African American, but he was the only black person in the visiting area when I was there - some indication of the geographical patterns at work. He has been able to talk regularly with his wife Dorothy.
I was really grateful for the time with him and all the providences involved.
I pass along his love and thanks and prayers.
Bill

Bill Wylie-Kellermann, Pastor, St. Peter's Episcopal Church - Detroit, 313-841-7554, 313-433-1967
http://stpeterscorktown.edomi.org/
http://www.thewitness.org/author.php?id=40
http://www.scupe.com

* *

Lawlessness - Hallmark of Whirlpool and Berrien County
Rev. Pinkney, political prisoner and whistleblower, worked 24/7 raising awareness about Whirlpool's takeover of Benton Harbor. The corporation needed to silence him, and their gratuitous cruelty is obvious in the report above (plus the fact that they felt the need to imprison him AND send him to the UP where friends and family would have the most difficult time visiting and his voice would be as distant as possible.) One man stirred up a lot of trouble for a multi-national corporation, and they felt the pressure, so he was banished under illegal and unconstitutional circumstances. This lawlessness is what Berrien County and Whirlpool will go down in history for. For the latest news on the takeover go to http://www.protectjkp.com/
and http://www.savejeanklockpark.org/NewsReports.html

* *

Please send letters or postcards supporting Rev. Pinkney's application to the Parole Board.
Text can be as simple as: "I support Rev. Pinkney's application for pardon."
Michigan Department of Corrections
Office of the Parole Board
Pardons and Commutations Coordinator
Post Office Box 30003
Lansing, Michigan 48909

Gov. Granholm, PO Box 30013, Lansing, MI 48909 517-373-3400

Checks to BANCO for Pinkney's legal fees (tax-deductible):
BANCO
1940 Union St.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022

BOYCOTT WHIRLPOOL & SUBSIDIARIES (Amana, Estate, Gladiator Garage Works, Insperience, Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, Magic Chef, Maytag, Roper, Acros, Inglis, Bauknecht, Brastemp, Admiral, IKEA appliances, some Kenmore)

Hiawatha Correctional Facility
Rev. Edward Pinkney #294671
4533 Industrial Park Dr.
Kincheloe, MI 49786-0001