“Their (Black Christians) voices contradicted the proposition that America is the story of the gradual expansion of freedom and opportunity to a wider and wider group of people,. The moral claim laid upon us by their ancestors’ insistent voices is continual awareness that racial inequity was interwoven into the fabric of our society from the start.”–Prof. Albert J. Raboteau, a pioneer in the field of Black Religious Studies, who passed away this week.
American exceptionalism, unmasked as American ‘exceptism’ (except slavery, except forced relocation of indigenous people), especially when you add in that whole Trail Of Tears thingy.
Rethug Megadonors Bankrolling Kyrsten Sinema. Wouldn’t shock me to see her switch parties. She’s already on the other side.
Black Candidates (Finally) Raising Big Bucks. Why?:
“I think there’s been a fundamental shift in thinking who can win elections, and now it’s understood, it’s not the boring old white guy again,” said Islam, the former DNC fundraiser. “You know, we need someone exciting. And I think that’s why a lot of Black candidates like Val Demings, Warnock, Herschel Walker even and Tim Scott are doing so well.”
Speaking Of Herschel Walker–Make Way For The Washed-Up Ex-Jocks’ Nostalgia Tour. Or, at least, a campaign event at Mar-A-Lago. Just in case you’re looking for ex-athletes to unfriend.
EPA Identifies 120,000 ‘Forever Chemicals’ Sites. Far above the previously-identified 29,000 figure. Look at the map and see that red swath that cuts across northern NCC. Thankfully, the American Chemistry Council assures us that concerns over PFA’s are ‘overblown’. That’s a relief. After all, ‘PFA’s Are Vital’. Thus sayeth the chemical industry propagandists. Who are we to doubt them?
The Five Biggest Threats To Our Natural World–And How To Stop Them. Memo to self: Time for another donation to The Guardian.
Why Is Delaware Still Covering Up Scrutiny Of Connections Community Support Programs? The ‘explanations’ are more than a little self-serving. But first, some fair use:
Despite years of lawsuits and agreeing to pay more than $15 million to settle charges that it improperly billed federal programs and lacked proper recordkeeping for narcotics, Connections Community Support Programs was continuously shielded from scrutiny by the state of Delaware.
It remains a mystery why.
State officials continue to block public access to any records that may shed light on how it oversaw the largest provider of mental health and substance abuse services’ spending of tens of millions in tax dollars.
A shroud of secrecy was further cemented by state officials including contract language that explicitly blocked the public from accessing any records reviewing the nonprofit’s compliance with the contract. The state continues to keep taxpayers in the dark by dodging questions about how Delaware oversees contracts.
Who does DHSS think they are? The police? Here is their non-explanation explanation, including John Flaherty’s refutation of their BS arguments:
The department defended including provisions within Connections’ contracts to prevent the release of records to the public.
“These complaints remain confidential due to the compelling state interests in keeping informants and complainants protected, ensuring the integrity of its investigatory functions, and the provision of a robust and frank opportunity for complainants to reported alleged misconduct,” Fredel said, citing a provision within state public records’ access that allows department’s to withhold “investigatory files.”
When asked why officials couldn’t redact identifying information so the public could access contract compliance audits, Fredel said they are “abiding by what the courts have ruled.”
John Flaherty, a member of Delaware Coalition for Open Government, said the department could easily redact any names and identifying information. It’s the substance of the audit or complaint that the public is interested in, he said.
“I would say that the state is obstructing what should be the legal dissemination of public documents here by making up this mythical investigatory files,” he said. ‘If that’s the case, then everything they provide could be an investigatory file, it could be potential litigation and it goes on and on and on.”
Yep, the so-called ‘ongoing investigation’ canard is merely an excuse to hide information from the public.
Read the whole article. I must say that the News-Journal appears to be devoting more of their limited resources to investigative reporting. Good. Keep it up and I’ll keep subscribing.