Thursday, December 15, 2011

Requests for unemployment aid drop to 3-1/2 year low

Requests for unemployment aid drop to 3-1/2 year low

I just want to stick with the facts: What’s missing from the story is Unemployment for Blacks is in the high teens and rising. Unemployment is down over last two years because the labor force shrank, not because of greater employment. Reading between the lines is very important on the "spin."

Monday, December 5, 2011

KFAI-FM Radio without Boundaries The WAVE Project Presents “Black Men in America: The Untold Stories ”




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 5, 2011

IBNN’s editor-in-chief Don Allen to host hour-long program as part of
KFAI-FM’s WAVE Project - with special guests.
  
Contact: Don Allen, IBNN NEWS
Phone: (612) 986-0010

Minneapolis, MN (IBNN NEWS)…On Sunday, December 11, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. a long awaited conversation titled, “Black Men In America” will take place on the Twin Cities #1 FM radio station for community news and cultural awareness programming.

KFAI - Radio without Boundaries (90.3 FM Minneapolis - 106.7 FM St. Paul) and www.kfai.org (online), presents another installment of its critically acclaimed and prestigious WAVE Project.

Controversial and outspoken editor-in-chief of the Independent Business News Network (www.ibnnnews.com), Don Allen, will host this hour-long program.

Allen, a political activist, publisher, investigative reporter, father and civil rights activist says, “It’s time we take a real look at what is happening to Black Men in the United States – more importantly right here in my home state of Minnesota. How many more leadership groups do we need to create when none of them have addressed issues of poverty, unemployment, police brutality, education and fleecing their own back yards? I’ve assembled a cast of legends in their own time to start a conversation about real issues and the opportunities to present solid solutions.” Allen says, “This program will be a fast paced, accountability focus in simple clarity using common sense.”

IBNN’s editor-in-chief has invited local scholars and community development organizations that actively deal with the day-to-day challenges of the Black male.

Joining Allen for this in-depth discussion will be:

Dr. Jesse Mason, Jr.: In 2010 the Minnesota Minority Education Partnership (MMEP) named Jesse L. Mason, Jr., PhD an MMEP Policy Fellow. (Currently, Dr. Mason is the chair of the MMEP's African American Male Education Advisory). Dr. Mason is a member of the psychology faculty at MCTC and an adjunct faculty member at St. Catherine University. Dr. Mason has assisted in the data collection, policy analysis, research and writing of the “State of African American Males in Education in Minnesota” policy brief. Dr. Mason is also the lead advisor for the Student African American Brotherhood in at MCTC – an organization dedicated to making sure Black men and women achieve excellence in college.

Dr. Nekima Levy-Pounds, Esq: Nekima Levy-Pounds is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of St. Thomas and the director of the Community Justice Project (CJP), an award-winning civil rights legal clinic. Levy-Pounds serves as a consultant to local civil rights organizations, government entities, schools, and community groups on issues such as racial disparities in the criminal justice system, the school to prison pipeline, gang databases, and police misconduct. Additionally, Levy-Pounds is the Interim Board Chair of Brotherhood, Inc., a local non-profit designed to uplift and employ African American males, ages 16-24, who have had contact with the criminal justice system or gangs.

Dr. Enid Logan: Dr. Logan is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Minnesota.  She studies Contemporary U.S. Race Relations; Sociology of Afro-Latin Populations; Family, Marriage and Gender; Race and Media; Race and Law; and Historical and Comparative Methods.  Logan is also the author of the recently released book, “At This Defining Moment”: Barack Obama's Presidential Candidacy and the New Politics of Race (NYU Press, 2011). She joins us to discuss the politics of race and gender in the Black community.


Sarah Catherine Walker - Sarah is the Chief Operating Officer at 180 Degrees, Inc. Sarah holds a BA in Political Science and African American Studies from Carleton College. Walker is also a doctoral student in the department of political science at the University of Minnesota.  Walker brings extensive research experience to issues of politics, inequality, criminal justice reform and the role of philanthropic organizations in setting interest group agendas. Her current research hypothesizes that contrary to dominant views expressing the centrality of successful media campaigns to political agenda setting, unpopular or disenfranchised groups may benefit from an absence of media attention. This hypothesis has both practical and theoretical implications and challenges the basic tenants of pluralism in American politics.

To listen to this power-packed hour of programing on in the Twin Cities area and surrounding suburbs, tune in at 10:00 a.m. (CST) to 90.3 FM in Minneapolis or 106.7 FM in St. Paul.

To listen anywhere in the world via the Internet, go to www.kfai.org and click on the “Listen Now” or “WAVE Project” link.

The broadcast of Black Men In America on KFAI-FM, Radio without Boundaries is brought to you by the WAVE Project. Views and opinions are not necessary the views of KFAI, its staff, management or board of directors.

IBNN NEWS would like to say thanks in advance to you everyone who listened today’s Black Men in America: The Untold Stories. If you miss it, please visit www.KFAI.org/waveproject (Click "listen now").

For more information, contact IBNN NEWS at ibnnnews@gmail.com. 

#  #  #

Monday, November 28, 2011

Blue Tarps and Evictions: Tornado money only went to those who played the game

Blue Tarps and Evictions: Tornado money only went to those who played the game

While some may say, Broadway Avenue doesn’t need the Prayer Center – actions by local neighborhood organizations (White) that received city funding are not willing to help anyone outside of their “game-plan.” Just down the street sits the Pohlad Foundation, Northside Achievement Zone and a host of other non-profits that still have not put funding to good use – but remain the keepers of the gates. But hey, we still have to remember, “If it’s Black, the red-necks want it back.” That’s the new Minnesota Nice.

As winter weather hits Minnesota, we still see over 50+ homes with blue tarps.

Something doesn’t add up. Wasn’t there a trailer on the corner of Penn and Broadway mobilizing “minority contractors” for what should have been one of the greatest public works projects in north Minneapolis history?

It’s happened again. The Gilligan’s Island Syndrome in north Minneapolis. They come; they gain; they leave and don’t send back any help.

Why are there still blue tarps and evictions?

Friday, November 11, 2011

The FCC’s plan to bring the Internet to the poor

Learn? Use? Access?
With the silence of Minnesota's Broadband Technology Opportunity Program and the recent events that have missed the mark in assist the Twin Cities poor in obtaining marketable skills in the areas of data entry and learning how to navigate the Internet, the FCC comes to the rescue. Is this a good thing?

By Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols | November 10, 2011, Guest Contributor

Summary: The FCC’s “Connect to Compete” plans on bringing the Internet to the U.S.’s poor.

I know about poor. I grew up in the backwoods of West Virginia. I was lucky. I had several gifts and made the most of my chances. Thus, I was able to move from a dirt road to Manhattan skyscrapers in a few years. Most poor people don’t get that kind of shot. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has decided to help today’s poverty-stricken youth get their chance to move up by unveiling a plan to bring broadband Internet connections to eligible low-income families, Connect to Compete.

Working in partnership with National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) ISPs the FCC has arranged for poor families to get broadband Internet connections, without an installation/activation fee and no modem rental fees (with an option to purchase a $10 modem) for $9.95 a month. Eligibility for Connect to Compete will be limited to households that have a child enrolled in the national school lunch program and that are not current or recent broadband subscribers.

According to the NCTA, “Broadband is an increasingly integral part of getting a quality education, yet too few of the most needy kids have the service at home. Research shows the barriers to broadband adoption involve a complex mix of digital literacy, perceived relevance of online content, and access to low-cost computers and Internet service. Compete to Compete is the largest private sector initiative ever to address one key prong of the adoption problem: getting broadband Internet into the homes of students where the adoption problem is most acute. [It] can give millions more students the tools to do homework at home and to develop the skills they will need to find a job in the 21st Century economy.”

In a statement FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski expanded on this theme, “There is a growing divide between the digital-haves and have-nots. No Less than one-third of the poorest Americans have adopted broadband, while 90%+ of the richest have adopted it. Low-income Americans, rural Americans, seniors, and minorities disproportionately find themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide and excluded from the $8 trillion dollar global Internet economy.”

You’ll get no argument from me on that point. Tomorrow’s good jobs are technology jobs. Basic technology literacy is as important as reading, writing and arithmetic was to earlier generations. When I say “technology literacy,” I’m not talking about being able to program in C. I’m talking about simply know how to use a Web browser and how to send an e-mail.

As Genachowski points out, 80%+ of Fortune 500 companies require online job applications, including major employers such as Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, and ExxonMobil. Increasingly, if you’re not on the net you can’t effectively apply to go to college or get a job.

How much of a difference does Internet access make? A lot. Genachowski cited a Federal Reserve study that “found that students with a PC and broadband at home have six to eight percentage point higher graduation rates than similar student who don’t have home access to the Internet.”

I expect that the gap between those with access to the Internet and technology and those without will only increase. For example, libraries are beginning to close their doors to patrons without e-readers. Oh, it’s early days still, but you can see the trend against physical books and the buildings that hold them starting from here. You may be OK with that… if you have a e-reader and an Internet connection.
In short, we, the people of America, need Internet access for all and Connect to Compete is a step in that direction.

Lucky Rosenbloom resigns from COBM: Another Emergency Meeting Called!

Lucky Rosenbloom resigns from COBM: Another Emergency Meeting Called!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Monday, October 24, 2011

Live Webinar: Ensuring Response to Intervention Tuesday 10/25


When:
October 25, 2011, 12 p.m. PT


With limited instruction time and resources, teachers may find it difficult to ensure all students are on a path to perform at their optimal learning level. You've been able to identify which students are struggling, but do you have the tools and ability to meet their individual needs and capabilities?
On October 25th we will discuss successful approaches for improving learning outcomes using Response to Intervention (RtI) programs and techniques. Hear from two educators as they share their success stories for how they have approached intervention in their schools.
You will learn how to:
  • Detect when learners are not performing well to make the necessary changes before it's too late
  • Respond to student needs by providing them with an adaptive, easy-to-use individualized program for future success
  • Provide students with the skills necessary to benefit from classroom instruction
Also joining the conversation, Dr. Marta Leon, Headsprout’s director of instructional development. She will discuss the foundational elements required for Intervention and how Headsprout’s automatically adaptive, individualized approach has helped schools nationwide.
Register now—for FREE: Ensuring Response to Intervention
Presenters
  • Kathy Adams, instructional coach/teacher, McArthur Elementary School
  • Stephanie Brown, teacher, Niagara Elementary School
  • Dr. Marta Leon, director of instructional development, Headsprout (now part of DYMO/Mimio)
Moderator
  • Linda Briggs, contributing editor, T.H.E. Journal
Thank you,

T.H.E. Journal and Headsprout (now part of DYMO/Mimio)

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Civil Rights, Unemployment and Racism half-ass discussed on “Taboo Thursday!”

Civil Rights, Unemployment and Racism half-ass discussed on “Taboo Thursday!”

Silly People
This is a gentle reminder to attend the Community Forum on Racial Disparities in Minneapolis on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, Moot Court Room, 1000 LaSalle Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Bring your voice signs. Another missed opportunity with a Dog & Pony show

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Don Allen on "The Village"

Call the Minneapolis Foundation: Ask where's the tornado victims money?

Where are the reports from the NCRT?
Call the Minneapolis Foundation and ask what's happening with the Northside Community Response Team and where is the money? No reports issued from the NCRT core group; obstruction of individuals to participate in the process.
Starting today, dial (612) 672-3878 and ask for an explanation on how come not one victim or agency involved in the tornado relief have not received one penny. Also ask to see the reports generated by the Northside Tornado Response Team to show who did get money and why?

Join me also in contacting donors:

GiveMN
Best Buy Corporation
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Minnesota Foundation
CenturyTel, Inc.
Comcast
Cummins Foundation
George Family Foundation
The Grotto Foundation
James R. Thorpe Foundation
Lunds and Byerly's
North Star Fund
Park Nicollet Foundation
Pohlad Family Foundation
The Saint Paul Foundation
TCF Foundation
US Bank - Private Client & Trust Services

GOP challenger ready for Ellison | Capitol View | Minnesota Public Radio

GOP challenger ready for Ellison | Capitol View | Minnesota Public Radio

Friday, August 12, 2011

Minn. students show little improvement on science test | Minnesota Public Radio News

Minn. students show little improvement on science test | Minnesota Public Radio News

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak: Significant cut to property-tax growth

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak
Minneapolis residents have told me many times that your property taxes are too high, and I’ve heard you. This is why yesterday, I proposed cutting the previously-projected 6.7 percent increase in next year’s property-tax levy to just 2 percent. Along with that, I proposed holding spending for basic City services nearly flat next year.   
Just one year ago, when we finalized the 2011 budget, we projected that another property-tax increase of 6.7 percent would be necessary for 2012, due to skyrocketing closed-pension costs and other costs. This was even after we cut spending significantly this year, when we’re eliminating around 100 full-time positions.  

That projected 6.7 percent increase for next year was unacceptable to me and unsustainable to homeowners who want to stay in our city. Through working hard to keep holding the line on spending, and to reach a compromise agreement to merge two closed-pension funds that have been the source of large tax increases in recent years into the State’s professionally-run PERA retirement system, I am able to propose cutting the size of next year’s tax increase by $13 million  

In my view, this solution that goes a long way toward meeting the need to cut the growth of property taxes and the need to continue providing the core services that keep our streets safe and paved, our neighborhoods clean and healthy and our economy growing for the future, all of which our residents, commuters and visitors rely on at a time when we continue to be squeezed by rising costs, such as for health care, and by the Legislature’s unwillingness to balance the State’s budget sustainably.   

It’s important to remember that over the past decade, Minneapolis has been fiscally responsible: we now spend 8 percent less a year than we did 10 years ago, we have 10 percent fewer full-time positions than we did 10 years ago, and we’ve paid down $130 million in debt and restored the City’s AAA credit rating. In this time of financial turmoil at so many levels of government, this record reflects well on Minneapolis.
  
The process of building the City’s 2012 budget has been underway for some time. I got started right at the beginning of this year when I organized a series of public forums in the neighborhoods most affected by property-tax increases so that I could get your feedback in person about how we could do more to hold the line. You gave me a lot of great ideas that will be in my full budget proposal, which I will release on September 12.  

We’ve also worked hard at the State Capitol to hold the line on property taxes, whether through fighting for the Local Government Aid that Minneapolis deserves or reaching a compromise to end the broken closed-pension system that has overcharged taxpayers for years. It’s been a tough environment and we haven’t won everything we’ve wanted, but we’ve made progress. 
 
But the 2012 budget process is far from over. After I release my full budget proposal next month, the City Council will hold many hearings on it, and you should express your opinion to your Council member. There will also be public hearings on the budget later this fall, so watch your mailboxes for that information.  
 
Finally, let me know what you think. City Council members and I can’t solve our complex, many-layered budget challenges by ourselves. When we work in partnership with residents, however, we have a much greater chance of striking the balance we need.  
 
I value that partnership and look forward to working with you over the next several months to hold the line on property taxes and keep Minneapolis a city that works
                                         
Mayor R.T. Rybak
City of Minneapolis

P.S.: To learn more about how I’m working to address the issues affecting our city, sign up for my e-mail update, check out my website or follow my blog.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Open letter to the Northside Community Response Team, Funders, and Organizations

Communications chair for the Northside Community Response Team (NCRT) delivers a punch that will set back the organization permanently.

Dear Mr. Rutherford-Communications Chairman/NCRT; Chairman King; Rev. Coleman and members of the Northside Community Response Team,

I talked with Chairman King in late July and told him I would be a team player and assist the NCRT anyway I could from the large list of corporate services I have. At no time did I ask the NCRT for money, nor did I expect any. The most important thing in the recovery phase was making sure that the “victims” received green pieces of paper in their hands – not for an organization to hold open houses, parlor events and press conferences while people are still homeless, jobless and without any economic opportunities.

With that said, I am very concerned about an email I received from the director of communications for the Northside Community Response Team. In this slanderous, heinous untrue email it stated that, (unedited) “Mr. Allen now that you have made a open request for funds you have crossed over the line and have entered the realm of "Libel" and "Blackmail".  Because I knew you couldn't resist crossing that line I independently (without the aid/instruction of NCRT or its affiliates) saved your email that I openly called threats copied some of your blogs/news reports and hold Anika's proposal in which you are listed one of the payees.”

1)     I, Don Allen have never made any request for funds from the NCRT.

2)     IBNN NEWS is a citizen’s investigative reporting website. We take no money from or for advertisers. I have not seen any documentation that says I’m a “payee.”

3)    I don’t even know who Eric Rutherford is; his websites or his work – therefore I have no reason to criticize him publicly or privately – and never have, other than to tell him “he has bad information.” 

4)     Mr. Rutherford’s slanderous remarks about me and Ms. Anika Robbins are folly without merit or substance.

5)    I demand full disclosure on how much money the NCRT core committee has “invested” in Mr. Rutherford and why Mr. Rutherford seems to have some kind of privileged status.

6)    As far as legal threats – bring it on, according to my attorney, you have put the NCRT at risk of legal action due to your ill-advised rants that are slanderous, defamatory and hold no credence whatsoever.

7)    At no time have I ever stated to corrupt the NCRT website or any other promotion tool to assist victims in north Minneapolis. Where Mr. Rutherford is getting this information is unknown.

8)    At no time have I requested $4000 for media buys. I have never mailed a proposal to the core group or Chairman King.

9)    If Mr. Rutherford does not comply with an apology to not only myself and others of the NCRT, I will publically post this story on the web using the key words and SEO to make it show up overtime NRCT is Google’d.

10)     It’s truly upsetting that Communications in the Black community turn in to lies, deceit and contempt prior to investigation. I hold no ill-will to Mr. Rutherford, but an apology by him is in order.

In closing, I have copied and pasted the said email below. I demand an immediate apology to myself, Anika and other members of the Communications team who have not gotten one penny from the NCRT funds.

Until then, based on the communication from Mr. Rutherford submit a vote of no-confidence for Mr. Rutherford’s position due his invalidated rant below.

The following has not been edited:
To: Don Allen
Fr. Eric Rutherford-Communications Director NCRT (see signature block at end)


FIRST LET ME MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT ALTHOUGH MY NAME WAS ON ANIKA'S (GREEDY BLOOD SUCKING) PROPOSAL I WAS IN NO PART OF IT, AS A MATTER OF FACT THEIR WHOLE MEETING TOOK PLACE WITHOUT ME; AND HAVING MY NAME PUBLISHED ON SOMETHING I AM STRONGLY OPPOSED TO IS THE LAST STRAW FOR ME!!!  CHAIRMAN KING I WILL NOW TAKE PERMISSION FOR ME TO SPEAK FREELY.  IN THE SPIRIT OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY I WILL FORMALLY ADDRESS/CC EVERYONE THAT I AM SPEAKING ABOUT (I AM AN EX-MARINE SO I AM A FAITHFUL, UNAPOLOGETIC, MAN OF HONOR AND NO FEAR WHO MEANS EVERY WORD HE SPEAKS SO DO NOT TAKE MY WORDS LIKELY).

LOUIS KING & NCRT CORE TEAM

Chairman King as a man whom I respect I believe that it is only right that I inform you when there are snakes in the bushes and there are plenty here.  The only part of Anika's meeting notes that is factual is when she stated that I said that "I would go around her to get what I need".  I did say it and meant every word, but allow me to tell you what else has transgressed/conspired at this meeting and previous engagements.  Anika has canceled the fundraiser that the NCRT has approved and paid for, she has also gone out of her way to go to the MOA and have them pull the NCRT from that event.  She has clearly stated that she will not work with the Graphic Designer that the NCRT/Conexions has paid for and approved.  Mr. Allen has openly spoken out against the NCRT and plans to ruin any events they have and attempt to undermine their website if he doesn't get the MONEY he wants.  Anika has openly spoken and stated that she will take the money for the website and create a blog page and facebook for the NCRT instead.  Anika has removed me from the communications team, and will not allow me to get what's needed for us to table our events at the Midway Stadium in conjunction with the St. Paul Saints.  Anika attempted yesterday to get rid of the camera company I hired and paid for; for the express usage of the NCRT.  I have informed Anika and now informing the NCRT committee as a whole that I REFUSE TO WORK FOR ANIKA BUT AM WILLING TO WORK WITH ANYONE.  As it stands the fundraiser event @ MOA and Midway Stadium has been canceled per Anika (she even states it on her meeting notes under "events" 3rd bullet point down), the Professional Graphic Designer Company is awaiting instructions from NCRT, and Carmera Crew ready and awaiting orders to start filming TV commercials for NCRT.  Also and this is very important I refuse to work under Anika (will work with her), and the NCRT should be forewarned that they do plan to run off with the NCRT's money.

DON ALLEN

My message to you is much shorter and simpler but you should take this as my "Official Letter of Intent".  This is an official letter of intent directed towards Don Allen his company IBNN News and its affiliates.  Mr. Allen now that you have made a open request for funds you have crossed over the line and have entered the realm of "Libel" and "Blackmail".  Because I knew you couldn't resist crossing that line I independently (without the aid/instruction of NCRT or its affiliates) saved your email that I openly called threats copied some of your blogs/news reports and hold Anika's proposal in which you are listed one of the payees.  I have also obtained legal counsel in the forms of Attorney John Harker and Attorney K. Bullock and will file a formal suit against on the behalf of Conexions Enterprises and NCRT if even 1 slanderous, untrue statement is so much as blogged about.  Also since you mention the capability and willingness to destroy/distraught/sabotage the website and/or local events of the NCRT and/or Conexions Enterprises.  I am officially informing you that if the appearance/attempt to do these things is taken by yourself, your company or its affiliates I will seek legal action against you.  Lastly now that you have become a member of the NCRT, requested funds, and your business has news in its title.  You are required by LAW to write retractions on every and any story that could be considered "Libel" against the NCRT, it members/affiliates, or myself.  Before you attempt to stick out your chest at I suggest you speak to legal counsel, google my attorneys and my affiliations with the city and its political figures, and google the terms "libel" and "blackmail" and what it means for yourself and your company since you've now requested $4000.00 under "media buys".  You see Mr. Allen unlike yourself I deal within the realm of the law and DO NOT MAKE THREATS BUT MAKE PROMISES AND I PROMISE TO PROSECUTE YOU UNDER THE FULL ARM OF THE LAW IF YOU DO NOT CEASE YOUR CURRENT ACTIONS (note that I have not filed yet but that this is simply to be viewed as an official letter of intent if your actions are not remedied).

ANIKA ROBBINS

Do not mention my name, my companies name, nor my affiliates without our permission or under false pretenses EVER AGAIN!!!!!  I am not in support of your budget, and believe it embarrassing and shameful that you would attempt to take funds from a cause and a people (your people) for your own gain.  You may think that we are alike because I requested funds also, but we are not.  I requested funds only after I have exhausted every free resource, worked the NCRT system and put up my own time and money.  I unlike yourself have put my money where my mouth is.  I have matched the NCRT for every dime they have put in, I have attended every meeting, I have shown to have media connections, and shown my marketing/promotional skills.  I have never gone behind your back and said anything that I have not said to you first.  I do want you to know that at the next meeting with the permission of Chairman King I will make a motion to have you either step down as Communications Chair or have a Co Chair appointed, and I will use your own proposal as my ammo for doing so.  I do want to thank you though because it was your greed that will be your downfall, and I will also press the "Accountability and Transparency", and "Core Team" that you be removed as Chair. 

LISSA, AL AND ACCOUNTABILITY & TRANSPARENCY COMMITTEE

The Bible teaches that you can "Judge a man by the Fruits of his labor".  I just want it to be openly known that I will come with a separate proposal similar to the one given by Anika.  But I will not attempt to rob such a great cause as the NCRT.  I will match the NCRT in funds, work and time as I have done so far.  Also I will follow the direction of Chairman King, NCRT, and the Northside Community.

Lastly to all those listed in this email I want it to be known that everything stated was done so under my direction/conscience, and not be construed as the conscience/direction of the NCRT. ATTCHED YOU WILL SEE ANIKA'S PROPOSAL THAT LISTED MY NAME AND THE STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMELS BACK.

Eric Rutherford
President & CEO
Conexions Enterprises/
Communications Director
Northside Community Response Team (NCRT)
Conexions_ceo@yahoo.com
www.IndustryRoyalty.com
(432)254-9968
 

Friday, July 22, 2011

Sex Lies and Video Tape Accountability and Transparency 07/23 by IBNNNEWS | Blog Talk Radio

Bite me!
Sex Lies and Video Tape Accountability and Transparency 07/23 by IBNNNEWS | Blog Talk Radio


The First Amendment has been challenged on news coverage of the Northside Community Response Team as it pertains to the Freedom of the Press.
By IBNN NEWS – BlogTalkRadio
Tune in Saturday at 4 p.m. to BlogTalkRadio’s ON POINT!
Saturday’s show will present the facts about the First Amendment and why there is a war on the freedom of expression, freedom of speech and the freedom of the press. Co-hosts Ronald A. Edwards and Don Allen will deconstruct what could possibly be a self-destruct button pushed by local non-profits leaders and side-show freaks that have bypassed the representation of local north Minneapolis Tornado victims.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

NIGGA TRUTH SHOW 61 Pulling Da Covers Up Off Amerika 07/09 by The Manifest Station | Blog Talk Radio

NIGGA TRUTH SHOW 61 Pulling Da Covers Up Off Amerika 07/09 by The Manifest Station | Blog Talk Radio

Infographic Of The Day: A Tour Guide To Collaborative Consumption


Imagine other people paying you to use your things when you don't need them. That's the genius of collaborative consumption.

You might own some tools that you never use, or perhaps you have a backyard that you just don't have the time to do anything interesting with. Until recently, those pieces of property mostly served as nagging reminders that you didn't have enough time to do everything you wanted to do. Today, they can look like revenue streams, not wastes of money.

Using goods only when needed is a fundamental cultural change.

Ideas about ownership of property are slowly starting to change in this country. The success of Zip Car and of bike sharing programs in a few major cities are the vanguard of a host of different "collaborative consumption" services and businesses that allow people to monetize their own unused resources, or to find ways to get goods and services without purchasing them. This infographic shows some of the stuff that might be lying around your house that are just profits waiting to happen -- and all the start-ups trying to help you along:


This infographic was made by the venture fund Collaborative--which invests in collaborative consumption businesses--and the Startup America Partnership in order to help illustrate the economic benefits of this idea. (Full disclosure: I used to work with the founder of Collaborative.)

Your house, it turns out, is full of things that could be making you some cash. Your car can be shared with your neighbors via RelayRides. Your driveway itself can be rented out as a parking spot through Park At My House. Your tools, video games, sports equipment, even clothes, are all monetizeable. How much can you get?

That's right, the average New York-based user of Airbnb (a site which lets users rent out their house like a hotel) makes $21,000 annually. That's a nice supplement to any income. You can also make $200 a month just by renting your video games out. And you thought that was a useless habit. Even if all you have is time, you can monetize that, too.


TaskRabbit lets you do small jobs for your neighbors. Most of those small jobs involve assembling Ikea furniture. So, if you're good with wordless instructions and a hex wrench, you could rack up $15,000 in earnings doing odd jobs.

But all this talk about the money you could make is just part to grab your attention. What's truly important about collaborative consumption is much more world-altering than just supplementing people's incomes. We own far too much stuff, a symptom of our aggressive consumer culture. If you don't need to buy a circular saw or a leaf blower just to use them once a year, but can use one when you need it, it could fundamentally impact how we consume. So, while making money on your unused stuff sounds great, imagine not having to buy the stuff in the first place.

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