Dr. Martin Luther King Day - A Remembrance of Courage, Peace, and Hope

Hello Everyone,

 

Evelyn here,

 

Below is the first of many news briefs to come out the office of our new Attorney General, Bill McCollum. In this new brief General McCollum speaks about the late civil rights’ leader, Dr. Martin Lither King, who was killed  in Atlanta in 1968 for his beliefs and monumental efforts to gain equal right for all minorities during the civil rights movements in the mid 50’s and late 60’s. Although Dr. King taught met with a violent death for his efforts, he taught many the people that much could be gained through now-violence marches

               

Million of people across the nation celebrate Dr. Martin Lither King Day, and with this remembrance of his accomplishments in opening the doors to civil rights, may the young of this time produce a leader who will in the face of some prevailing injustice secure minorities rights and freedoms for all times.

 

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An Attorney Attorney’s News Brief

Friday, January 12, 2007

 

 

Message from Attorney General Bill McCollum

On Monday, we will honor one of our country's greatest civil rights leaders - the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Although his time on earth abruptly ended, his legacy continues on, providing us with daily reminders of the dreams and opportunities he so passionately championed on behalf of countless Americans.

While some of the egregious injustices present during Dr. King's life have been eliminated, our country continues the battle for equality and justice every day. Just two years ago, this office pursued a case in which a hotel owner posted a sign preventing African American guests from using the hotel pool. While the Attorney General’s Office successfully stopped that particularly deplorable behavior, we must always remain diligent in our efforts to protect the rights of all Americans, regardless of their race or ethnicity. Efforts like these were Dr. King's top priorities and should be ours as well.

To that end, our message has not changed: we pledge to continue to work for better opportunities and to take whatever steps necessary to eliminate any remaining injustices. And while much has been accomplished, there is still much to do.

In the next few weeks, I will announce my appointee to the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys. This council, created by the state Legislature, will study conditions that affect many of our citizens. It will examine homicide rates, arrest and incarceration rates, poverty, violence, drug abuse, death rates, lower annual income levels, school performance in all grade levels and health issues.

It is my vision that we can work together to identify and combat these conditions, whether by changes to our laws or changes to our society. I take very seriously my charge to support the council’s members with their important task.

Dr. King was convinced that if Americans would work together, hearts and minds could be changed. He stood for equality and he regularly implored those around him to join him in the fight for peace and freedom.

As your Attorney General, I give you my assurance that our office will not shirk its responsibilities to protect civil rights and defend our citizens from discrimination.

Dr. King gave his life for equality, justice and freedom. As we honor his memory on what would have been his 78th birthday, let us never forget his legacy, his dreams and his hopes for a better America.

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Evelyn Out.

Transitions of State

 

 

 

 

 

Hello Everyone,

 

Evelyn Here,

 

Yesterday the big day arrived with immediate transitions occurring in our home office and throughout the state. Charles Crist is now our 44th governor and Bill McCollum it is our 36th Attorney General for the State of Florida.

 

 

Below is the first news release from Attorney General, Bill McCollum.

 

 

 

 

 

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Bill McCollum

Attorney General

News Release

January 2, 2007

 

 

BILL MCCOLLUM SWORN IN AS FLORIDA’S 36TH ATTORNEY GENERAL

 

 

            TALLAHASSEE - Attorney General Bill McCollum was sworn into office today as Florida’s 36th Attorney General. McCollum, a native Floridian, joined Governor Charlie Crist, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson at today’s inaugural ceremony in Tallahassee, where the members of the new state Cabinet assumed the responsibilities of their offices.

 

            “I am humbled to servethe people of Florida as their Attorney General and will make the safety and security of our state and its citizens my top priority,” said McCollum. “I look forward to the days and tasks ahead as we work together for the good of this state.”

 

            McCollum, of Orlando, served on active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1972, retiring as a Commander after 23 years of service in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He later represented the people of Central Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives for 20 years, retiring in 2001. Today, as he begins his term as the state’s newest Attorney General, McCollum pledged to continue to protect Florida’s communities, families, and children. One of his priorities will be the Attorney General’s Child Predator CyberCrime Unit, which protects children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The unit has made 33 arrests since its inception in October 2005.

 

The inaugural activities included an early-morning prayer breakfast, the swearing-in ceremony on the steps of the Old Capitol, a parade and a street festival. McCollum and his family – wife Ingrid and sons Douglas, Justin and Andrew – attended the festivities held throughout the day.

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The photo above is of Attorney Bill McCollum (center) and family. To find out more about Bill McCollum, click the following link.

 

http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/4492d797dc0bd92f85256cb80055fb97/1515ce372e59d1e885256cc60071b1c4!OpenDocument

 

 

To find out how the transition from Attorney General to Governor has had on Charlie Crist, chick the following link.

 

http://www.flgov.com/

 

I extend my congratulations the both men. I believe the will serve and protect us, the people of Florida well.

 

Evelyn out.

 

Farewell Attorney General – Hello Governor!

Hello Everyone,

 

Evelyn Here,

 

This Tuesday, January 02, 2007, we the people of the State of Florida will welcome our new governor, Charlie Crist. On this same day, we will extend our greetings to Bill McCollum as our new Attorney General. During my employment in the office of the General Attorney, I came know Charlie Crist, and I have grown to like the man and his politic.

 

Through his weekly News Briefs, I have had the rare opportunity to follow what he had achieved for the people of Florida in his four year as General Attorney. It has been through his news briefs that I have been able to share with you many invaluable and often first hand news releases. Many of these news releases related to problems and issues on our streets and in our neighborhoods today.

 

Mr. Crist’s words and actions to protect the people of this state has brought home a message that we all needed to hear, and that is - we, the people, do have the means to change things for the betterment of our communities and ourselves. And, that we can changes things by making decisions that help make our voices count for more than destructive noise.

 

In the following news briefs, Charlie Crist is addressing the people of Florida as our Attorney General one last time. He will be missed in our office, but we, who voted for him, are confident that we have elected a great governor.

 

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Attorney General's News Briefs

12/29/2006     

 

Message from Attorney General Charlie Crist


This is my 197th weekly newsletter, and the last I will write as
Attorney General. In just four days, I will place my left hand on the
Bible and take the oath to become Florida’s 44th Governor. Even as I
begin my new role, I cannot help but reflect back on the wonderful and
humbling opportunity you have given me to serve you these past four
years.

While my time as Attorney General has been filled with many
achievements for which I am proud, the thing I will remember most
about my term in this office is the people - those we helped, and
those with whom I served. The people of the Attorney General’s Office
are some of the most outstanding and dedicated public servants it has
been my privilege to know.

Sadly, this past week included some unwanted news for me personally,
and in a broader sense for all the people of Florida. The Attorney
General’s Office lost a cherished employee following a lengthy
illness, and the people of our state lost a dedicated worker who
embodied everything that is good and noble about public service.

Cheryl Kent was one of those unsung public employees few outside of
government ever heard about. She served as this office’s Deputy
Director of Legislative Affairs throughout my four years here, and
before that under former Attorneys General Bob Butterworth and Richard
Doran.

Prior to joining the Attorney General’s Office in 1999, Cheryl spent
more than 20 years working for the Broward County Commission, for
state Senators Jim Scott and Ken Jenne, and for the state Department
of Business and Professional Regulation. In her career she contributed
to both the legislative and executive branches, and helped each
understand the other.

With her vast knowledge of the inner workings of government and her
mastery of detail, Cheryl certainly could have earned a higher salary
in the private sector. But she shared a deep appreciation for the
value of public service, and passed up more lucrative opportunities so
she could continue to work on behalf of the people of this state she
loved.

Cheryl’s passing served as a poignant bookend for the year, coming 11
months after the death of another member of our office family. In
January we lost Bob Timmann, a veteran law enforcement officer who
served us as a Medicaid fraud investigator. Bob left our office to
become a civilian advisor teaching others how to bring law and order
to the people of Iraq, and he lost his life when his helicopter
crashed in northern Iraq. Bob saw that job as an opportunity to
provide help where it was needed, just as he did throughout his
career of public service here in Florida.

Government needs more people like Cheryl Kent and Bob Timmann,
individuals who put the needs of others ahead of their own interests.
The amazing staff of the Attorney General’s Office is filled with such
people, and I hope to begin fostering a similar commitment to public
service throughout the executive branch.

As I conclude this final News Briefs message, I want to express my
deep appreciation for your interest in your government. Individual
involvement is the lifeblood of our democracy, and informed citizens
keep it strong.

It has been an honor serving you as Attorney General for these past
four years, and I look forward to working for you and with you as
Governor beginning at noon on Tuesday. Please join me in wishing Bill
McCollum well as he assumes the challenges as your Attorney General.
I know he will do a great job.

I wish you a safe and Happy New Year’s weekend and a productive,
positive year ahead.



Charlie Crist

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Good Luck, Charlie!

 

Evelyn Out.

Afro-Americans: The Continous Struggle and The Shame of a Race

Hello Everyone,

 

Evelyn Here,

 

We live in a sociality where centuries of battles for freedom,  civil rights’ and equality to do even the simple things like ride in the front of a bus, attend whatever college and/or university of one’s choice, or to pursue a descent living and work in a safe work place should have brought more unity among Afro-Americans as a race. Where there is unity there is growth, and not just in number. Where there is unity there intellectual enlightenment and purpose. Where there is unity there is prosperity.

 

Instead, some of members of the Afro-Americans community in which I now live really surprise me by overshadowing all that is good about being an Afro-American with their corrosive corruption. I find myself constantly appalled by the behavior some of Afro-Americans in my neighborhood. More importantly, the outlandish behavior of those who occupy several houses on my avenue where their illegal drugs and other crimes has brought disgrace to Afro-Americans, like me, who still struggle daily against some lingering and warped forms of racial and social bias placed on us simply because our skin is naturally tan and more so of late. Yet, uncaringly these so called ‘good neighbors’  have succeed in bringing insult and shame to memory of centuries of Afro-American Path Breakers. The free blacks and those whites who supported and fought alongside them against the injustices of slavery and social oppression of ex-slaves can feel the lash of today’s willful and self-destructive black hatemongers.

 

The path breakers of yester-year suffered torture, mutilations, hanging and other forms of unjust incarceration and murder so that- and here is the kicker- these, and by now we all know of whom I speak, so called righteous free Afro-Americans of today, could act “the fools”. The results being that they besmirch those of us who are struggling against the stereotyping and social bias caused by the spread of their ignorance, poor self-image, and jealousies of other Afro-Americans success and repeated criminal behavior. Behaviors that thrust their deplorable actions into the limelight while those of us who want real change and are willing to take the right steps to make those changes happen go unnoticed or have our motives made suspect.

 

Excuse me, but ignorance is NOT always blest!

 

These are very strong words and very strong charges; however, I must speak out when I witness active hatred enacted and taught to the young. This is what I witnessed last Thursday as I left to attend a meeting and returned from that meeting. I saw a male black adult bring a child of the age of three or four outdoors and have that child make hatful comments.

 

All children of that age are very impressionable, and they are only stating what he/she was told to say. Some children do it for approval and/or for an award of some type. However, a child of this age, who is being poorly influenced by an irresponsible lout of a parent, older sibling and/or other guardian, can be considered blameless until such thoughts are rooted with understanding. However, the parent, the older sibling, and/or the guardian are never blameless and should be considered a menace to the developmental and emotional well-being of the younger child.

 

The teaching of hate is not a form of recreation or some other play activity to pass the time, and it should never be minimized and ignored as something that if let alone will simply “go away”. When one teaches to another hate – they in affect setup a cycle of sadness and pain for themselves that is repeated through their young.

 

Evelyn out!

 

eens charged with Armed Robbery, Armed Robbery, and Possession of Cocaine

Hello Everyone,

Evely Here,

It is a sad state of affairs when confronted with the reality that some the young do go bad. On Saturday afternoon, a friend of mine showed me an article featured in the St. Petersburg newspaper about the arrest of three teenager boys on Friday. Each teen is seventeen years of age. Those of us gathered around our friend and said prayer of thanks to God for helping to turn around our friend son, who once ran with such teens but had now straightened out his life, and is doing well now.

However, the teens in the article are not as fortunate and are now charged separately and together with Armed Robbery, Attempted Murder of a Police Officer, and Possession of Cocaine. One teen is hospitalized with three gun shoot wounds he received as he attempted to robbed and murder an undercover police office during a drug bust. If convicted each teen might serve long prison terms with or without pardons before being released. This is how illegal drugs and those who influence them destroy the young and their families.

This is how illegal drugs and adults suppliers/pushers who influence the young destroy them and their families.

Need I say more against such illegal practices and their consequences to all they touch?

Below is the Saint Petersburg Police Department if you happened to miss the newspaper article or the news broadcast of it.

http://www.stpete.org/police/press_releases/12-15-06-officer_shooting.htm

From The Attorney General's News Briefs - Hate Crime in Florida

Hello Everyone,

 

Evelyn Here,

 

Below in an excerpt of the December 08, 2006 news release from the desk of Florida's Attorney General, Charlie Crist. The subject matter is one that millions of Americans and I find distasteful for its existence in our society. While hatred still exists in our society and in Florida, Charles Crist’s words are encouraging. This being the case, I need not express anymore on the subject, and present to you this portion of the Attorney General's News Briefs.

 

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 Message from Attorney General Charlie Crist

Hate crimes are among the most insidious offenses, rooted as they are
in one person’s refusal to respect the differences in others. Wiping
out crimes that are motivated by hatred must be the goal of every
fair-minded citizen.

That is why there was good news in the annual Hate Crimes in Florida
report, which our office released this week covering offenses that
occurred in 2005. The report showed that the number of reported hate
crimes fell by more than 22 percent from the previous year, bringing
the number to its lowest level since 1998.

We can all agree that even one offense motivated by hatred and bigotry
is too many. However, it is encouraging to think that the changes we
have introduced in the last several yearsare taking root. These
initiatives include new laws to protect civil rights and religious
worship, community efforts to foster aspirit of understanding among
all Floridians, and even training programs for local law enforcement.

In crime reports submitted by local law enforcement agencies
throughout Florida, figures were down in 2005 for most of the reasons
cited in hate crimes. Those motivated by the victim’s race or color -
the largest category of hate crimes in Florida - were down almost
one-third from the previous year, while those motivated by religion
declined 12 percent and those motivated by the victim’s sexual
orientation dropped 35 percent. The only area of increase was hate
crimes motivated by ethnicity or national origin, which rose 14
percent.

Law enforcement and community groups have been tireless in their
efforts to promote good will and understanding among our state’s
citizens. I am also proud of the leading role the Attorney General’s
Office has played in supporting legislative and policy changes to
reduce and eliminate crimes prompted by the differences among

individuals.

In my first Hate Crimes in Florida report, I wrote that our state "is
so much richer thanks to the diversity of backgrounds among its
citizens (but) hate crime offenders would try to deny the benefits of
this diversity." There can be no denying that hate crimes steal a
portion of what makes our state such an outstanding place to live and
work.

I hope you will commit yourself to doing your part to resist those who
have such a narrow view of the world around them. This week’s report
is encouraging, but we must always remain vigilant to prevent these
bias-driven crimes.

Charlie Crist

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I leave you now with my poem against hate, which is entitled, Guardian.

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GUARDIAN

 

I am a servant and

guardian of the Lord, and

sometimes a lone soldier of the Lord.

 

I fight to keep

Satan, the Father of Lies

and hatred, away from my doors.

 

Red, yellow,

purple, or green, it

makes no difference

in the eyes of Jesus Christ,

our Lord.

 

For through His sacred sacrifice

and holy deeds, I am free

to I stand with Him where

hatred bearers holds no

allure for me.

 

Evelyn F. Altheimer-Fainã July 22, 2003

(Updated December 09, 2006)

__________

 

Evelyn Out.

 

 

Predators and Predatory Behavior

Hello Everyone,

 

Evelyn Here,

 

As you know the two families on my street and the one house on the opposite corner and up from them are still very active in harassing and attempting to intimidate people. I think that I was the main target of the threats yesterday. Some of the men of those households have taken to riding around and walking around without shirts and with their pants so low on their hips that they appear to be about to lose them. This is no trend action when so many of them are doing it at the same time.

 

If this behavior was not indecent enough, one man on the corner of my street acted out a very rude and sexual suggestion. I think that he did it because I glanced his way; but that is no excuse for such predatory behavior. There was also a teenage girl on the street at the time, which makes me question who was really his intended target. However, he did not care who saw him. This man's (I use the term loosely) actions were noticed and reported. For those you who are still unaware, be watchful of those households and of your teenage daughters

 

For more information on sexual predators and crime against women, contact the Crimes Against Children Unit and the Domestic and Personal Violence Unit with the Saint Petersburg Police Department. Additional information on crime against women can be found at the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).

 

View link area of this blog on how to contact these agencies.

 

Evelyn out.