A Sad Day for Clark Atlanta University

Clark Atlanta University is set to close its engineering department. A predominantly black school, its services are very much in need for the black community.

The schools administration states that it is over the lack of money. Faculty members claim that the department brings in more than $2 million every year.

A lawsuit has been filed by professors and students to keep the department open.

I personally feel that any reduction in educational opportunities is a disgrace. America needs to stand behind its people. Especially as we find more and more jobs going overseas everyday.

If we don't educate our people, who will?

The rest of the world is buying up America. Closing an engineering department will only contribute to Americas inability to compete on a global scale.

More here:

CNN

Clark Atlanta University

National Society of Black Engineers

A Quick Look at 'Against the Grain' on 'Radio Free Nashville'

I have just been listening to Against the Grain on WRFN Radio Free Nashville.

Radio Free Nashville is a wonderful talk radio site with streaming audio. They also have links to various organizations that make a difference. Their talk shows and music selection rock. That's probably the best compliment I'll ever give a radio station. So there it is. Subject matter covers the globe from homelessness to war.

Against the Grain is also broadcast on KPFA 94.1 FM and is available as a pod-cast. It bills itself as "a program about politics, society and ideas". It fits the bill nicely.

Today's show was about the war in Iraq. It wasn't the crap about getting all riled up and pointing the finger. It was a reasonable discussion about problems and solutions. I really enjoyed it and will download the casts of previous shows.

I'll also be writing both stations to let them know how much I enjoyed them. It's not often that I give a kudo to anyone. I'll usually bitch and complain about what's wrong. Both of these stations get it right.

You can find them at:

Against the Grain

Radio Free Nashville

The Monumental Price of Monuments: Gluttony in America

The Associated Press is running a story today about the hard time that the fundraisers for 9/11 memorials are having raising the half billion dollars they need for the three monuments. The article states that the hurricanes and other disasters have lowered donations to the memorials.

I say; thank God that they're having trouble raising these excessive funds. America doesn't need to spend astronomical amounts of money to show respect for the dead. A chunk of rock with a flag and plaque would suffice.

Are we such a shallow society that we need to spend five hundred million dollars to show people we care? If we want to show people that we have a heart we can help the poor take a step up. We don't have to show our gluttonous nature.

Isn't it monument enough to those who died, that the President of the United States sent the country to war over their deaths? I question how long it will be before the soldiers and sailors, airman and marines have to wait for their monument.

Granted, the money for the monuments isn't provided by the government. So what? The half billion dollars would still be better spent on people who need it.

If America wants to have a true memorial to the people that died, they can send some poor kids to school. How many college tuitions will $500,000,000 buy? I say quite a few. America could have a living memorial and fund someones future at the same time.

Are Americans so self-centered that they believe the value of their loved ones is shown by the size of the monument received on death? I hope not.