Team Semper Fi

Last week I had the chance to meet a small group of Marines who had been injured in Iraq. They were amputees, missing an arm, a leg or suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. They did not come home to brood or complain about the politics that now surround the war. They were here to compete as part of the “Team Semper Fi” triathlon team. Their purpose is to travel the country; running, swimming and biking on behalf of their fellow Marines who will be coming home, like them, maimed and injured. The team is hoping their athletic endeavors will prompt private citizens to give money to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. This is a non-profit organization founded by a nurse and wife of an Iraq war veteran who saw the need to raise money above what the government contributes to help the wounded Marines and their families through the hospital stays, recovery and transition back to society.

The foundation has spent about $10 million since its start in 2004, but the need is far greater than that amount. I interviewed Marines Bacillio Santellano 23, Dustin Fleming, 23, Javier Alverez, 26 and Derek McGinnis, 29. All said they don’t know how they or their families would have managed without the Semper Fi fund. Wives were flown to Bethesda Naval hospital, and given living expenses after having quit their jobs to be at their husbands’ bedsides. Homes were made handicapped accessible, cars were bought, classes paid for with Semper Fi funds.

One of my colleagues asked, “Where is the government?” I don’t have an answer for that; not yet; but it’s clear the work of the Semper Fi fund and the young men who make up Team Semper Fi is much needed and appreciated. If you want to reach this group go to http://www.semperfifund.org/

White House Correspondence Dinner folo

The White House Correspondents' Association dinner and the many parties and receptions that came with it were held this past Saturday. The journalists presented the Virginia Tech student newspaper with a $5,000 check to help it’s coverage in the aftermath of the massacre there last week. It’s a start…Amie Steel, editor of the Collegiate Times -- said the donation meant a lot to the whole student body. According to published reports and those who were there….. after the presentation, half the crowd chanted "Let's Go" and the other half changed "Hokies." Then they joined in a standing ovation.

 

Should we cancel the Party?

I may be wrong but it seems to me that in light of this week's carnage at Virginia Tech, serious thought should be given to canceling one of this city's biggest parties, the White House Correspondent's Association Dinner. The annual event is set for this Saturday and will draw the President, members of his cabinet and some big show business names. Condi Rice, Morgan Fairchild, Reggie Bush, Henry Kissinger, David Geffen, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are but some of the star attractions. No doubt, some of the national and local correspondents will be ready with their stories of having been to Blacksburg this week and covered up close the aftermath of Cho Seung Hui's murder spree; Let's skip all this and not risk being seen by the families, friends and surviving victims as just having done our jobs and moved on to the "next big story". In instances like this, I think it approproiate for us journalists to show that we too grieve for the losses; That we too realize how much was lost this past week by all of us...Most of the families have yet to eulogize their sons, daughters and spouses. Let's not take time out for a good Washington party. There wll be time for that later. If the show must go on...hopefully the White House Correspondent's Association can announce some major effort...some scholarships for future Tech students would be a start. .

Don't Fire Don Imus!

I don't think radio shock jock Don Imus should be fired. If he goes, there goes the conversation, for now. What he said about the Rutger's women's basketball team can't be defended and to date no one with any credibility on the subject has tried to do so; my point is race and sexism are once again topic "A" at the dinner table and the 24/7 Cable and Radio talk shows. We can only grow and learn from this. My guess is the sponsors of his show will ultimately determine if he returns to the multi million dollar gig with CBS. The current demonstrations outside network TV studios is but the mere first step. You know Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton are taking aim at companies who don't don't pull their ads and dollars. But Imus has his own crisis team and I'm betting they are telling the jock under siege that-- if he is to have any measure of a career after this-- he must get a public absolution--or something close-- from the Rutger's women team after their private meeting in upcoming days. First, from Imus must come a major conversion and penance that could include...using his microphone to promote understanding and tolerance; and perhaps a fat check to some noble cause of the women's choosing. I'm sure Imus is more than willing to pay whatever cost for his stupid and harmful comments toward some of this country's finest. I keep thinking he could have been talking about my daughters.
As for those who are trying to change the issue by suggesting that "black leaders" first take on the rappers and their filthy language before dumping on Imus let me suggest that this is already being done, although not enough. In but one instance, Oprah, this country's biggest and most influential media figure refuses to book these foul mouthed rappers on her shows. Even the popular Ludacris of "Pimping all over the World" fame is banned. Furthermore, mainstream radio is not airing the explicit versions of these songs. On Xm and Sirius the stations that play X-rated Hip Hop are clearly labeled. Imus by choice has become mainstream with the constant parade of politicians, actors and yes, even journalists pushing their books on his program.
The rules changed for Imus and maybe Imus failed to understand that he had to change when he started accepting mainstream guests and advertisers. Let's also cut the hypocrisy when it comes to those deplorable rap lyrics. I can't tell you how many times I have pulled up to a stop sign or traffic light and heard that stuff blasting from someone's woofer next to me only to turn and realize it's not a "black" person driving the vehicle. Too many of us are downloading this stuff and rationalizing that's it's okay and not harmful. Put Don Imus to work.
Let's keep talking. Peace out! Bruce Johnson

Mayor gets his way

“They are really nervous”! That’s what one insider told me about his colleagues in central administration office of the city school system. The DC Council yesterday gave tentative approval to Mayor Fenty’s proposal to take over the schools and no one expects the Mayor to keep the staff that has been assembled by Superintendent Clifford Janey. Fenty said yesterday, after the Council vote that he hasn’t decided on Janey’s fate or the person who will be named Chancellor to run the schools and report directly to the Mayor. No one I talked to believes that for a second. Janey is probably out; His $250,000 annual salary will go to the new Chancellor who will then bring in his or her own team. Fenty won’t be able to defend a bigger bureaucracy which means some current jobs are going to be eliminated.  

 

Thus far, only one elected school board member, Jeffery Smith has resigned over the Council vote. I’m polling the remaining members to see if anyone else plans to leave. Robert Bobb, the new School Board President, after threatening to walk, has decided to stay and try to find a way, even if behind the scenes, to influence some of the changes. All parties say they will be watching student test scores, procurement, and communications; but we’ll also keep watching with interest where the multi million dollar contracts for repairing and replacing school buildings will go. The Mayor will be in charge of that also; The Council has added legislation that will allow them to see the academic successes or lack thereof annually from an independent source. They can also fire the Mayor after five years if the schools are not better. Privately the legislators say they will also be scrutinizing the repair and building contracts awarded by the new administration. Those contracts might provide the first glimpse into who lines up to collect on those hefty campaign contributions. Every deal valued at a million dollars or more must come through the DC Council.