FCN Editorial 02-05-2002: Kudos for L.A. City Council...

FCN EDITORIAL
February 5, 2002

Feb. 13 will be the first day of a five-day event that will transform the city of Los Angeles. To the L.A. City Council�s credit, they recognize that fact, but there are some who don�t.

On that day, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan will perform "A Night of Beethoven," a violin recital that pays tribute to the classical composer Ludwig von Beethoven. The performance will carry a message of healing for the human family and will be the kick-off event for Saviours� Day 2002, whose theme is, "Healing the Wounds to Create a Universal Family."

Saviours� Day 2002 will address such issues as the need for ecumenical understanding and unity; call youth gang leaders together for a peace summit; inspire hip hop entertainers to produce more uplifting music and become better examples for our youth to look up to; conduct a two-day health fair with free health screenings, and so much more. Who could be against such a noble effort that not only will uplift the city, but also bring a spark to the sagging economy?

Well, the Anti-Defamation League of B�nai B�rith (ADL)�in its normal "oppose anything positive that Minister Farrakhan or the Nation of Islam seek to do" mode�has raised opposition to the waiver of some fees for use of city facilities. When the issue first came to the city council, it passed by a 9-3 vote. The ADL forced the issue back to the city council, and the city council voted 11-0 to let the waiver stand.

During the city council meeting, 10th District Councilman Nate Holden acknowledged the positive presence that Los Angeles Minister Anthony Muhammad and members of the Nation of Islam have had on the community representing Min. Farrakhan and the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad.

"When someone brings you something to help the community, I don�t think you should turn it away. Hopefully, they (Nation) can make some inroads resolving many of the problems we�ve faced and have found ourselves unable to accomplish," the distinguished councilman said, noting the various ills of the city.

Councilwoman Jan Perry, who brought the fee waiver motion to the council last year, also applauded Min. Tony�s efforts and thanked him for his commitment to at-risk youth and the community.

We thank the Los Angeles City Council for its critical review of this issue and standing by their decision to help in an effort that will benefit the city tremendously in helping to save lives.

....And to Illinois Gov. Ryan

Illinois Republican Gov. George Ryan has taken strong stands in the past. A few years ago he enforced a moratorium on death penalty executions in the state.

On his second trip to Cuba, recently, he continued to take strong, yet unpopular stances.

During his Jan. 24-26 visit to the island nation, the outspoken governor once again called for the lifting of the U.S. embargo on Cuba, sanctions that are causing undue hardship on the island�s residents. Gov. Ryan made his initial call during a visit to Cuba in 1999. At that time, the governor wanted to open markets for Illinois agricultural products. His most recent mission sought to expand those markets to Illinois pharmaceutical and medical supplies industries. Pharmaceutical and agricultural products are allowed under embargo guidelines.

Allowing Cubans to continue to suffer under an embargo while allowing "humanitarian" supplies tells the world that the U.S. policy against nations whose leadership the U.S. does not like�Iraq is another example�is not "let them die"; the policy is, "let them die slowly."

The governor�s call for lifting the embargo is correct. What threat does Fidel Castro present to the United States in 2002 that justifies the continued suffering of Cuba�s citizens?

FinalCall.com