Truth Seekers Journal

Dow, S&P 500 Hit Records After Rate Cut

By Ryan Dezember – Wall Street Journal

The Federal Reserve’s big rate cut sparked a furious global rally in stocks as traders bid up technology shares and other risky assets in a bet that lower borrowing costs will help keep unemployment low without reigniting inflation.

The rally was a delayed yet emphatic response to the central bank’s decision Wednesday to cut interest rates by a half percentage point that pushed the S&P 500 to its first record high since mid-July and the Dow to close above 42000 points for the first time.

Stocks rose immediately after the announcement but ended Wednesday lower. Shares regained those declines and much more on Thursday, rising at the opening bell and remaining aloft throughout the session.

The tech-dominated Nasdaq Composite led the way, climbing 2.5% and is now up 20% in 2024. The S&P 500 added 1.7%, surpassing the broad index’s previous peak, and is now up 19.8% this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.3%, or 522 points, to end at a record 42025 points.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies ended 2.1% higher to stretch its winning streak to seven sessions, its longest in more than three years. Stock indexes across Europe and Asia also rose.

Gold futures settled at a record of $2,588 a troy ounce, while the giant SPDR Gold Shares exchange-traded fund added 1.5%. Bitcoin climbed 5.3% to end at $63,270.05.

Ross Mayfield, investment strategist at Baird, said investors’ initial enthusiasm for a rate cut that was larger than many analysts expected was tempered by what some perceived as a downbeat press conference given by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Wednesday afternoon.

“Today’s reaction is the true reaction,” Mayfield said Thursday. “It’s clear the Fed will be cutting rates aggressively over the next year and that’s what should matter to markets and risk assets.”

The Fed voted to lower the benchmark federal-funds rate to a range between 4.75% and 5% while quarterly projections showed a narrow majority of officials penciled in further cuts of at least a quarter-point each at meetings in November and December.

Wednesday’s was the first rate reduction since early 2020, when the Fed cut rates to near zero amid the Covid market meltdown. The central bank raised rates starting in the spring of 2022 to fight inflation, eventually bringing borrowing costs to their highest level in a generation. Related video: ‘I was surprised’: S&P economist on the Fed’s bumper rate cut (CNBC)

Now that the central bank has pivoted to reducing rates, investors are focused on the pace of cuts. Jobs data will be key to forecasting the central bank’s next move as well as assessing whether the Fed lowered rates soon enough to avoid tipping the economy into recession, analysts said.

“Employment readings will have a larger influence on market direction over the next several months as the Fed tries to navigate the economy toward a soft-landing,” said Charlie Ashley, portfolio manager at Catalyst Funds.

New Labor Department data on Thursday showed that fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week than in any week since May.

Also Thursday, the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank said its gauge of regional business activity climbed into narrowly positive territory in September, signaling improving conditions and surprising economists, who had forecast another month in contraction.

The data pushed bond yields higher. The yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes ended at 3.739%, up from 3.685% on Wednesday.

Darden Restaurants shares jumped 8.3% and led the S&P 500 higher after the Olive Garden owner said it struck a deal with Uber Technologies to deliver breadsticks and pasta to homes.

Tesla finished second in the index, rising 7.4%. Nvidia, which had waned amid concerns that its share price had outrun realistic profit forecasts, gained 4%. Facebook owner Meta Platforms climbed 3.9% to a fresh record.

Stocks that should benefit from lower borrowing costs and bond yields, such as utilities and big property owners, were among the few left behind Thursday. Such shares have rallied in recent months in anticipation of the rate cuts.

Shares of Steelcase dropped 5.7% after the maker of office furniture reported lower-than-expected sales for its fiscal quarter that ended Aug. 23 and said orders from big corporate customers were down.

Overseas, Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 2.1% while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 2%. Germany’s DAX gained 1.6% to close at a new record high and London’s FTSE 100 increased by 0.9%.

Write to Ryan Dezember at ryan.dezember@wsj.com

Atlanta Dream Surge Toward Playoffs with Decisive Win Over Chicago Sky

By Milton Kirby – Atlanta, GA – September 18, 2024

The Atlanta Dream kept their playoff aspirations alive with an 86-70 victory over the Chicago Sky on Wednesday night. Both teams entered the game with identical 13-25 records, but Atlanta’s victory gave them the upper hand, improving their record to 14-25 while Chicago dropped to 13-26.

Chicago opened the game by winning the tip-off, but Atlanta’s defense set the tone early, with Allisha Gray blocking Rachel Banham’s first shot. That defensive intensity persisted throughout the contest, allowing the Dream to control the game from start to finish.

On Atlanta’s first possession, Jordan Canada wasted no time attacking the paint, scoring a layup and drawing a foul for the and-one. That aggressive play helped Atlanta close the first quarter with a 22-14 lead, fueled by a 16-6 run. Chicago struggled offensively, shooting just 33.3% from the field in the opening quarter.

Haley Jones added a crucial basket late in the first quarter, helping extend Atlanta’s lead to 12 points in the second quarter. Nia Coffey made an immediate impact off the bench, contributing four points in just three minutes. Atlanta’s reserves outperformed Chicago’s, with a 16-3 edge in bench points by halftime.

Gray and Canada led the Dream with eight points each in the first half, while Tina Charles dominated the boards, pulling down eight rebounds. All 10 active Dream players saw minutes in the first half, with the team’s largest lead growing to 18 points before the break. Atlanta out-rebounded Chicago 22-14 and outscored them in the paint 28-16, showcasing dominance inside.

In the fourth quarter, Atlanta shot a blistering 50% from the field, 75% from beyond the arc, and 90% from the free-throw line. They capped off the game with a 19-11 run to seal the 16-point win.

Four Dream players scored in double figures, with Jordan Canada leading the way with 18 points, five assists, three steals, two rebounds, and a block. However, the game was not without setbacks—Haley Jones exited in the second quarter with a right calf injury and did not return.

Tina Charles made history in the win, recording her 20th double-double of the season with 16 points and 14 rebounds, tying Sylvia Fowles for the most career double-doubles in WNBA history with 193.

With the victory, Atlanta stays in the hunt for a playoff spot and continues to fight for their postseason dreams.

Video courtesy WNBA Atlanta Dream

Atlanta Dream Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Overtime Thriller Against Mystics

By Milton Kirby – September 15, 2024

In a high-stakes battle for their playoff future, the Atlanta Dream pulled off a crucial overtime victory against the Washington Mystics, winning 76-73 on the road to keep their postseason aspirations alive. The win brought both teams to an identical 13-25 record, heightening the intensity of the playoff race.

The Dream came out strong from the tip-off, with veteran Tina Charles scoring six of the team’s first eight points, igniting a 12-3 run to open the game. Charles and Rhyne Howard were offensive driving forces, combining for 15 of the Dream’s 21 points in the first quarter. Defensively, Atlanta’s pressure stifled the Mystics, holding them to just 35.7% shooting while the Dream converted 53.3% of their attempts. Key contributions on the boards came from Charles and Allisha Gray, who grabbed three rebounds each.

Atlanta’s momentum carried into the second quarter as the team extended their lead to 19-8. Howard drained a deep three-pointer to push the lead to eight, while Charles continued her stellar play, ending the half with 14 points and six rebounds on a near-perfect 7-for-8 shooting. Guard Jordin Canada sparked the offense with seven points in the second, orchestrating the Dream’s attack with three assists.

The third quarter saw the Dream’s first double-digit lead, thanks to a layup from Naz Hillmon. Gray, Hillmon, and Canada each added critical points as Atlanta executed a 10-2 run to push their advantage. Despite the lead, Washington fought back, but the Dream maintained their edge thanks to strong defensive efforts, including two steals by Howard.

Photo Stephen Gosling -NBAE/Getty Images

As the game wound down, Washington made a late push, with just 30 seconds left on the game clock, Charles, who set a franchise record with her 19th double-double of the season (20 points, ten rebounds), found Hillmon for a clutch jumper, forcing the game into overtime.

In the extra period, Atlanta remained poised. Hillmon, Charles, and Howard each scored key baskets while the Dream were perfect from the free-throw line, going 4-for-4. Atlanta’s defense was suffocating, holding the Mystics to just 20% shooting in overtime. Hillmon and Charles both recorded steals, sealing the win for Atlanta.

After the game, head coach Tanisha Wright praised Hillmon’s resilience. “Naz obviously was frustrated with herself from the last game, but you know, we just kept talking to her about being prepared and being ready and trusting her preparation and understanding that sometimes games happen like that – you gotta be short-term memory for the next game and stay confident she did that today. she stayed confident and when those opportunities came, especially at the end of the clock, she didn’t hesitate and she knocked down two big shots.”

Charles, reflecting on the win, said, “The goal was to win by any means necessary,” as her leadership on both ends of the court helped keep the Dream’s playoff dreams alive.

This overtime victory marked Atlanta’s second OT win this season, improving their record to 2-1 in extra time. All five Dream starters finished in double figures for just the second time this season. With the win, Atlanta improved their all-time record against Washington to 29-33 overall and 13-19 on the road.

As the Dream continue their fight for the postseason, Charles is now just one double-double away from surpassing Sylvia Fowles for the most in WNBA history.

Video courtesy WNBA Atlanta Dream

Atlanta Dream Suffer Heartbreaking Loss to Washington Mystics in Crucial Playoff Showdown

Atlanta, GA – September 14, 2024

By Milton Kirby

In a dramatic Friday night matchup, the Atlanta Dream faced off against the Washington Mystics at Gateway Center Arena with a crucial playoff spot on the line. Despite a strong performance from the Dream, they fell short in a heart-stopping 72-69 final.

The Dream, who have relied on the starting lineup of Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, and Tina Charles for much of the season, came out strong in the opening quarter. Their offense quickly established a 4-0 lead, with Canada leading the transition game and finding Hillmon to secure an early 9-5 advantage. This prompted the Mystics to call their first timeout.

Atlanta’s dominance in the paint was evident, as they scored six of their first nine points from inside. The Dream ended the quarter with a 15-5 run, fueled by Howard’s impressive performance, including six points, two steals, one assist, and one block. Howard’s assist to Gray also marked a milestone, moving her up to sixth on the Dream’s All-Time Assists List. By the end of the first quarter, the Dream led 20-14, having outscored the Mystics in points in the paint (12-8), second-chance points (4-0), and fast break points (7-2).

Gray finished with a team-high 17 points and 10 rebounds as the game progressed, earning her ninth career double-double. Hillmon also recorded a double-double, contributing 10 points and 11 rebounds, which was her first of the season. Additionally, Tina Charles set a new franchise record for the most rebounds in a single season, surpassing Érika de Souza’s previous record of 337. Charles achieved this milestone with her third rebound of the night and ended the game with 13 points and five rebounds, bringing her season total to 340.

Video courtesy of the Atlanta Dream

Despite these individual achievements and a strong start, the Dream couldn’t hold off the Mystics, who ultimately secured the win. The defeat was a tough blow for Atlanta, as they now face a challenging road to the playoffs.

The Dream have three games remaining in the regular season: they will play the Mystics again on Sunday, September 15, at Washington’s home court, followed by a matchup against Chicago at Gateway Center Arena on Tuesday, September 17, and concluding with a final regular season game in New York against Lynx on Thursday, September 19.

While New York has already clinched a playoff berth and is playing for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, Chicago and Washington are still fighting for their playoff positions.

The WNBA Boom Came with an Ugly Side. It Just Burst into the Open.

By Rachel Bachman – The Wall Street Journal

From the moment she entered the WNBA, Caitlin Clark has helped boost TV audiences, grow attendance and vault the league into the sports mainstream. The most-watched games have featured Clark’s Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese—rivals since they faced off in the 2023 NCAA women’s championship game.

But as the WNBA surged this year, an undercurrent of ugly discourse has circulated between followers of Clark, who is white, and Reese and many of the rest of the league’s players, who are Black. Players have received racist abuse online, physical intimidation and even death threats.

The issue burst into the open Tuesday, when WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert was asked during a TV interview about her efforts to curb social-media discourse that takes a “more menacing” tone regarding players’ race or sexuality. Engelbert responded that this season is the WNBA’s Larry Bird-Magic Johnson breakout moment and advised those being targeted to simply ignore the abuse.

The reaction from the players was swift. Several posted on social media or gave interviews criticizing Engelbert’s comments.

“This is not about rivalries or iconic personalities,” the WNBA Players Association posted on X. “Racism, and the toll it takes on everyone, is NEVER tolerable, let alone justifiable, in the name of economic growth.”

On Friday morning, in response to the fallout, Engelbert sent an apology to all of the league’s players. In the letter, reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, she wrote: “I was asked a question about WNBA rivalries and the dark side of social media and race and simply put, my answer missed the mark and I’m sorry.”

She continued: “I regret that I didn’t express, in a clear and definitive way, condemnation of the hateful speech that is all too often directed at WNBA players on social media. This is a teachable moment and one that I embrace with humility.”

Engelbert pledged that the league would be swift in denouncing racism, misogyny and homophobia, would continue providing mental-health resources and would listen to its players.

Players have long received sexist barbs from the public, said Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm forward and president of the players’ association. But this season has brought a surge in racially motivated abuse, she said, adding that she has experienced it herself.

“Players have had to shut down their (social-media) accounts,” she said. “Players have had to be escorted away from certain high-concentrated fan environments.”

Reese, who recently suffered a season-ending injury, said on a podcast that she had received death threats and even been followed home.

Ogwumike spoke with Engelbert on Thursday and said, “We’re looking to move forward together. I encouraged her, you know, to develop that personal relationship with players, to maybe understand our lived experiences and, in fact, help the league grow bigger and better.”

This season, the league instituted league-wide charter flights for every game. In one incident last season, a man shouted at and filmed WNBA star Brittney Griner as she and the Phoenix Mercury traveled through a commercial airport.

The league also requires teams to include security in their travel parties and in arenas, and has security representatives in each market and at all games.

Audiences for the WNBA on ESPN networks have jumped 170% this season, to an average of 1.2 million per game. The WNBA playoffs begin Sept. 22.

Write to Rachel Bachman at Rachel.Bachman@wsj.com

Taylor Swift endorses VP Kamala Harris for President of the United States

By Milton Kirby – Atlanta, GA – September 11, 2024

Shortly after the 2024 Presidential Debate, hosted by ABC News, Taylor Swift announced on her official Instagram Page that she would be voting for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. As of our writing today, her post has received 8.5 million likes.

In her post Taylor said, “Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to do your research on the issues at hand and the stances these candidates take on the topics that matter to you the most. As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country,” Swift wrote on Instagram, shortly after the conclusion of Harris’ debate with former President Donald Trump, her Republican rival, on ABC News.

“Recently, I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth. I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election.”

Swift also said she was “so heartened and impressed” by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz being chosen as Harris’ running mate, adding that he “has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.”

Swift concluded her post by encouraging fans to register to vote and to vote early if they can, saying she would share links in her Instagram story on how to do so.

She signed off her post with her name and “Childless Cat Lady” — a callback to a 2021 comment from Sen. JD Vance, in which he smeared Harris and other Democrats for not having biological children, and a reference to her owning three cats.

Swift released her debut album, “Taylor Swift,” on October 24, 2006, under the Big Machine Records imprint. She has since been awarded 14 Grammys from 52 nominations. Swift wrote her third album all by herself and released it when she was 20 years old. It marked her transition into more of a pop sound, though you can still hear the country influence. The album sold 1 million copies in the U.S. in its first week, ultimately going platinum six times.

Taylor is one of the most prolific and influential recording artists currently recording and performing.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Face Off in Fiery Presidential Debate

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump clashed in a heated debate, highlighting their differing visions for America’s future, with Harris emphasizing her plans for economic recovery and social policy.

By Milton Kirby – Philadelphia, PA – September 11, 2024

With just 56 days remaining before the November 5, 2024, election, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump clashed in what is expected to be their only face-to-face debate of the 2024 campaign season. The debate, held in Philadelphia, was a heated exchange filled with policy proposals, personal jabs, and contentious moments that highlighted their starkly different visions for America’s future.

The debate quickly turned combative, with Trump repeating false claims about the 2020 election results, immigration, and abortion. Harris, in contrast, appeared calm and composed, emphasizing her plans for economic recovery, and social policy.

Regarding immigration, Harris pointed out that the former President killed a bipartisan immigration legislation that would have provided needed resources at the border and more restrictive border and immigration policies by personally calling on several members of Congress.

At the onset, Harris said, “You are going to hear from the same old tired playbook, a bunch of lies, grievances, and name-calling. What you are going to hear tonight is a detailed and dangerous plan called Project 2025 that the former president intends on implementing if he gets elected again. I believe very strongly that the American people want a president who understands the importance of bringing us together. We have so much more in common than what separates us. I pledge to you to be a President for all Americans.”

For his part, Mr. Trump said, “Number one, I have nothing to do with it as you know, and she knows better than anyone, I have nothing to do with Project 2025. That’s out there, I haven’t read it, I don’t want to read it purposely, I am not going to read it. This is a group of people that got together. They came up with some ideas, I guess some good, some bad, but it makes no difference. I have nothing to do with it; everybody knows that I am an open book. Everybody knows what I am going to do; I will cut taxes substantially and create a great economy like I did before.”

Policy Proposals and Clashes

During the debate, Harris outlined her policy priorities, including tax breaks for small businesses and parents and a proposal for a first-time homebuyer credit to assist with down payments. Repeatedly declaring, “I have a plan,” Harris sought to contrast her approach with Trump, who referred to his own agenda as having “concepts of a plan,” particularly when questioned about replacing the Affordable Care Act.

Harris’s stance on energy policy also came under scrutiny, with the Vice President explaining her moderated position on fracking, stating, “My position is that we have got to invest in diverse sources of energy, so we reduce our reliance on foreign oil.”

Trump, meanwhile, sidestepped a direct question about whether he wanted Ukraine to win its war against Russia, instead pivoting to criticize Harris’s policy shifts and accusing her of adopting his own political philosophy. “Everything that she believed three years ago and four years ago is out the window—she’s gone to my philosophy now,” Trump claimed while warning that Harris’s election would mean “the end of our country” and labeling her a “Marxist.”

Personal Attacks and Heated Exchanges

The debate also saw Harris directly attack Trump, accusing him of being a poor businessman who inherited $400 million “on a silver platter and then filed for bankruptcy six times” and highlighting that he was “fired by 81 million people” in the 2020 election. Harris took aim at the enthusiasm of Trump’s supporters, quipping that attendees at his rallies “leave early out of exhaustion and boredom.”

Trump, not one to shy away from personal attacks, responded with a quip reminiscent of Harris’s famous line from the 2020 vice-presidential debate, “Wait a minute, I’m talking now if you don’t mind. Please.”

Contentious Moments on Afghanistan and Democracy

The debate also revisited the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. When asked whether she bore any responsibility for the manner of the withdrawal, Harris defended the decision to pull out, stating, “I agreed with President Biden’s decision to pull out of Afghanistan. Four presidents said they would, and Joe Biden did.” However, she did not directly address whether she felt accountable for the 13 U.S. service members killed in a terrorist attack during the withdrawal nor for the U.S. equipment left behind. Harris noted that the Trump administration had previously negotiated a weak deal with the terrorist organization the Taliban circumventing the Afghanistan government.

Trump seized on the issue, criticizing the withdrawal as “disastrous” and blaming the Biden administration for the chaos and loss of American lives. He also reiterated his longstanding claim that he is not a threat to democracy, stating, “They talk about democracy—I’m a threat to democracy. They’re the threat to democracy with the fake Russia, Russia, Russia investigation that went nowhere.”

Looking Ahead to November 5

With the November 5 election approaching, the debate underscored the high stakes of the 2024 race and the deep divisions within the electorate. As the only direct confrontation between the two candidates, it provided voters with a rare opportunity to see Harris and Trump challenge each other on stage and articulate their contrasting visions for the country’s future.

The outcome of this heated exchange and its impact on the election will unfold in the coming weeks as both campaigns make their final push toward Election Day.

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NC Republicans seek a voter purge that would violate federal law

North Carolina Republicans are suing to remove 225,000 voters from the state rolls, citing alleged registration form errors, but the State Board of Elections claims federal law prohibits such removals so close to the election.

By: Lynn Bonner – NC Newsline – August 27, 2024

Republicans want the courts to kick 225,000 voters off the North Carolina rolls by the end of next week.

The North Carolina Republican Party and the Republican National Committee said in a lawsuit filed Monday in Wake County that the State Board of Elections failed to act when resident Carol Snow complained about violations of a federal law called the Help America Vote Act. Snow said the state had used registration forms that failed to require a driver’s license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number.

Republicans and far-right groups are seeking voter purges in states around the country, including the swing states of Arizona and Pennsylvania.

In an email, state Board of Elections spokesman Pat Gannon said the lawsuit asks the impossible. Federal law prohibits removing voters so close to the election, he said.

“Despite being aware of their alleged claims months ago, the plaintiffs have waited until two weeks before the start of voting to seek a court-ordered program to remove thousands of existing registered voters. Federal law itself prevents such removal programs if they take place after the 90th day before a federal election, which was August 7. So, the lawsuit is asking for a rapid-fire voter removal program that violates federal law.”

This is the second lawsuit Republicans have filed against the state Board of Elections in less than a week.

Snow has made several claims about inaccurate voter rolls this year, telling the state board that registration lists are not adequately maintained. Snow belongs to a group called NC Audit Force.

“Defendants’ failure to require necessary HAVA identification information before processing and accepting hundreds of thousands of voter registration forms allowed untold numbers of ineligible voters to register. Now, those ineligible voters could vote in the upcoming November 5, 2024 election and beyond,” the GOP lawsuit says.

If the elections board can’t purge the voters, Republicans want the court to make voters who did not provide the required documents when they registered to cast provisional ballots. Those ballots would be counted only after the elections board received and verified the necessary information.

Gannon wrote that the lawsuit dramatically overstates alleged problems with voter registrations.

“The lawsuit also misunderstands the data and vastly overstates any alleged problems with voter registrations,” he said. “If a voter does not have a driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number populated in the voter registration database, that does not necessarily mean that they were allowed to register improperly.”

Voters who did not provide driver’s license or Social Security information with their registration will still be asked for photo ID when they vote, Gannon said.

Ann Webb, policy director at Common Cause NC, called the lawsuit “meritless and dangerous.”

It is not designed to fix a real problem, Webb said in a statement, but to “spread disinformation that undermines public confidence in our elections while fomenting anti-immigrant hate. If the self-serving politicians behind this suit get their way, hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians could have their voter registration unfairly thrown out in direct violation of federal law.”

In a statement issued Tuesday morning, state House Democratic Leader Robert Reives blasted the lawsuit as part of an ongoing GOP strategy to use “intimidation, chaos and even outright disenfranchisement” to limit voting rights.

“The same folks who try to rig our legislative and congressional elections with gerrymandered maps now want to rig our statewide elections by purging hundreds of thousands of voters from the voting rolls just weeks before a presidential election,” Reives said.

James Earl Jones, Iconic Voice of Film and Stage Passes Away at 93

James Earl Jones passed away on September 9, 2024, at 93, leaving behind a legacy of iconic roles, including Darth Vader and Mufasa, and a voice that defined a generation of cinema and theater

By Milton Kirby – Pawling, NY – September 10, 2024

James Earl Jones, the actor whose voice was known around the world, went silent on Monday, September 9, 2024 he was 93.

Over a career spanning more than six decades, Jones became a towering figure in American entertainment. He starred in an array of memorable films, including Coming to America, Field of Dreams, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Clear and Present Danger, Claudine, and The Hunt for Red October. He was widely celebrated for his versatility and talent, described as “one of America’s most distinguished and versatile” actors, and often hailed as “one of the greatest actors in American history.”

Jones amassed nearly 200 screen credits throughout his prolific career and received numerous awards and honors. He won three Tony Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Daytime Emmy, and a Grammy Award. Jones was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985 and was honored with the National Medal of Arts in 1992, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2009, and an Honorary Academy Award in 2011.

Jones’s distinctive, commanding voice has resonated across generations and continents. To Star Wars fans, he will forever be remembered as the voice of Darth Vader, and to millions of children, he is Mufasa, the wise lion king from Disney’s The Lion King.

He achieved the rare distinction of an EGOT, winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony—though his Academy Award was honorary. His Grammy came in 1977 for a spoken-word recording “Great American Documents,” adding another dimension to his multifaceted career.

Jones made his Broadway debut in 1958 in the play Sunrise at Campobello at the Cort Theatre, which has since been renamed in his honor as the James Earl Jones Theatre. Originally built by John Cort, a former vaudeville performer turned theatrical manager, the theatre became part of the Shubert Organization in 1927. It stands today as a testament to Jones’s enduring legacy in the world of theater.

James Earl Jones visits for the first time the theatre that bears his name in 2022

At the time of his passing, Mr. Jones resided in Pawling, New York, where he lived quietly in the later years of his life.

Jones leaves behind a legacy not only of memorable performances and iconic roles but also of a voice that, for many, defined a generation of cinema and theater. He will be deeply missed but remembered for his monumental contributions to the arts.

White Wealth and Privilege Unveiled: 19-Year-Old African American PFC Robert Lee Scott Was Killed in Vietnam While Draft-Dodging Donald “Bone Spurs” Trump Ascended to the U.S. Presidency

a personal reflection on the Vietnam War and its impact on a family, particularly the author’s cousin, PFC Robert Lee Scott, who was killed in 1968.

By Lola “C.R.T.” Renegade

Critical Race Truths

After fifty-six years, I still remember my daddy coming into the dilapidated shack we called home in Redwood, Mississippi, and delivering the heartbreaking news to Mama: “ Darlin’, Pat and Minnie’s boy got killed in ‘Nam!” He was referring to Army PFC Robert Lee Scott who was not only a casualty of war abroad, but also a victim of the racism, poverty, and injustice of the still-confederate Jim Crow-Mississippi at home. Robert began his tour of duty on August 28, 1968. Just fifteen days later, on September 11^th —one day before his 20th birthday—he was killed in Quang Tin Province, 9,133 miles from the Ballground Plantation in Redwood, where he had grown up.

Redwood is part of the Vicksburg Micropolitan Statistical Area and is located near the junction of U.S. Route 61 and Mississippi Highway 3. It is approximately 10 miles north of Vicksburg, a city made famous by the Battle of Vicksburg, which marked a critical turning point in favor of the Union Army during the Civil War..

Robert’s parents worked on the plantation – Mr. Pat drove tractors, and Ms. Minnie worked as a domestic in the homes of the white people who claimed the land – the Simralls. African Americans who lived in this rural part of the Delta were a close-knit community, equally steeped in poverty, inequality, and a searing belief in God.

All of us remembered when Robert was drafted, went off to Vietnam, and returned home in a flag-draped coffin and a Purple Heart. Though I was eleven at the time, the vision of Robert’s young wife pregnant at his funeral with their first child will always be with me. Robert is buried in the cemetery at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, up Highway 3. I still visit his grave when I am there paying respect to my parents, other relatives, and extended family members who are long gone.

PFC Robert Lee Scott’s name is etched on Panel/Line: 44W/29 of the Vietnam War Memorial. He is sandwiched between 20-year-old Marine Corps PFC Billy J. Scott, an African American from Cincinnati, Ohio, killed in Quang Nam Province, and 21-year-old Marine Corps CPL William Slade from Greensboro, North Carolina, killed in Quang Tri Province, also an African American. A total of sixty-three were killed in battle that day–on September 11^th –many of them barely twenty years old. Among this group were eleven African Americans and four Latinos – more than 23% young men of color.

While searching the Wall, I came across another young African American man with the same name, Marine PFC Robert Lee Scott. He was killed nine months before “our” Robert. A resident of Houma, Louisiana, he was sacrificed in Vietnam on January 26, 1968, just twenty-three days after his 20^th birthday—in Lam Xuan Cua Viet River Sector, South Vietnam, Quang Tri province, 9,016 miles from home.

Nearly 60,000 Americans perished in Vietnam. Draft-dodger Trump has labeled these fallen soldiers “suckers and losers.” It was during his presidency that he made these disparaging remarks. His father used his influence to obtain a medical deferment, citing bone spurs as the diagnosis. This practice was common among wealthy white elites who avoided the draft while the poor – both whites and minorities – were served up as cannon fodder in foreign lands all under the pretext of defending democracy. Meanwhile, the privileged lived their hedonistic lifestyles neck-deep in the blood of the fallen.

While both Robert Lee Scotts were tragically killed in Vietnam, Donald “Bone Spurs” Trump, was shielded by his wealth and white skin. He evaded the draft and lived a life of ruthless excess. Dodging the draft allowed him to revel in a life of decadence – amassing fortunes, partying with pedophiles, traveling the world, skiing the slopes, playing endless games of golf, discriminating against people of color, demanding the death penalty of five innocent young men of color (Central Park Five), bankrupting businesses at least six times, stealing from his charity resulting in the State of New York shutting it down, creating a scam university for personal profit, sexually assaulting women and bragging about it, sexing up a porn star and Playboy bunny while married, hating immigrants unless they are from European countries or he is married to them, marrying three times (twice to immigrants), fathering four anchor babies plus one other non-anchor, overtly lying and cheating in every facet of his life without consequences.

Trump was gifted a “reality” television show, The Apprentice, that propelled him to fame and, ultimately, the U.S. presidency in 2016. While running for president, he became the leader of a domestic extremist group (MAGA) and incited an insurrection to overturn the 2020 election when he lost his bid for re-election. Trump and his gang attempted to disenfranchise voters in battleground states, demanded secretaries of states to “find votes” to overthrow outcomes not in his favor.

During his tenure as president, he ended women’s reproductive healthcare, stole classified documents from the White House, destroyed government documents, appointed many grossly incompetent loyalists, withheld funding from Ukraine for a personal favor, courted dictators, flagrantly mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in the death of hundreds of thousands of American citizens.

Now, as a convicted felon facing 34 counts with more trials to come, and as a twice-impeached former president, Trump is once again running for president. His goal is, more than likely, to evade prison, erase all the charges against him, exploit the country’s Treasury for himself, his family and wealthy supporters, and further downgrade America into a third-world dictatorship. The list of his dastardly deeds goes on into infinity giving credence as to why Trump should not be allowed back on Pennsylvania Avenue or any close proximity to the White House.

In stark contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris is running for president against Trump. She presents a career marked by a commitment to public service and a track record of legal and legislative accomplishments. Before becoming Vice President, Harris served as a U.S. Senator, Attorney General of California, and District Attorney of San Francisco. In her various capacities she has championed progressive causes and worked on a range of national issues, including healthcare reform, criminal justice reform, fair housing, environmental justice, consumer protection, and economic inequality. Her campaign for the presidency represents a continuation of her commitment to public service, aiming to build on the progress made during the Biden-Harris Administration. Unlike Trump, Harris is a non-felon with a career dedicated to making America great.

America will never truly be the greatest country in the world as long as 45% of its voting citizens continue to support, embrace, and elect the likes of Donald Trump. They are intent on turning America into a kleptocratic kakistocracy, run by racists, misogynists and plutocrats. This historical and deep-seated flaw will forever be America’s greatest weakness and its ultimate undoing.

At 67, I have more years behind me than ahead, and I have worked for over forty years to make America a better place by embracing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Beloved Community. I am reminded of another fellow Mississippian and advocate for social justice, Fannie Lou Hamer. She endured decades of racism, inequality, violence and eviction from her home for registering herself and others to vote and suffered a non-consensual sterilization—commonly known as a Mississippi appendectomy. In 1964, in her testimony before the Credentials Committee at the Democratic National Convention, Ms. Hamer asked a poignant question:

“Is this America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, where we have to sleep with our telephones off the hook because our lives are threatened daily, simply for wanting to live as decent human beings, in America?”

On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, sixty years later, we will answer Ms. Hamer’s question and send a powerful message to the world about who America truly is. When Vice President Kamala Harris is elected President, we can finally tell PFC Robert Lee Scott and countless others who sacrificed their lives for democracy that their deaths were not in vain.

#where-truth-is-never-a-theory