AMERICA'S NATIONAL SECURITY
By: Stuart Pigler

Now, more than ever, we must unleash the creativity of America's scientific community to develop innovative technologies that protect America and its allies from current, and yet, unimagined threats. Missile defense must be at the forefront of those innovations.

When America's security is threatened, our best defense is often determination, patriotism and intelligence of our scientific community. These traits have worked from the defeat of Nazism to the fall of the Iron Curtain across Eastern Europe. Today's threats from terrorists and rogue nations provide new challenges, including short-and medium-ranged missiles potentially equipped with nuclear, biological or chemical agents. Governments with evil intentions and terrorist organizations work every hour developing the most dangerous weapons the human mind can envision, and the means to deliver them.

I believe protecting America's national security interests is the central role of the federal government and missile defense is a critical element of that strategy. Unstable rogue nations such as Iraq, North Korea, and Iran are continuing their aggressive pursuit of missile capability to strike American cities and interests overseas.

North Korea has already demonstrated such a capability and is aggressively looking to export its missiles and missile technology to nations such as Yemen, a reticent ally of the United States in the war against terrorism. Recent seizure of North Korean Scud missiles bound for Yemen underscores this potential for expanded missile capability. Iran and Iraq are expected to have similar missile technology within the decade. Furthermore, significant amounts of enriched uranium, once controlled by the Soviet Union, are missing and believed to be on the black market.

Missile defense opponents argue that rogue nations or terrorists would never consider launching such missiles against the United States for fear of massive nuclear retaliation. Such a Pollyanna approach neglects the utter contempt for human life terrorist organizations possess. The suicide attacks upon the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the U.S.S. Cole and American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania provide ample evidence regarding the terrorists' disregard for human life.

The national missile defense system in development is considering land, air, sea, and space-based capabilities previously disregarded or inadequately explored. The Department of Defense proposes a layered defense system capable of intercepting missiles of any range at every stage of flight. Our global allies are developing their own policies to identify how a U.S. led missile defense system would best fit into their national security plans.

America and its people have always answered the call of duty whenever global peace and stability were threatened. I am confident that this time will be no different. As the lone remaining global superpower, the United States of America must continue to lead the way as an innovator in the name of peace. Our friends, allies and freedom-loving people throughout the world are counting on us. It would be a great gift to the world if an innovation of the United States were to prevent a nuclear holocaust between nations with nuclear capability, such as Pakistan and India.

Stuart Pigler is a member of the National Advisory Council of the African-American leadership network Project 21 and a former television commentator in Grand Rapids, Michigan.



THE NEED FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION
By: Steve Ortman

At a neighborhood association meeting the other night I was discussing the consequences of transportation decisions that favored building more and wider roads over a more balanced approach that includes public transit improvements. A gentleman in the crowd said, "About 10 years ago, or so, they told us the solution to traffic congestion on US 280 was to widen it from 4 lanes to 6." Well? Look around. Is traffic on US 280 looking any better out there? Didn't think so. While you're at it, go ahead and take a spin on I-65 some evening, or US 31, or I-20/59, or...well you get the point.

A great discussion is beginning to bubble up all around the community over the need for an effective public transportation system in the Birmingham metropolitan area. Recent letters to the editor have focused attention on this forgotten component of the transportation network in the region.

Citizens of the Birmingham metropolitan area are becoming aware that a serious imbalance exists in our regional transportation system. People are starting to understand the problems of approaching transportation with a one-size-fits-all solution that relies solely upon more and wider roads. Additionally, people seem prepared to discuss the role of public transit in the overall development of an effective and efficient transportation system for the region.

The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPC) is coordinating a study, funded by a number of local communities, to investigate transit options that range from improved bus service to light rail systems. The study will assess whether a regional public transit system can reduce dependence on the automobile and improve air quality. These transit improvements may also define an alternative to the continuing pattern of sprawl development, which increases the cost of infrastructure extensions, reduces open space, and exacerbates traffic congestion.

It is difficult to overstate the magnitude of the challenge to our community. According to the 2000 US Census, Birmingham is the 55th largest metropolitan area in the U.S. However, the region ranks as the fourth highest in daily vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per capita. This means that an average family of four-with a per capita VMT of slightly over 34 miles per day-logs a staggering 136 miles per day. Thus, we drive as much as people in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Houston. Why? (Our more-and-wider-roadways approach to transportation systems planning and the sprawl development that it generates virtually require automobile travel to carry out our daily lives).

Communities around the country are realizing the benefits of a balanced transportation system that provides effective, efficient public transportation as a real alternative to the automobile, especially at rush hour. This balanced system can enhance overall community and individual mobility, especially outside of rush hour. Additionally, scientific studies have shown benefits to individual health and well-being (the "road-rage" thing) and overall quality of life in communities that offer choices in how and where people live and how they travel. The community needs to recognize that population growth in Shelby County will continue. Some 100,000 residents will be added over the next twenty years. How many more US 280's or US 31's will be required to accommodate all this extra traffic? What will it cost, both financially and environmentally, to build such additional infrastructure? Could it even be done given the local geography?

A balanced transportation system will require extraordinary efforts. We need to be honest with ourselves and acknowledge that public transportation has become an afterthought in this community. Compared to metropolitan areas of our size, Birmingham ranks dead last (by a substantial margin) in the size and funding for public transportation. Quadrupling the existing transit system budget from $12 to $50 million, would make it an "average" sized system compared with comparable cities. So the first order of business is to get our financial house in order if public transit is ever going to be viable.

Towards this end, Senator Richard Shelby has secured $87 million for the Birmingham area from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration. These funds could support the next step of growth for our transit system. Our challenge: come up with nearly $22 million in local dollars to match the federal funds (20% must come from local or state coffers). So we are in the enviable position of having an opportunity to "leverage" $22 million into approximately $105 million. This would be a huge first step to improving our public transportation system, and the return on our money is substantial.

We also need to re-think the way we develop our communities and the role
transportation plays in shaping community development. For years we have constructed our residential, commercial, and institutional spaces as if land, utilities, and transportation infrastructure were infinite resources. We now know they are not. It is costly to extend utilities and public services for low-density development over a two-county metro area. These costs are becoming apparent to elected officials and to us who pay the bills.

Our current zoning in the Birmingham region has tended to separate different land uses, which in turn tends to cause our communities to spread out. Returning to more concentrated development and allowing for mixed-use development will reduce sprawl, vehicle miles traveled, and the costs of infrastructure. An example of this type of mixed-use environment exists in communities such as Homewood, with its Edgewood Shopping District adjacent to (and within easy walking distance of) residential development; and Highlands, with a very pleasant mix of residential and commercial activities. It's no accident that these communities are viewed as highly desirable places to live. The intrinsic "livability" of these places provides additional tangible benefits. Transit can be a viable means for some people for some trips (but not all) and thus reliance on the auto for every trip is reduced. This "transit friendly" development pattern also provides for diverse and interesting places to live and work and an improved quality of life in the community.

The challenge before us is not to convince everybody to abandon their SUV's and get on a bus. For the time being, private automobiles will remain the most attractive and convenient way for most people to get around. However, if we gain a better understanding of the true individual and societal costs of our current approach to transportation planning, we will be better prepared to move towards a more balanced transportation system.

Recognizing today's fundamental imbalance in our existing transportation system and understanding how it affects community growth and sprawl is a tremendous step toward improving our community. If we recognize this imbalance and understand that many "quality of life" benefits can accrue from a more balanced approach, then perhaps the right things will begin to be done for the right reasons. And Birmingham will become an even more interesting and compelling place to live, work, and call home.



BUSH ECONOMIC PLAN: FOR RICHER, FOR POORER?
By: Latoiya Stout

Recently, there has been a lot of controversy over President George W. Bush's proposed $670 billion economic plan, which calls for the elimination of taxes that shareholders pay on dividends. Democrats criticize Bush's plan as being for the rich and a way to boost his re-election chances in 2004.

Adam Entous of Reuters Limited, recently stated that Democrats and some economists believe the plan will have little effect, and would only serve to deepen the federal budget deficit and primarily benefit the wealthy. Commerce Secretary Don Evans also stated in a CNN interview, "We estimate it will create some 2.1 million jobs over the next 3 years. This creates conditions for this economy to grow, and for job creation well into the future." Evans criticized the $136 billion Democratic proposal, calling it "short-term aid."

The following charts detail how Bush's Economic Plan will affect both the rich and the poor.

Estimated average tax savings under each proposal

Adjusted Gross Income/ Bush's Plan/ Democrats' Plan

Less than $10,000/ $5/ $234
$10,000 - $20,000/ $63/ $290
$20,000 - $30,000/ $204/ $319
$30,000 - $40,000/ $351/ $361
$40,000 - $50,000/ $500/ $385
$50,000 - $75,000/ $820/ $447
$75,000 - $100,000/ $1,776/ $510
$100,000 - $200,000/ $2,710/ $517
$200,000 - $500,000/ $5,527/ $521
$500,000 - $1 million/ $17,605/ $516
More than $1 million/ $88,873/ $515

Source: Urban Institute-Brookings Institution Tax Policy Center and Time Magazine.

How Bush's $674 billion package would be split (Dollars in billions)

$364 Dividend tax. Would exclude from taxation all taxed corporate dividends received by individuals.

$91 Child tax credit. Would rise from $600 to $1,000.

$64 Tax Cuts. All rate cuts for 2004 and 2006 would be retroactive to January 1, 2003.

$58 Marriage -penalty reduction. Standard for married filers would be twice that of a single filer, starting in 2003.

$48 Bracket expansion. The 10% tax bracket would extend to $14,000 for married filers and $7,000 for a single filer.

$29 Alternative minimum tax. Exemption would extend to $14,000 for single filer and $8,000 for joint filers.

$16 Small-business write-offs. The amount a small business can deduct yearly for new investment would increase to $75,000.

$4 Re-employment accounts. A laid-off employee could get as much as $3,000 for job training and expenses.

Source: Department of Treasury and Time Magazine.



VNN EXPANDS ITS ONLINE EDITION IN 2003

VNN publisher Donald V. Watkins announced a major expansion in VNN's online edition starting in January 2003. The political news service will expand its coverage to report news of interest to independent voters in key presidential states such as New York, Florida, California, Illinois and Texas. This move toward a broader, national presence will include the launch of the VNN Spanish edition early this year. VNN is seeking to increase its monthly readership from 190,000 in 2002 to over two million in 2004.

VNN is also converting its news service into a 100% online edition. A recent survey shows that VNN subscribers prefer reading the expanded content online at their own leisure rather than sifting through their monthly mail every month to find the more abbreviated printed edition. For readers who still prefer the printed edition, the expanded edition will also be available for print online.



WATKINS MAY HELP CAROLINA SCHOOL
01/10/03
SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR.
News staff writer, The Birmingham News

Birmingham businessman Donald Watkins again plans to help a historically black university make the move to the highest level of collegiate football, and he again has pegged Alabama State coach L.C. Cole as the candidate to lead that move.

Watkins said Thursday that North Carolina A&T had contacted him about implementing the plan he trumpeted unsuccessfully three years ago to make Montgomery's Alabama State University the first historically black university to jump to Division I-A football. He said Cole is a candidate for the Aggies' vacant head coach position and added that Cole would be his choice.

"I do know they're considering him among a couple of other guys," Watkins said. "And I have let it be known that I would look upon his selection in a very favorable manner."

Cole said Thursday he had not been contacted by North Carolina A&T but would have to consider any offer that would help him and his family financially.

"You're always open to opportunities that could come along," he said.

Bill Hayes was relieved of his head coaching duties at A&T, which plays Division I-AA football in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, after the 2002 season. He had a year left on his contract at the Greensboro, N.C., school.

Watkins led a campaign in 2000 to take Alabama State's football program from Division I-AA to Division I-A. The lawyer and businessman, then an ASU trustee, brought Cole to Montgomery to lead that change.

That effort ran aground as Watkins met opposition from other members of the ASU Board of Trustees.

Watkins told ASU officials then that he had business partners who would help the Hornets pay for the move to I-A. He said Thursday he has added to that list of potential partners in the course of trying to buy the Anaheim Angels of Major League Baseball.

"If they (North Carolina A&T) make the declaration to go I-A, I'll put my resources at their disposal," Watkins said, adding that his effort to buy the Angels will not stop.

"It's a continuation of what I was trying to do for Alabama State. The difference is my one year of experience out on the Major League Baseball track has introduced me to more people and more corporate relationships and I'll introduce those relationships to the North Carolina A&T officials if they declare intent to go I-A."

Clear advantages:

North Carolina A&T, which is only in the discussion stage about moving up to I-A, has clear advantages over Alabama State as it looks to move to I-A, Watkins said.

"It's a larger institution than Alabama State, they have a board of trustees that's committed to the project, an athletic director who's committed to the project (and) they have foundation people who are actively committed to the project," he said. "At Alabama State, we didn't have a president, we didn't have an athletic director and we had a board that had some members who were adamantly opposed to it and were ultimately politically powerful enough to stop it. And that's OK. That's a viewpoint, and some people are comfortable with the status quo. I'm not."

ASU trustees who opposed the idea said it would be too expensive.

Watkins said Alamerica Bank, which he owns, has offered to sponsor the Southwestern Conference Football Championship Game at Legion Field for the next 10 years. If the SWAC doesn't accept that offer, he said he will quickly offer that money to North Carolina A&T. He would not reveal the amount.

If the SWAC accepts the Alamerica offer, Watkins said he has other businesses that can give money to North Carolina A&T.

"There would be a financial contribution by one of my companies to do the project," he said. "I've got an energy company, I have a land and timber company and a number of financial services companies, so it's just a matter of which one and the nature and scope of the contribution."

Moving to Division I-A would require paying for facility improvements, more scholarships and other expenses.

Related Links:
Birmingham News (AL.com) - Watkins' Alamerica Bank offers to sponsor SWAC game for deposits

NewsAndRecord.com - A&T backer builds on success

NewsAndRecord.com - Watkins wants A&T to declare its intentions



DONALD V. WATKINS' STATEMENT CONCERNING HIS PURSUIT
OF A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FRANCHISE

Birmingham, AL -- Last year, I have had several very positive discussions with individuals involved in Major League Baseball. They have shown me that my ambition to become an owner of a Major League Baseball team is a concept, which they look upon with favor as they continue to process my application. As we continue through that process, we will of course continue to assess with care the impact of the intense economic uncertainty confronting Major League Baseball over the next several months as the owners and players strive to reach an agreement on a satisfactory contract. I am most grateful for the support and advice I have received from Major League Baseball as I continue to seek the franchise which is right for me.

I have narrowed my options, and I am undertaking the requisite due-diligence with all deliberate speed. However, that speed is likely to be governed by overall developments in Major League Baseball economics over which I have no control. I am under several confidentiality agreements, which make any further public comment on my pursuit of a team inappropriate and impossible. For that reason, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the fans and others in the baseball community who have so earnestly supported me. When we finally complete the application process in the coming months, you will be the first to hear about it right here on the Voter News Network website.