The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was created to protect the public from such things as pay day loans, unclear credit card agreements, and predatory lending practices. The congressional Republicans blocked President Obama’s original appointment Elizabeth Warren, who is now running to be a Massachusetts U.S. Senator. Republicans seek to also block Obama’s current Bureau Chief appointee Richard Cordra. Some on the left are not excited about Cordra and claim that Obama threw Warren under the bus. A charge that I think is foolish because it was the Republicans that blocked Warren and there was nothing Obama could do.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is operating with no director but can’t fully act without one. This bureau, in my estimation, is critical in rebuilding and solidifying our new economy. Take the foreclosure crisis as a case study. The Occupy Our Homes movement notwithstanding, most of the folks under water in their mortgages will probably eventually lose their homes. The housing bubble has burst and no initiative, congressional bill, or presidential order can fix it. The question for me is—what happens after all these mortgages are processed? If we don’t protection citizens from predatory lenders and educate people on finances, the housing market will bloat up again.

Your obedient servant,
Rev. George H. Latimer-Knight

Sources:
Republicans Continue to Block Financial Bureau Chief Appointment
Senate GOP Blocks Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Chief Appointment to Force Change to Bureau
Shelby Vows To Keep Blocking Consumer Protection Nominee, But Says A Recess Appointment Would Be ‘Devastating’
Richard Cordray is no Elizabeth Warren

*******

Last month a woman in Van Buren County, Michigan was oscracized by Judge Robert T. Hentchel for breastfeeding in the courtroom. Seeing that my wife breastfeeds our daughter. So many think breastfeeding is offensive, even when the woman is fully covered.

Our society has broken down into a nonsensical mess. How can a society that uses sex and violence then say breastfeeding is offensive? How can a society that parades scantily clad women on cartoons, advertisements, and day time television, say breastfeeding is offensive? How can a society that allows men and women to shoot up crack, smoke, and drink on street corners, especially in urban areas, say breastfeeding is offensive?

The woman in question had a court date scheduled. Her son was sickly that day but she decided to go anyway. While she was waiting, she decided to discreetly breastfed the baby. She figured it would both calm and nourish him. The bailiff caught a glimpse and informed the judge. When she was called forward for her case, Judge Hentchel scolded her for breastfeeding in public.

Breastfeeding is not only nature; it is the best thing for a baby, if both mother and baby are able. I’m glad my wife chose to breastfeed. And yes occasionally she breastfeeds in public. She always covers herself and has never exposed herself. When possible she’ll go into another room or area.

I caution every reader to be more sensitive to breastfeeding. If you see a woman overtly expose herself, then yes you have a right to gentle ask her to cover herself. But if you can’t see anything then leave it alone. Men don’t be hypocritical and say women shouldn’t breastfeed in public; but turn your head every time you catch a glimpse of a woman’s breast otherwise. And any woman who complains about it should be ashamed.

Your obedient servant,
Rev. George H. Latimer-Knight

Sources:
http://www.freep.com/article/20111115/NEWS06/111115053/Judge-admonishes-Michigan-woman-breast-feeding-courtroom
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/sw_mich/Woman-humiliated-for-breastfeeding

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The Small Business Saturday imitative is sponsored by American Express. In this second year, they are encouraging Americans to buy from local small businesses on November 26, 2011 (the day after black Friday). I think this is a wonderful idea.

Remember that some large chains are owned by small business owners. You will have to check that out in your local area. Also, consider buying from friends and family that sell various products. You may also consider swap meets and other mom and pop stores. Too often we give away all our money to large corporations. Nothing against them but small businesses employee more Americans than government and big business combined.

After Small Business Saturday, consider permanently changing your spending habits. Shop at small local businesses as much as possible—this money circulates right back into your community. This does nothing but benefit everyone.

http://www.smithleonardproductions.com

I want to give my thoughts on the drop in Detroit’s population to 713,000. It doesn’t surprise me that Detroit’s population dropped significantly. Although I agree with Mayor Bing and other city officials that people were surely missed by the 2010 Census, the overall picture cannot be denied. How can we explain the population drop?

I’ve Arrived

Some people believe that living in a suburb means you have arrived. Places like Oak Park, Southfield, and Redford are upward destinations because they’re outside the Detroit city limits. This mentality lulls individuals into a false sense of security. The three cities I mentioned are right on the border of Detroit. What is the big difference, at least in this regard?

Insurance costs

Suburban areas tend to have lower insurance rates than urban areas. This sounds reasonable given the differences in crime rates. But this leads to absurdities such as a person’s rates dropping 10% or more because they’re now located at a suburban address only say 1.5 miles away from the urban area. Every penny counts so saving money on car insurance and home or renter’s insurance is noteworthy.

Education

The Detroit Public Schools have been in shambles for over 40 years now. One of my high school teachers transferred to the DPS headquarters in the late 1990s. While in the finance department he was given the task of balancing the books. According to him, approximately two million dollars was missing or unaccounted for. He never got a straight answer and was subsequently transferred again.

With my wife Courtney and I expecting our first child in June this looms in my mind. As much as I love Detroit I can’t say I wouldn’t consider leaving the city limits to ensure our daughter and her future siblings have a quality K-12 experience. Of course, charter and private schools are an option. However, public schools have to be strong if a city is to remain viable.

Failed Leadership

Detroit has seen its fair share of pitiful leaders both political and civic. There’s no shortage of news about them especially the more recent cases. The recent ones have been disappointing to me as a young person. It’s so tiring seeing people have an opportunity to breed transformational change and settle for bribes and sexual encounters. God help us to rise up stronger leaders!

Metro Detroit is Detroit & Detroit is Metro Detroit

I think we, as a nation, will do better to think regions and metropolitan areas instead of cities and suburbs. For instance, although I live in Detroit, I live within ten miles of over 10 suburban townships and cities. Are we not all in this together? If Detroit goes down will these places magically not be affected?

Complacency
The failure in leadership from my prospective hasn’t only been in government. The failure has chiefly been among the people. Yes ultimately it’s up to each citizen to step up. How can change happen in a city where less than 25% vote in the average election? How can change happen in a state where state government either picks the poor over business or business over the poor, instead of realizing all of can and must prosper together? How can change happen in a city where more people aimlessly walk the streets than volunteer in our schools, churches, and community centers?

Transformational Leadership

I thank God Father Hurley blessed Detroit, Michigan! No matter the downturns Detroit is spiritually protected and will revive again. Population numbers don’t really matter. What matters is the heart and soul of those that live in Metro Detroit. Until people stop thinking because they live two miles away from the Detroit border that they’re safe nothing will change. Until people in the city embrace the region nothing will change. Until those of us in the ministry step up nothing will change. Until the everyday person starts looking within for change nothing will change.

This ministry is making strides in the community. You will, starting THIS WEEK, see announcements and flyers of events we’re hosting in the community. I love Detroit but I know I can live away from here and still love. I proved that to myself when I lived in Toledo, Ohio from July 2009 to May 2010. I also know that even if my wife and I decided to move to a suburb, I will still worship in Detroit one or more times a week, which takes us back to regional thinking.

May God bless and keep you all.

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Reverend George Hubert Latimer-Knight, B.Sc.
Written March 23, 2011 at age 29

Our nation is in dire need of healing. Too many of us are turning to violence as an answer to our sorrowing souls. The tragedy in Tucson, Arizona should give us all pause. Let us all rethink our values and priorities in life. As President Obama suggested, we should each do something, whether big or small, to honor the memory of each victim.

While watching a news report of the hurting citizens of Tucson I was struck with a thought. After the story ended I turned to my wife and said, “What about the people who go through this everyday?” One little girls, very emotionally, briefly described her feeling about the sweet 9 year old girl who passed. Sadly, there are children in inner cities across America, who have had multiple classmates die. Some go through this pain every other grade more or less. God knows I’m not trying to diminish Tucson’s pain. What I hope happens in the national media is reveal to America that Tucson’s pain is felt everyday in higher crime areas.

We as a nation need to pause and start finding solutions. Why is it that this 22 year old shooter found more success obtaining a gun and going on a killing spree than in his college career? Why is it that the state of Arizona will spend more money on his trial, imprisonment, and possible execution, than it would have ever spent on him getting the mental health services he obviously needed? I never have and never will understand why we’ll unmercifully cut education budgets but spend tens of thousands of dollars a year to hold people in prison.

If we can take this tragedy and make progress as a nation, then it was not in vain.

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Rev. George H. Latimer-Knight, B.Sc.

A larger number of young people than most of us realize live in nursing homes, either temporarily or permanent. It’s quite sad when, like in this story, a 26 year old man lives in a nursing home with an elderly population. Not that living around older people is bad but he sees people die everyday and has no one to relate to or talk to. Be thankful no matter your circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18) because there’s someone worse off than you.

The young’s name is Adam Martin and we’ll be sending him a card/correspondence this week from the ministry. We’ll update you if he contacts us.

2011 is the Year of Truth! It’s time to act and uplift the fallen humanity as Father Hurley commanded us. Amen.

Your obedient servant,
Reverend George H. Latimer-Knight, B.Sc.

SOURCE
More young people are winding up in nursing homes by Matt Sedensky, Associated Press, Fri Jan 7, 6:19 pm ET