“Tech Assimilation and Warehousing of Talent” byGregory V. Boulware
The other day, I received a call from a state representative regarding the information posted on my web site. I was questioned about its content. The woman on the telephone was totally non-communicative, arrogant, and oblivious to the answers given in response to her questions.
Having been formally unemployed for more than a year, the last thing that I wanted was to jeopardize my UC bennies. The content of my web site(s) are not only meant to profoundly convey information to visitors, but to display my particular skills and talents. The woman wasn’t having any. The more she spoke, with defiance, the more it became obvious that she was not an IT Person. Her telephone cadence ended with her assuring me of forthcoming follow-up contact from an investigator.
The site content not only speaks for itself, but it is very clear that it does not generate revenue for my personal gain. Albeit, revenue generation of family, friends, and acquaintances is the sole benefit to the business and activities pertaining to those particular individuals. The posted data is primarily intended to aid people in educational, current and past events, and employment connections. The site also aids my job search and exposure to perspective employers. The intent is to make an impression.
Computer Science Students of color are highly underrepresented in the IT Workforce.
People of color with degrees are the least represented group prepared for IT jobs in the information technology industry. The implication displays serious dissention for higher education as well as with the IT industry. The limited number of IT workers is not only limited to people of color. The attraction and retainment by employers of a particular group represents a major deficit to the information technology workforce. Underrepresented groups, i.e., African Americans, Latino Americans, Women, and Older workers would profoundly benefit the expansion of information technology workforce needs. The 1998 report by Herman D. Hughes, a professor at Michigan State University said, “Studies have shown that if those underrepresented groups were fully participants in the IT workforce, there would be no IT workforce shortage.
“New Legislation, White House policy, and a Cyber Security Czar should help the situation. The lack of centralized leadership has hindered information sharing on vulnerabilities and uncertainty about government security policy remains to be done in opening up data silos”, according to Mr. J. Nicholas Hoover of TechWeb.com.
Federal agencies reported that various intelligence agencies had pieces of information about the U.S. attackers of September 9, 2001. This non-communication faux pas aided to gaps in information sharing among these pertinent agencies. Mr. Hoover also said that no agency had all the pieces needed for a complete information package. However, “there has been progress since then, from multi agency information sharing agreements with the adoption of wikis and blogs.” Albeit, rifts and gaps remain, terrorism information sharing has become a government wide approach to data sharing. “Information sharing mandates and training programs have been implemented by fewer than half of the affected agencies,” says Hoover. The Markle Foundation finds “old habits die hard!” All agencies are required to disclose details of their stimulus spending as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This includes all states involved and the jobs that have been created. Consistency is sought by the Treasury Department with regard to its financial reports with government wide treasury accounts. Improvement within the White House Office of Management and Budget is expected to create cohesive financial management systems in its improvement efforts, according to Hoovers’ report.
The question is why is it that redundant non-interoperable systems remain normal within government agencies? Hoover states, “Many agencies insist on maintaining their independence and those that want to open up face technical obstacles in sharing information.” He cites the Department of Defense as a case in point. Military branches resist utilizing Defense Information Services Agency (DISA) or the Defense Business Transformation Agency (BTA).
Siloed Information has proven to be the DOD’s biggest challenge while slowing in the modernization of the departments business systems as recorded by the Government Accountability Office. More than 3,000 disparate financial systems are replaced and/or connected to 12 ERP systems (Short for enterprise resource planning, a business management system that integrates all facets of the business, including planning, manufacturing, sales, and marketing. As the ERP methodology has become more popular, software applications have emerged to help business managers implement ERP in business activities such as inventory control, order tracking, customer service, finance and human resources.) with a spending allowance of one billion dollars annually. Countless interfaces require the connectivity of reconciliation errors within these governmental systems.
“It is clear, the future of information technology is inextricably tied to how well underrepresented students are prepared,” says Bob Reed, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at Cingular Wireless Systems, as reported by Mr. Fred Green Jr., NNPA Technology writer. “The path to success begins long before a potential employee completes a job application.”
This reporter’s collegiate study has spanned more than 10 years. Attending Philadelphia Community College, starting in the fall of 1996 with Management and Technical Studies and Berean Institute College of Business Administration and Computer Science in Philadelphia PA, Accredited By: The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, etc. The later institution is an “HBCU”(Historic Black Colleges and Universities).
A challenge was given to three HBCU Campuses. The three historic colleges were Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA; North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C.; and Florida University in Tallahassee. The business students of the three campuses were charged with the development, implementation, and marketing plan to reach their campus peers and faculty membership. Cingular Wireless Systems made this challenge, says Mr. Green. The rewards are scholarships, grants, and company products. Cingular’s challenge provides an opportunity for the business students to present their abilities to show capable balance and theory with teamwork concepts as well as individual creativity. (The challenge results are to be announced at a later date).
Employers are constantly seeking new skills, training, and learning. Why is it so difficult for IT and BI (Information Technology and Business Intelligence) students to acquire the sought after jobs and career paths that they seek? (Especially within the government agencies!) Why are entry-level positions of employment riddled with red tape when it’s obvious that applicants have the skills and abilities to perform IT tasks and responsibilities?
An IT Labor Shortage? Please!
IT skilled laborers tend to not have their skills on idle format. They, (we), need to keep up with the information trends and changes. We are constantly encouraged to continue educational pursuits even while the costs have risen to unreachable heights for the average person. We are encouraged to build and maintain on-line profiles and resumes’ that will attract employer viewings. We are encouraged to display our skills and talents on the Internet, only to have them scrutinized, ridiculed, disrespected, misread, and misunderstood. Our competition is not of our country and yet we are constantly encouraged while being discouraged from attaining the goals of our government – “The American Dream!” The competition constantly nurtures it’s home grown (and not home grown – but – returned home) trained and competent talents that places their IT productions to greater heights! That particular talent (in most cases) does not endure the pressures of financial stress, not to mention medicals, with the knowledge that the nurtured talent is intending to serve the government to which it calls home…motherland: for at least one to two years. The competition looks back at us and smiles. The competition grows with the changing technology trends and changes while we sit and scream “IT Workforce Shortage!” The competition goes home with the trophy and we are sixth and seventh place in the world competition IT and BI platform(s). Take a look at the Beta Max, VCR, Home Computer(s), Electronics, etc. Is it not time for us to ride high in the saddle, to be first, to lead? We did it with the Presidency, didn’t we? So why can’t we find a way to fill the “IT Workforce Shortage” and utilize all of our talent…throughout the Land of the Free…the Home of the Brave? Inclusion is the only way to complete and utter freedom and release from our technological binds. We do not have to settle for runner-up, either!
Are employers viewing your web site, profile(s)? Are they drawing the wrong conclusions? Is the employed contractor/vendor adept to the current challenges of the IT World and it’s technologies? Is the investigator capable of understanding simple IT Language and its meanings and symbols? Or is it once again “Big Brother” announcing who’s really in control?
What’s on your web site?
Til next time.
Acknowledgement(s):The Final CallFred Green Jr., NNPA's Technology Writer, Technical Training Specialist for a National Communication Company.J. Nicholas Hoover, TechWeb Article - Government IT, "Data Silos, pg. 35-36, Information Week June 1, 2009.
All the people from the world may work together for a clean environment.
SAVE THE BLUE PLANET!
"Save the blue planet fighting permanently for the elimination of the pollutant technologies but especially contributing to the promotion of the non-pollutant technologies to protect the fragile environment, for a clean planet and for the people's health!" We can make it together.
Life is Love and Love Saves the World!
All the people from the world are brothers between they,like the children of GOD,or like the children of the Earth Planet, as like you!
My dear brother,
It is a honour for me to address you this message:
-Referring to Global Warming and Climate Change, today I am very pleased to send you some very good news:
"I HAVE EFFICIENT TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS AGAINST GLOBAL WARMING!"
My name is Justinian Ion Cioroianu and I am living in European Union, in Romania.
I am engineer and I am researching of 25 years to promote non-pollutant technologies.
I have a good experience of work of 42 years in more domains of activity,especially in the thermal and in the electric power field.
I am only a little man in this world so big, but I should like to bring my contribution to saving our world from a planetary disaster.
GOD made a beautiful world, but unfortunately the men destroy the nature and his world.
The humanity at present is crossing the most important technological crisis by his history ,because the people destroy the planet through environment pollution caused of the usage of old technologies.
I have some efficient and non-pollutant alternative technologies and I want to promote them.
I have also technical solutions with quick effect,against Global Warming.
GOD BLESS THE WORLD from Heaven, but we can make a clean planet here on Earth !
The human resources are the most important in the world and the human values must be discover, develop and use for development, prosperity and social progress.
The human resources don't must be killed in the criminal acts of terrorism, or in the wars.
The human aspirations must to have a good lawful and financial base for their achievement.
I am looking for sponsors, because my environmental Projects needs financial support, imperative necessary for my research work and I don't know who I must contact for my sponsorship request.
I should like to co-operation in this purpose with the investors.
If you may help me to indicate who I must contact for financial support in environmental research field and to apply my technologies and technical solutions, contact me please as soon as is possible at e-mail address: justinian_cioroianu@yahoo.com
I am a creative person and I am fighting permanently against the Earth Pollution, anybody may view my Blog and websites:
http://savetheblueplanetmxauthorjustin.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
http://www.myspace.com/justiniancioroianu
http://www.youtube.com/justiniancioroianu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Cioroianu_Justinian
GOD BLESS THE WORLD !
Greetings from Romania,
Justinian Ion Cioroianu.
. It is a honour for me to address you this letter.
-Save the Blue Planet fighting permanently for the elimination of the pollutant technologies but especially contributing to the promotion of the non-pollutant technologies to protect the fragile environment, for a clean planet and for the healt of the people.
-Save the Blue Planet contributing to change human outlook.
-Save the Blue Planet assistance the human being to finds her dignity.My name is Justinian Cioroianu, I am living in European Union, in Romania. I have an audio-video studio and I'm working hard everyday just for the purpose to send to all the people from the world this messages through my work:"Life is Love and Love Saves the World!""Save the Blue Planet!"GOD in His Great Love for us made a beautiful world, but unfortunately the men destroy the nature and his work.I am only a little man in this world so big,but I should like to bring my contribution in saving our world from a planetary disaster and I am fighting for a cleaner earth for the people health.I have saw that humanity in present is crossing the most important technological crisis by his history, because the people destroy the planet through environment pollution caused of the usage of old technologies. . I am engineer and I am researching of 25 years to promote non-pollutant technologies. Referring to global warming, today I am very pleased to send you some very good news:"I HAVE EFFICIENT TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS AGAINST GLOBAL WARMING!" I want to try also through my work to bring my contribution in changing human outlook with the intention to change our world,but to get this ideal I know is necessary to begin with me and change myself only and afterwards I shall may recommend to all the other people form the world follow my example. I am thinking that the man who wants to govern the world for his advantage, is necessary to change himself only, to loves GOD, the Earth with its nature and the people!I WANT TO BRING MY CONTRIBUTION FOR THE BUILDING OF A BETTER AND HEALTHIER WORLD, I KNOW IT IS TOO MUCH WORK FOR ME, BUT WITH ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE FROM THE WORLD TOGETHER , SO AS EACH OF US TO WISH THE EMBELLISHMENT HIS CHARACTER, WE'LL HAVE A REAL SUCCESS TO MAKE A NEW WORLD WITHOUT TERRORISM ,WITHOUT WARS AND WITHOUT RACE FOR RICHES HAZARD. THIS SELFISH RACE DESTROY OUR WORLD,DESTROY THE EARTH! Here, on the Planet Earth, there is a School of Love, where the Spirit lives a human experience and becomes wise.We all must be preoccupied of: 1-Soul increase-perfection2-Spiritual evolution, 3-Embellish our character and compete in doing good deeds, because since when we leave this world we only keep for ourselves one wealth, that is the energy of our good deeds!All the present laws of the world may be reduced at three laws only, easy to remember: 1-Love God, 2-Love your neighbour, 3-All the negative actions you would not like in your life, don't send it to somebody else!Since "ALL IS VOID WITHOUT LOVE!"-All the people from the world may work together for human outlook changing for the purpose to make a better human being and a better and healthier world to live in. -All the people from the world may work together for a green environment also. -The human resources are the most important in the world and the human values must be discover, develop and use for technological development, universal economic prosperity and social progress. -The human resources don't must be killed in the criminal acts of terrorism, or in the wars. -The human aspirations must to have a good lawful and financial base for their achievement.
may view my Blogs and websites:
http://savetheblueplanetmessage.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
my e-mail address : justinian_cioroianu@yahoo.com Fight to Save Our Planet, please!I wish you Have Only Happy Days,Peace,Love and Light! GOD BLESS THE WORLD !. Justinian Cioroianu
Solar Energy Opportunities
Throughout the world the economy has been the focus of attention, but all is not bad as it seems the way I view it! This of course as had some very unfortunate burdens on Americans and the international community, but perhaps we should consider it a wakeup call when you consider the following:
The aforementioned I feel are just a few of many, which we have known about or even cared about, but never acted upon to address their importance in our daily lives. Perhaps most importantly its brought us back to the realization that we were all living somewhat beyond our means. An article appeared on AP Online News that best illustrates what some individuals are taking to return to appreciating what we have and how we can live cheaper and better. The article is entitled: “Dollars from dirt: Economy spurs home garden boom”.
For others this is a time of opportunity even in the beat-up banking industry; I’m not talking about the big banks or the bonuses received, but again collective individual who have formed “New Banks”, which are just starting up in business. Again, another article, which needs reviewing, is presented by TIME Online, entitled: “While the Giants Reel, Many Small Banks Are Thriving”.
An additional article, also by TIME, which complements both previous mentioned articles entitled: “1. Jobs Are The New Assets” also outlines our changing values and society of how we perceive ourselves “changing” in this newly developing economic environment. The uniqueness of this article reminds us of what we have as mental and physical tools we have developed within ourselves and around us that we sometimes overlook or forget.
OK, so perhaps by now I’ve convinced you we’re in the process of changing or at least the “need for change”. So, based from the list above of the “good things” that are taking place now; what’s my prediction of the best or possible opportunity to go into, if you’re looking for a job or career change? I’d say the Green industry looks the biggest and fastest potentially growing industry and I base this assumption on an article by Gallop, entitled: “Americans on Energy: Promote Both New Sources and Old” and present this chart below:
As you can see I’m also basing my opinion on our government responding with the promises they have committed to during the past election cycle.
Our newly elected President said it was time for “Change”, but I earnestly don’t believe he felt the financial disasters he inherited would lead to the type of change we are experiencing today. So, we make the best of the situation and attempt to seek opportunities, which we know are out there and only need to be developed into new Microsoft’s, Dell’s and Blackberries.
Complementing this posting a video, recommended to me regarding “Green Opportunities”, entitled: “Toxic Chemicals in Products: Financial Risks & Opportunities”, which I feel is capable of expanding in an unlimited number of employment possibilities for the future, perhaps give it a look.
Toxic Chemicals in Products: Financial Risks & Opportunities
Investor Environmental Health Network presents this educational video on chemicals in products and green chemistry opportunities.
Interesting email sent out today from T Boone Pickens regarding ATT
_________________________________
Hey, Army - Listen to this! The Pickens Plan is having some real impact.This morning, Randall Stephenson, who is the Chairman and CEO of AT&T made a very important announcement.AT&T is going to replace 17 percent of its fleet - which is one of the largest in America - with vehicles running on natural gas and other renewable fuels. They are going to purchase 8,000 truck chassis built by an U.S. automaker and then they'll work with domestic suppliers to convert those chassis to run on natural gas.A big portion of AT&T's fleet is going to domestic natural gas and is using vehicles built in America to do it. AT&T will also be working with natural gas suppliers - domestic natural gas suppliers - to build the fueling facilities they will need for these vehicles. AT&T is also going to replace some 7,100 cars which are running on gasoline with cars using battery and other alternative sources. When this is done, AT&T will have one of the largest alternative fueled fleets in history.I believe this is going to be a big momentum play. When other fleet operators put their transportation teams on this, you're going to see a major shift away from imported diesel and onto domestic natural gas.This announcement gives the Pickens Plan Army a great push going into the next few weeks when Congress will begin to act on energy legislation. To build on this momentum, and to make sure Congress and the Obama Administration know we want a plan now, we're going to be holding a Virtual March on April 1-3. Along with our Virtual March partners, we are going to rally Americans to deliver the message to Congress that the time is now to put a plan in place and to end America's staggering addiction to foreign oil. There has never been a Virtual March of this magnitude and we are certain it will leave a strong impression on Washington. The time to act is now!Visit www.pickensplan.com/virtualmarch to learn more and sign up to participate in the Virtual March.-- Boone
source: http://enviros.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNBY
also see http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx5pM
Rush "I hope Obama fails" Limbaugh has risen to new heights of laughable stupidity.
As reported at http://mediamatters.org/items/200902130016 - which apparently has video of Rush making the comments I'm about to tell you about (though I haven't watched the video myself) - Limbaugh recently attacked Democrats for electronically formatting the text of the stimulus bill as a "pdf" file.
What's wrong with a pdf file? According to Limbaugh - and this is serious; stick with me now - pdf files are unsearchable. Therefore, said Limbaugh, it became impossible to search the bill text to see specific spending provisions.
Media Matters themselves says it best in their headline:
"Memo to Limbaugh: Try CTRL+F !"
I work with the Hope Now Project for free voluntary global birth control. You can find out more about this at: www.mundomio.org/hopenow.html. This incredible program can dramatically reduce environmental pressure in ONE DECADE, while simultaneously transferring wealth from the "haves" to the "have-nots" in a voluntary and managed way.
I seek to get rid of the "soft corruption" that is ubiquitous in the U.S.: cronyism, partiality to wealth and influence, bureacratic fear to engage politically powerful perpetrators.
I also seek a society that is high-tech/low-consumption/low-waste/low-exploitation (see: www.mundomio.org).
Lastly, I have an amazing sensing technology that promises to revolutionize how we interact with each other...think the next generation of the Internet, immersion virtual travel (see: www.prv.com).
What an Era we're livin' in, isn't it? History is about to be made! The inauguration day was a wonderful day! Go, Barack! A day I never thought I'd see in my lifetime.
But while we're excited about this new era, unfortunately we've seen record numbers of people losing jobs (600,000 people in November, and a projected 500,000 people in December). And now to date, our country has lost over 3 million jobs since 2007. This is also something I never thought I'd see in my lifetime. People are losing their homes, the car and banking industry are in a huge crisis, businesses are losing money in just about every industry, people who ARE working are struggling to pay their bills as the price of everyday living keeps going up. Gasoline had gone down, but seems to be on the rise, again.
So here we are....in a time of great excitement and of great challenge. While this may appear to be a challenging time for a lot of people, the flip side of challenge is spelled OPPORTUNITY.
With so many people losing their jobs, I predict that this will be a great time for small businesses and people who want to start their own business, create multiple streams of income, side and new hustles....whatever you want to call it....make money!
But you have to be ready. Create a Business Plan. Learn new skills. Look at your existing skills and how you can transfer it to viable businesses or jobs. Embrace New and Social Media. And most of all, learn how to Collaborate and Partner with people, entities, and companies that have the skills that you're weak in. You can't do it all. And believe me....you don't want to......There are only 24 hours in each day. So learn how to partner with people who can do what you can't do, better than you can.
Don't get me wrong. Everybody shouldn't partner with each other. Be selective. When you find the right person or company, set up a contract and put stuff in writing so that you stay in your lanes and are accountable for your tasks and for your actions. And most of all, make sure you know how much you each get paid and how.
If people don't learn how to partner, collaborate across the board (much like we're doing here at my.barackobama.com)....and I do mean across the board....everything from families learning how to get along, live together, and share expenses.....to business professionals learning how to work together who NEVER would have partnered in the past....we'll make it easier on ourselves when we learn how to work together. From a business and personal perspective, 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing.
So let's learn from our wonderful President Obama and the Barack Obama Administration. All different cultures, races, and people from economic backgrounds worked together and rallied around Barack to help him win and make history. And You can win in this economy, too.
Welcome to the new normal. Let's do this! Yes, we can!
Peace and Love! Stay Tuned and Stay Blessed!
Debra
Debra Dixon Light of Gold PR http://www.lightofgoldpr.com
lightofgoldpr@gmail.com
Stay tuned for our networking events, classes, workshops, teleseminars, webinars and more! View my footage on: http://www.youtube.com/lightofgoldpr
Follow me on:
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lightofgoldpr
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com Search for "lightofgoldpr"
Linked in: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lightofgold
Myspace: http://www.myspace/lightofgoldprandmarketing
I’m a firm believer that protectionism is not the answer, at this time in the world’s economy situation; however it is also my strictest of belief’s America as given away far too much of its technology to other countries, which in some cases as used it against us.We have seen what Japan and Korea as done with our cars, TV’s Microchips (RAM chips especially) and steel. No, in honesty both countries were developing these industries within their own country, but we provided them some of the needed know-how to get them off the ground.Today we wonder where all of our jobs have gone (out sourcing), consider re-reading the aforementioned paragraph and contemplate what the answer could possibly be?Now China has decided it needs to shift gears from being an exporter of inexpensive, commercial products to more a higher level of manufactured goods requiring advanced technology.
Dear Mr. President, I want to be hopeful, I want to our country to do well, I want archivists to not have to goof around with proprietary data formats.
I was upset to read that your inauguration was being broadcast using a MonopolistS proprietary video format.
Please live up to your promises for openness; openness in its many forms. And this includes using and promoting open, publicly documented protocols and file formats. At least use codecs that are controlled by Standards Organizations, and not one company.
Thank you, Drew.
Contact: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
This post is a brief overview of the Automotive Industry which describes some of the fundamental problems that are rarely spoken of. In addition, you will learn of a few of my personal experiences growing up, an environment where I was surrounded by the industry; you will learn of a few perspectives that are shocking and that even only a few within the industry know of. At the end of the post, you will better understand what happened to American Manufacturing and where it stands. The Auto Industry is at the heart of all of American Manufacturing. It is an industry that laid the groundwork for many other types of industries to follow, deemed at one point in history to be the highest of successes. But now, it sheds light on what can become warning signs for other businesses that mistakenly try to imitate it.This months hot topic is whether to bailout/rescue the regressing American Auto Industry. The original owners and their successors abandoned that industry long ago. The auto industry was ravaged and plundered by the wealthiest Americans a half century ago and has been in decline ever since. Shortsighted greed from one generation to the next has been the culprit. Since autos were first mass-produced and America monopolized the world, it was only natural that the American percentage/share of the market would eventually be reduced. However, total growth was enormous and total size of the market continues to grow even through today. Therefore, American growth of exports should have continued to grow, but does not significantly due to pillage and poorly planted roots. In simpler terms, we originally owned the entire pie. The pie was split up. Since the entire pie has grown dramatically, our piece should have grown too. However, the Big 4, 3, 2, … have been loosing market dominance and lead since the end of World War Two. Here we are years later in crisis, and the real question remains whether or not to rescue the real victims of the auto industry, the workers. People were not retrained or re-educated; most were never afforded real education's to start. People are now in despair and hopelessness. From my vantage point now living in Colorado for the last two decades, I have seen the high tech industry follow the auto industry, but at a learned and accelerated rate. Other industries are also copying the auto industry and are laying similar foundations also headed for disaster. Going back to a brief history, the misguided roots show how the decay started and why it spread.Although I did not grow-up during the inception of the Auto Industry, its roots surrounded me. I spoke with a few who were there in the earliest days, and spoke with many who were of the following generation. I absorbed its history by studying it while attending school in Motown (Motor Town), by natural osmosis, and in my earliest career dealing with the car makers.Growing up as a kid I lived less than a mile from Henry Ford's first moving assembly line factory, with GM’s World Headquarters’ just three miles away, and with Chryslers World Headquarters at the end of our street. The first Ford plant (in Highland Park, a city now surrounded by Detroit) and the first of GM's plants were built on the importation of the next generation of former black slaves and white share crop workers from the south (whites similar to former slaves whose white necks were red from working in the sunny fields, hence the mean spirited term 'Redneck'). The joke that Henry Ford must have laughed at and that went around town was "each worker would get paid enough to buy a Ford" (Of course using infamous 'Ford Credit' which was a primary direct withdrawal from their pay checks.) Henry manipulated a built-in guaranteed customer base and tapped double profits, being profits on the cars and the profitable bonded interest. Those were scams that he copied from sharecropping. The remains of their wages were so low that they had to live in shacks; but after all Henry felt, they came from shacks near the fields in the south. So much bigotry and repeated methods from sharecrop economic slavery. Instead of updating and rebuilding the original plants and without regard for the people who were the workers, the emerging auto giants left to go further to the suburbs. So, as they moved and grew they imported shipload after shipload of immigrant economic slaves from Poland (to Hamtramck, MI) and more economic slaves from the Middle East (to Dearborn, MI). There were other minorities imported as well, also imported for economic servitude to supporting industries such as mining, iron works, steel fabrication, glass works, textile, …. Astonishing how easily the game of 'divide and conquer' worked upon the variety of minorities; a game of keeping the workers pitted against each other using race and ethnicity; all to hold back the power of the people from truly uniting. WW2 caused the Automakers not only to retool but also to reevaluate their future directions.Soon, after the victory of WW2, came the Auto Giants grand visions for economically conquering the world via expansion outside the U.S. They quietly boasted that that would leave mainly world headquarters executives, designers, and engineers in the U.S. with the prestigious white-collar jobs. It was felt then (and these are not my bigoted opinions, not from me, yikes) that after all even 'the weaker sex' could do factory labor jobs as seen during WW2 (i.e. Rosie the Riveter). So why not have the 'stupid foreign workers' do the labor outside the U.S. What also gave way to the idea that manufacturing could succeed outside the U.S. was Mexico; since Mexican workers were also imported, but only temporarily during WW2. (By the way, the temporary Mexican workers were never fully paid back as promised during WW2.) A tremendous wave of pride about white-collar jobs became very popular in Detroit and in other automotive communities during the 50's. That vision sat poised on the back burner, but a pre-planted seed was already in place, which was Canada (Windsor) just across the Detroit River. Canada was a much-desired orchestrated precedence for the automakers; it set the stage for grace given by the government as an easily set up protocol for off-shoring jobs. Soon after, the automakers made a migration south to other states, then further south to Mexico, and finally overseas and on to economic slavery in China.Today we see the results of the destructive path the industry has taken. Layoffs, instead of being temporary situations reserved for pauses during new model changeovers, eventually became the mark of permanent labor plant closures. Obvious abandonment of people soon became the name of the automakers game. Along the swathed trail are - Highland Park, Detroit, Pontiac, Flint, Marquette, Gary Indiana, Pittsburgh, Toledo, Cleveland, …, which became known in the early 80’s as 'The Rust Bowl’. Sort of a rape, pillage, and burn mentality, which continues to today. Amazing how well the reasoning of "that's the way it's always been" persists and grows from one generation to the next. Excuse after excuse gave temporary reasoning to incremental geographic movements for global conquer. Temporary excuses ranged from the need to originally amass large workforces, to the hindrance of union pressures, to American workers are lazy, to 'over' government regulation, to …, all straw obstacles as to why the auto industry needed to move as it did. No! Greed is not good. We see how those at the top of the industry have each come in, grabbed with their greed, and left. Now today, we see how greed has caused "what once was, no longer is". So in short, now we see the results of greed, poorly planted roots, and disregard, taking its toll on America. Equally, is the toll on the myriad of unrelated businesses, old and new, that have adopted the auto industries infectious habits of having little to no regard for individual people that make up the American workforce. People.While being raised in the center of Detroit, I experienced many situations involving the Auto Industry; the following although early was not my earliest, and is an actual example. Around 1963, when I was 11 years old, I remember George Romney visiting our house to exchange political favors. Our 23-room house was a rundown relic of a past era, but it cleaned up well as a phony front for wealth and pretentious power. I remember we kids had to pretend that we were Christian Protestants for the visiting Governor (former Chairman of AMC) who was doing his Christian Mormon tradition of visiting the homes of his new legislators. How ostentatious they both were with fraudulent humility of how they rose from their humble beginnings. But more to the point, I remember Romney sitting at our dinning room table and saying "The Big Four Automakers don't have to worry about giving the Unions what they want, as long as the benefits will not be due for decades. By that time the labor plants will be outside the U.S." That shocked my brother Jimmy and I, as we listened playing in the sunroom just off the dinning room. Later we were once again physically punished (beaten-up), this time for listening to adult talk. Jimmy a year older than I, and intellectually gifted, soon became a Page at the State Capital. The accounts he returned with were shocking as well. Growing up as we did would make your head spin and open your eyes to disgust. We continued living in those surroundings until we grew out of our teens. Then we moved on to make our own adult lives, creating better environments much different from what we were born and raised in.Recalling back to my teens, I realized back then the Detroit riots were not only about race, but was also about economic oppression. It was the minorities who were oppressed the worst, most especially African-Americans. Bad however you measure it is bad. (For a better understanding of the decline of Detroit and to better understand the riots, take a look at my other post: “DETROIT RIOTS OF 1967, A RECOLLECTION OF THE TRUTH.” You will also better understand how very close we came to seeing a nationwide repeat of the riots in the coming Spring of 2009.)Unions, workers, man-hours, laborers, …, are not people, they are burdens to be minimized and eliminated. While watching Lee Iacocca being interviewed on Charley Rose last year, I noticed Iacocca admit that he new all the way back during negotiations with the unions, in the early 80’s, that Chrysler would never have to pay off in full on long term commitments to the unions. As Iacocca danced around the issue he said "now the unions will have to face reality". And, as Rose went on to discuss it more, Iacocca was getting more uncomfortable, and eventually managed to change the subject away from discussing past union negotiations. Iacocca was a bit slicker than George Romney was, since Iacocca was on national TV. It made me ashamed that Chrysler World Headquarters was at the end of our street when I was a kid. And, that as a young adult I had so proudly in my early career returned while working for a couple of electronics companies to Chrysler's World Headquarters R&D operations. I thought it an honor to have paid Iacocca's in-house barbershop to cut my hair, even his same barber. Some honor.Following Chrysler, I moved up to deal with GM, and was puzzled. I listened to upper executives at GM complain that they constantly had to bribe Mexican government officials and border guards for GM plants. I guess they also assumed I already new and accepted that the plants in the late 70's had already begun their exodus to Mexico and other countries. I have always looked at bribery as disgusting and wrong, it was not for me or those who I dealt with, that's among the many good things that a mentor named Jack Bazzy taught me as a young kid. By becoming acquainted with other mentors as an adult, I learned to seek out highly reputable employers and quality knowledgeable friends. I learned how to educate myself, and moved up very high in the scientific and technical industries, all of which I enjoyed.Although I grew up in Highland Park / Detroit, that was not anywhere near my top focus in choosing Obama. But, it is a simple history for me to recall, amazing how many more details I can give, but the main points have been brought forward. In addition, from being a mutt of sorts myself, to being a self made man, be that what it may, I have no illusions of being great. What I do mean here is that I quickly recognize many of Obama's unique insights, although mine are different but a bit similar in nature. Like many Obama supporters, I have personal experiences on most issues Obama has raised. So, above is just one of many examples that I can personally give.To better understand manufacturing in America, you can read my other blog: WHAT SCREWED UP MANUFACTURING FOR AMERICA
Blog members can reply here, anyone is welcome to email me at: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
There are two interesting articles in today's Sunday Business section of the New York Times. The first is Janet Rae-Dupree's article entitled Innovation Should Mean More Jobs, Not Less. In the piece Ms. Rae-Dupree cites a Silicon Valley petition circulating seeking to create a tax credit for companies that spend on information technology like computers and software. Things to further research:
The Pickens Plan: For those who would like to become an active participant in a solution for our nations energy needs I urge you to join with T.Boone Pickens in his quest for a cleaner planet through alternative energy.
Also see Green Wave Energy: Green Wave was founded by Mark Holmes and was formulated for viable alternative energy solutions. Green Wave Energy is promoting state-of-the-art energy-saving products and services throughout the country.
Green Wave Energy understands alternative energy technology will become “main stream” when
Call 949.645.1701 for information on how Green Wave Energy can help you save the planet.
Alternative EnergySource: David Apperson
url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy
Why am I so interested in technology and what does that interest have to do with minorities and nonprofits? Well, let me give you a little background. I am an African-American male, born in Philadelphia some 40 years ago. I was left in the hospital by my mother and raised in a wonderful foster home. Because my connection with the Women's Christian Alliance, a nonprofit in Philadelphia I was able to live a good life, get exposure to an Upward Program hosted at the University of Pennsylvania, and finally attend college where I received a 3 year R.O.T.C. Scholarship.
Not until later after college did I become enamored with technology and how to use it to better communicate. Later I entered the ministry and received a Master's in Divinity, was ordained and served in non-traditional ministry for several years. During this time I always looked for ways to utilize various communication technologies (see this example: TheProductiveChristian.com) to make my job easier and provide my constituents with easier access to information. It has just been over the last several years that I have become proficient in utilizing online audio, video and other new technologies that we are creating now, to better communicate with others via the web. Currently I work in a nonprofit organization, and have a small technology company (visit: My-DropZone.net) that develops innovative communication tools.
My experience as a minority who has been helped by nonprofits and has worked in nonprofits has helped shape my views and passions regarding the two areas mentioned earlier. I have seen the lack of knowledge of and use of popular web based tools in these two communities as huge opportunity for growth and overal productivity. This blog is my attempt to explore how more minorities who are most often touched by the services of nonprofits and nonprofits who need to become more efficient in carrying out their missions, can become more productive through the appropriate use of technology.
I like it that there are synergies that Barack sees among his policies, such as
