October 16, 2023, HOUSTON, TX – Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards has raised over $1 million in less than 4 months, a substantial sum that helps bolster the frontrunner status of the former At-Large Houston City Council Member in her bid for U.S. Congress. Edwards raised over $433,000 in Q3 of 2023. This strong Q3 report expands on a successful Q2 where Edwards announced just 11 days after declaring her candidacy that she had raised over $600,000. With over $829,000 in cash-on-hand at the end of the September 30th financial reporting period, Edwards proves again that she is the clear frontrunner in the race. “I am beyond grateful for the strong outpouring of support that will help me to win this race and serve the incredible people of the 18th Congressional District,” said Edwards. “We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s trajectory, and we need to send servant leaders to Congress who can deliver the results the community deserves. The strong support from our supporters will help us to cultivate an 18th Congressional District where everyone in it can thrive.” Edwards said. “Amanda understands the challenges that the hard-working folks of the 18th Congressional District face because she has never lost sight of who she is or where she comes from; she was born and raised right here in the 18th Congressional District of Houston,” said Kathryn McNiel, spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign. Edwards has been endorsed by Higher Heights PAC, Collective PAC, Krimson PAC, and the Brady PAC. She has also been supported by Beto O’Rourke, among many others. About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. Edwards earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Edwards practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com
As September 13th rolls around, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to the creative powerhouse, Tyler Perry, a man whose indomitable spirit and groundbreaking work have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With his multifaceted talents as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director, Tyler Perry has not only entertained but also inspired audiences worldwide, particularly within the African-American community, where his influence and role have been nothing short of powerful. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969, Tyler Perry’s journey to stardom was a path riddled with adversity. Raised in a turbulent household, he found refuge in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet. This period of introspection gave rise to one of his most iconic creations, Madea, a vivacious, no-nonsense grandmother who would later become a beloved figure in Perry’s works, offering a unique blend of humor and profound life lessons. Despite facing numerous challenges, including rejection and financial struggles, Perry’s determination and unwavering belief in his abilities propelled him forward. In 1992, he staged his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, although met with limited success, was a pivotal moment in his career. Unfazed by initial setbacks, Perry continued to hone his craft, and by 1998, he had successfully produced a string of stage plays that showcased his storytelling prowess.
Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.
Mortified beyond expression
Before we go full bore on President Joe Biden, let’s consider the impact of receiving soldiers remains in flag draped caskets and consoling the bereaved families. Going to D.C. for the majesty and splendor of the African American Museum or the Smithsonian is a lot different from viewing the graves at Arlington cemetery of thousands of fallen American boys and girls. Old corrupt men sent many of these young men to fight and die in wars that were not in our national interest nor national honor.
Maybe, we all need to be lacerated by our consciences for the American people are responsible for the looming human rights catastrophe. The carnage facing thousands of Afghan interpreters and supporters was preventable. That is, proper and prior preparation prevents piss poor performance. How could the intelligence be so far wrong? A Taliban takeover of the country was calculated to be 6 months away.
If the facts hold, the intelligence led us into a blind alley and now the cost in lives will be unconscionable.
America has seen this before, Saigon Vietnam 1975. Our allies panicked and stormed the last helicopter out. McGeorge Bundy and General Westmoreland had given the President bad intelligence after American B 52’s had helped to kill a million Vietnamese. Young men that could not spell Communism were put into a no-win situation in rice paddies of Vietnam. After paying keen attention to the shining black prince, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali prepared the way for Kaepernick and others to redefine patriotism by refusing to be inducted into the US Army.
As defined by President Obama, American boys were fighting a “war of necessity” in Afghanistan following the NYC 9-11 World Trade Center attacks that were orchestrated by twisted Maestro Ben Laden.
In both cases there was American military superiority as measured by 300,000 soldiers to an estimated 75,000 Taliban in Afghanistan. It is worthy to note that creditable intel reports that up to 100,000 Afghan soldiers had deserted and that government thieves looted the funding for resupply and other logistics. Total domination thru the Air Force with laser guided drones and bombs. Certainly, there was a special forces superiority. 1,000-pound bombs that terrorize from 10,000 feet could not defeat the will of the Taliban.
Did the intelligence factor in that the Afghans had fought the British for a century, then the French and 10 years repelling the Russians? Did the intelligence factor in that during the Cold War a Texas Congressman, Rep. Wright had raised tens of millions of dollars to equip the mujahedeen with sophisticated weaponry for the purposes of defeating the Russians. Unintended consequences would follow the actions of swinging Texas playboy Congressman Jim Wright.
We, the United States, has emerged as an empire, more than a powerful nation state. We sport 800 military bases in 70 countries, more than Britain, France and Russia combined. We devoted trillions of dollars and nearly 2500 lives over 20 years.
My wife is probably right, “If we can’t do it in 20 years, it probably can’t be done”.
No, Joe Biden cannot shoulder the blame for this. President Trump tried to legitimize the Taliban and bring them to Camp David as dignitaries. 45 signaled to them that our will was waning, and we were leaving. Biden’s cross is that his analysts and policy makers did not plan sufficiently plan to get the visas issued to our friends and use our capacity to swiftly get them out of harm’s way. It is SHAMEFUL.
We have been lied to about there being three branches of government. There is a fourth branch that Eisenhower warned us about. It is the military industrial complex. It is responsible for at least 50 covert invasions-assassinations or foreign leaders since the mid 50’s. It is an arrogant and smug group of elitists.
“By early 1965 it was apparent that there was a great deal of lying surrounding the United States’ involvement in Vietnam. My first reaction was to think, “yes but my country must know what it is doing”. As the lies continued, my next was: “It looks like my country does not know what it is doing, but not being privy to CIA and other government information, I could not possibly understand the complexities of the situation.” But the lies went on, and by the end of the year I concluded that I had to at least try to understand it. After only three weeks of reading about Vietnamese history, I could understand it. What America was doing in the war was incredibly stupid and downright evil. Most frightening of all was the realization that after three weeks of research in my spare time as a psychiatry resident I knew more about Vietnam than the men who are making our policy there. My government was waging war in a nation it hadn’t even taken the trouble to study! “
M Scott Peck, M.D. In Search of Stones, p.256 -257
Let’s pray for the women and girls of Afghanistan. Let’s lock arms with Malala Yousafzai and demand that the governments of the world protect Afghan refugees and human and women’s rights advocates.
In Afghanistan, our American icons such as Meghan, Cardi, Lady Gaga and Beyonce would be killed for blasphemy. Religious fundamentalists have a problem with non-violent tolerance.
Tribal Afghanistan is a place where a father can pledge his baby daughter to an arranged marriage to satisfy a loan. Women can be prohibited from learning to read or write. This should be familiar to African Americans and people of color. Progress had been made to prevent women and girls from being terrorized and now much of it will go down the tube.
Did you see the RPG’s (rifle propelled grenades) and heavy machine guns that the Taliban portrayed while sitting at the ex-Presidents chair? I was mortified and frightened. Do the Taliban deserve a handclap for not killing their way to the capitol in Kabul?
I will not attempt to answer the question of why the Afghan army didn’t put up a fierce resistance. Evidently, their leadership counted the cost and perceived that there was no way to win with a losing hand. We do know that the likelihood of a prolonged civil war has been diminished although retribution – decapitation of heads is occurring as you read. I can tell you this. The Taliban will be vanquished only when there is no longer popular support for their hideous regime in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Furthermore, we must foster the awareness that the earth is one planet, deserving of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness and all the people are its inhabitants and citizens. We can do this without embracing tyranny and oppression.
Let us remember that despite this miscalculation, America is still a miracle.
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