BlackPressUSA.com
    9/7/2010
Official Site:
NNPA The Black Press of America

Built By:

NNPA Foundation
XIGroup
  AT&T
Essays
OP-ED
Harry Alford

Hysteria can Lead to Bad Policy
by Harry C. Alford
NNPA Columnist


(NNPA) - Public policy is very important to us in many ways. Our economy, health, welfare, safety and general quality of life depends on good public policy which is fortified with laws, rules and regulations. Bad public policy can lead to financial disaster, sickness, danger and insecurity. Lately, our elected officials and advocates have been using “knee jerk” responses to problems that simply require common sense and direct action. Let’s look at some examples.

It is 2010 and malaria is the number cause of death in Africa. The chances of a village child making it to adulthood are very low. There is a big initiative going on about funding mosquito nets. Oh yes, let the children sleep under these mosquito nets and the mosquitoes, number one source of malaria, will not be able to infect them. They are spending millions of dollars on these nets and you see countless ads on television pleading for you to donate towards the purchase of them. I guess the manufacturer of these nets is spurring this hoopla.

Has anyone ever wondered what happens when these children wake up and leave the nets? That’s simple. The mosquitoes will be there waiting to bite them. It does no good! What we need to do is eradicate the mosquitoes like we did in this nation about 100 years ago. Malaria has not returned to the US and that is a model to emulate in Africa as well as other places. It is just too simple! Kill the mosquitoes.

Our waterways are being infested with a foreign fish known as the Asian Carp. This voracious eater of algae and filth was initially imported to clean up catfish
ponds in Mississippi and Arkansas. Somehow, they made their way into the Mississippi River and have been thriving ever since. These fish can grow to be six feet long and weigh one hundred pounds. Any area infested with them will see the loss of trout, bass and other fish that feed on algae. From Mississippi to now Illinois the Asian Carp has been on the move and it appears to be threatening to come through the river lock system that connects the Mississippi River to the Great Lakes.

Environmentalists are saying “enough” and I agree. However, their knee jerk approach is to seal off the seven locks along the Illinois and Calumet rivers. Doing that would also stop $25 billion dollars in annual commerce along the 14 states benefiting from the daily shipping. It would also require industry to then ship along the East Coast and through the St. Lawrence Seaway raising the cost of doing business astronomically. Like the mosquito, the Asian Carp is not wanted or needed.

It is causing pain so let’s kill them. We can harvest them and process them into fertilizer and/or feed and cat food until they are gone. It is just that simple but we have to explain this to two senators, various congresspersons and a gang of city council people (Chicago). Just kill the pest!

Another fine example is that of tobacco. This industry is as old as Columbus.

However, they want to eliminate it by a “death of 1000 cuts”. They attack snuff, cigarettes, and cigars in various fashions. They have taxed cigarettes so much that they have actually created a very lucrative counter fitting industry that is worldwide. Like illegal drugs, our law enforcement agencies cannot keep up with the pace of the counter fitting. Thus, bullying the tobacco industry actually promotes crime. If they eliminate snuff, they will soon come after cigarettes. Then, after doing that they will come after my cigars and I will fight that with every breath I take. Ice cream is not healthy so will that be next?

They are even becoming racial about this. The latest rage being kicked around in Congress and at the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is to eliminate menthol from cigarettes. Menthol flavor is the favorite of African Americans who smoke cigarettes. Nearly 80% of all menthol flavored cigarettes in the United States are bought by African Americans. The brand Newport is the king of sales. Yes, they want to strike a big blow directed at us Black folks. How brazen can they get?

The fact is we should communicate and together come up with solutions that are direct and simple if possible. We don’t have to destroy industry if an unwanted fish enters our waterways and we don’t have to put children at risk to protect a lethal pest. Also, we need not to eliminate choice for the sake of healthy habits. Quick thinking and bad information can cause this kind of hysteria and we must be vigilant and follow the road of common sense. Every problem has an intelligent solution; we just need to find it.

Harry Alford is the co-founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®. Website: www.nationalbcc.org. Email: halford@nationalbcc.org.


Back to Previous Page  Email This Story to a Friend
Headlines from around the country
Right Tries to Bloc NAACP Criticism of Tea Party Racism
Tuesday, July 20, 2010

President Obama’s Mixed Record on HIV/AIDS
Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Jobs and Justice: Then and Now
Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Setting the Record Straight on Thurgood Marshall
Thursday, July 08, 2010

An All White Senate?
Thursday, July 08, 2010

Education: Still a Civil Rights Issue
Thursday, July 08, 2010

Afghanistan War – It Ain’t Working
Thursday, July 08, 2010

Let’s Take Back Our Jobs
Thursday, June 24, 2010

Expanding the Child Health Safety Net
Thursday, June 24, 2010

Defending Waters' Bill to Include Minorities and Women in Banking Reform
Thursday, June 24, 2010

High School Graduation Days Defy Purveyors of Gloom and Doom
Thursday, June 24, 2010

Bring the Power Back to the People
Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Beyond the Rhetoric: Let’s Fix Haiti Once and for All
Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Interracial Marriages: Blacks are the Last Choice of Other Groups
Tuesday, June 15, 2010

''Pelicans Over People?''
Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Israel Gets Special Treatment from Obama and U.S. Media
Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Artur Davis Uses Post-Racial Politics in Alabama and Loses
Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Reality Check: The Other Thurgood Marshall
Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Beck’s Attack on Malia Shows Depth of Depravity That Must Be Confronted By Sane Americans
Wednesday, June 09, 2010

This Will Be Worse Than Katrina
Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Taking Back Our Children’s Health, One Breath at a Time
Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Blame Obama All the Time
Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Financial Reform - The Devil's in the Details
Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Erasing Civil Rights: Rewriting History
Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Questions Linger about Obama’s Second Supreme Court Pick
Tuesday, May 18, 2010

A Black Woman on the Supreme Court? The Short Run and the Long Haul
Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Beware of the Value-Added Tax
Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Celebrating Women Beyond Mother's Day
Tuesday, May 11, 2010

A Word for Graduates: Let It Shine
Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Hysteria can Lead to Bad Policy
Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Take Racism Out of Immigration Reform
Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Is Gay the New Black?
Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Suspicion of Racial Origin
Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Where Would Dr. Height Stand?
Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Connecting the Dots within the Black Diaspora
Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Dorothy I. Height - Icon and Friend
Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Will Obama Fight for a Liberal on the Supreme Court?
Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Road to Memphis: PBS Documentary is Filled with Potholes
Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Beyond the Rhetoric Immigration, Drugs and Race
Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Obsession with Skin Color is Still an American Problem
Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The Right Challenges Financial Services Reform
Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Revisiting the State of Black America by George E. Curry
Tuesday, April 20, 2010

This Time They Beat Up White Guys
Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Va. Governor Calls Black Newspaper to Apologize for Confederate 'Mistake''
Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Obama Should Reject Top Supreme Court Candidate
Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Will Obama Fight for a Liberal on the Supreme Court?
Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Tiger Woods and the Masters: The Ultimate Odd Couple
Wednesday, April 07, 2010

White Hyacinths: The Arts in a Recession
Wednesday, April 07, 2010

School Bullying Is Killing Our Children
Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Health Care is a Fundamental Right: No Repeal and Replace
Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Right-Wing Republicans Masquerade as Teabaggers
Tuesday, March 30, 2010

U. S. Lags in World Technology
Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Preparation Takes the Cheat Off Becoming a Success
Tuesday, March 30, 2010

A Discriminatory Tax Based on Race
Tuesday, March 30, 2010

March Madness on Capitol Hill
Tuesday, March 23, 2010

The State of Black America 2010: Responding to the Jobs Crisis
Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Racism is a Pre-Existing Condition
Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Health Care: Finally a Semlance of Justice
Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Tavis Goes into Battle of Wits with Sharpton Unarmed
Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Drum Roll in the White House
Tuesday, March 02, 2010

The Trouble With Our Public Schools
Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Government is Broken: Who Broke it?
Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Fact-finding and Assessment Delegation Observe Needs for Rainy Season
Thursday, February 25, 2010

Benjamin L. Hooks: Internet Service Crucial to Advancement
Thursday, February 25, 2010

Stimulus Plan Averted a Second Great Depression
Thursday, February 25, 2010

How the CBC can Create Jobs by Harry C. Alford
Thursday, February 25, 2010

The Audacity to Adopt
Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Being True to Black Historymakers
Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Obama Dreads Being Labeled “Angry Black Male”
Tuesday, February 02, 2010

What Would You Sit In For?
Tuesday, February 02, 2010

United States Senate Has False Fear of Filibuster
Tuesday, February 02, 2010

On Harry Reid's ''Light Skinned' Comment: W.E.B. Du Bois Was Right
Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Has President Obama Become the Head Gate Keeper?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Jobs in Clean Energy Offer Opportunities for African-Americans
Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Young Black Men are Precious Too
Wednesday, January 13, 2010

What We Learned from Copenhagen
Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Wish List for 2010 and Beyond
Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Urban Food Deserts Threaten Children's Health
Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Attorney General Holder Picks up Black Male Theme
Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Why is Everyone Teeing Off on Tiger?
Thursday, December 24, 2009

The Politics of Credit for Health Care Reform
Thursday, December 24, 2009

The Curse of High Expectations
Thursday, December 24, 2009

Lighting the Torch of Conscience: A Holiday Reflection on the Death Penalty
Thursday, December 24, 2009

Where Do We Go From Here? An Active and Vocal Movement
Friday, December 18, 2009

Heisman Award Does Not Hide Alabama’s Past
Friday, December 18, 2009

Will There Be Climate Justice?
Friday, December 18, 2009

One in 50 U.S. Children Face Homelessness
Friday, December 18, 2009

Obama’s ‘Trickle-Down’ Economic Program
Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Black Press of America Stands With Black Caucus’ ‘Ben 10’
Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Too Many in College?
Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Blackonomics: Strange Bedfellows
Tuesday, December 08, 2009

A Word to Tiger: Silence Isn't Always Golden
Monday, November 30, 2009

On World AIDS Day: AIDS Epidemic is Far From Being Over
Monday, November 30, 2009

There is Nothing Good About ‘Good Hair’
Monday, November 30, 2009

We Need Pathways Out of Poverty
Monday, November 30, 2009

On World AIDS Day: AIDS Epidemic is Far From Being Over
Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Moderate Democrats Enjoy Too Much Clout
Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Winding Down
Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Junk Food Stores are Jacked Up
Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Targeting Black Lawmakers
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The White House Jobs Summit
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Obama in China, China in Africa
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

How Bigotry Caused the Second Iraq War
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

WHITE HOUSE EXECUTIVE TO ADDRESS ANNUAL CARIBBEAN GALA
Thursday, November 12, 2009

Real Health Care Reform Now
Wednesday, November 11, 2009

“Change”: A Year Later
Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Economic Crisis Elections
Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Better Off Than a Year Ago?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Better Off Than a Year Ago?
Tuesday, November 03, 2009

An Open Letter to a Confused Gregory Kane
Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Will God Stop Blessing America’s Gay Capital?
Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Obama and the Afghanistan Decision - Not in Haste
Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Black Turnout Looking Mild for November Elections
Wednesday, October 28, 2009

It’s Time to Press Forward on the Public Option
Wednesday, October 28, 2009

It’s Time to End the Wars
Wednesday, October 28, 2009

A Look at Cancer Vaccines: What You Need to Know
Wednesday, October 28, 2009

More Than Just a Pink Ribbon
Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Documenting Limbaugh's Racist Comments
Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Harper’s Ferry and Allegations of Terrorism
Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Afghanistan:
Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Enforcing Section 3 of the HUD Act
Wednesday, October 14, 2009

America Finally Discovers Christopher Columbus
Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Nobel Prize for Obama Deserved? Yes!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Pink October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Feeding The Hungry Should be a SNAP
Thursday, October 01, 2009

What Becomes of the Brokenhearted?
Thursday, October 01, 2009

Black Political Power is Exaggerated
Thursday, October 01, 2009

The Foreclosure Victims: Saddest Story Ever Told, Part I
Thursday, October 01, 2009

Barack Can’t Speak to School Children? Why?
Wednesday, September 09, 2009

No Excuse for Gun Violence
Wednesday, September 09, 2009

“The Beauty of Service”
Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Medicare: Hope - Not Fear - in Health Care Reform
Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Spineless Democrats Should Borrow a Page from Ted Kennedy
Thursday, September 03, 2009

That Four Letter Word
Thursday, September 03, 2009

Who Will Give Voice to the Voiceless?
Thursday, September 03, 2009

Entrepreneurs Accelerate Sales in Exporting
Thursday, September 03, 2009

Stepping Back from the Brink of a Deadly Injustice
Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Boycotting Glenn Beck’s Sponsors is not Enough
Tuesday, August 25, 2009

This is Not a Time for Silence
Tuesday, August 25, 2009

They Don't Dislike Health Care, They Dislike Barack Obama
Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Michael Vick Has Paid His Dues
Tuesday, August 18, 2009

AARP Offers Help for a Healthier Life
Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Rape: Torture in the Congo
Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Another Side of the Maligned Joe Jackson
Wednesday, August 12, 2009

U.S. Senate: Take Your Time and Get It Right
Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Republican Race Rage Not Tied to Health Care
Wednesday, August 12, 2009

We Must Support the Youth PROMISE Act
Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Attacks on President Obama
Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Audacity Still Intact, But My Hope is Fading Fast
Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Nothing Learned During ‘Teachable Moment’
Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Black Folk Must Advocate for Health Care Reform
Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Invite Pookie for a Beer
Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Michael Jackson's Secret Friendship with Louis Farrakhan
Tuesday, July 28, 2009

National Urban League Conference to Mark a Civil Rights Crossroads This Week
Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Obama's Correct - Cambridge Cops Did Act 'Stupidly'
Tuesday, July 28, 2009

President Obama in Africa: Taking Responsibility Begins at Home
Thursday, July 16, 2009

Let's Stop Playing the Lottery with Our Children’s Health
Thursday, July 16, 2009

Problem Solving is the Key to Life
Thursday, July 16, 2009

Healthy Vacationing
Thursday, July 16, 2009

‘I Came to Say, Thank You’ - Tribute by Rev. Al Sharpton, Michael Jackson Memorial Service
Wednesday, July 08, 2009

NAACP at 100: Needed Now More than Ever
Wednesday, July 08, 2009

A Tale of Three Deaths: Michael, McNair and Bubba
Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Failed Stimulus - Too Soon to Tell?
Wednesday, July 08, 2009

National Urban League Chicago Conference to Chart ''Path to Power''
Thursday, July 02, 2009

Peace, Be Still - Thoughts for and About Michael
Thursday, July 02, 2009

Testing is Key to Curbing AIDS Among Blacks
Thursday, July 02, 2009

Clarence Thomas: Wrong on Voting Rights
Thursday, July 02, 2009

Let’s Fight for the Stimulus Money
Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Make Change to Make Money
Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Bridget's Battle
Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Egocentrism Hindering Progress in New York State Senate
Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Questions about Sonia Sotomayor
Monday, June 08, 2009

President Obama Changing Islam’s Opinion of the U.S.
Monday, June 08, 2009

Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act Must Stand for Another 25 Years
Monday, June 08, 2009

How to Structure a Good Minority Business Program
Monday, June 08, 2009

African-Americans Can Get Skin Cancer: Protect Yourself This Summer
Thursday, May 28, 2009

From Murder to Miracle in Philadelphia, Mississippi
Thursday, May 28, 2009

Colin Powell Fights Back
Thursday, May 28, 2009

The Poor Pay More, Too
Thursday, May 28, 2009

Redskins” Equal Lack of Respect
Tuesday, May 19, 2009

National Foster Care Month
Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Republican Pelosi's Torture Diversion
Tuesday, May 19, 2009

A Legacy of 'Harsh' Techniques
Tuesday, May 19, 2009

A Stimulus Plan for Black Colleges
Thursday, May 07, 2009

People Need Help Now, Not Six Months from Now
Thursday, May 07, 2009

Urban Drop-Out Rates At Catastrophic Levels
Thursday, May 07, 2009

Beauty Contest Exposes Ugly Hetero-phobic Bias
Thursday, May 07, 2009

On President Obama's 100th Day, Democracy Hangs in the Balance
Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Raising the Stakes
Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Obama and the Right Wing
Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Women - The Ultimate Entrepreneurs
Tuesday, April 28, 2009

World Conference Against Racism: History is Important
Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Black and Green
Tuesday, April 14, 2009

A Public Health Insurance Plan Can Cover All of Our Children
Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Greed and Chickens Coming Home to Roost
Tuesday, April 14, 2009

World Economic Crisis?
Thursday, April 02, 2009

New Challenges Abroad With Obama as President
Thursday, April 02, 2009

The Hope of John Hope Franklin
Thursday, April 02, 2009

Madea vs. Mother Dear
Thursday, April 02, 2009

Majesty and Misery: The Richness of Lift Every Voice
Wednesday, February 25, 2009

A Solution to the Roland Burris Mess
Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Making It Simple - Surviving Financial Depression
Wednesday, February 25, 2009

At Last, an Energy Policy is Forming
Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Preserving Black History Month -- Part 2
Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Awards African-American Style
Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Cervical Cancer: Knowledge and Action are Power
Wednesday, February 18, 2009

National African-American History Month, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Fiddling While Rome Burns
Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Express Your Love for the NAACP’s 100th
Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Clinical Trials: Are They Right for You?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Black History, American History
Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Black is Back, but Check Facts
Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Obama Coattails: Black Republican Chair
Wednesday, February 04, 2009

SCLC Faces Another Turning Point
Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Memo to Republicans: You Lost
Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Republican Obstructionist Defeat Bi-Partisanship
Wednesday, January 28, 2009

A Bailout for Our Students
Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Why They Fear Eric Holder; Why We Need Him
Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Black Republicans Coming Home?
Tuesday, January 21, 2003

Bush’s Compassionate Conservatism: What an Oxymoron!
Tuesday, January 21, 2003

Blackonomics

Tuesday, January 21, 2003

Trent Lott: White Nationalist Political Leadership
Monday, December 23, 2002

Enough with the Attacks on Islam!
Monday, December 23, 2002

Blackonomics

Monday, December 23, 2002

Republicans are Casting their Lott with Racism
Monday, December 16, 2002

Rumors of More Wars
Sunday, December 15, 2002

State Budgets, Cities and Communities in Trouble
Tuesday, December 03, 2002

Blacks and Mainstream Politics
Tuesday, December 03, 2002

NNPA Spotlight

Thursday, October 31, 2002

Collateral Damage and the Iraq War
Monday, October 07, 2002

Bureaucratic Bunglers Hamper Anti-Terrorism Plans
Monday, September 30, 2002

The New Negativism of “Black Leadership”
Monday, September 30, 2002

A Wakeup Call for Black Legislators
Tuesday, September 17, 2002

Bombs over Baghdad or Domestic Policy for the People?
Tuesday, September 17, 2002

Cynthia McKinney’s 'Assisted Suicide'
Monday, September 09, 2002

Georgia’s Cynthia McKinney: Gone!
Thursday, August 29, 2002

A Coalition of Conscience will ‘March to Justice’
Thursday, August 29, 2002

The Key to Peace
Tuesday, August 20, 2002

The Fat Lady Just Finished Singing
Wednesday, July 10, 2002

A Sister Will be Ohio’s Lieutenant Governor
Tuesday, July 09, 2002

No Balance in the Middle East
Friday, July 05, 2002

Bush Building Houses: What’s Up?
Wednesday, June 26, 2002

Farrakhan, Jesse and Arafat
Monday, June 24, 2002

Preparing Now for the Fall Elections
Thursday, June 20, 2002

Hate Crimes Issue Reaches Floor of Congress
Tuesday, June 18, 2002

NNPA Spotlight
Monday, June 17, 2002

Reporting on Cuba’s 'Reporters'
Friday, June 14, 2002

Search for Article
 
Click here for an
Advanced Search

Contact Us:  

This Week in Black Press Archives
 
Letters - Readers Write Back
 
Search Local Black Press Web Sites
 
© Copyright 2001-2010 National Newspaper Publishers Association, Inc.
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
Edit User Information