J.L. Schmidt, Statehouse Correspondent, Nebraska Press Association
The state of Nebraska killed a man. Do you feel safer? The governor told us that it was necessary for public safety and protecting the lives of those who work in the Department of Corrections. Besides, said he who gave $300,000 to a petition drive to put the death penalty issue before voters, it was the will of the people.
Carey Dean Moore was executed 38 years after he was convicted of killing two Omaha men. The 60-year-old had been behind bars that long. So, explain to me how killing him now acts as a deterrent? He was another guy behind bars and corrections officers deal with them every day. Do they feel safer with one less incarcerated person in a system that is tragically overcrowded?
Moore was killed with a four-drug protocol never before used in executions. The State Department of Corrections’ Director Scott Frakes, Attorney General Doug Peterson and Gov. Pete Ricketts all refused to disclose details behind the protocol or where they obtained the drugs. They apparently were in a hurry to get this done because one of the drugs expires at the end of the month. Of course, Ricketts and Peterson both are up for re-election. But, that couldn’t be the reason.
Ricketts, a practicing Catholic, defied the anti-death penalty stand of Pope Francis and the Nebraska Catholic Bishops. He again defaulted to the will of the people. Stop for a minute and remember that the issue had been debated for 27 years. Lawmakers voted to repeal it in 2015. Ricketts vetoed that bill and lawmakers overrode the veto in a move that cost three of them re-election after Ricketts contributed money to their challenger’s campaigns. Then came the big cash donation to the pro-death penalty group.
As I have said before, there apparently is nothing illegal about Gov. Deep Pockets putting his money where he wants to. But there is a disturbing pattern here. If he doesn’t get his way, he throws money at it. Apparently, money is power.
But, let’s get back to the death penalty. Drug companies have filed lawsuits in at least 14 states seeking to stop lethal injections on the grounds that they make pharmaceuticals to help people, not to kill them. Since electrocution has been ruled cruel and unusual punishment, that pretty much leaves firing squad or hanging as the only options. Never forget that the state hanged an innocent man, William Marion, back in 1887. We know he was innocent because the alleged victim was seen alive in 1891.
Of course, there’s mandatory life in prison. Moore was a good example of how that can work. Lawmakers seemed to think it was a good idea back in 1979 and 1999 and 2007 and 2015. I can’t understand why it isn’t still a good idea.
Recently, 14 former prison administrators from other states, many with firsthand experience in carrying out the death penalty, asked to intervene in a U.S. Supreme Court appeal by a death-row inmate in Missouri. They cited the emotional toll it takes on prison workers involved in the “face-to-face” duty as another reason to end capital punishment.
“Such executions do not serve the state’s interests in finality or justice,” their legal brief read. “Instead, they make public servants parties to barbarism.”
I do not want to diminish the murder victims, be it the two people Moore killed or the three Robert E. Williams killed or the two that John Joubert killed or the one that Harold Lamont Otey killed. That loss of life was senseless and has taken a toll on the families that most of us likely never will understand. The fact that more attention seems to be paid to the accused than the victims also is a matter of concern and distress.
One last thing, the lack of transparency is unacceptable. Always will be. That’s why I drastically changed my stand on the death penalty, which I now oppose.
Moore and Williams both became Christians. Williams wrote a letter forgiving Gov. Ben Nelson. As he was led to the electric chair, he reportedly said, “I’m going home.”
Former Associate Warden Larry Wayne put it in perspective.
“Spiritually, as a Christian, I just don’t believe in capital punishment — even Carey Dean Moore,” Wayne said. “He was brought into the world as part of God’s plan. When he goes out, it ought to be God’s doing, not man’s.” Carey Dean Moore was killed by the state of Nebraska. Are we any better for it?
------ J.L. Schmidt has been covering Nebraska government and politics since 1979. He has been a registered independent for 17 years. Contact him at:
Nebraska Press Association
845 S Street
Lincoln NE 68508
Gov. Ricketts Unveils Strategic Plan for International Engagement
August 08, 2018
Media Contact: Eric Maher, Governor’s Office, 402-471-1974
Kate Ellingson, Economic Development, 402-471-3749
LINCOLN – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts debuted the Nebraska Governor’s Council for International Relations’ (Council) “Strategic Plan for International Engagement (Strategic Plan).” This plan is a long-term strategy for growing Nebraska’s international investment, trade exports, and tourism and business profile.
“Trade has been a great way to grow Nebraska for many years,” said Governor Ricketts. “With over 95 percent of the world’s population living outside the United States, we have billions of potential customers for the food we grow and the things we make here in Nebraska. Last year, I formed the Governor’s Council for International Relations, and this week, the Council has joined me at the State Capitol to unveil a new plan that will inform our work in this area for the next five years. To grow Nebraska, my team will continue to make international trade a top priority.”
The Council was launched by Governor Ricketts in 2017 to spearhead growth initiatives in areas such as foreign direct investment (FDI), export, foreign student enrollment, and international tourism. It consists of leaders from 30 state agencies and organizations, including the Governor’s Office, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), the University of Nebraska, the Nebraska Farm Bureau, and the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association among many others.
The Strategic Plan was formulated with input from each member organization. It identifies six main areas as targets for concerted growth initiatives. They include:
Plan and execute a strategic five-year trade mission schedule.
Implement education/training opportunities to grow Nebraska exports.
Pursue FDI in strategically-identified focus countries.
Develop an engaged network of Nebraska goodwill ambassadors to promote the state overseas.
Collaborate with Nebraska’s institutions of higher education to forge partnerships and advance global engagement efforts.
Collaborate with the Nebraska Tourism Commission to promote the Nebraska brand.
During a press event held at the State Capitol, Governor Ricketts highlighted Nebraska’s long history of foreign engagement, and emphasized its continued contributions to the state economy and workforce. For example, Kawasaki USA, whose parent company Kawasaki Heavy Industries is located in Hyogo, Japan, employs more than 2,000 Nebraskans. Meanwhile, foreign markets import billions of dollars in Nebraska products like beef, pork, soybeans, and farm equipment each year.
The “Strategic Plan for International Engagement” can be downloaded here.
FINAL International Strategic Plan 2018.pdf A full video of today’s news conference can be found here.
STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
“I applaud the state for taking the initiative to coordinate our efforts across all sectors, including higher education which is so important to our state. Without a strategic plan, things don’t connect as well as you’d like. Having this plan in place with these goals, I look forward to the benefits to our state for a long time to come. Thank you to the partners involved for the opportunity for the University to contribute moving forward to developing talent and bringing more investment to Nebraska as well as sharing with the rest of the world the products that we produce here,” said University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Ronnie Green.
“International trade and global relations are critical to further developing markets for Nebraska’s agriculture commodities. We are excited about the collaborative efforts and opportunities to expand those markets through the strategic plan developed by the Governor’s Council on International Relations,” said Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson.
“I want to thank Governor Ricketts for his leadership and vision on the Strategic Plan for International Engagement. In order to continue Nebraska’s success in the international marketplace, it is essential for agriculture to have a roadmap for future market development. Nebraska Cattlemen and our state’s agricultural community are excited to continue working with Governor Ricketts to strengthen our relationships abroad and promote the Nebraska brand,” said Jessica Herrmann, Nebraska Cattlemen Director of Legal & Regulatory Affairs.
“Trade is critically important to raise Nebraska’s profile around the world and create demand for our quality agricultural products. I’d like to thank Governor Ricketts and the Council for identifying regions where we can grow exports and strengthen existing relationships to create additional opportunities for Nebraska ag producers and agribusiness leaders to promote and sell their products,” said Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Steve Wellman.
“The importance of international markets for Nebraska’s wheat farmers cannot be understated. Half of our state’s wheat is exported annually. We appreciate the Governor and other Nebraska commodities and organizations coming together to have conversations and develop a plan to help increase exports and international engagement,” said Brent Robertson, Nebraska Wheat Board chairman and a wheat farmer from Elsie.
“Tourism is the state’s third largest industry, and one of the keys to growing Nebraska. The agency has already been developing and implementing strategies to raise Nebraska’s profile internationally, and we look forward to partnering with the council on the initiatives in this plan to help more people around the world experience the Good Life,” said Nebraska Tourism Commission Director John Ricks.
If you have questions about this article or any legislation, you are welcome to contact my office. We can be reached at 402-471-2244 or pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov.
------ Pete Ricketts is Governor of Nebraska.
He can be contacted at:
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 94848
Lincoln, NE. 68509-4848
The state fair is an exciting time to celebrate Nebraska. There’s the delicious beef pit, Nebraskans showing their animals, and the fantastic 4-H and FFA exhibits all highlighting our state’s number one industry: agriculture. Every year at the fair, we look forward to a variety of special events like concerts and tractor pulls, and we indulge in amazing fair food like fried Oreos and, my favorite, pineapple whip.
The fun, fanfare, and state spirit on display at the fair unites and inspires us. It amplifies our pride in our state and the people who have and will continue to make it the best place in the world.
Each of us has a story about why we are a Nebraskan, and this week, I’d like to tell you part of mine.
I am a wife, a daughter, a mother, and a grandmother. I’m also a rancher, a citizen legislator, and a 4th generation Nebraskan.
My two grandfathers weren’t born in Nebraska. One came from Germany and one was from Michigan.
My Grandfather Strobel was an orphan and like so many, he came to Nebraska for a better life. He settled in Jefferson County, picked up some work, and eventually fell in love with a beautiful young woman named Minnie. They had a small farm. When the Great Depression came, it hit them hard but he worked harder and cared for his family. His four children learned the importance of hard work, responsibility, and getting an education.
Two of Grandpa Strobel’s sons put themselves through the University of Nebraska and graduated with degrees in civil engineering. My dad was one of them. All three of the Strobel sons served their country in World War II. My Uncle John received the Bronze Star, but we didn’t know about that until after he died many years later. If he would have told his family, well, that would have been bragging.
My Grandpa Bock also married a beautiful young woman, Marie Katherine, and although he grew up on a farm, they moved to Lincoln because that’s where some of my grandmother’s family had moved. They lived in what was called North Bottoms, and he worked as a boilermaker for the railroad in the old roundhouse west of downtown. He kept his job during the depression, and he was able to help care for his extended family.
He believed in hard work, family, faith, caring for others, and a good joke. He died when I was very young, but I remember his smile and laugh when he “took my nose.” He was proud that his two daughters graduated in education from the University of Nebraska. My Mom taught elementary school for 34 years. My Aunt Ruthie taught high school and her husband received the Bronze Star, which we also didn’t know about until after he died. The Greatest Generation didn’t look for praise. They did their jobs, took care of their families, and served their country and their communities.
This is who we are as Nebraskans. We love our country. We love our state. We value family and community. We believe in hard work and responsibility, and we enjoy The Good Life.
Over the next few months, my office will be collecting the stories of Nebraskans from across the state. If you would like to share yours, please do so under the contact section on my website, fischer.senate.gov. I would love to hear from you.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
------ Deb Fischer is a United States Senator for Nebraska.
She can be contacted at:
Washington D.C.
454 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
Phone:
(202) 224-6551
Fax:
(202) 228-1325
Kearney
20 West 23rd Street Kearney, Nebraska 68847
Phone:
(308) 234-2361
Fax:
(308) 234-3684
Lincoln
440 North 8th Street Suite 120 Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
Phone:
(402) 441-4600
Fax:
(402) 476-8753
Norfolk
Post Office Box 1021 Norfolk, Nebraska 68702
Phone:
(402) 200-8816
Omaha
11819 Miracle Hills Drive Suite 205 Omaha, Nebraska 68154
Phone:
(402) 391-3411
Fax:
(402) 391-4725
Scottsbluff
120 East 16th Street Suite 203 Scottsbluff, NE 69361
Phone:
(308) 630-2329
Fax:
(308) 630-2321
The Crete News welcomes letters to the editor and guest opinions (of less than 350 words). None will be published, however, without the signatures and address of the writer(s). Letter must be received by Mondays at noon.
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The Crete News
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On August 8, 2018 Governor Ricketts unveiled his “Strategic Plan for International Engagement.” As usual, Governor Ricketts and his incestuous business cronies configured a team of White people, apparently thirteen-(13) White men and four-(4) token White women to lead the Governor’s Council for International Relations. As historically and consistently practiced by all previous Governors for the State of Nebraska, Governor Ricketts ignored these facts:
1. White people account for only 16% of the World's population, but Ricketts’ “international engagement” team is 100% White.
2. Asia constitutes more than half the World's population, and China’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is predicted to overtake the US by 2030, but Ricketts’ “international engagement” team is 100% White.
GDP is the market value of all final goods and services from a nation in a given year.
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
GDP by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) - PPP takes into account the relative cost of local goods, services and inflation rates of the country, rather than using international market exchange rates, which may distort the real differences in per capita income.
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
3. Like is or not, White people have an “affinity” for developing successful relationships with other White people; likewise, people of color have an “affinity” for developing successful relationships with other people of color, but Governor Ricketts’ Council for International Relations is 100% White.
No, this editorial is NOT about playing the “race card.” And no, this editorial is NOT purposed to prompt White people to feel guilty about slavery, discrimination, White privilege, oppression and all that manipulative race-based-guilt crap, oh no. On the contrary, again, to hell with all that race-based guilt crap, this is about the here and now. Let’s make this really simple.
STATE OF NEBRASKA DOES NOT SHOWCASE DIVERSITY
As defined in the Governor’s “Strategic Plan for International Engagement,” the targeted countries and regions for “engagement” include: Japan, Mexico, Germany, China, Korea, Israel, Southeast Asia: Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South America: Argentina and Brazil.
QUESTION 1: Are people of color citizens of Nebraska?
RESPONSE: Yes.
QUESTION 2: Are any of Nebraska’s people of color immigrants or first or second-generation descendants from any of the Governor’s targeted countries and regions for engagement?
RESPONSE: Yes.
QUESTION 3: Do Nebraska’s people of color (immigrants or first or second-generation descendants from any of the Governor’s targeted countries and regions for engagement) have more and/or better first-hand cultural knowledge, political knowledge, and business knowledge of the Governor’s targeted countries and regions for engagement than the lily-White members of the Governor’s Council for International Relations?
RESPONSE: Yes.
QUESTION 4: So, why did Governor Ricketts intentionally exclude people of color from his Governor’s Council for International Relations?
RESPONSE: Well?
Please note, as a subject matter expert in all human resource disciplines, I’ve always been totally against quotas, Affirmative Action, or hiring or promoting someone because of their race, or sex, or whatever. It’s been my demonstrated practice to hire, promote, discipline or reward based solely on validated work-related proficiencies – period. Oh, perhaps, to explain or justify Governor Ricketts’ lily-White Governor’s Council for International Relations you want to use that ole tag line frequently used by White folks, “We just can’t find any qualified minorities?” Really?
So, who made the decision to intentionally ignore all of the successful Vietnamese men and women who operate restaurants, food stores, and other businesses lined up and down 27th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska? Are these residents of Nebraska, all who have more first-hand knowledge about Vietnam – much more than all members of the Governor’s Council for International Relations simply not worthy of consideration and development?
Given that Dr. Maorong Jiang, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations, and Director of the Asian World Center at Creighton University (or his designee) has much more subject matter expertise, and actual first-hand experience about all of Asia – more than all members of the Governor’s Council for International Relations, who made the decision to exclude Dr. Maorong Jiang as a member of or consultant to the Governor’s Council for International Relations?
Who made the decision to exclude Minister Sánchez-Salazar, Consul of Mexico in Omaha, Nebraska and a career member of the Mexican Foreign Service with wide experience in the consular, bilateral and multilateral diplomatic fields (or her designee) as a member of the Governor’s Council for International Relations?
Given that Omaha is home to more than 10,000 South Sudanese expatriates, and that Nebraska has the world’s largest population of Nuer (Sudanese) outside South Sudan, who made the decision to exclude members of the Southern Sudan Community Association or other Omaha-based Sudanese groups or individuals as a member of the Governor’s Council for International Relations?
Why should women and people of color spend time and money obtaining higher education degrees at the best universities only to be constantly rejected from consideration for the Governor’s Council for International Relations and similar "Glass Ceiling" opportunities?
STATE OF NEBRASKA DOES NOT SHOWCASE SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES OF PEOPLE OF COLOR
Instead of: (1) working with people of color to actually spur domestic and international economic development; and (2) showcasing the achievements of minority businesses, here’s what and how the State of Nebraska “showcases” people of color (as reported between 2008 and 2013 by the State of Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services):
a. The percent of unemployed civilian labor force among Nebraska Blacks or African Americans was almost four times as high as that of non-Hispanic Whites. About 11 percent of Blacks were unemployed in the civilian labor force, compared with about three percent of non-Hispanic Whites.
b. A majority of Nebraska Black households, about 65 percent, lived in renter- occupied homes and about 35 percent lived in owner-occupied homes. In comparison, about 29 percent of non-Hispanic White households lived in renter- occupied homes and about 71 percent of non-Hispanic White households lived in owner-occupied homes.
c. About 72 percent of Black or African American mothers who had given birth were unmarried, in contrast with about 20 percent of non-Hispanic White mothers who had given birth.
QUESTION: The aforementioned data was from 2008; is there evidence anything has changed?
RESPONSE: The social, political, and economic status of Black people in Nebraska has NOT improved. This is the “picture” Nebraska is communicating internationally!
a. The poverty rate was higher for Hispanics or Latinos than for non-Hispanic Whites. About 21 percent of Hispanics were living below the poverty level in the 12 months prior to being surveyed, compared with about 9 percent of non-Hispanic Whites.
b. About 13 percent of Hispanic households were families maintained by a woman with no husband present, compared with about eight percent of non-Hispanic White households.
c. More than half (52 percent) of Hispanic males aged 25 and older had less than a high school education and nearly nine percent had a Bachelor’s Degree or higher education. Among non-Hispanic White males aged 25 and older, about eight percent had less than a high school education and about 29 percent had a Bachelor’s Degree or higher education.
QUESTION: The aforementioned data was from 2008; is there evidence anything has changed?
RESPONSE: The social, political, and economic status of Latino people in Nebraska has NOT improved. This is the “picture” Nebraska is communicating internationally!
a. Over 73% of American Indian and Alaska Natives, ages 15 to 50 who gave birth in the past 12 months were unmarried; this is over 3 times as many as non-Hispanic Whites.
b. Over 3 times as many AI/AN (of all ages) as non-Hispanic Whites reported being below the poverty level in the past 12 months (36.4% and 9.5%, respectively).
c. American Indians and Alaska Natives (12.8%) were over 3.5 times more likely than non- Hispanic Whites (3.6%) to be civilian unemployed.
QUESTION: The aforementioned data was from 2013; is there evidence anything has changed?
RESPONSE: Consistent with the genocide of many Native American tribes, and despite giving legal and cultural relevance to Ponca Chief Standing Bear that Native Americans are "persons within the meaning of the law" and have the right of habeas corpus, nevertheless, the United States federal government and the State of Nebraska intentionally and unilaterally terminated (eradicated) the existence of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska in the 1950s; but after nearly forty-(40) years of appeals, it was not until October 31, 1990 that President Bush signed Senate Bill 1747 to restore federal recognition to the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.
Given the refusal of the United States federal government and the State of Nebraska to recognize the sovereign Republic of Lakotah, and the continued use of Indian Reservations as a caste system and to perpetually imprison Native Americans - the social, political, and economic status of Native American people in Nebraska has NOT improved. This is the “picture” Nebraska is communicating internationally!
a. In the 2006 population of Nebraska Asians, Vietnamese were the largest group accounting for nearly 31 percent of the Asian alone population. This is 19 percent higher than the national average; but Ricketts’ “international engagement” team is 100% White.
b. The Vietnamese had a higher proportion of Asian-alone population in Congressional District 1 (about 58 percent) and in Congressional District 3 (about 36 percent); but Ricketts’ “international engagement” team is 100% White.
QUESTION: The aforementioned data was from 2008; is there evidence anything has changed?
RESPONSE: The social, political, and economic status of Asian people in Nebraska has NOT improved. This is the “picture” Nebraska is communicating internationally!
If Nebraska is truly committed to egalitarian principles, why are people of color routinely excluded from nearly all aspects of ”politicking” by Governor Ricketts?
Again, if Nebraska is truly committed to egalitarian principles, why are people of color routinely excluded from nearly all aspects of ”politicking” by Governor Ricketts?
AGAIN, GOVERNOR RICKETTS DOES NOT SUPPORT DIVERSITY
What? You still need more proof? Well, take a good look at Governor Ricketts’ lily-(almost) White (male) cabinet:
John Albin, Labor
Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, Military
John Bolduc,
State Patrol
Byron Diamond, Admin Services
Courtney Miller, HHS Dev Disabilities
Darrell Fisher, Crime Commission
David Bracht, Energy
David Rippe, Econ Development
Ed Toner, Chief Info Officer
Scott Frakes, Corrections
Gerry Oligmueller, Admin Serv, Budget
Jason Jackson,
Chief HR Officer
Jeff Fassett, Natural Resources
Jim Heine, Fire Marshal
Jim Macy, Environ Quality
John Hilgert,
Vet Affairs
Kyle Schneweis, Transportation
Rhonda Lahmk,
Motor Vehicles
Lauren Kintner, Policy Res Dir
Mark Quandahl, Banking
Matt Miltenberger,
Chief of Staff
Matt Wallen,
HHS CFS
Courtney Phillips, CEO HHS
Bruce Ramge, Insurance
Ronnie Mitchell, Trans Aeronautics
Sheri Dawson, Behavioral Health
Steve Wellman, Agriculture
Taylor Gage, Dir Strategic Comm
Tony Fulton, Revenue
Matthew Van Patton, HHS Medicaid & LTC
Dr. Tom Williams, HHS Dir Pub Health
Likewise, lookingback at (Governor) Pete Ricketts' private sector origins at
T.D. Ameritrade, his executive board and leadership teams were and remain lily-White. So, it's foolish to expect anything different, especially the use of egalitarian business principles, from Governor Pete Ricketts.
OBSERVATION: Of course, women are "best suited" for care-taking and administrative office types of roles, so Ricketts' cabinet has women over health and human services, administrative policy, and motor vehicles. The good-ole-boy State of Nebraska embraces stereotypes.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT - One of the key responsibilities of any top executive is to develop one or more highly qualified successors and related staff. In the absence of a vibrant management succession program, it’s ridiculous for White people and people of color to complain there are not enough qualified people of color in senior level “decision-making positions.”
As validated by the State of Nebraska’s EEO-4, 92.1% of all public sector employees who make over $70,000 per year are White; of which approximately 75.4% are White males and only 16.7% are White females. Again, if Nebraska is truly committed to egalitarian principles, why are people of color routinely excluded from nearly all aspects of ”politicking” by Governor Ricketts?
Observations:
1. Denial, ignorance, or negligence are no excuse for the constant occurrence of blatant racism as historically and constantly demonstrated by the State of Nebraska, and Governor Ricketts and his business cronies. Governor Ricketts knows or should know that 1 in 7 white families are now millionaires; conversely for Black families, it’s 1 in 50, but instead of building an egalitarian “international engagement team" to equitably explore and share international wealth building opportunities - the Governor’s Council for International Relations is 100% White.
2. Instead of conducting a truly objective search to solicit input and participation of Blacks, Latinos, Asians, Women, Native Americans, Disabled, and Veterans with immediate knowledge and subject matter expertise in the cultures and businesses of various foreign governments, Governor Ricketts used the same pool of “usual and customary” cronies (political contacts, business leaders, etc.) to populate his incestuous Council for International Relations. Nothing changes.
3. Don’t give any importance to those obligatory photo ops of Governor Ricketts with any Nebraska-based minority groups, because again, before and after every photo op, the overall social, political and economic status of minorities in Nebraska has not improved.
4. As clearly demonstrated by U.S. relationships with China, Russia, Israel, Iran and hundreds of other nations, international relationships cannot be confined to only business, because culture and politics typically hold just as much importance. Far too often, “image” is everything. Accordingly, far too often, the “image” the United States is communicating internationally is one of violence and incarceration:
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
Likewise, the “image” the State of Nebraska is communicating internationally is also one of violence frequently perpetrated by people of color, and conversely, privilege is frequently given to White people to exempt them from violence and incarceration:
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
QUESTION: Instead of perpetually promoting images of people of color being overrepresented in prisons and jails, or unemployed, or poverty stricken, or with extremely low graduation rates from high school and college, why aren’t Nebraska’s people of color given the opportunity to showcase their business acumen to the world?
RESPONSE: Because as consistently validated by EEO-1 (private sector reports) and EEO-4 (public sector reports) White owned and White controlled companies in Nebraska do NOT hire qualified minorities or qualified women in higher level professional, supervisory, management, and executive level (“Glass Ceiling”) positions.
Those targeted countries and regions for “engagement” may not bring it up, but the failure of the United States, and the State of Nebraska to actually practice and enforce egalitarian principles is well known. The contradictions, hypocrisy, deceit, and the disingenuous nature of American politicians and businessmen are just as well known throughout the world. Plus, many of these targeted countries do a better job at diversity than the U.S. and Nebraska. Here, take a look:
As detailed in the above exhibit, there are a greater percentage of women in corporate and governmental boardrooms in Russia (42%), China (31%), Canada (28%), Australia (23%), Brazil (29%), Mexico (31%), and throughout other countries in Europe and Asia than in the United States (20%).
Plus, looking closely at the “Glass Ceiling” chart below, how can any delegation of business leaders from Nebraska hold their heads up high when in 2017, the “world’s leader for freedom and democracy (United States of America)” was ranked 19th, "below average" when compared to other nations in the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) “World’s Glass-Ceiling Index.”
NOTE: Women in the United States obtained the right to vote with adoption of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on August 18, 1920. Conversely, women did not obtain the right to vote in France until April 29, 1945 – and France is ranked 5th in the OECD “World’s Glass-Ceiling Index.” It’s must be true, White French men care more (avec amour) about White French women than White U.S. men care about White U.S women.
In summary, only White owned and White controlled organizations are “worthy” of consideration to be on the Governor’s International Relations Council:
Culturally-based “relationship building” organizations are intentionally excluded from the “good ole boys network” enshrined by the Governor’s International Relations Council for privileged White males.
THE SOLUTION: Simple. Configure an "International Relations Council" that mirror the egalitarian principles and demographics of the world’s leader for freedom and democracy!
If not, as with the Homestead Act and related laws or practices that established White privilege, in Nebraska, you MUST be White, and preferably a White male, to be considered and approved for any involvement in the Governor’s Council for International Relations. Given the aforementioned, many people of color might say the only difference between Pete Ricketts and David Duke (former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan) is their home address.
Is Pete Ricketts a racist? If it walks like a duck . . .
Our Letters To The Editor Policy - The Crete News welcomes letters to the editor and guest opinions (of less than 350 words). None will be published, however, without the signatures and address of the writer(s). Letter must be received by Mondays at noon. The general purpose of a Letter to the Editor is to focus on topics of local interest with support or opposition, comment on current debate over governmental or community issues affecting the area, respond to recently published material or other letters in this newspaper, or attempt to correct a perceived error or misrepresentation. All material must contain the clearly written name, address and phone number of the person(s) submitting so verification can be made by the newspaper. Signatures for each person submitting must be included before it will be considered for publication. The newspaper reserves the right to edit and condense submissions according to the Associated Press Stylebook, or to reject and/or eliminate anything perceived to be libelous. Submissions can be mailed to The Crete News, P.O. Box 40, Crete, NE. 68333-0040, dropped of at 1201 Linden Ave., or e-mailed to: newsdesk@cretenews.net. Thank you for your cooperation. —The Publisher
