Monday, December 27, 2010

I NEED AND WANT “OBAMACARE”

I am African-American and one of the tens of millions of poor people in a depressed economy. I am struggling on a fixed income because of an illness of work-related depression and anxiety.



I broke my shoulder bone after falling on a sidewalk in Houston, TX. My injury required an emergency transport by ambulance to a local ER and surgery. My co-pay before the operation would be performed was approximately $900.00 with Medicare Part A and B.

Vera Richardson

Saturday, December 11, 2010

My Book Screwed by Former New York Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer







“Screwed by Former New York Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer”  is a non-fiction account of Vera Richardson’s David and Goliath battle with Eliot Spitzer. The book details Richardson’s humble, and poverty stricken childhood, her determination to obtain a middle-class lifestyle for herself and her family, obtaining her dream of graduating from college and becoming a professional only to have that dream shattered by New York State Department of Correctional Services and Eliot Spitzer.

Imagine if you hadn’t done anything to deserve it and you lost everything because of your sex and race. By losing everything I mean your job, career, friends, relationship with family members, and physical and mental health. Imagine complaining of employment discrimination at your work place for three years and the discrimination and retaliation escalating instead of ceasing.

Imagine filing an employment discrimination lawsuit without an attorney. Imagine having your employer New York State Department of Correctional Services represented by New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and his staff of over 450 attorneys. Imagine the New York State Attorney General’s Office an agency with a Civil Rights Bureau violating the Civil Right Act of 1964 as amended during your employment discrimination lawsuit.

Imagine your Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VII case being thrown out of court because of perjured declarations filed by Eliot Spitzer. Imagine appealing the clearly unjust dismissal of your lawsuit without an attorney to all the way to the United States Supreme Court. Imagine the United States Supreme Court denying you justice by refusing to even review your case.


Imagine contacting the United States Department of Justice and having that agency agree that Eliot Spitzer filed perjured declarations in a federal court of law. Imagine the United States Department of Justice referring your case to the FBI for an investigation and Eliot Spitzer and/or his staff not being charged or held accountable for their actions.

More importantly, Screwed by Former Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is an example of the resiliency of an African-American woman to receive peace and justice for herself and other victims of employment discrimination and retaliation.

Vera Richardson
Author of “Screwed by Former New York Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer”

Sunday, November 7, 2010

African-Americans Vote and Stop Behaving Like the Children of Israel




I believe that during the November 2, 2010, mid-term elections African-Americans behaved like the children of Israel after they were delivered from slavery. Exodus 14:12 of King James Version of the Bible: “Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt; saying Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.”

After witnessing all of the never ending opposition to President Obama by the Republican Party I believe that many minorities feel like Velma Hart. Velma an African- American woman stated during a September 20, 2010, town hall meeting that she is exhausted from defending President Obama and his agenda.

Other minorities believe that race relations have gotten worse since President Obama’s election. Some middle class minorities believe that they were doing better before Obama’s presidency.

President Obama said that change wouldn't come easy in this country and the November 2, 2010, midterms proved that fact. President Obama can’t get weary and give up and we can’t get weary and give up either.

The poor, African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, the under educated, and women need President Obama to continue fighting for us and his agenda. We must trust God and know that just like He delivered the children of Israel He will protect and deliver us too.

We must vote in every election as if it’s a presidential election. Additionally, I want President Obama to know that he is loved by Jesus, my family, me, and millions in this country and around the world.


September 7, 2014 UPDATE
Hispanic Americans, President Obama's decisions to delay (not use an Executive Action) on Immigration Reform until after the midterms is necessary politics. Stop behaving like children of Israel. He appointed Justice Sotomayor, used an Executive Order for the Dreamers, elevated Mayor
Vera Richardson

Preview and/or buy my book Screwed by Former Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
I believe God created me to shed light on employment discrimination and for that light to cause POUS to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 again. Amending the Act again who protect victims from summary judgment motions that deny them a jury trial and justice.


Tuesday, November 2, 2010

THE REPUBLICIANS CAN’T HAVE THIS COUNTRY BACK



We will take our country back is one of the slogans that Republicans and Tea Party candidates have used to controlled the midterm election debate. Like many other African-Americans the thought of going back is unacceptable to me.

The tone and words of the Republicans and/or Tea Party candidates sound like Governor George Wallace in his 1963 Inaugural Address: “Today I have stood, where once Jefferson Davis stood, and took an oath to my people. It is very appropriate then that from this Cradle of the Confederacy, this very Heart of the Great Anglo-Saxon Southland, that today we sound the drum for freedom as have our generations of forebears before us done, time and time again through history. Let us rise to the call of freedom-loving blood that is in us and send our answer to the tyranny that clanks its chains upon the South. In the name of the greatest people that have ever trod this earth, I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny . . . and I say . . . segregation today . . . segregation tomorrow . . . segregation forever.

On Friday October 29 – October 31, 2010, I attended the 35th anniversary of the Alpha Kappa Alpha establishing a chapter at the University of Florida. Founded in 1853 the University of Florida is the oldest university in Florida. African-Americans were allowed to attend until September 1958. I was accepted to attend Fall of 1972 freshman class at the University of FL.

My recent visit to the University of Florida was one of the best weekends of my life. I enjoyed reconnecting with the women that pledged with me 35 years ago. More importantly I enjoyed and rejoice in the beautiful young women who are currently attending U of F. These women will join other Alpha Kappa Alpha women who are doctors, lawyers, teachers, superintendents of school districts, business owners, and writers as they continue to become more productive American citizens.


The same people who want to take their country back want to abolish the Department of Education. They want to return education to individual states. The possibility that minority children will not have the opportunity to obtain a quality education and minority adults will not have the opportunity to have rewarding productive careers and lives is the reason that the Republican Party Can’t take this country back.

Vera Richardson
Preview and/or buy book "Screwed by Former Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer" to START a factual race conversation that can change Americ

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

I Voted During Early Voting for the Democratic Party!


October 18, 2010, was the first day of early voting in Houston, TX.  I it also the day that I finally had a chance to cast my vote for Democratic candidates. Prior to casting my vote a Democratic volunteer told me that as of 11:00 am over ten thousand people had voted and the turnout was 5 to 1 in favor of the Republicans.


Although I was disappointed with the early statistics I am confident that more Democrats will flood the polls before the October 29, 2010, deadline for early voting and on November 2, 2010. Those of you who believe in equality, justice, and President Obama and his vision for America please come out in record numbers during the 2010 midterm elections.

Vera Richardson
Preview/buy my book Screwed by Former Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Calling out Anderson Cooper, Andrew Cuomo, Eliot Spitzer and CNN




Keeping Anderson Cooper, Eliot Spitzer, Andrew Cuomo and CNN Honest.  On September 28th and 29th 2010, Anderson Cooper in his Keeping Them Honest segment covered the story of Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox’s failure to discipline and/or terminate Andrew Shirvell, Asst. Attorney General of Michigan for “bullying” and harassing Chris Armstrong who is gay and the President of University of Michigan.


I am going to hold CNN and Anderson Cooper to the same standard. Why isn’t Anderson Cooper or CNN Eliot Spitzer current employer demanding that Cuomo investigate, discipline and/or terminated Russo for his actions that have left me broken emotionally and financially? Why did CNN hire Spitzer although my factual allegations which I have posted numerous times on CNN I-Report site could be easily investigated and substantiated?

Under Eliot Spitzer supervision Mike Russo, Asst NYS Attorney General filed several perjured declarations that denied this writer an African-American woman her right to have a jury trial during my Title VII employment discrimination and retaliation lawsuit. (97-cv-818(E). Why hasn’t CNN or Cooper featured my story that includes the fact that Eliot Spitzer in his role of New York Attorney General employed Mike Russo who is currently Acting Attorney General in charge of the Regional Office? Why is Mike Russo still employed by Andrew Cuomo?

On May 28, 2005, an Erie County, New York Assistant District Attorney reviewed my documentation of multiple perjury allegations against New York Attorney General's Office and various New York employees. After his reviewed he informed me that I should contact the New York State Attorney General Office because my allegations of perjury were supported by the documents that I submitted to his office. I informed him that New York State Attorney General’s Office including Eliot Spitzer was aware of my case and the factual perjury allegations.

The Asst DA told me that I should contact the United States Justice Department. I contacted the United States Justice Department and at their telephone request e-mailed extensive documentation on May 29, 30, and 31, 2005. In July 2005 Jane Wolfe and Allison Gioia both US Justice Department attorneys, reviewed my perjury allegations and direct evidence supporting the allegations and agreed with the Erie County Asst DA.

The United States Justice Department attorneys informed me that they were referring my case to the FBI for an investigation. I telephoned the FBI and was told that they could not confirm or deny the fact that my allegations were being investigated because of confidentiality rules. The FBI and United States Justice Department did not charge anyone with perjury in my case.

Could the answer be that Spitzer, Cuomo, the United States Justice Department, and CNN have a double standard because I am African-American?

Vera Richardson

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Did the Republicans and Bush Fool You and Will the Republicans Fool You Again?





One of my sisters and uncle voted for George W Bush in 2000. My sister voted for him because of his social issue stance on marriage. My uncle who retired from the US Navy after 27 years of service voted for him for national security reason. Both of them would later tell me that Bush fooled them.


Did the Republicans and Bush fool any of you?

The Democratic Party is working to get this economy back on track after eight years of lies, deceit, and greed.

The Republican Party is responsible for the mourning in America that is depicted in their recent campaign ad titled "Mouring in America".

Wake up America! You have a clear choice (quoting GWB you are either with us or against us). Don’t be fooled by slick ads and unrealistic promises because our children needs you to make the right choice this time in our nation's history.

Vera Richardson

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Newt Gingrich is the new Dick Cheney


Candidate Obama told us that change would not come easy to America. Many of President Obama supporters are weary and disappointed as the Republicans resisted the president and the change that his agenda and vision would produce. The hatred and racial overtones that were evident during the health care debate was unprecedented. The hatred and race baiting has continued during the elections.





As a Republican Party member Newt Gingrich isn’t running for elected office. Therefore it is possible for him to levy the outrages charges against President Obama that were previously done by Cheney.


Part of the party of No strategy during this election cycle is to float outrages statements by Palin, the Cheneys, Beck, Limbaugh, and Gingrich to dominate the news cycle and to demoralize Pres Obama’s base. The lies and half truths of the Republican Party must not go unchallenged. Our party needs people who can articulate Pres Obama’s positions with facts and conviction to counter the attacks from the Right.

The video in this report is a prime example that Pres Obama and the Democratic Party needs the professional left media. We must respond timely because this election is too important for average Americans and Pres Obama’s supporters. Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews, Ed and Rachel thank you for all you do for this country, minorities, and America.

African-American voters t is up to us WE MUST GO OUT AND VOTE ON NOVEMBER 2, 2010.

Vera Richardson

Thursday, September 9, 2010

President Obama Is Fired Up and Ready to Go Again!






I believe that perception is everything. President Obama’s performance on September 8, 2010, destroyed the perception that he wasn’t willing to launch an aggressive counter effort to keep Democratic control of Congress. His economic speech in Ohio was wonderful and motivated me even more.


The Republicans are engaged in doing and saying anything to try to control Congress. I believe that President Obama supporters especially African and Hispanic Americans will make the difference during the midterm elections. The urgency is now and the Democratic Party needs to keep both the House and Senate.

Those of you who don’t support Pres Obama because of the agenda and platform that got him elected I understand your pain. I voted for him for the same reasons that you all oppose him and I support and love him for the fact that he is fulfilling his campaign promises. That said I know that we will never agree on this subject but that’s okay.

If President Obama can take the daily verbal abusive and unfair political tactics used by the Republican Party African and Hispanic Americans must do our part by matching to the voting polls on November 2, 2010.

Vera Richardson

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Burden of Being the First African-American President



Ed Rollins views expressed in his opinion piece titled “Obama’s lame speeches on economy, Iraq” is one example of the burden that President Obama continuously faces because he is the first African-American president of the United States of America.

Unfortunately most African-Americans understand the double and sometimes triple standard of being black in America. Many of us know that we have to prove ourselves credible, worthy, intelligent enough, and/or loyal over and above our counterparts in any organization, position, race, and/or title. We are held to a higher standard and criticized when the same action or behavior by a white person would be reward or praised.

Our intelligence is challenged by ignorant statements and position by white people i.e. Rollins wrote in part: “The president slammed the Republicans one more time. This is his campaign theme, and obviously it isn't working. Besides, the more he blames the Republicans, the more difficult it will be to work with them in January, when they may have a majority or at least a lot more clout in the Congress.”

Are you serious Ed Rollins? Can the Republicans be any more difficult to work with than they have been during President Obama’s first nineteen months in office? I challenge Rollins to give me an example where the party of NO has “worked” with President Obama.

The opposition to the Obama Presidency has been intense and borders on the ridiculous. The Commander-in-Chief has been subjected to personal attacks (he is an American; his golf outfit; he shouldn’t take a vacation, and an accusation on the Fox News Network on August 31,2010, that President Obama exploited his family during the Iraq speech. The evidence to support this outrageous accusation ‘family pictures of the Obamas located on his desk in the Oval office’.

Rollins concluded his post with “In a few short weeks, we Americans get to exercise our voice and vote for a new Congress. I promise our voice and our message will be a lot clearer than these two pedestrian speeches the president just made.”

Mr. Rollins you and your party were wrong when you predicted victory for the Republicans in Congress in 2006 and 2008. Remember your party lost Congressional seats in both of those elections and the Democratic gained control of both the House and the Senate. You and your party were also wrong when you believe that John McCain, with Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential candidate, would defeat then Senator Obama.

I promise you Mr. Rollins President Obama will achieve most of his campaign promises made to the American public. He will accomplish his vision for this country after he and the Democratic control Congress accepts the fact that the Republican Party will never cooperate with this country first African-American president.

Fortunately for President Obama and America the Republicans will get the same results as 2006 and 2008 during the 2010 midterm election cycle. The Republican Party will not gain the majority in Congress during the mid-term election because African-Americans, Independents, Progressive Democrats, Hispanics, and Americans of all races and colors who believe in equality and justice for all of our citizens will make history again. We will answer President Obama call to action and vote in record numbers during the November 2, 2010, midterm elections.

I am looking forward to November 2, 2010. I hope and pray that this time Ed Rollins and the Republican Party accept the will of the American voter and accept the fact that elections have consequences. I hope and pray that after the midterm elections John McCain will indeed place his country first and work to rebuilt this country and restore honor to the Presidency. I hope and pray that a Democratic controlled Congress will have the courage of conviction to vote for a bill because it is the best thing for the America people.

Vera Richardson
Author of Screwed by Former Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Lesson Learned from Hurricane Katrina - A DUMB President is not an Option for America



On a daily basis it seems like natural and man made disasters are occurring in America and around the world. I blelieve that on this fifth year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina we should look back, reflect, and learn from the way that disaster was mishandled by the Republican Party and George Bush.

Hurricane Katrina, this post and attached videos are direct evidence to support the fact that after eight years of GW Bush, this country can’t afford to have another incompetent, arrogant, and ignorant president ever again. Sorry Sarah a Palin/Beck or Beck/Palin presidency is a nightmare that this country MUST never experience.

Vera Richardson

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

RECLAIMING DR.MARTIN LUTHER KING’S DREAM (My false 2010 Prediction of Record Minority Voters)


Glenn Beck has scheduled a rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC for August 28, 2010. A counter rally and march titled "Reclaiming the Dream" will be held by Al Sharpton and other Civil Rights Leaders on the same day at a high school in Washington DC.

I believe that  it is not necessary to have a Reclaiming the Dream rally this year. My belief is based on the fact that some people including Glenn Beck are dangerously flirting with “taking our country back” to an era of pain, violence, hatred, and death for political gain. I am afraid that having these two totally political and racially different groups in the same place is a disaster waiting to happen.

A large part of Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream was realized when the voters in 2008 elected Barack Obama who was the most qualified candidate as its president in 2008. The urgency is now we can’t afford to give racist Americans, the Republican Party, and/or the Glenn Becks in this country the opportunity to start or incite a riot, racial confrontation, and/or race war in America.


We can continue to reclaim Dr. King’s dream by striving to become a more perfect nation that respect the rights and aspirations of all of it citizens. We will show our power at the ballot box on November 2, 2010, as we go out in record numbers for the midterm elections.



Vera Richardson

Friday, August 13, 2010

May God Protect America from Socialism?

 
At approximately 3:15pm on August 10, 2010, I saw a small group of white men protesting in front of the Galleria Mall. The men were standing on the corner of Westheimer Blvd and Post Oak Blvd in downtown Houston, TX. This was the same day that former Houston mayor White the Democratic nominee for governor of Texas was “not available” to meet with the President Obama during his brief visit to the State of Texas.


The group had a couple of signs that read May God Protect America from Socialism and a small sign that requested drivers to honk if they supported them. I was disappointed after the driver in a white Lexus honked his horn and other drivers traveling on both Westheimer and Post Oak also joined in the protest.

The protestors at the Galleria Mall reinforced my heartfelt belief and fear that America is flirting with a race war. Therefore, I believe that African-Americans elected officials Charlie Rangel and Maxine Waters must not let the pride prevent President Obama from achieving goals that were once unimaginable.

Are House Representatives Maxine Waters and Rangel tone deaf or too out of touch that they don’t realize the actions that some white Americans are willing to do to defeat President Obama? Haven’t they heard the promises to take this country back, repel the 14th amendment and the Health Care Reform bill, Governor Perry’s threat to leave the union and didn’t they witness the vote when the Republican Party voted “NO” to funding to keep teachers and firefighters employed.

Rangel and Waters must put this country first and beg if necessary to secure pleas deals. I would like to wish Congressman Rangel a happy belated birthday and strongly urge him to resign and/or retire for the good of Black America in general and American in particular.

The protestors standing in the extreme heat in Houston know that President Obama is an inclusive president who believes in equality. They also know that we are one election cycle from achieving even more goals that were once unimaginable to African-Americans, the disadvantaged, and the poor. We will secure a larger majority in Congress in 2010 that will allow President Obama to achieve his campaign promises. (Oh Yes We Will)

Vera Richardson





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Representative Maxine Waters Unfairly Playing the Race Card

Rep Maxine Waters (center) attending the June 2010 signing of the Wall Street Reform Bill

After reading CNN's article titled “Waters: I will not be a sacrificial lamb for anyone” and viewing the video I believe that Representative Waters is doing this entire nation a disservice with her implications that this charge against her is racial based. One of the reasons that real racism victims are subject to the charge of playing the race card is because of abuse of someone like Waters labeling their experience as racial when it is not.

This issue is not about being “a sacrificial lamb for anyone." It is about accepting responsibility for making a bad political decision. Its about the millions of Americans who voted for President Obama and want him to achieve his agenda. Its about millions of African-Americans believing in the political process. Its about what happens to this nation after the mid-term elections.

Representative Waters should make a plea deal and accept responsibility for her action(s) or lack of action(s). I don’t believe that Waters, a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, who felt strongly enough about helping out black owned banks to make two high powered contacts “forgot” to tell her chief of staff to stop working on the project.

Lastly, President Obama ran on a platform of accountability for everyone. Based on a 15 year old tape played on Fox News today Waters agreed that elected officials should be held accountable for their actions. It is time for Representative Waters to be accountable.

Vera Richardson

Monday, August 9, 2010

CNN Will Not Feature Any of My Factual Employment Discrimination I-Reports


Why won’t CNN would scored a media touchdown with their professional handling of the Shirley Sherrod’s manufactured reverse discrimination case feature any of my personal, factual, and very painful racism and discrimination I-Reports?

I have been an I-Reporter for CNN.com since June 9, 2008. CNN has featured seven of my I-Reports and I was interviewed via Skype on CNN.com during United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Sotomayor’s confirmation hearing. My picture was also included on the CNN-I-Reporter’s Wall featured on John King’s show. (I am the last person on the bottom right in picture)

Additionally, I am so proud of the fact that my family was featured on the front page of CNN.com and my I-Report was featured by the network on the day that President Obama signed the Health Care Reform Bill.
Health Care Reform I-Report

On May 6, 2010, I posted a video and an I-Report titled A Employment Discrimination Victim Emotional Appeal for Justice.” view report I posted the video after watching Anderson Cooper’s coverage of the study of race with our nation’s children and the debate on the comments made by GOP Paul Rand on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended. Watching the coverage which was very useful was painful for me.

During the week of July 19, 2010, racism once again became a national obsession (the Sherrod story). On July 22, 2010, I posted an I-Report titled “Racism Hurts” and video after watching Shirley Sherrod’s appearance of the Morning Joe Show. Racism hurts video

To say that I am disappointed that the “most trusted network for news” still hasn’t investigated and/or vented my factual allegations of employment discrimination would be an understatement. I know that Eliot Spitzer is scheduled to co-host a prime-time on CNN.
 my I-Report titled "Its Offical Instead of Jail Cell Spitzer Gets His Own TV Show"
The above mentioned fact doesn’t negate the fact that he played a major role in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court not reversing the clearly unjust and erroneous summary judgment dismissal of my employment discrimination lawsuit

The fact Spitzer a person who was the head of an agency that has a Civil Rights Bureau that is charged with enforcing the mandates of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 would tolerate Mike Russo, Asst NYS Attorney General filing his own declaration that contained perjured statement and the perjured declarations of Lee Gould, NYSDOCS Director of Personnel, Supt A Andrews (African-American female), Sgt Reed, Gerald Goncalves, Office of Affirmative Action (Hispanic male), James Berbary, Deputy Superintendent of Administration still causes me great pain.

My employment discrimination and retaliation experience lasted for three of the ten years that I was employed by New York State Department of Correctional Services. It continued for four more years with the New York State Attorney General’s Office (1997-2001) and ended with a court order from the United States Supreme Court. The abuse that I suffered at the hands of Eliot Spitzer’s staff was more painful than that of NYSDOCS and New York State Department of Civil Service’s supervisors. It was more painful because since I was fourteen years old I have believed in the guarantees of due process and equal protection provided by the 13th and 14th amendments of the United States Constitution. I still believe.


Vera Richardson

Friday, July 30, 2010

Dear President Obama










We have three months before the mid-term elections and Fox News (not the media) but Fox News personalities are engaging in the divisive politics of race. As a nation we must not let Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh delegitimize your presidency by reducing you to the President of African-Americans or use race as a wedge issue to defeat the Democrats in November 2010.

With deep respect, support, and love Mr. President you need to address race relations in America. You can’t afford to wait any longer. I believe that you must be pro-active and lead on discussion on race.


You are the President of the United States of America. You have faithful represented all of us with great wisdom and poise. Therefore, I believe that you must once again look discrimination and racism in the face and not blink.

After leading us in an informed and honest discussion of race we can get back to the business of making history during the mid-term elections. We can make history by gaining more seats in both the House and the Senate. A feat that hasn’t happened in forty-three years.

Vera Richardson

Saturday, July 24, 2010

A Productive but Challeging Week for President Obama

President Obama signing bill to grant unemployment American additition an extension of long-term unemployment benefits

July 23, 2010


Despite the Shirley Sherrod’s controversy started by conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart and the Fox News Network with a manufactured reverse discrimination case our President had a very productive week. President Obama actions anddetermination to deliver on his campaign promises are making this country a more perfect nation for more Americans.




President Obama and the Democratic Party values everyone and all are welcome to our tent. Our Party and our President knows that all Americans regardless or race, color, or national origin are entitled to the pursuit of health, happiness, wealth, love, and spirituality. Additionally we believe that despite of our horrible racial past and the mistakes made by some during Shirley Sherrod’s unjust incident we must use the power of the ballot box to elected people in November 2010 that shares our beliefs.


 On behalf of the American people I would like to say Thank you Mr. President for your
leadership and for achieving your goal signing the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Thanks for fighting tireless to overcome the Republicans blockage of extending unemployment benefits to Americans who through no fault of their own find themselves without a paycheck.

 Vera Richardson









Thursday, July 22, 2010

Employment Discrimination and Retaliation Experience Still Hurts





On July 22, 2010, Shirley Sherrod recounted an incident of racism that occurred to her family in 1965. One definition of racism is that it usually denotes race-base violence, prejudice, discrimination, or oppression. Racism and discrimination are emotionally, financially, and spiritual very painful.


According to Sherrod her father was murdered by a white man who may or may not been associate with the Ku Klux Klan. In the 50’s and 60’s the KKK opposed the Civil Rights Movement and desegregation. In 1965 after her fathers murder members of the Ku Klux Klan burned a cross in front of her family home. Inside of home at the time of the Ku Klux Klan “visit” were her mother, three month old brother, and her sisters.

I cried and praise God after hearing Mrs. Sherrod’s painful history of racism is its ugliest form. I cried because it pained me relive my own racism experience with New York State Department of Correctional Services.  Lastly, I cried for Shirley Sherrod because she endured and survived so much pain caused by racism.
Video of my emotional reaction to Shirley Sherrod's unjust racial experience

I praise God because this woman has shown so much grace and forgiveness. I also praise God because I could see him using Sherrod to witness to this nation about our shameful racial past. A past that based on the actions of some people who are dangerously flirting with “taking our country back” to that era of pain, violence, hatred, and death for political gain.

Vera Richardson

Shirley Sherrod and Vera Richardson Two Black Females Unjustly Sacrificed by the Democratic Party





view my video on this topic

Shirley Sherrod and Vera Richardson are two middle aged African-American women who were unjust sacrificed by President Obama’s Administration and the Democratic Party for political gains.

An article on CNN.com alleges that Shirley Sherrod a USDA federal employee was forced to resign by the President Obama’s White House staff. She resigned on Monday July 19, 2010.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/20/agriculture.employee.naacp/index.html?hpt=T2

In an interview today on Rick Sanchez’s program on CNN Ms. Sherrod alleges that her superior called her on the phone three times and informed her that she had to resign immediately. She was told that she had to resigns because Pres Obama staff didn’t want Glenn Beck to exploit the recent exposed tapes of her alleged reversed racial action. She is now having second thoughts and is speaking out about her perceived unjust resignation.

I know that our President who I admire greatly wants and needs to dismissed any appearances that he is treating any race especially African- Americans more favorable than any other race. I also know one of his political goals is for New York State to remain in the hands of the Democrats. Andrew Cuomo is seeking the office of governor of NYS in the 2010 election. He is the only Democratic candidate seeking the position. I don't think that Cuomo is fit to be the next governor of NYS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9TZHBtdEjQ


I hope and pray that President Obama and/or his administration will not have double standard and request and accept the resignation of an African-American female for her alleged action(s) or lack of actions twenty-four years ago and not hold Democrats Eliot Spitzer, Andrew Cuomo, and Governor Paterson accountable for their staff and NYSDOCS and NYS Dept of Civil Service employees actions in my employment discrimination case 97-cv-818(E) filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Several months ago I mailed President Obama a copy of my book “A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined. (See uploaded picture of me at US post office). I mailed him a copy of my book because it contains proof that a State of New York agency that has a Civil Rights Bureau filed perjured declarations in a Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended case. I believe that by filing the perjured declarations that my constitutional rights were violated by Eliot Spitzer the former governor and attorney general of New York and Mike Russo, Assistant NYS Attorney General.

Upon information and belief Mike Russo is still employed in the Buffalo office of the Attorney General’s Office.

In my opinion Andrew Cuomo New York State’s current Attorney General is also guilty of fostering the acceptance of employment discrimination. My opinion is based on the fact that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires that an employee investigate complaints allegation violation of the Act and that corrective action is taken to end the violation. http://vbelle6.blogspot.com/2010/05/is-andrew-cuomo-racist.html

Although I have made Cuomo, NYS Governor Paterson, and Attorney General Eric Holder aware of Russo’s abuse of power and possible violation of my equal protection and due process right no one has taken any action to investigate my factual claims.

President Obama’s justice department and the EEOC need to aggressively enforce the current laws against discrimination and retaliation.

As the head of the Democratic Party President Obama needs to inform Governor Paterson and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo that the filing of perjury declarations in an employment discrimination case is not acceptable behavior. Additionally, the Supreme Court in Albermale identified two distinct congressional purposes of Title VII. One of those purposes was “to make persons whole for injustices suffered on account of unlawful employment discrimination.” Albermale Paper Co. v Moody, 422 U.S. 418 (1975). In 2001 the United States Supreme Court refused to review my appeal. President Obama today is May 7, 2010, and I am still waiting for someone to make me whole.

New York State government (Gov Paterson, Andrew Cuomo, NYSDOCS and/or NYS Department of Civil Services) can make me whole by reversing the unjust denial of my disability retirement application, pay me back salary for the retaliatory failure of Albion CF staff to interview and/or reinstate me to the July 19, 1996, position of Supervisor of Inmate Grievance Program at Albion CF, and/or pay me the money that I demanded in my Title VII lawsuit.

Vera Richardson

Saturday, July 17, 2010

President Obama’s Vacation Haters Get Over It


Many who oppose the fact that an African-American is the President of the United States of America are complaining that Pres Obama and his beautiful family took a week-end vacation to Maine. They argue that he shouldn’t go on vacation during a crisis.

I believe that President Obama is entitled to this much needed vacation because he is one of the hardest working President in modern history. I question the motive(s) of those who would deny our president a few days of vacation time. What defines a crisis? Who will define a crisis?

Will Karl Rove, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and the minority leaders of both the Senate and House define what is a crisis and determine if the President of the United States of America can leave Washington DC to take a vacation? Did anyone question the number of vacation days former Pres Bush took off?

When the rules of the game change when a minority is in power or in a position of authority and the only thing different is the fact that the new person is a minority then race more than not is the reason for the change of the rules. If it was left up to the Right, racist, and some Republicans President Obama would never take the necessary time off that all Presidents before him enjoyed.

Get over it, he is the President of the US and he and his wonderful family need and will take vacations during his term(s) in office.

Vera Richardson

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Reject Glenn Beck, Hannity, Limbaugh, and the Republican Party Use of Racial Divisive Election Tactics




Just like they did with Rev Wright Fox News appears to have started their racial tense programming for the 2010 election cycle. On July 7, 2010, Glenn Beck presented a personal and political attack based on race against the United State Justice Department during his show. On the same night Hannity continue the same theme on his one hour show.




It looks like Rush Limbaugh got the memo that included this racial political play book too. In an article published online on July 8, 2010, Limbaugh is quoted as saying “If Obama weren’t black, he’d be a tour guide in Honolulu or he’d be teaching Saul Alinsky constitutional law.”

http://www.newser.com/story/94972/limbaugh-takes-racial-swipe-at-obama-oprah.html

AS a nation we must stand up and Reject Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and the Republican Party Use of Race Divisive Election Tactics. The American voters rejected the Republicans in 2006 and 2008. As registered voters were must again REJECT the Republicans candidates during the 2010 midterm elections.

Vera Richardson
Author of A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined



Friday, June 25, 2010

If Former NYS Gov Spitzer was Black he Would be in Jail and not on Primetime TV






On June 23, 2010, CNN announced that Eliot Spitzer would co-host a prime time television show. Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S., said in a statement released by the network. “Eliot and Kathleen are beholden to no vested interest – in fact, quite the opposite: they are renowned for taking on the most powerful targets and most important causes.” Klein made the announcement in Wednesday’s network wide editorial conference call with CNN staff.
Parker Spitzer Show

Only in America could Spitzer a disgraced public figure who “frequently” was involved with A HOOKER, arranged for a hooker to cross multiply state lines to engage in sexual behavior in a hotel in Washington DC, as New York State Attorney General his office filed seven perjured declarations in a Civil Right Act of 1964 employment discrimination case, resigned from his position of governor of NYS after he violated the trust of the voters of New York State during one of the greatest economic crisis that state and this country has faced since the Great Depression be elevated to a national television co-host.

If Spitzer was an African-American man he would have been charged  with a crime and imprisoned. Instead in August 2010 disgraced Eliot Spitzer will be "rewarded" by CNN with a co-host position during prime time on national television.


Vera Richardson

Friday, June 18, 2010

Elana Kagen is Not an Acceptable Supreme Court Choice for African-Americans













I believe that a qualified progressive African-American should be appointed to the vacancy on the United State Supreme Court. Therefore, I don’t support his nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court.

I supported President Obama’s quest to become president. I also actively supported United State Supreme Court Associate Justice Sotomayor’s confirmation to the Court. During his January 27, 2010, State of the Union Address President Obama stated that his administration would enforce the Equal Pay Law so that women would get equal pay for an equal day of work. I believe that president and his administration need to also actively enforce Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended prohibition against discrimination and retaliation.

The unemployment rate in the African-American is higher than the national average of 10 percent. I believe that one of the many reasons for the high unemployment rate for minority is employment discrimination based on race.  After suffering employment discrimination many minorities filing Title VII cases are denied their right to a jury trial. Many companies, states, and corporations are improperly using summary judgment motions (Federal Rules of Civil Procedures #56) to cover up employment discrimination.


The defendants in these cases file summary judgment motions that results in many cases unjustly dismissed by the district court. The Defendants and their legal representatives know that once a discrimination case filed by an African American is dismissed that the Court of Appeals rarely reverses those decisions. Attorneys and agencies including the New York State Attorney General’s Office realizes that the Supreme Court reviews less than one hundred of the approximately ten thousand petition for Writ of Certiorari filed each year with the Court.  Therefore, African-Americans should not have BLIND FAITH that a nominee without a record of her position on issues of race and Affirmative Action will serve our needs. Kagen should be rejected by our community and President Obama should appoint someone with a strong Civil Rights background to the Court.

I hope that President Obama will take advantage of this opportunity and appoint an African American who is highly qualified, has experience as a judge, and has empathy to the plight of the poor and disadvantaged. Retired GA Chief Supreme Court Justice Sears meets these criteria. http://www.gjp.org/leahwardsears





Vera Richardson

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Officer Green's Racial Experience at NYS Albion Correctional Facility

Picture of me in New York State Department of Correctional Services uniform





Several African-Americans at Albion CF experienced and complained of racial and sexual employment discrimination. One of the African-Americans females who experienced discrimination at Albion CF was Correctional Officer Debbie Green. Debbie’s story: “Officer Green was original from the South. She transferred to Albion CF after her husband retired from the New York City Transit Authority. She moved to Albion, New York in order to live out her dream of living in a rural area.

Green told me in my capacity as her real estate agent that she wanted to purchase a house that had a wood stove and a large yard in Orleans County.  Her dream included planting a garden in her own backyard. I showed Green several houses in an effort to find one to fulfill her dream.

Officer Green was an older seasoned officer who had more seniority that most of the officers working at Albion. If my memory serves me correctly Green had been employed with NYSDOCS for sixteen years when she arrived at Albion.

Green gave one hundred percent to any and all job assignments. She worked as a resource officer because she was not eligible to bid for a permanent job assignment. The Collective Bargaining Agreement between Counsel 82 Union and NYSDOCS required that officers had to be at a facility for a certain number of days in order to bid on a job assignment.

All bids were awarded based on seniority in the New York State Department of Corrections. If a bid required a particular sex of an officer that bid would be awarded based on seniority of the required sex.

The Medical Transportation A Team bid was a highly desired assignment at Albion CF. Officers wanted the A transportation bid because it was one of the few job assignments were the officers worked Monday thru Friday and had weekends off.

After waiting the required time period per the union contract Officer Green submitted a bid for the Medical Transportation A Team. Based on sixteen years of seniority Green was awarded the female designated bid of the Medical Transportation A Team.

Officer Green like many officers at Albion worked swaps with other officers in order to have additional days off. One day Officer Green was working the 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. shift on a swap. I don’t remember the exact events that took place but I do know that Green faced serious disciplinary charges after her encounter with a white male sergeant that she classified as a racist.

Council 82 union represented Officer Green during the disciplinary hearing(s). Green told me that she lost the first hearing because the sergeant involved in her incident lied during the hearing.

Albion staff offered to settle her case by giving Green a formal counseling. She refused the formal counseling offer because she had never been informally or formally counseled during her entire employment with NYSDOCS. She also refused to accept the formal counseling offer because she said she had not done anything wrong.

Debbie Green appealed her case all the way to arbitration. It was a very cold day in December when the arbitrator’s decision was received at Albion CF. Green lost her appeal during the arbitration process. She was suspended for thirty day without pay and fined $1,500.00.

On that cold December day Officer Debbie Green was escorted to the front gate and put out of the prison by a security supervisor and a local Council 82 official. Green left the facility crying as she walked to her apartment in the snow. One of the black officers who witnessed Green being escorted out of the prison told me that Green refused Albion’s staff offer to call her husband for a ride back home. (Her husband had dropped her off at 6:45 a.m.) Green later told me that she cried because she felt defeated and deeply wronged by Albion’s supervisory staff.

For the first time that I could remember the fifty-five black officers at Albion were finally fed-up and outraged. They voiced their concern that Green’s ordeal was racial motivated and that if this could happen to Officer D. Green it could happen to any of us.

Many of the black correction officers at Albion telephoned each other at work and decided that as a group we would pay the $1,500.00 fine for Officer D. Green. I was one of four or five black officers who volunteered to collect twenty-five dollar from each black officer at Albion CF in order to pay Officer Green’s fine.

January 7, 1996, my peace officer's badge and NYSDOCS ID card was stolen at Albion CF.  After trying unsuccessfully for several days to get my departmental items replaced my doctor determined that I was once again disabled from work-related anxiety and depression. (I had missed three weeks of work because of the same illness after a August 26, 1995, hostile work environment experience with Sergeant Reed).

While I was out of work due to work related depression I was notified that black officers had called the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Orleans County.
On March 9, 1996, Gwendolyn Wiley, President local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Orleans County met with Black correctional officers. The meeting was held after the officers requested the meeting to discuss racial discrimination at Albion CF. At the officers’ request the meeting was held secretly at a local church in Albion.

Due to the nature of shift work approximately 20 black officers attended the meeting. Officer Debbie Green and I were two of the 20 black officers present. In an effort to disguise the true nature of our group and because of the fear of retaliation by Albion supervisors we called ourselves “the Focus Group.”

We heard story after story of discrimination and disparate treatment of black staff at Albion CF. Many of the officers felt that incidents of racial discrimination had increased after Superintendent Andrews (a black female) was assigned to Albion.

During the meeting Green thanked us for giving her the $1,500 to pay her fine. She told us that she tried unsuccessfully to get a private attorney to appeal the decision of the arbitration board. After her experience she transferred out of Albion CF and returned to a New York State correctional facility in downstate New York. Due to discrimination at Albion Correctional Facility Green was suspended without pay, fined $1,5000, and abandoned her dreams of buying a home in Orleans County, living in a rural setting, and having a garden.
                   NYS DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS FLAWED INVESTIGATION

The Final Investigation Report of  Julia Day of the New York State Division of Human Rights contains a summary of her interview with the two African-Americans female officers at Albion CF. Day conducted the interviews while she was investigating my formal complaint of employment discrimination with that agency. Although both of the officers confirmed the fact that females were treated differently than male officers at Albion Day didn't interview additional female or African-American male officers at the prison.

On May 12, 1997, Day determined that there was no probable cause to support the allegations in my complaint. On November 17, 2000, Eliot Spitzer filed Julia Day's declaration signed on November 15, 2000, in support of the Defendants New York State Departments of Correctional and Civil Services summary judgment motion.





                                         Pages 65-67 of Albion CF Superintendent Andrews Deposition




The  March 19, 1996, minutes from our meeting with the local NAACP shows that the Focus Group agreed to meet again. I don’t know if the Group met again because I wasn’t notified of another meeting. 









From  pages 118, 119, 152,  240-243, of my book Screwed by Former Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer click link to preview and/or buy the book to start a REAL employment discrimination discussion in America.
Vera Richardson

Saturday, June 5, 2010

CALLING OUT PRESIDENT OBAMA


On June 5, 2010, I watched a news program that included a video of President Obama promising Gulf Coast residents that BP will be held accountability and that those affected by this great environmental disaster will be made whole.

I am calling on President Obama to hold New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo accountable for his staff's actions that included filing perjured declarations in federal court.  The perjured declarations were filed because that was the only way that New York State Departments of Correctional Services and Civil Service could avoid having a jury rule that they violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended in my employment discrimination case.

Although I have made Eliot Spitzer, Andrew Cuomo, NYS Governor Paterson, Sec of State Hillary Clinton, (when she was Senator Clinton) Attorney General Eric Holder, and President Obama aware of Russo’s abuse of power and possible violation of my equal protection and due process right no one has taken any action to investigate my factual claims.

Democratic Party Leaders Including Pres Obama Hypocrisy on Racism

Vera Richardson

Sunday, May 23, 2010

IS ANDREW CUOMO A RACIST?

On May 22, 2010, Andrew Cuomo announced that he is running for governor of New York State. According to the Huffington Post Cuomo called for political reform and pledged to make the notoriously dysfunctional state government more accountable to its citizens. How can Attorney General Cuomo hold New York State government accountable when he refuses to address and hold a member of his staff at the New York State Attorney General accountable for his actions in a Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VII employment discrimination case?

Mike Russo, Assistant NYS Attorney General filed several perjured declarations in Western District of New York during my Pro-Se discrimination case (97-cv-818(E). Based on the perjured declarations Judge Elfvin dismissed Vera Richardson vs New York State Department of Correctional Services and New York State Department of Civil Service. I appealed Efvin’s dismissal of my case to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. Despite the fact that I presented direct evidence to both courts that proved that many of the declarations including Russo’s declaration contained perjury and that precedent setting US Supreme Court decisions supported my legal argument both courts refused to correct the grossly miscarriage of justice.


The United States Supreme Court in Reeves v Sanderson Plumbing Products, Inc 530 U.S. 133 (2000) stated: “In appropriate circumstances, the trier of fact can reasonably infer from the falsity of the explanation that the employer is dissembling to cover up a discriminatory purpose. See, e.g., Wright v West, 505 U.S. 277, 296. Moreover, once the employer’s justification has been eliminated, discrimination may well be the most likely alternative explanation, especially since the employer is in the best position to put forth the actual reason for its decision. Cf. Furnco Constr. Corp. v. Waters, 438 U.S. 567. 577.

Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg in her concurring opinion in Reeves, 530 U.S. 133 (2000) stated “The Court holds that an employment discrimination plaintiff may survive a summary judgment motion as a matter of law by submitting two categories of evidence: first, evidence establishing a “prima facie case” as that term is used in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v Green 411 U.S. 792, 802, (1973); and second, evidence from which a rational fact finder could conclude that the employer’ proffered explanation for its actions was false."

A “prima facie case” as that term is used in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v Green 411 U.S. can be established by the plaintiff showing that she belong to a racial minority; 2) that she applied for and was qualified for a job for which the employer was seeking applicants; 3) that despite her qualification she was rejected; and 4) that after her rejection other employees not in the protected class were treated more favorably.

Although I have made Cuomo aware of Russo’s abuse of power and possible violation of my equal protection and due process right Cuomo refused my written request that he investigate my factual claims. As of May 23, 2010, he still hasn’t taken any action(s) to make me whole. In fact his staff written June 30, 2008, response to my request was that he couldn’t help me because the New York State Attorney General Office represents agencies of the State of New York. Therefore, I believe that Andrew Cuomo who heads and agency that has a Civil Rights Bureau is guilty of fostering the acceptance of employment discrimination.

Lastly, New York State government (Gov Paterson, Andrew Cuomo, NYSDOCS and/or NYS Department of Civil Services) can make me whole by recommending and/or introducing legist ion that reverses the unjust denial of my disability retirement application, pays me back salary for the retaliatory failure of Albion CF staff to interview and/or reinstate me to the July 19, 1996, position of Supervisor of Inmate Grievance Program at Albion CF, and/or pay me the money that I demanded in my Title VII lawsuit.

Vera Richardson
Author of Screwed by Former Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
Preview book at:
https://www.createspace.com/pub/community/give.review.do?id=1075266&rewrite=true