So, Ben Carson may serve in a Trump administration after all?

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

What is up with Dr. Ben Carson? Just a week after leading many of us to believe that he may have a little common sense to go along with his book sense by saying that he wouldn't serve in a Trump administration because he didn't have the experience of leading a federal agency he seems to have put himself back in the running again for a spot in a Trump administration.

What's odd is that when a position as leader of Health and Human Services was discussed (you know something right in Carson's wheelhouse) was when Carson fretted about his lack of experience. But now when Trump offers him a position leading HUD (Housing and Urban Development) he seems to be willing to consider that.

Now if you are like me you are wondering what qualifications Dr. Carson has to be head of HUD. Well thankfully for us Carson has an answer. When being interviewed by Fox New's Cavuto Carson made the following statement:

"I know that I grew up in the inner city," Carson said. "And have spent a lot of time there. And have dealt with a lot of patients from that area. And recognize that we cannot have a strong nation if we have weak inner cities. And we have to get beyond the promises and start really doing something."

So if having lived in the inner city is a top qualification that would mean that there are millions of eligible candidates for the top spot at HUD. Yes I'm being sarcastic, but I would hope any leader of any government agency would have some experience doing what that agency does, particularly at federal level.

Carson says that he will have an answer for Trump after the Thanksgiving holiday. I wonder what would make Carson change his mind on serving. It could be that he is a true patriot and has decided that if the president asks you to serve that you have to do your civic duty and serve. More likely the reason has to do with BET founder Robert Johnson's visit with Donald Trump over the weekend. Carson realized that there was a chance that he would no longer be Trump's "African American" especially with Johnson possibly in a Trump administration and himself on the sidelines.

Obviously to Carson the appeal of being a magical negro outweighs any and all common sense.

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

Oldest remaining Tuskegee Airman, Willie N. Rogers , dies at 101

We have lost another one, another hero, another example of excellence, we have lost another Tuskegee Airmen. God bless his soul.

Willie N. Rogers was an American hero, and at age 101, he was a living example of the nation's history.

He was a member of the "Greatest Generation," which defeated the Axis powers in World War II, doing his part as a master sergeant in the all-black Tuskegee Airmen during the era of racial segregation in the U.S. military.

The longtime St. Petersburg resident died Friday, 11/18/2016 from complications of a stroke.

He was the oldest surviving member of that original legendary 100th Fighter Squadron, The Tuskegee Airmen.

Mr. Rogers received his Congressional Gold Medal in November 2013.

Also in recent years, he was presented with the keys to the cities of Lakeland and St. Petersburg. His portrait hangs in the St. Petersburg Museum of History.

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BET founder Robert Johnson meets with President-Elect Donald Trump

President-Elect Donald Trump reportedly met with BET founder Robert Johnson on Sunday at his golf course in Bedminster, N.J. It is unknown at this time what was discussed and if Johnson was offered a position in Donald Trump's administration. It is also unknown that if he was offered a position what that job would be at this time. There is also the possibility that this is all a dog and pony show and that Trump has no intention of hiring Johnson at all, but wants to be able to say that he reached out to African Americans to serve in his administration. We shall see.

Newark N.J. will remain a sanctuary city

In light of the election of Donald Trump, Newark N.J. mayor Ras Baraka has made the following statement that Newark will stand by undocumented residents:

"Newark already has a policy of protecting undocumented immigrants from deportation by U.S. immigration authorities. Despite the election of Donald Trump, we see no reason to change that policy,"

"In Newark, we comply with federal immigration agencies, but insist that detainer requests be handled constitutionally. I hope that no president would violate those principles, the very foundation of our nation, by taking punitive action against cities that are simply protecting the well-being of residents,"

Charles Mainor to run for Jersey City mayor

Charles Mainor, a retired police detective and former NJ state assemblyman, told The Jersey Journal this week that he intends to challenge Mayor Steve Fulop's re-election bid next November.

Mainor, 49, who was elbowed out of a fourth term in the Assembly last year, said in an interview at Larsen's Restaurant on Bergen Avenue that he's running for mayor to make sure every resident enjoys the fruits of Jersey City's renaissance.

"Everybody should be a part of Jersey City moving forward and I don't see that right now," he said.

Mainor, who lives on Wade Street in the city's Greenville section, said his campaign will focus on decreasing crime, bringing jobs to city residents and improving education by strengthening ties between City Hall and the public-school district.

Mainor said he intends to be mayor "of the whole city, not just the Waterfront."

"There are parts of the city that do receive more attention than others," Mainor said.

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