of an international practice adopted by the politicians to win elections, it
is more evident within the American society. At the end of the day people
with huge money who have financed campaigns for specific electoral
candidates, dictate the public policy and foreign affairs.
Consequently, the common man, who was
intimidated and put to nerve-racking conditions, has nothing to reach for.
The rich are in high gear to be richer and the poor slope down to be the
poorer. The elected candidates, henceforward, forget all the promises they
previously kept with common voter and sit in the lap of the rich and the
famous. Now why will a rich man want to do something for the poor? If we
uplift the living standard of the poor, we come across the fact that the
rich go scared by the thought of the day when they will have no control over
the system. So the system is designed to keep the minorities and the poor to
the lowest possible level by keeping them busy in making a living just
enough to feed their families and pay their bills. American political system
is designed to keep the rich in power and control the policy. Unless the
middle class and the minorities work hard, understand the system, and
participate in real political arena of US politics, a bunch of prioritized
people will continue to rule and administer them.
In the third world countries, we always
condemn politicians particularly for their corruption. They get elected and
start milking money and accumulate so much wealth during their power that it
is more than enough for their future generations. On the other side of the
picture, the American system is designed to be corrupt within specified
limits. The system has created premeditated dollar amounts one can donate in
different political races. Thus one can get access from President to local
councilman for some contribution. Mostly judges, Sheriffs and District
Attorney Generals are elected so special interest groups funnel money to
these candidates to get favors later. Secretly we have also created some
loopholes where unspecified bulks of money can be donated through some
secret channels to gain access to the high level members of Congress and
Senate. As executive branch is hired on the political basis, special
interest groups make their way to all levels of the government. Here, too,
the rich wins the steak and the poor donor meagerly holds a hotdog. But, of
course, we are now living in the capitalist society and certainly money has
absolute power.
Now two aspects of the picture are to be
analyzed. When a needy person bribes a politician in power to get his work
done, he is taken to be a criminal punishable by our law. While a person who
heavily contributes to a politician’s getting elected, in return has his
work done without any blemish. According to our law this is acceptable. In
my view both of them are morally and ethically wrong and it is dishonesty to
get undue advantage in either way.
For politicians also this is a manifest evil
to collect money from outside sources to fulfill their dream of capturing
power. At the end of the day a cancerous society evolves where money plays
the key role and the politicians in power fall as mere puppets for the rich
and famous. We cannot make policies based against the principles of honesty
and integrity and work against the basic principle of human culture just to
remain in power.
Today’s world is at the nudge of war on
terrorism and security concerns as rich want to develop more weapons, guns
and tanks. They create turmoil in different countries so that their arsenal
is used and they let the innocent die upon their hunger for more wealth. We
donate billions of dollars to the other countries where we have thousands of
homeless people, mainly war veterans, sleeping on streets. We waste enough
food, which can feed whole continent of Africa. But it is not in the
interest of the rich to eliminate hunger or poverty but to create chaos in
the world. “Create artificial crisis; hand guns to the new generation; let
them kill innocent people,” is their slogan while these politicians are at
rest in their mansions enjoying life and avoiding draft to serve their
country if needed. They have built jails with stocks to ensure enough people
get convicted to fill those jails. We recruit people from the poor
neighborhoods to fight our wars of ego and have no consolation and pain of
heart for a mother who receives her son’s body with a star and few dollars.
Is this honesty?
My biggest concern as an American is that
after so many years we all, the colored: the white, black, brown; being from
all religions: Christian, Jews, Muslims, have not come forward and accepted
each other on the basis of goodness. We have yet to make this great country
more prosperous and more giving to the world. Let us get the prejudices
against each other be buried and work together as proud Americans and create
a goodwill in the rest of the world so that we are loved and respected all
over the world. Let us eliminate privation, find cure for diseases like
aids, stop nuclear arsenals and stop killing innocent people all over here
and abroad. Let us eradicate greed and bring the poor and homeless shelter,
and support the war veterans who have been on the streets begging for a
dollar. I do not want you to stop making money but want you to be honest in
your dealings and to be fair with people. Please, do not hate someone
because of his or her color, creed or religion. Remember, all religions
preach fear of God and good deeds; fear the moment when the devil takes over
you. So follow your religion for its good teachings and be honest to
yourself and others.U.S.-
MASTER PLAN TO USURP WORLD OIL
Gold was the commodity controlling world
power in the eighteenth and the first half of the nineteenth century.
However, just after closure of the Suez Canal by the Egyptian leader Jamal
Nasser to show his power, the Americans realized that oil was the gold of
the future and needs to be kept in full control to maintain supremacy in the
world. This was the time, in my view, that the US intelligence agencies
gathered around drawing board and designed a layout to take control of the
world oil. Each President of the United States of America, without any
hesitation, approved of this plan and every covert operation was authorized
to achieve this goal.
Though the British Government had partially
sensed the importance of oil and installed Kingdom in Saudi Arabia and
spread their control in Gulf States before the USA’s master plan could come
into shape, but the U.S.A. worked more aggressively to make arrangements to
control the oil movement around the globe.
This plan included controlling the oil-rich
countries by installing governments of choice so that the U.S.A. could
control the flow of oil at regulated prices suitable to the American
economy. At the end of the nineteenth century, the U.S.A. not only became
the world power by space and spy technology but also controlled most of the
oil rich resources of the world. Any world leader who did not fit in the
plan was eliminated by every possible tactic.
Egyptian President Jamal Nasser was the
first victim who gave vision to Middle Eastern governments to use oil as a
negotiation tool. Saudi King Faisal, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat,
Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Indonesian President Sukarno
were eliminated. Libyan Leader Qaddafi was subdued. King Raza Shah Pahlvi
was installed as King in Iran. Iraqi Leader Saddam Husain was perched on the
stage and he fought the war with Iran to weaken Iran. All the leaders who
attended the Islamic conference held in Islamabad, Pakistan, and who decided
to use the oil as bargaining tool were eliminated systematically. Saddam
Husain was asked to invade Kuwait to justify conditions for U.S. armed
forces to penetrate the Saudi Kingdom. Once this goal was achieved, he was
also eliminated to control the Iraqi oil reserves.
Side by side, the American policy makers
were very tactfully busy in using Afghanistan’s Talibans to carry out war
against Russia, which weakened the Russian Empire and dismantled it into
tiny countries. They used Russian leader Gorbochev to weaken the Russian
Empire to achieve this goal. Later on, the Talibans were replaced with
President Kargzie, a CIA operative working for an oil company in U.S.A. On
the other side of the globe, conditions were created to slide oil rich
countries like Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan under the control of such leaders
as were sympathetic to the American cause.
By the end of 2005, U.S.A. got hold on most
oil reserves of the world except a few countries like Venezuela, Syria, and
Iran as they are still out of their political influence.
One wonders that a country controlling the
major portion of the world oil cannot control the oil prices locally. In my
view the recent price hike of oil to $75 a barrel is due to artificially
created conditions. The key supporters of current administration who are in
the energy business want the U.S. Senate to pass the bill allowing oil
drilling in Alaska. At the end of the day, this administration shall
convince the common man that drilling Alaska oil fields is in the interest
of the national security and this bill will be passed.
I commend the American policy makers and
agencies that have carried out this plan so sincerely to give universal
control to United States of America and this influence shall continue for
many years to come.
Two
Years with Mayor Lee P. Brown
And
Two Hundred days with Mayor Bill White
Having migrated to the United States of
America, I always wanted to join the mainstream American politics owing to
my roots. Several members of my family were active in national politics in
Pakistan. I always had an impression that American politics would be based
on honest values. The following are a few personal experiences I have gained
while participating actively in the mainstream American political system.
During 1988, I owned four travel agencies in
the Houston metropolitan area. I was aquatinted with Dr. Lee P. Brown. At
the time he was a professor teaching in Texas Southern University. I took
care of his personal and business travel. I arranged the last trip his first
wife took to South Africa. Unexpectedly she passed away after coming back
from the trip. Since then I kept in touch with Dr. Brown and he always
treated me nicely even when he was stationed at the White House as the Drug
Czar during President Clinton’s presidency. On the day he resigned from that
position I called him at the White House and told him: “Mayor Brown,
welcome home.” Without telling him I knew he was going to run for Mayor and
I knew that he would be the best candidate for the position. As soon as he
came to Houston he invited me for lunch and together we discussed about his
candidacy. In the next few weeks he invited 12 people to discus the
political strategy and asked me to join his team. Once I was on board, I
worked as member of his political strategy and finance committee. I served
on his team during all three elections including member of his transition
team and member of Mayor’s Advisory Board for International Business
Development (MABIAD) Asia.
During his third term he invited me to serve
as an Advisor to the Mayor for South Asian Affairs and upon my
recommendation he established the Mayor’s Advisory Board for Business
Development for South Asian Countries. I worked for him for approximately
two years with a token salary of $ 1 per year.
Because of term limitations, he was not able
to run so in the middle of 2003 everyone started talking about the future
candidates and the ready phrase was: “Who would run for Mayor?” Most of my
friends were committed to Orlando Sanchez but he never appealed to me as a
politician maybe because he ran against Mayor Brown, though he seemed to be
a handsome and nice fellow. I kept on getting briefings from my political
friends, City Hall insiders and everyone was of the opinion that Bill White
would be the best candidate. On the day he announced his candidacy I was
near Minute Maid Park and attended the rally. I kept on moving from one
angle to another to evaluate the support he was carrying. Surprisingly on a
weekday he drew about five-hundred people, most of them Anglo downtown
businessmen, which clearly showed that he was the most favorite candidate of
the rich and famous. I waited until the end to meet with him and once I
introduced myself he asked me: “Where are you from?” “Pakistan,” I told him.
“Where from Pakistan?” he asked. I replied: “From Sind province.” He
inquired of me: “Where from Sind?” I solemnly uttered “Larkana.” He then
came up: “I have been to your hometown four times.” I was surprised to hear
about his connection with my hometown. He told me that during his Oxford
days his roommate was Late Murtaza Bhutto, son Of Late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto,
the only elected Prime Minister of Pakistan. Also, he said that he was
friends with Benazir Bhutto who was the first woman elected prime Minster of
Pakistan. My family has been very closely associated with both of the Prime
ministers and we found a common ground. He asked me to come and see him in
his office at the Wedge Tower. In next few weeks, I met him in his office
and Michael Moore, his current chief of staff being present there as well.
The first thing I asked him was, if he would support affirmative action. He
quickly responded “yes.” I told him that I was neither a contractor, nor a
consultant but a full supporter of affirmative action to ensure that
minority contractors are given a piece of the pie in the city government. I
gave him various ideas on how to reach people and volunteered my services
for his campaign. He welcomed me and I started working on his campaign.
During the initial eight months, I volunteered 20-30 hours a week and raised
approximately $150,000 as campaign donations. I opened and furnished an
office in Clear Lake to extend our influence to that area. I made food
arrangements for the campaign staff on daily basis and finally on the day of
election made available food for all five hundred plus volunteers working on
phone bank and at various polling stations. The South Asian Community was
committed to Orlando Sanchez, but due to my efforts several people broke off
and joined Bill White’s camp. Once Bill White was in Run off, some new
players started coming in and configuration of the campaign started changing
fast. During the campaign trails Bill White always talked about his past,
and move to Houston with two suitcases and played by rules and became
successful. Many of us and he believe in the same philosophy as well. Most
of the South Asians came here with $20 and two suitcases and we worked hard
and played by the rules and now when we have achieved our financial goals,
we want to be a part of mainstream America. This was the main reason many of
us volunteered our resources, time and finances to be a part of the system.
I would now like to discuss what we acquired
from both administrations and would put to the reader a comparison of these
two different people with their own philosophies. Though both believed in
the same manifesto the two were drastically different in their style and
practice.
Mayor Brown started his campaign with 50-60
finance committee members whereas Mayor White kept an inner circle of three
to five people to raise money for him. Mayor Brown discussed political
issues with every one and made decisions with an inner political committee
of 10-12 people. He called Mayor Lanier on a constant basis to get guidance.
Mayor White depended on political consultants during the election and now
takes political advice from three or four close advisors.
Mayor Brown started his tenure with a
transition team consisting of 12-14 teams with over 100 members from all
communities to prepare plans for the new administration. Mayor White’s
transition team consisted of three people in City Hall and three people in
his political office, which he maintains parallel to his office in City
Hall. The perception of that office has been that most of the political
decisions are made there and brought to City Council for rubberstamping.
Some Council members have reservations about this type of management.
Additionally, most of the contracts are awarded with consultation from this
satellite City Hall. Mayor Brown reached out to all of the communities and
hired people from almost every community to work in City Hall. Mayor White
claims that he will hire people with credentials not based on their
ethnicity. The perception has been that minorities have been sidelined from
important jobs and people with strong party affiliations particularly with
the Republican Party have been hired. Cognition has also been that Mayor
White is doing all this to ensure support from both parties to enable him to
run for either Governor of Texas or for a seat in the Senate if vacated by
Kay Bailey Hutchinson. Most of his hiring has been Anglo and Hispanics. Most
of the new directors appointed are Anglo. Hence, a great number of people
from the minorities are unhappy with his appointments from Republican Party
activists. Ann Travis (Director for Congressman Tom Delay) is the Director
of Government Affairs and is a prime example. African Americans and other
minorities have already been complaining about the lack of diversity and
minority participation in the new administration. Due to pension
restructure, many city employees from minority groups were forced to opt for
retirement. This has created a huge vacuum of qualified city employees and
every one is waiting to see who will gain access to those positions. In the
last 3 years no community outreach effort has been initiated and most of the
contracts have been awarded to special interest groups without following the
criteria of affirmative action. Mayor Brown brought international
communities together by creating a Mayor’s Advisory Board for International
affairs and Business development for six different regions of the world.
About 100 business and community leaders were its members. Mayor White has
so far sidelined those boards and no activity has been observed in the
international communities. Most of the programs Mayor White started have
brought no results so far. Mobility task forces have not achieved much,
except synchronizing a few traffic lights. The perception is that this could
have been done during Mayor Brown’s time but the Director of Public Works
held the decision to give a head start to Mayor White. Technically it was
just a software program that changed the timings of traffic lights which
Mayor White’s administration claimed to be a milestone achievement. Tow
truck ordinance has inflated towing fees and small companies are out of
business. However, streets have been clean and during accidents not more
than one tow trucks arrives on the scene. It has a positive affect but the
perception has been that the new administration helped some large towing
companies acquire contracts and put smaller companies out of business. Mayor
Whites Volunteer Program got a kick off but those who want to get a job in
the city joined this program to be volunteers. This way city is training
people for free and hiring them as required. The real concept of
volunteering has not been achieved. The Mayor’s Task Force to sale excessive
real estate assets of the city has not achieved much success as well.
Presently, it takes 12-24 months to purchase a property from the city. If
this lengthy process is cut short, in three to six months, it is likely that
people will get interested in purchasing those assets. Hiring a real estate
developer and supporter of Mayor White to lead the Task Force to sale these
properties gives way to a conflict of interest. Mayor Brown started with
revitalization of downtown and several construction projects were initiated
in the first year. Mayor White has been struggling with the budget, pension
plans and other routine agenda items. The perception is that like Mayor
Lanier, who encouraged the businesses to move to outskirts of the city;
Mayor White plans to move the projects outside downtown and not much will be
done to complete the revitalization of downtown. With support of majority of
city council members Mayor Bill White has no problem in getting anything
approved contrary to Mayor Brown who had to struggle for each vote. At the
end of the day, history will judge both Mayors but one thing is certain that
minorities will never have a better mayor than Mayor Lee Brown. It is time
for Hispanics, African Americans, and Asians to make a political coalition
and get the first Hispanic Mayor for the City of Houston.
1998 :Post Election Review: a letter to
Mayor Lee P. Browe
Dear Dr. Brown,
First of all, we congratulate you on making
history. I am delighted that we had a timely vision in your leadership. Our
prayers are with you, to be the most successful mayor of Houston has ever
seen. I am positive that your programs will convert this in a great city to
dwell and will encourage new people to move in.
You have several challenges ahead of you.
Here are a few thoughts, which I perceive would be important issues in your
future; and my suggestions to take the right course for your success.
1. My main concern has been about your
security, particularly after your historical victory. Past American history
has alarmed me about the fact that whenever any African American gets in the
limelight, he is assassinated. For example, Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm
X, Mickey Leeland, and Ron Brown are recent victims. In my view, these
people were victims of hate crimes. You need to have a strong security
staff, and please be careful. Let me remind you we are all praying for your
safety.
2. You need to keep the same campaign team
working on a voluntary basis, for the next term. You must have a meeting
with them at least every three months on an outdoor picnic or a Sunday
brunch. This way we will keep the winning team energized and be ready for
the next term. This will also keep you close to all the members of the team
and not only to those who are working close to you, as all these people are
our main source of help and we do not want to lose them.
3. Most of the financial contributors have
set their agenda. If their agenda is fulfilled, they will invest heavily in
the future. If you remember, during the strategy meeting in a bank building
on Hillcroft, I asked you a question: “Dr. Brown, you have certain
principles and you go by the book? Politics sometimes have no rules, so are
you ready to scratch my back if I scratch yours?” To me, you have to change
your ways a little. You are no longer a bureaucrat who could go by the book
and still be successful. You are a man who has entered the political field.
You need to fulfill the desires of people who have invested in you. There
are two types of investors: one, who believed in you since first date; the
other are those who followed you because they had foreseen your victory. You
have to fulfill their demands within the framework for which you need the
right coordinator to ensure that these people will be there for us when we
need them in the next election. During the campaign there was a complaint
from senior members of the finance committee. They feel that they have been
ignored in the process and that the new heavy-duty financial contributors
have taken the stage instead of the dedicated people who had faith in you
since the first day.
4. African Americans have fulfilled your
dream by giving you a mandate, so have other minorities. You have to assure
them of making extra efforts to solve their problems so that they vote for
us again in the future. If they do not get anything, they will loose faith
in their own candidates and will get disillusioned by the system. We must
work on some development projects in the poor and minority neighborhoods.
Encourage African American businessmen to invest their money in these
under-developed areas. Give some tax relief for projects, which attract them
more even to risk their investment.
5. Parallel to this, you have to face the
dilemma of keeping Anglo voters happy. They are used to getting the full
loaf and once you start sharing their loaf they will be dissatisfied. You
have to use honest Anglo supporters to educate the people before they start
complaining. We need to recruit more volunteers from the Woodlands and other
predominant Anglo voters’ areas. You need to visit and have an open town
hall meetings in these areas to prove to Anglos that we are not different
from them and we need to work together to make this a world class city.
6. Mosbacher has dented your reputation by
stating that you have been ineffective everywhere you have gone. You have to
take immediate measures to prove by your actions that it is the wrong
message. You have to be aggressive and make quick decisions and take
immediate steps to prove that you are
the leader. I see you moving up the political ladder after your six-year
term. You need to emboss a stronger image and have to respond to the
problems instantly.
7. One thing I have been interested in, is
the moving of homeless people from the streets of Houston. Crossroad begging
has become a permanent feature in Houston. This does not bear a good image
of a world class city. We need to build more shelters and make sure that no
one sleeps in the open. In California there has been a very successful
program, in which small cottages were built on city properties with a steel
bed and closet with common showers and staff. I would volunteer my time for
this cause if some help from the Mayor’s office is provided. Let us target
that by next term. We have all these homeless people in shelters. This could
be a big political achievement.
8. The Houston image problem has to be dealt
with a different angle. Advertisement in the Times for half a million
dollars was a waste. The travel industry should be used to bring people to
Houston. Firstly, what do we offer them if they come here? We should print
mini travel brochures, shopping and food coupons from local merchants
sticking on; they should send people on weekend trips, which will encourage
people for weekend trips from adjoining states, particularly Mexico and
border towns. Stadium and Bayou developments like New Orleans and San
Antonio River walk can change the image of Houston and promote the tourism
industry.
9. The Hispanics and Asians have evolved
as a decisive block of votes. We need to establish an inter-cultural council
of diversity with civic leaders representing all communities. A businessmen
council should be created. Demographically two Anglo, two African, two
Spanish, one Chinese, one Vietnamese, one Arab, one Muslim from South Asia,
one Jewish, one Hindu, and one Gay community member should be selected by
the mayor to create two councils. These councils, under a yearly rotating
chairman, should advise the mayor on various problems faced by the people in
the process of establishing a colorblind and race-blind society. The
business council should work toward bringing business from out-of-town
foreign investors.
10. The public parking situation in downtown
is getting outrageous. We need to do a study on how to build more public
parking areas. Particularly, near the theater areas like the Park and
Foley’s. This will encourage people to come downtown for shopping, and the
process will encourage merchants to invest more in this area.
1998:
Post Election Review a Letter to Mayor Lee P. Brown
Dear Dr. Brown,
Attached is my post election
review. A few thoughts about the last eight months of your tenure are
submitted for your consideration.
1. Security: Except for a few cowardly calls
I think your security has been up to the
Mark.
2. Campaign teams have been scattered except
those few who have financial interest. We need to have open house/picnic
gatherings to invite all the core members of the campaign staff/volunteers
as we will need their support very soon. So far complaints have been that
you have not been accessible to most of them, except to a few of us.
3. Politically, you have handled things
fine. Some of the heavy donors have cashed their efforts; however; several
are still waiting for decisions. The only problem I see is that after
election, new people have surfaced. They have taken over the political arena
backed up by their financial status. They have sidelined some of the core
supporters who believed in you. Please make sure you do not loose support of
the people who believed in you from the beginning.
4. African Americans are still waiting for
some concrete programs for the uplift of their neighborhoods. We need to
address this problem immediately. Anglo voters have already started labeling
you as a failure by referring you as a quitter from each position you held
in the past. Every action you take, they oppose you, and so you need to
solidify your voter base as well as take bold decisions to prove that you
are the leader. Selection of
Jay as Chief of Staff was a political mistake. This should be rectified
soon. You should hire a bold, courageous Anglo chief of staff that can keep
balance in the voter base. Jay Ayer, though very qualified and thorough
gentleman, will not bring any success to your career except his own. You are
living in a color-biased society where people like us are not accepted in
such high profile positions, particularly where voter bases are divided
equally. If you had had the majority of colored voters this would have
worked but not here. You need to bring someone soon. Someone who has
contacts in council can control the council to put a halt to this daily
opposition of every move you make. (Jay Ayer was let go by Mayor Brown after
two years)
5. So far we have seen nothing from the
Mayor for the homeless. This issue could be taken up by you and cashed for
some popularity. Also there should have been a personal distribution of A/C
units among the needy by the Mayor to show that you care for their needs. I
think you could still do something about it.
6. An appearance in political functions is
effective. Majority of the voters are out there in the fields that are
missing. Yet most of these functions are not beneficial for you, but for the
organizers who are trying to cash their contact with you. They are using you
to move higher up in the political arena by leaving space for new
politicians to come on board. They are making the contacts for their future
political ambitions. They are not looking for your interests but their own.
There is an alliance already planning whom to support in the next mayor’s
election. So let us not give them the political benefit but to take the
political benefit from them.
7. The Houston image: It still has a lot of
work to be done; however, we are on the positive track. Your trip to foreign
countries would be beneficial both for the Houston image as well as
business. We still need a business council from the mayor to promote foreign
business as per my previous recommendation to select a few members from each
community. (Mayor Brown created Mayor’s Advisory Council for International
Business and Development MABIA_D)
8. Parking issues should be addressed as
downtown is growing thicker and during special event nights it has become
impossible to find parking.
2001: Post Election
Review Report to Mayor Lee P. Brown
Dear Dr. Brown,
The results of the November 5th
elections were not very delightful for you, or for most of us. With your
track record you should have taken at least 55% of the votes, and should not
have had to go for a run off. I am enclosing a few of my past reports for
you along with some additional reflections on how this happened, and what
can be done to achieve overwhelming victory on December 1st,
2001.
I attended most of the key events
including, the announcement of your candidacy at the Museum of Natural
Science, the kicking of the campaign at the head quarters, several finance
committee meetings, downtown rallies at Sam Houston Park, campaign
completion prayer at the Faith Church. The attendance in all of these
meetings already showed that we had all the poor attendance. It was mainly
because even core people like us were invited at the last minute. For
example, the downtown rally invitation was made at 11 a.m. requesting us to
be there at 1 p.m. Most of these functions were not planned properly and
campaign staff did not invite enough people to show a strong support in the
masses for us. In my past comments I had requested you to have some friendly
and one to one meetings or group dinners or BBQ’s as they can bring good
results. Though you have made so many appearances in the community, no one
can beat you by the count; the core people have been sidelined. In the last
finance committee meeting there were only ten old members. Most of the new
people with special interest were there. Yet, surprisingly, none of the
Spanish supporters were there. On that day I had a gut feeling that
conspiracy against you is deeply rooted based on racism.
Here are a few suggestions, which could
bring some positive results:
1. You need to get on the phone and call all
the people who you think can make a difference. Ask for their support. I
would keep the protocol on the side. These calls should not be for money but
for support. Your personal call will make a big difference.
2. Hire some buses for Election Day with
music and food, and send volunteers from door to door to bring minority
voters to the polls. (This advice proved to be vital in winning Mayor
Brown’s second term)
3. Have four major BBQ events at four
quadrants of the city where music and free food,
This should attract a lot of people. Go to
the people with the same speech you made in the Faith Church. Stand against
Sanchez, who has no experience and no caliber, or family values. (He could
not hold on to his marriage, and manage his home. How can he manage a city)?
4. I would be interested in probing in
Sanchez’s divorce matter and events behind the episode; maybe we can find
something that conservative voters will disagree with.
5. You need to go after him. If you have
seen the movie The American President, in which Michael Douglas is too nice
of a guy as he was influenced to be negative. If you have not seen that
movie yet, I recommend that you watch it.
6. Common feeling is that campaign
consultants did a sloppy job because they wanted a run off to make more
money to duck in their pockets. Time has flown by, but it is crunch time
that you oozed the best out of them.
7. I would request you to ask Francis
(Mayor’s wife) to take a few weeks off for vacation and work with you side
by side. I think her presence will bring more woman voters. I will also
advise her to join full time, as she can make a difference.
2003 Discrimination to South Asian City
Employees
Letter to Mayor Lee P. Brown.
Subject:
Discrimination for South Asian City
Employees
Dear Dr. Brown:
Since my taking position as advisor
to Mayor for South Asian Affairs, several city employees of South Asian
origin have contacted me about their job conditions within their
departments, especially within the Engineering Departments like Public
Works, Building Services and Planning Department.
The major complaint has been
discrimination felt during their promotions to higher levels. On a personal
level, I have made some investigations and found some truth about the fact
that some of the city employees have been the victim of discrimination when
their promotions were due.
As you are aware, I am an Engineer
and have worked several years for major engineering corporations like
Bechtel Power, Stone & Weber, Flour Daniel, Mississippi Power and Lighting,
and Ebasco Construction Company. I have been a similar victim of the same
discrimination. Today, I realize that there were several things that I did
wrong and they were the causes of some of my failures. However, I have
learned from my mistakes and changed my style and habits to be a vital part
of the American System.
After meeting so many of the city
employees, I have come to a conclusion that it is lack of management skills
and refusal to adapt to American public relation tactics that these people
have been denied promotions.
On the other hand, these engineers
and technicians are very competent, but lack knowledge of Management and
therefore at the time of promotions, more skilled managers are promoted
which has created dissatisfaction among these employees. At the end of the
day our administration takes the blame of discrimination towards these
employees.
Some examples of lack of skills are as
follows:
1. I called an assistant director from South
Asian origin after my joining the Mayor’s office just to say hello to him.
He did not return any of my calls.
2. Most engineers do not dress like
professions, as they should.
3. Upon inquiry from several employees, the
rapport and understanding between employees and their bosses was only during
business hours. They do not socialize with fellow colleagues.
4. On special occasions like holidays and
birthdays, they do not attend parties and feel left out.
5. Their communication level needs
improvement.
I consider it to be my duty to
advise you to hold a half a day seminar targeted to the employees of the
South Asian origin, to guide them through the system, and help them to be
more productive for the city.
I know it is a strange request, but
I assure you that this seminar will bring the frustration level down and
improve these employees’ productivity. I have discussed this matter with Mr.
Al Hines and Chyrisse Wilson and they both like the idea. I request your
approval.
Conclusion:
Upon the Mayor’s instruction, I met with the Director of Public Works &
Engineering to arrange this seminar. He tossed out the idea.
2004: Draft Request to Mayor Bill White for
Mayor’s Community Outreach Initiative
Objectives:
Houston, a multi-cultural and
multi-ethnic city, consists of several large communities. City of Houston
recognizes the diversity of these communities and plans to bring all these
communities together under one roof through this program. The main purpose
of this initiative is to bring all the community leaders in an advisory
capacity to raise their community voices at the Mayor’s office to solve
community problems and implement development projects of the City of Houston
with mutual consent for the betterment of the people of Houston.
Organization:
Mayor will appoint a Director of
the Community Outreach program within his present staff and with supporting
staff from various communities (also those already working in City Hall with
a few adjustments). An organizational chart is attached. The staff of the
community outreach program will be responsible to mobilize their respective
communities and create advisory boards for community affairs from the
community leadership. All members of the advisory boards shall represent
recognized communities on a voluntary basis. The following advisory boards
for their respective communities are organized (with future expansion if
there is a need):
1. African American Communities
2. Hispanic and South American Communities
3. Asian communities consisting of China,
Vietnam, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and all far
East countries
4. South Asian communities consisting of
India, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri
Lanka and surrounding countries
5. Middle Eastern and Arab Communities
6. European Communities
Mayor is to appoint a chairman of
these boards consisting of 20-25 members. These members shall represent
major organizations from each community. All advisory boards are to meet
quarterly at City Hall with their issues and perform functions of Think
Tanks for the Mayor to see what expectations the communities hold from the
administration.
Configuration of Mayor’s advisory
Board for South Asia is attached as an example to foresee how the
administration can access all the community members from those countries.
Financial Implications:
The city shall not face any financial
implications from this program, as all the positions will be provided from
the existing approved positions. Present staff will perform the additional
duties along with their present assignments.
Configuration:
Mayor’s Advisory Board for Community Affairs
for South Asia
Chairman: Appointed by Mayor (For 1 term)
Members:
President of Indian Cultural Center
President of Pakistan Association
President of Bangladesh Association
President of Iranian Cultural Center
President of Islamic Society of Houston
President of Bahai Society
President of Ahmedi Society
President of Alnoor Society
President of Shia Muslim Society
President of Ismaili Society
President of Indian Chamber of Commerce
President of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce
President of Iranian Chamber of Commerce
Member from the Pakistani Media Council
Member from the Indian Media council
Prominent Citizens from:
Prominent member from India
Prominent member from Pakistan
Prominent member from Iran
Counsel General of India
Counsel General of Pakistan
Conclusion: After detailed discussions with
Mayor Bill White, the proposal was rejected. Mayor White told me
that minorities’ affairs are on the bottom of his agenda and have more
important issues to deal with. On the other hand, the Mayor’s Advisory
boards for International Business Affairs (MABIAD) were made ineffective and
virtually eliminated. However, after so much pressure and hard work of many,
particularly Helen Chang, Mayor Bill White has implemented this idea and all
eight boards have started functioning since early 2006. After one year
performance review of this board shows no substantial achievement made by
this board due to lack of interest from Mayor Bill White who is more
interested to consolidate his position to run for a higher office than to
help common men.
2003:
Draft Request to Mayor Lee Brown and Mayor Bill White for Mayor’s Task Force
to Sale Excessive City Properties
Objective:
To develop a policy and procedure
to simplify the process of selling City properties with no potential use to
any city department
The short-term objective is to
generate 10 million dollars within the next three months. The long-term
objective is to raise 50 million dollars within one year to compensate for a
shortfall from the city budget.
Configuration of the Task Force:
The Task Force shall consist of
representatives from the following departments:
Office of the Mayor, Assistant Director,
Real Estate Section, Department of Public Works and Engineering (PWE),
Geo-Environmental Engineering Section, PWE, Real Estate Appraiser, Real
Estate Division, Legal Department, Representative of Planning Department.
Representative of offices of Environmental Pollution Control, Health
Department
Members of the Task Force will be required
to sign a declaration of a no-conflict-of- interest while serving as members
of the Task Force.
Responsibilities of the Task Force:
1. Compile an updated list of properties to
be sold. Categorize these properties in
groups as given below based on appraised
value:
$25,000 and less
$100,000 and less
$250,000 and less
Above $250,000
2. Identify properties on a city map.
3. Prepare an Executive summary of the plan
for the Mayor’s announcement to the media in order to attract potential
buyers.
4. Prepare a list of the tasks and a
timeline for each task to be performed in order to complete sale processes
within the time frame as indicated above.
At present it takes approximately
18-24 months to sell city property. The goal of the Task Force is to raise a
minimum of 10 million in 3 months and 50 million in one year, based on the
availability of the properties.
Conclusion:
Mayor Brown did not approve this initiative. But Mayor Bill White appointed
a task force headed by Ed Wolf, which was a politically incorrect decision.
Ed Wolf is a real estate developer and his decisions will be biased. So far,
nothing has changed in the last seven to eight months. An independent person
with no real estate interests in the city of Houston should be
appointed to move these excessive properties to bring extra revenues for the
city of Houston.
1998: The Homeless in Houston.
A Report for Mayor’s Transition Team for
Downtown
According to a 1996–census, there are an
estimated 9,300 homeless in Houston and Harris County, out of which
approximately 5,900 are within city limits. Out of these numbers 3,500 are
veterans, (the majority from the Vietnam War with medical and alcohol
problems.) Ninety eight percent of these veterans are males, sixty percent
African American and twenty seven percent are of other origins.
There are six kinds of service providers for
the homeless in Houston. The details are as follows:
|
|
Total No. |
No. of Beds |
Occupancy |
|
1. Emergency Shelters: |
41 |
2546 |
90% |
|
2. Transitional Living Centers: |
38 |
1755 |
N/A |
|
3. Specialized Housing: |
13 |
1331 |
“ |
|
4. Board & Care Facilities: |
N/A |
559 |
“ |
|
5: Assistance Programs: |
11 |
N/A |
“ |
Action Requested:
1. National or statewide summit to discuss
homelessness
2. Funding to help shelters meet building
codes.
3. Additional transitional housing services.
4. Support group programs to existing
homelessness
Committee Recommendation:
The Committee recommends that the Mayor
appoint an oversight committee that would collaborate with the city staff to
review several programs and expenditures of the coalition for the homeless
services, a nonprofit organization. This organization spends an estimated
$20 million per year. Additionally, the committee is of the opinion that a
joint venture with the Veterans Administration can serve to obtain federal
aid. Furthermore, the oversight Committee should hold a “Summit Meeting”
with the many organizations that request City financial support to eliminate
unnecessary overlapping of programs.
1999: Homeless in Houston and Surrounding
Areas
Report For: Dr. Lee P. Brown Mayor of the
City of Houston
Due to a reduction in funds in
AFDC, SSI, SSDI, and GA budgets, it has devastating affects on the poor,
elderly, women and children of every low income brackets. This is one of the
reasons that women and children are the fastest growing segment of the
homeless population.
According to a 1996 census count,
there are at least 9,216 homeless people in Houston and Harris County out of
which 5,924 are within city limits. Approximately, 3,500 homeless are
veterans (98% males, 63% African American and 27% Caucasian, the majority
the Vietnam War veterans with medical and alcohol problems).
There are six kinds of service
providers for homeless in Houston areas.
1. Emergency Shelter: Total #41, with 2,546
beds, occupancy rate 90%
2. Transitional Living Centers: Total #38,
with 1,744 beds, occupancy rate unknown
3. Specialized housing: Total #13, with1,
331 beds, occupancy rate unknown
4. Board and care facilities: 559 beds,
occupancy rate unknown
5. Licensed Personal Care Homes: 559 beds,
occupancy rate unknown
6. Assistance Programs: This provides
assistance in utility and rental payments, food,
clothing, English as a second language (ESL)
classes, GED classes, Counseling Services, transportation, job training.
There are 111 assistance programs available for the homeless.
To eliminate homelessness, the following
services are required:
·
Funding to help shelters meet
building codes
·
Provide alternatives to living
on the streets
·
Additional transitional
housing and services
·
Supportive group programs to
existing homeless
Coalition for the homeless of Houston/Harris
county, Inc., a non-profit organization, with 250 member, homeless services
coordination council secures funds from various agencies. In 1996, the
coalition received $19.5 million in a federal McKinney Act for Competitive
Homeless Grant fund from HUD. However, due to a reduction of the HUD budget
the coalition received roughly 10 million dollars. According to the city of
Houston H&CD department, approximately 1 million dollars in HUD grants were
passed on to the coalition in 1997.
It was very hard to get the right figures as
to how much money was raised. More studies are on hand to submit a more
detailed report.
Presently there are special needs for
creating programs to relocate the homeless from city streets, particularly
from downtown streets.
Downtown management does raise money from
various private and public owned companies; part of it is used to provide
temporary shelter for the homeless of downtown in hotels. More studies are
on hand to analyze why this program has not been successful in eliminating
homelessness from the downtown streets.
My proposal is to take the following steps
to help this cause:
o
Mayor should appoint a five
member council for homelessness.
o
Council should arrange a
summit for the homeless to identify the needs for the homeless people and
try to acquire funds to solve the issues.
o
The council should overlook
the distribution of the funds, if the funds are being used for the needy.
Periodical audits are required.
o
City should have joint
ventures with VA administrations to share the burden of veteran
homelessness.
Conclusion: This report was sent to one of
the top officials in Mayor’s office and was buried and no action was ever
taken. Apparently, it was politically incorrect to take over the homeless
issue and control the funds and funnel to the homeless directly. Most of the
charities which get grants from the government funds use 85% funds for
administration and 15% of the funds are used for the programs. So in a way
we are doing very little to move the homeless people from the streets of the
downtown Houston.
2000: Murders of Pakistani Store Clerks
Letter to DR. LEE P. BROWN Mayor City of
Houston.
Dear Dr. Brown:
On behalf of the whole Pakistani community
and myself, I would like to pass thanks to you for your prompt response to
my request to intervene to solve the murders of innocent Pakistani store
clerks.
Your early intervention prompted extra
efforts from the HPD, produced timely results which had a very calming
effect on angry and devastated Asian communities who have been targeted to
such crimes in the past on almost a daily basis. Upon your instruction, the
chief of police Mr. Bradford called a meeting between community leaders and
the highest rank officers of HPD, which produced positive results. In our
meeting, community leaders expressed their gratitude to the police
department for such prompt action to apprehend these murderers within a
short time. Also, it was agreed to keep contact among various communities
and the HPD to work together to reduce such crimes to make Houston a better
city for all the people.
The Pakistani and other Asian
communities and store owners are planning a prayer rally in front of City
Hall on Wednesday, February 23, 2000 at 12:30 PM. Your participation along
with all the council members and high officials will convey a very positive
message to the communities that you all share grief of these innocent
victims and will take necessary measures to avoid such incidents in the
future.
Once again I am sorry that I
disturbed Francis (Wife of Mayor Brown) from her deep sleep and called your
home at an odd hour. Please let my apologies pass to your wife and once
again thank you for your help and we count on you to be our friend for life.
Conclusion: A big rally was organized at
City Hall attended by top officials and full media coverage was achieved.
Masrur Jawaid Khan used this rally for his political ambition and ultimately
got elected as first Muslim and first Pakistani to City Council.
May 26, 2004:
FEW POINTERS FOR BILL WHITE
RUNNING
FOR MAYOR FOR THE
CITY OF HOUSTON
1. Due to lack of name recognition comparing
to Sanchez we need to install 12 bill boards at various locations, two at
I45/610, two at 59/610, four at beltway 8, two at I10/59, one at 288, and
one downtown.
2. Get a professionally realistic analysis
on White Vs Sanchez on the basis of education, business experience, and
political experience. Acquire newspaper clippings from Brown Vs Sanchez
election include press articles, interviews, and debates and let us analyze
Sanchez’s weak and strong points and work on those.
3. Mobility is a good item but the agenda
should be elaborated with safety, crime, and more jobs for Houstonians. The
Billboards should read:
Bill White
For
Mayor
Less Commuting
More Safety
Less Crime
More Jobs
4. Do not forget diversity. The city is
almost divided into three communities, so diversity is your key card, which
needs to be played right. So far you have drawn Anglo support; we need to
penetrate the Hispanic, African, and Asian Americans. The Muslims are going
to vote on party lines, as they are upset with Republicans. The African
Americans will be divided if Sylvester Turner runs. The Hispanics will
support Sanchez until we take some serious measures to break some of their
leaders as they are very excited to support the first Hispanic mayor. So the
diversity card has to be played effectively.
5. Call a meeting of all the prescient
chairs to get them involved in gross root efforts. Phone bank and block
walking will be effective. Arrange for open house with free BBQ at eight
supper neighborhoods about a month before elections. Saturdays and Sundays
after church will be good days.
6. Mayor Brown won the election only with
gross root efforts and renting 50 vans on Election Day was the most
effective tactic on his campaign. We need to do the same.
7. As of today we have 38 weekends and we
need to visit 38 of the biggest churches of the city on each Sunday. 38
smaller churches on Wednesdays and 38 mosques and Senegal on Fridays. Sunday
evenings should be dedicated to senior citizen centers. Also we need to plan
to visit all the community centers like Jewish, Indian, Chinese, Arab, and
Korean community centers.
8. During speeches we need to go
systematically point by point and short and sweet. Mention problems along
with solutions, a few jokes, and quotes from past leaders. Do not forget to
acknowledge people working for you and people who have contributed to the
campaigns.
9. Prepare a list of donors who have donated
heavily during the last mayoral election and invite them for cocktails and
just ask for their support. People are hungry for attention, so if we
arrange it right we can get donations as well as votes. Form finance
committees that can have as many as 50 members as Mayor Brown had. Form
political analysis committees that can advise you on current issues and be
honest with you and about the position where you stand.
May 3, 2004:
Post Election Review for Mayor
Bill White
Request for Mayor’s Community Outreach
Initiative
Dear Mayor Bill White:
I have been trying to meet with you
for a few weeks to brief you on what is being discussed inside and outside
City Hall about our administration. I have been discussing with various
council members and many community leaders. The perception about our
administration, though very business-like, lacks community involvement. This
is the reason why we are experiencing some growing resistance particularly
from the minority communities.
You have received 92 % African American, 50
% Hispanic, and 90 % Asian votes. However, the representation in City Hall
and various other appointments do not reflect the same percentage. Everyone
is talking about it.
Also refusal of the African American
leaders for reparation has not been welcomed. Wreckers’ and city pension
problems are a few instances where there has been evident resistance from
several community leaders. A recent City Hall press conference held by
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson shows negative campaigning against our
administration. Majority of our new staff in the office is still trying to
get their feet in City Hall. Most of them are young, and more inclined to
flourish their careers than to serve the community. In turn it ignores the
community whereas it is imperative that we get the community leaders
involved. Before bringing any issue like Wreckers’ ordinance or new pension
plan, if we had taken the community leaders in confidence by giving them a
briefing, we could have received positive results. If the pension plan is
not passed in the May 15, 2004 election, it will further alienate our
administration from the community leaders. It is suggested that we
immediately start a Mayor’s community Outreach Program in an effort to bring
community leaders together to achieve our agenda goals.
This program can be started with no
additional financial commitment as our current staff is available to work on
this program. Attached is the organizational chart extracted from the
present staff with a few adjustments to start this program. Objectives,
goals, and financial implications are attached in the proposed program.
Before any negativity arises about
our administration, we must implement this program immediately. If you
desire, I can provide more details, which enhance the need of this
initiative.
Few Suggestions to Mayor Bill White Mayor
City of Houston
1. Mayor’s task force to sale excessive
properties on a fast track.
2. Mayor’s Advisory Council for Engineering
and planning consists of CEOs
Of major companies.
3. Mayor’s advisory Boards of International
Business development need to perform some special tasks to develop business
in Houston. They should be given specific tasks to accomplish.
4. Employee incentive programs like bonuses
and Employee of Month/Year with special recognition from the Mayor.
5. Citizen Complaint boxes are kept at
various departments; Mayor’s staff reviews, complaints, and concerned
departments should take appropriate action.
6. Mayor’s task force to review duplicative
services and gives recommendations to deploy staff for optimum use.
Subsequently this task force/inspection team should visit various
departments with out a notice to review their performance.
7. Establish Gym in Mayor’s office for staff
to release stress during break times.
8. Quarterly staff meeting with Mayor or
retreat to a resort or an outdoor picnic to create working relationship with
the Mayor, his staff and various departmental heads.
9. Regular lunch meetings with departmental
heads, key staff members, and council members should be held to keep a close
working relationship with the Mayor’s office.
10. Positions of Executive Assistant to be
named as Deputy Chief of Staff. Working under Chief of staff enables them to
carry out the mayor’s plans more effectively. Other departments treat them
as clerks and no effective response is received to implement the Mayor’s
instructions.
(None of these ideas were incorporated and
after four years Mayor Bill White is isolated and out of touch from the
community. By power of big money he has resisted any one to run against him
but the after effects shall be very visible when he will run for higher
office)
Letters
to Herb Butrum (Campaign Manager
for Mayor Bill White)
Dear Herb:
Following is the letter and outline
of the outreach initiative. I know our administration is working very
professionally and targeting heavy-duty issues. But if we ignore the people,
we will have a problem 6 months down the line. Most of the community
leaders, particularly from minorities, suffer from a syndrome I call
“attention deficiency.” If you ignore them, they will be plotting
conspiracies against us. So we have to keep them busy by involving them in
the loop. All council members are supporting Mayor, but slowly there is
growing discontentment in minority members and they will start resistance in
council also. It is therefore imperative that we create programs to keep
them involved through these programs as well as Mayor’s Advisory Boards for
Business Development MABIAD that is already in place. I can help the Mayor
to establish this link as I am in close touch with most of the minorities’
members. My services are presently not used and I am getting frustrated if
my working 30-40 hours a week has any value to myself as well as to the
Mayor. You are aware that I was the only one from my community who worked
tirelessly from the day Bill announced his candidacy, and I am the only one
so far who is yet to be useful for this administration. I hope you will
address this issue. Thank you.
Letter to
Herb Butrum (Campaign Manager for Mayor Bill White)
Dear Herb
Butrum:
I was disappointed in the turnout
on Bill’s birthday yesterday. I wonder why we attracted only a few hundred
people after sending 5,000 invitations. If you noticed the demographics, we
had very few African, Hispanic, and Asian Americans (including the 5
African, 6 Hispanic, 3 Chinese, and 1 Indian attendees).
A few reasons I believe we did not attract a
big crowd are:
1. Saturday morning could have been too
early.
2. Invitations could have been sent a little
early as many people did not get the invitation in time.
I am concerned that the African and Hispanic
supporters are losing interest. Considering the strong mandate from all the
communities, to me, this was not a good show-up. I am optimistic that the
idea of the community outreach program to Bill will increase positive
results. If I could be of any assistance, please feel free to call me. You
know my services are free for a good friend.
July 8, 2004:
RESIGNATION TO MAYOR BILL WHITE
Dear Mayor White:
With regrets, I would like to
resign from the position of Advisor to Mayor for South Asian affairs,
effective immediately, due to the following reasons.
I was appointed by the former Mayor
Dr. Lee P. Brown about two years ago with an understanding that I would be
supporting communities from South Asian Countries. Also I was in charge of
Mayor’s Advisory Board for International Business Affairs (MABIAD) which you
do not seem to have any intention to continue.
Within a few months of your joining
office, I stated in my speech at the Pakistan Chamber of Commerce on
February 29, 2004:
“You have not yet earned the title
of the best Mayor of the United States of America because you had to fill
the shoes of Mayor Lee P. Brown, who gave so much to every community.”
I know you are smart and have hired people
from the Houston Chronicle, to get constant coverage for you in the paper.
But Mayor I must tell you the truth if you lose the support of the
community, you will be a one-time Mayor, as stated by some community
leaders. You may collaborate with Republicans and try to act bipartisan,
hire high-profile people, and raise money from the rich and famous; at the
end of the day the majority of the votes are with the minorities for which
you have shown no passion.
You have already seen the sample of
community resentment on your birthday party at the Miller Out Door Theater,
where after sending 5,000 invitations only 300 people attended, out of which
there were 5 African Americans , 4 Hispanics, 1 Pakistani, 1 Indian and 3
Chinese Americans. If you take out the staff you had, no one from any
minority community actually attended your event. This should be a wakeup
call for you, your close staff, and political advisors, who are on guard
24/7.
During this administration, most of
the minorities have been sidelined or moved to unimportant positions.
Eventually, we have no representation in Metro, or on any of the
high-profile jobs. With the pension plan, every minority member who were on
top positions have either been laid off or forced to resign to save their
pension. What I see of the City of Houston compared to last year, the
minorities have no representation, and your actions prove you are not
willing to do anything. Your administration works on the policy of ignoring
people so that they leave the scene themselves.
The African Americans voted for you
overwhelmingly and what you have done to their community is going to
backfire on you. I thought you always recognized that Houston was a diverse
city, but where is the diversity in City Hall. You have hired immature
campaign staff to run City Hall and sidelined all the experienced people,
which will bring you down. You may have enough votes on the council to get
anything approved by the counsel; yet, ultimately, you will not be able to
return to these communities and ask for their help if you ignore their
issues.
I have given you so many proposals
to do a few things for our communities but you have expressed to me the
feeling that you have no intention to do anything for minorities. You
allowed forming Hispanic community outreach program but rejected to give any
access to other communities. This is contrary to all the campaign promises
and speeches you made during your campaign trail. You always talk about
boards and commissions but putting few kids on a board is not an
accomplishment on your part. You need to show that you are Mayor of all of
Houston, and not for some special interest group.
Our community raised more than half
a million dollars in contribution, out of which I raised $ 150,000 in cash,
and $10,000 in kind. I volunteered my one-year of time for you, which is
worth $104,000. I established your campaign office in Clear Lake, and worked
tirelessly in the campaign office, spent $2,000 for shirts, valets, pens and
other decorated material with your name face-printed to make you look good.
In return we expected some representation from our communities in City Hall.
However lobbyists and political consultants are running City Hall and
community leaders who helped you win this place have been sidelined. As
stated by a senior politician: “after dark nights comes day, which brings
sunshine and we need to wait for our day.” I have worked with three prime
ministers of Pakistan, worked with Mayor Brown on all three elections, on
his transition team, and have been involved on all sides of the political
arena. However, I have never been involved with such a polarized team as you
have set.
I therefore regretfully resign from
my position to pursue my business and wait for the next election cycle.
July 10, 2004:
Letter to Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee
(Congresswoman District 118)
Dear Mrs. Lee:
Referring to our meeting a few weeks ago, I
finally got a chance to see Mayor Bill White last Thursday. We discussed
various issues particular about community affairs initiatives for
minorities. His approach was different from his promises during his campaign
trail. Considering his unwillingness to make any efforts for minorities I
submitted my resignation and left the Mayor’s office on Friday July 9, 2004.
As you know, I was the first person from
minority communities who joined his election team after consulting Mayor
Brown. I raised him about 150K in contributions and volunteered from March
2003 to June 2004. However, he was not interested in making any efforts for
our communities.
As desired by you enclosed is my proposal
for forming Congressional Advisory Council for South Asian Communities to
help our communities and hope you will consider my request favorably.
Draft For Office of Sheila Jackson Lee U.S.
House Of Representatives, 18th District, Texas
1919 Smith Street # 1180 Houston Texas 77002
Congressional Advisory Council for South
Asian Communities
OBJECTIVES:
Houston being a multi-cultural and
multi-ethnic City consists of several large communities. According to
unofficial census there are approximately 250,000 Muslims and 125,000
Indians living in the Houston Metropolitan area. There are about 70,000
Pakistanis, 25,000 Bangladeshis and over 100,000 Arabs living in these
areas.
These communities work close-net with each
other and have been very active in the mainstream American politics besides
being very successful in achieving American dream of self-reliance and
business development. These communities are very peaceful with minimum crime
rate, and no illegal activity but lack of interaction with local politicians
and government agencies.
This program shall help the congressional
district office to mobilize these communities to take part in various
community activities initiated by the Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. This
shall also bring both sides closer to each other and to have them work to
pursue the common goal of community welfare.
Organization:
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee shall
appoint a South Asian Community Leader to lead the group with the support of
the current District Staff in Houston Office. This community Liaison person
shall form an Advisory Council consisting of leaders from all South Asian
community organizations and meet with the community leaders on periodical
basis to discus the issues faced by either side. A monthly meeting will be
held at alternative places like town hall meetings, which can bring the
common people with their grievances. Office of the community Liaison shall
follow up the cases afterward. This will open up doors for many new
participants from various parts of the community and shall bring very
positive results.
Financial Implications:
No financial or budgetary
requirements are necessary for this program except serving some food or
snacks during the meetings.
Office of Sheila Jackson Lee, U.S. House
of Representatives, 18th District, Texas
Congressional Advisory Council for South
Asian Communities
Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee Chair-Person
Director South Asian Advisory
Council
Proposed Members of Community Organizations:
1: President Indian cultural Center
2: President Pakistani association Of
Greater Houston
3: President Islamic Society of Grater
Houston
4: President Hindu Samaj
5: President Bangladesh Association
6: President Iranian Cultural center
7: President Arab Cultural center
8: President Bahai Society
9: President Ahmedi Society
10: President Alnoor Society
11: President Shia Muslim Center
12: President Agha Khan Ismaili Society
13: President Indian chamber of Commerce
14: President Pakistan Chamber of commerce
15: President Iranian Chamber of Commerce
16: President Arab chamber of Commerce
17: President South Asian Chamber of
Commerce
18: Consul General India
19: Consul General Pakistan
20: Consul General Egypt
21: Consul General Jordan
Conclusion: Due to negative propaganda by
some groups this initiative was never implemented though the Congresswoman
was very inclined to establish this task force which could have brought
broad benefits for our communities.
October 16, 2005:
Briefing for Congresswoman Sheila
Jackson Lee
Meeting with Pakistani Muslim Community
Leaders
Earth
Quake Relief initiative
This meeting has been arranged to brief the
Pakistani community leaders on Congresswoman’s initiatives to support the
relief efforts after massive earth quake hit Pakistan.
So far no one has made any effort to think
about future problems faced by the victims of the earth quake. In particular
an excessive of orphans will surface after this tragedy. This will be a
heaven for some people to take these children to put them to child labor
camps and sell innocent girls to prostitution rings for sale to the brothels
all over the country.
To protect these innocent children this is
the best initiative anyone has taken to rehabilitate the injured and provide
homes for the orphans.
Adoption in Islam is somewhat restricted
comparing to our laws here. However, Prophet Mohammad also adopted a child
Zaid Bin Harris and he was so close to the Prophet that he used to call him
his own son. Therefore people started calling him Zaid Bin Mohammed that is
where revelation was sent to the Prophet that he could not give him his name
but encouraged the faithful to help the orphans to the highest level. Yes
you cannot give them your name but you could help them to live a decent
life. This should be the slogan for us to achieve the optimum results from
this initiative.
I have asked Dr. Aziz Siddiqui, Former
President Islamic Society of Greater Houston, to present an Islamic view
about the adoption. His observations will coincide with the initiative.
At present various small groups are making
separate efforts to help the victims. No unified effort has been made which
has created so much confusion in the community. Congresswoman should lay
emphasis to use one platform which is Pakistan Association of Greater
Houston to do all the relief efforts. This association is approved 501C
charter and donations can be tax deductible.
Also we can use House of Charity (Hashmat
Effendi Director) to help us in getting the injured children housed and
given medical attention. This charity has been doing similar work on a small
scale but can handle a few hundred children who are injured or are victims
of trauma. This is also a 501C charter organization and donations will be
tax deductible.
Pakistan Association should co-ordinate with
Consul general of Pakistan Mr. G.R. Baluch to ship the necessary goods and
donations.
Congresswoman should appeal to all to work
together on one platform and help the needy.
This is a good time to announce the
Congressional Advisory Council for South Asia who could support these
communities at the time of the need.
This advisory council can play an important
role to achieve the results from the Congresswoman this and many future
initiatives. This advisory council shall comprise the true elected leaders
of the various groups who could play important political role in the future.
I will urge you to announce this initiative at this time of the day.
Manzoor Memon,
President, Pakistan Chamber of Commerce-USA
Conclusion: Due to negative publicity by
some of our opponents, Congresswoman shied away from the initiative of
sponsoring orphans. However, the money raised by various groups was funneled
to the President’s Relief Fund.
December 15, 2000
Letter to President George W. Bush to
Establish a President’s Advisory Council for Minority Affairs
Dear Mr. President,
Firstly, please accept our congratulations
on becoming our president of the United States of America. As a member of
your exploratory committee, I have taken the liberty to write a few things
for your consideration.
Election results have clearly showed that
the Nation is completely divided. In particular, all the minorities have a
deeply rooted feeling that their vote and voice was not counted and you
stole the election from their candidate.
You should also be aware of the fact that,
with and exception of the Muslim community of the Unites States, all the
minorities voted for Mr. Al Gore.
If you recollect at our meeting at Westin
Galleria last year, I brought to your attention the point that there were
approximately 1.3 million Muslim votes that you could make use of to make a
big difference. Now, I hope that you have realized that without the Muslim
support you would not have become the president. I also hope that you will
not forget this phenomenon.
This time around, the nation, in general,
and the minorities, in particular, are divided and you have to make extra
efforts to soothe their pain. The minorities have been suffering on many
levels and need a shoulder to lean on. Bring all of these minorities at one
table to have them work together and allow them their due representation in
the process: this will guarantee your next term victory, for which you have
to start working from now on.
Therefore, if you want to make history, try
to bring all the minorities together. My suggestion would be to establish a
President’s council for the minorities.
I have attached a basic outline of the
council I suggest.
Let it be known that you are not the
president of Anglos only, but the president of all the Americans, regardless
of their color, religion or sex, etc.
I hope you will consider my ideas and take
immediate steps to bring all the minorities at one table to work with you,
not against you.
My best regards and good luck be with you in
Washington D.C. God Bless America.
Sincerely Yours,
Manzoor Memon
Draft: Presidents Advisory Council for
Minority Affairs
Purpose: To mobilize all the minorities of
the United States of America
Budget: 10 million dollars for each state,
totaling to .5 billion dollars.
Manpower: To nominate one member from each
minority group from each state.
President to nominate his council from each
of the minority groups.
African American
Spanish
Jewish
Muslim
Women
Hindu
American Indian
Member from Chinese and Far East Countries
Each of the states’ advisory board should
elect a chairman for one year who would coordinate with state officials for
community problems.
The president’s advisory board will travel
from state to state to evaluate the problems faced by the minorities and
report to the president to make policy decisions to improve circumstances
for the minorities.
Final Result to be achieved: Give minorities
the feeling that they are welcome to the System and are treated with
equality and fairness.
Conclusion: Just a week after President
Bush’s swearing ceremony, a faith-based initiative was announced by the
President. However, the minorities have suffered a lot during this
administration and most of the programs have been either eliminated or
slowed down. This might cost the Republican Party 2008 elections
particularly if the Democratic Party nominates Senator Hillary Clinton as
their candidate.
February 20, 2003:
Deer Park man objects to possible
‘grouping’ of confiscated houses
By Joseph Molnar
HOUSTON Chronicle Correspondent
A local Deer Park resident asked the city
Tuesday night to avoid implementing a plan which he says will restrict
buyers with less money from purchasing confiscated properties.
Manzoor Memon voiced his concern
that the city might decide to group the houses it confiscates from defaulted
taxpayers into lots. The lots allow cities to sell off more houses at one
time, but because they are grouped, the cost is higher.
Memon says only large companies or
groups of buyers could afford that option.
City Manager Ronald Crabtree said
Deer Park has not been grouping its properties. “That’s not what we’ve done
with any of these properties in the past,” he said. “If we have three
separate homes, we have three separate sales.”
He said City Attorney Jim Fox will
submit a report to City Council in the next month containing a list of a
half-dozen properties that can be sold. Council will then determine the best
way to sell the properties, although it isn’t likely to consider grouping
them.
“The effort here is to get these
properties to where the public can bid on them, take possession of them, put
them back into productive use and put them back into the tax rolls,” he
said.
Crabtree cautions potential buyers
of these homes about the risk of assuming properties with existing debts.
Each property has certain
requirements that might involve debts to taxing entities, such as the school
district and county. Crabtree said most homeowners who owe back taxes to one
taxing entity will owe them on others as well, and those debts are sometimes
transferred with the property. Unless the taxing entity waives the taxes,
penalties and interest, the debt is purchased with the property.
“It may be that there is $100,000
owed in taxes on a piece of property, and they buy it for $50, 000,” he
said. “From my standpoint, we would want to waive whatever we had owed to
us, beyond what was paid for the property, just in the effort to get the
property back to some productive use.
“But I do not know about the other
jurisdictions, and what they would choose to do.”
Crabtree said the properties will
not be available until a few more months, but the information on them will
be available for a few more months, but the information on them will be
available through the city secretary and city tax offices when that happens.
Conclusion: No policy change has been
observed since this article as special interest and insiders get the
information to buy the properties at lower prices and the common man does
not get to see those properties.
August 18, 2004:
Letter
to Senator John Edwards,
On behalf of the South Asian
communities, I wanted to thank you for recognizing our community, not only
during your visit to Houston but during the national convention. Many of us
are working very hard to educate South Asian voters to vote for your ticket
and I am glad the response is positive.
The Muslim communities are also very eager
to support us, as John Ashcroft’s negative policies have affected them. If
you would like, I can help mobilize the South Asians nation-wide to pursue
their votes and financial support.
Sincerely Yours,
Manzoor (Manny) Memon
Conclusion: Senator John Edward came several
times to Houston and was briefed about problems faced by the Muslims in
general and he was very receptive. Several people specially Nomi Hassan;
Lutfi Hassan worked very hard for Kerry/Edward ticket. The election was lost
due to very organized movement by the right wing volunteers particularly in
Ohio, which changed the course of the country.
December 8, 1998:
Letter to Honorable Kay Bailey
Hutchinson, U.S. Senator
For Stranded Pakistani Flagship Crew
Dear Madam Senator:
This is with regard to bringing to your
attention a humanitarian issue for a favor of your immediate attention.
You might be aware that a Pakistani flagged
ship has been docked near South Padre Island, which has been abandoned by
the company due to bankruptcy. The crew of twenty-two men has been without
food and medical attention, and is suffering from skin diseases because of
drinking rain and sea water. The Pakistani communities with their limited
sources are sending a group of eight people with food, clothing and first
aid medical supplies.
To mention further, during their anchorage
near a Mexican shore, the Mexican authorities seized their passports. As
they do not have any documents, we will not be able to help them to provide
any medical help on shore.
We request your good offices to immediately
intervene in this matter and help these poor people.
We suggest that if your office could get INS
(Immigration and Naturalization Services) involved and get them off board
under their supervision, and bring them to Houston, we will provide all the
funds and medical help here and arrange for their passage back to Pakistan.
We are hopeful that you will help us in this
matter of utmost importance on the humanitarian grounds.
Thank You,
Conclusion:
Senator Hutchinson’s office called me within a few hours of receiving this
letter by fax. Upon intervention of the Senator, all the crew members were
given temporary visas and brought to the Houston Pakistan Community and the
community provided the assistance and raised funds to send them back home.
Thanks to Senator Bailey Hutchison. Please do closely collaborate with your
representatives who can help you at the time of your need |