Once again, local writers voice their opinions – Kamala Hughes, AI; Joe Fowler, loss of public lands; Evelyn Uddin-Khan, discrimination; Aaliyah Williams, affordability; Steve Albanese, free-wheeling Trump.

Kamala Hughes: Yet, Another Voice

In a recent column by Colton Overcash (Data is next utility), he left out a few words that you might want to consider. While he touted the benefits of data use by banks (transaction clearing which is inclusive of sanctions/regulatory review) and hospitals, there was nary a mention of another widespread use: Sell, sell, sell.
I worked for 15 years supporting the banking industry’s gathering and use of data. While the government and account security rank up there for data requirements, the industry most definitely found a silver lining to use customer habits to cross-sell products. I know this because I was told specifically that by senior management.
And with respect to AI’s use of data, maybe more rather than less stress could be put towards a specific type of “intelligence.” Perhaps then, I might not get the same add for a rug I purchased nine months ago as I doom-scroll at 3 a.m.
P.S. Shoutout to Mr. Huffman for calling out the aforementioned article as well with very relevant points.

 Joe Fowler: Believe It

We are in danger of losing millions of acres of public land that belongs to us and has been protected for well over 100 years starting with President Grant and President Teddy Roosevelt. They created our first National Parks and National Forests.

The Trump administration wants to trade parts of several National Parks for other unnamed parcels of land so that the rich and famous can have their exclusive homes and playgrounds.

The Trump administration has awarded a multi-billion-dollar no-bid contract to a company that is building a border wall in Big Bend National Park, part of our border that has fewer illegal crossings than other parts of our border.

The Trump administration has opened two million acres of the most ecologically fragile land in Alaska for oil and timber exploration.

The Trump administration has opened 44 million acres of roadless National Forest across the country to build roads to enable timber and mineral harvesting.

The Trump administration now says that it is OK to destroy habitat that supports endangered species throughout our country.

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Evelyn Uddin-Khan: America’s Skin Color Problem

Why do we still have a problem with skin color? Here are two perspectives on immigrants and their pigmentation:

First, an announcement on Sept. 23: “The Trump administration to admit primarily Afrikaners under new refugee proposal resettlement plan estimated to cost $500 million for 17,000 refugees … over the next 12 months.” Afrikaners are white.

Second, during the past 18 months, the Trump administration has been deporting people living on U.S. soil based on their color and presumed illegal status.

We do not need to go back 400+ years to know that the Native Americans were unacceptable people because of their skin color. Or that Africans torn out of Africa and dragged to American soil as slave labor were anything but “acceptable” to the new developing country.

Today, 400 years later, America is still chastising people for their pigmentation, which these poor souls did not ask for, and have no control over.

This new under class of people includes Asians, Spanish/Latin, mixed race or anyone not white.

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Aaliyah Williams: Affordability a Big Issue

Affordable housing is a big issue for Salisbury.

Even though housing costs may not be as high as they are in larger cities, housing can still be a financial problem for locals. The City of Salisbury are asking residents about affordable housing and community needs, and it is working on projects such as the redevelopment of the former Kesler Mill site into mixed-income housing. These projects can help increase the amount of housing available to people with different incomes. Housing costs can take a large portion of families income. Example; if a household pays $1,500 a month in rent, that adds up to $18,000 per year just for housing. For a family living on one income, that can be a significant financial problem. It can also affect students. As a student, I know moving because a family cannot afford its home could mean being separated from friends, family members and a community.

Having stable housing can be important for families. However, whether housing is affordable depends on more than just the price of a house or apartment. It also depends on how much money people earn. A home that seems affordable to one family may be too expensive for another. Housing costs can have a particularly large impact on single-income families in Salisbury. People looking for homes often have to consider more than just the price. They also want a safe home in a good area, preferably near schools, jobs, transportation and other places. Rental prices can reach around $1,400–$1,500 per month depending on the location and type of property. Home prices can also range from around $250,000 to $350,000 or more. For a one-income household, those costs can take up a large part of the family’s income. So Salisbury should consider lowering housing prices for the community.

Steve Albanese: The Struggle Continues

The Trump administration has been carelessly free-wheeling over the last 18 months. His policies have ruined the economy, brought us into an unauthorized war and took healthcare away from millions to enrich billionaires and is trying to ruin elections.

These are things you do when you have no record to run on:

• Discredit dissent and truth by attacking the press
• Carve up congressional districts to cheat your way to victory
• Close polling locations and reduce voting periods
• Lie about your accomplishments
• Appoint an unqualified cabinet that must bend to your will
• Purge voting rolls and disenfranchise voters

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