Debt showdown New vote today

Increasing fears of a default led to a sharp slide in the dollar and global stocks as the Republican-controlled House debated a bill drawn up by John Boehner, House Speaker, in the teeth of determine opposition from anti-spending Tea Party hardliners.

In a day of high drama, Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader in the House, warned: "What we're trying to do is save the world from the Republican budget. We're trying to save life on this planet as we know it today."

Mr Boehner's plan would cut $915 billion in spending over 10 years in return for raising the $14.3 trillion federal debt limit by a similar amount but requiring another debt ceiling debate at the end of the year. The vote on the Boehner plan, scheduled for 11.15pm British time, is pivotal to a deal.

Jay Carney, President Barack Obama's press secretary blasted the plan. "There is no question that this bill is a political act that has no life beyond its current existence in the House, he said. "It ain't going anywhere in the United States Senate."

But passage of the bill would move it to the Democratic- controlled United States Senate. It would almost certainly be defeated there but senators would then vote over the weekend on an alternative proposal from Senator Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader.

Democrats have argued that such a move would only postpone the issue and plunge the country back into crisis in six months time, risking a downgrade by ratings agencies of its Triple-A credit rating.

"Economists have said a short-term deal holds many of the same risks as a technical default. Democrats are not willing to put our economy on the line like that," Reid said.

"Our economy and the financial markets desperately need stability. Speaker Boehner's bill does not provide it."

Washington hit its debt ceiling on May 16 but has used spending and accounting adjustments, as well as higher-than-expected tax receipts, to continue operating normally.

The US Treasury has warned that it will run out of funds on August 2 and will have to make tough choices on which bills to pay if it can no longer borrow any money.

Southern Baptists push to overcome racist past

The man expected to be in the running to become the first African-American in the No. 2 position of the nation's largest Protestant denomination didn't choose to become a Southern Baptist. By Fred Luter Jr.'s account, it just sort of happened.

In 1986, Luter was hired at the head pastor at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, a Southern Baptist Convention affiliate. Ever since, he has been breaking racial barriers in the predominantly white denomination.

In 1992, he was the first African-American elected to the executive board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. In 2001, he was the first African-American to preach the convention sermon at the SBC annual meeting.

When the Southern Baptist Convention elects new officers at its annual conference in Phoenix beginning Tuesday, the 54-year-old Luter will be in the running for first vice-president. And some prominent Southern Baptist leaders already have said they hope that position will lead to his election as president next year when the 2012 convention is held in Luter's hometown.

Some Southern Baptists leaders have expressed hope his election will mean a rise to president next year when the 2012 convention is held in his hometown.

In recent years, the SBC has seen a decline in overall membership and attendance. At the meeting in Phoenix on Tuesday and Wednesday, delegates are considering a resolution that aims to help diversify the denomination.

Dwight McKissic, a black Texas pastor who has called for the denomination to be more proactive on inclusiveness, said he stayed home this year because he got tired of the dearth of minorities on the platform at the annual meeting.

McKissic, who pastors a predominantly black congregation, recently helped launch a new Southern Baptist church with a multicultural congregation.

McKissic and other Southern Baptist leaders hope the moves toward diversity will include the election of New Orleans pastor Fred Luter, an African-American, as first vice president. But even if Luter is elected president next year, as many are speculating, McKissic said there will still be more to do.

"The SBC (will have) really dealt seriously with their racial issues and past when they put a minority person in charge" of a mission board or seminary, he said.

The Rev. David Lema Jr., a Cuba native and associate director of theological education for Florida Baptists, said the Executive Committee's support for greater inclusiveness means the issue is no longer a matter of a "voice crying in the wilderness" but a more authoritative stance.

"I believe that the Southern Baptist Convention is turning a corner and it's turning a corner not just of awareness but it's a corner now of reality, of action," he said.

Southern Baptist leaders say half the churches started in the last decade were predominantly African-American or ethnic, and the number of churches with mostly minority membership increased from 13% to 18.5% between 1998 and 2008.

Ken Weathersby of the denomination's North American Mission Board said he encourages the more than two dozen ethnic groups affiliated with his agency to evangelize beyond their particular community.

"We are not commanded just to plant among people that look like us," he said. "We are commanded to plant churches and commanded to make disciples among all ethnics.

Pigford settlement applications open:$1.25 Billion

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2011 -- The Court-ordered process of officially notifying African American farmers and their heirs about the $1.25 billion "Pigford II" class action settlement, In re Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation, is underway.

African American farmers around the country who tried to file a claim in the 1999 Pigford Settlement but were unable to receive a decision on the merits because their claims were late are now receiving information about their legal rights and options under the Settlement by postal mail. A comprehensive paid published notice program will complement this direct notice. The program will include a nationwide radio advertising campaign, including heavy focus on areas where large numbers of class members are believed to live. A Summary Notice will also be published in a variety of print publications including African American newspapers, general market daily and community newspapers, and farming and ranching trade publications. Finally, online ads will appear on a variety of websites.

African American farmers who tried to file a claim in the original 1999 Pigford settlement but didn’t receive a decision because their claims were late are now getting information about their rights and options in the mail. A national media campaign through radio and black-oriented newspapers, trade publications and online will also launch.

President Barack Obama signed the bill authorizing payment for the so-called Pigford II settlement in December 2010. If the settlement is approved in federal court, it will resolve discrimination claims against the U.S. Department of Agriculture for farm loans and other benefits. The settlement includes $1.25 billion for cash payments and loan forgiveness for class members who file valid claims. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia will consider whether to grant final approval of the Settlement at a hearing in Washington D.C. on Sept. 1, 2011 at 9:30 a.m.

Class members eligible for the settlement are African Americans who:

• farmed (or tried to) between Jan. 1, 1981 and Dec. 31, 1996;

• were barred from applying for or were denied a USDA farm loan during that period or given a loan with unfair terms;

• and filed or attempted to file a late claim between Oct. 13, 1999 and June 18, 2008 in the original Pigford case that was never considered because they tried to submit it after the late claim deadline. Heirs or relatives of individuals who would be eligible but have since died can also be class members.

Anyone who objects to the settlement must do so by Aug. 12. The deadline for filing claims may be as early as Feb. 28, 2012.

Class members can go to www.blackfarmercase.com, or call toll-free 1-877-810-8110 for information on the notice, key dates, and filing claims.