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Hey Marion: Since When Don't Minorities Deserve Rights?
This week, the state of Maine became the fifth in the United States to allow marriage protections for same-sex couples. The edict, signed into law by Governor John E. Baldacci, adds to the growing list of states–Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont–that have decided that gays have the right to marry one another. It also follows…
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David Simon Takes "The Wire" to the Big Easy
Fans of “The Wire” and fans of the Big Easy are about to get one mother of a mashup: David Simon, reporter, author, and prolific creator of HBO’s “The Wire” as well as other classic dramas like “Homicide: Life On The Street” and “The Corner,” has confirmed plans to create a series for HBO based…
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What Does it Mean For America to be "Tolerant" Again?
Three of my favorite editors in Washington—Mark Schmitt, Frank Foer and Michael Tomasky—spoke at the NDN think tank this afternoon, on “The Early Days of Obama” (a clever dodge of the first 100 days conceit, which Schmitt hates). The trio was moderated by Simon Rosenberg, President of NDN, and all four men made some very…
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Justice David Souter Hangs a VACANCY Sign on the Court
As numerous sources are now reporting, David Souter, associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, will retire at the end of this year’s term. The news came on the 101st day of Barack Obama’s presidency and adds one more difficult and weighty decision to the pile of woes—two wars, trillions of wealth lost, and…
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Got Credit? You Might Just Have a "Bill of Rights"
A new law being touted as the “Credit Card Holders’ Bill of Rights” passed the House today. Sponsored by Reps. Barney Frank, Carolyn Maloney and Luis Guttierez, the bill would provide protections against the type of ugly predations that countless famlies and individuals have been subject to in the age of easy money from which…
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CNN's "Swagga" Story is More Bad News for America
Pace Jon’s post: CNN’s “swagga” video is a must-watch. Anchor Kyra Phillips hosts a segment on president Barack Obama’s “swagga” (going to basketball games, eating dinner, hugging people) featuring correspondent T.J. Holmes after which Holmes entreats Phillips to “hug it out” and then Phillips insists that she “gotta get that bump” (read: terrorist fist-jab) before…
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Chantelle Biya of Cameroon Gives Michelle Obama a Run for Her Money
Now that the first lady of the United States is past her first 100 days in “office,” a host of profiles and tributes and pop theses on her appeal have started to appear: The NEW YORK TIMES wrote about how Obama’s staff has maintained tight-fisted control over her public image; while the WASHINGTON POST describes…
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Carrying Her Own Head
Michelle Obama is showing her humanity in a very interesting and very clear and personal way—it’s bringing people in, putting her hands in the dirt, not being controlled every single moment, and just carrying her own head. As the Yoruba people say—carry your own head. I admire her intelligence, and her phenomenal love for her…
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Rock Star
First lady Michelle Obama has simply rocked these first 100 days as well as the decades before that have led her family and this country to our present day. Her grace, strength and intelligence in everything from pep talks at federal departments to engagement with the city in which she now lives demonstrates that without…
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An American Mother
The first lady during the first 100 days has just been marvelous; she has helped to give America a new sense of hope. They’ve been a people’s family; they displayed a sense of caring and a sense of sharing and getting other people in America to look out for each other. But more than giving…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
