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Why the President Is Simply Wrong on Civil Rights
When you look at it, it is hard to tell if the White House, the Department of Justice and the NAACP are merely a collective sign of the times or the reasons why the times are sadly changing. Over the course of the past week, all three iconic institutions have corrupted the legacy of civil…
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When It Comes to Experience, Obama and Kagan Are Alike
It seems as if the nation has become captivated by Elena Kagan’s charm and wit as she moves through the nomination process in a style very different from what we saw last year with Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Even the Senators conducting the hearings seem enamored with her. In many ways, she is pulling an Obama…
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Don't Blame Race for the McChrystal Disgrace
I know what you are thinking: that General Stanley McChrystal’s comments—quoted in the upcoming edition of Rolling Stone—stem from disrespect for President Obama because the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan is a racist that doesn’t want to serve a black president. You immediately came to mind when I heard this. And, no, I’m not referring…
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Disaffection With Obama May Be His Opportunity
This week’s primetime presidential address from the Oval Office was designed to present an image of confidence. The language of the president’s speech was strong. The symbolism captured the might of the White House. Even the pre-Oval Office speech in Pensacola hangar took a presidential tone intended to convince a nation to unite behind him,…
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Black Republicans: More a Ripple Than a Wave
A number of writers have questioned the much-hyped black Republican surge after many of the candidates failed to win nomination in the latest round of primaries. The Root’s Cord Jefferson asked ”Whatever Happened to the Black Republican Wave?” as if black Republicans have failed in some regard. Granted, black Republican politicians did not deliver many…
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Obama's Temper and Temperance
The latest criticism of President Barack Obama stems from complaints about his laid-back persona (and its perceived impact on the delayed response) to the BP tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico. Often, this critique from the political right is presented as Obama’s fatal presidential flaw. However, his coolness may actually be a trait that will…
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How Independent is Obama's Department of Justice?
When people complain that the Obama administration is acting un-American, they have two recent examples to use in supporting their case. One involves Arizona’s immigration bill, the other, the Joe Sestak controversy in Pennsylvania. U.S. Justice Department attorneys recently recommended that the federal government should challenge Arizona’s SB 1070 on grounds of unconstitutionality—even after the…
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A New 'Miranda' for Terrorists
What should be done with citizens—naturalized or native born—who commit acts of terror in collaboration with international terror cells? Some officials, including U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, are suggesting that we modify Miranda rights to cover terrorism when such crimes are committed by American citizens. For others, including Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), there is no…
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When Legislators Go Too Far
There once was a time when government in America generally erred on the side of caution. The unspoken rule mirrored the oath taken by physicians: “First, do no harm.” Echoing that sentiment, then-presidential candidate Barack Obama said in 2008 that sometimes it takes a scalpel to address a problem instead of using a hatchet. With…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
