Politics

(The Root) — Recently Thom Hartmann published an essay on Truthout titled “The Second Amendment Was Ratified to Preserve Slavery.” Hartmann, who is described on the Internet as a radio host, author, former psychotherapist and entrepreneur and a progressive political commentator, said the amendment to the U.S. Constitution was intended, in part, to protect slave-patrol…

President Barack Obama may have been sworn in on Sunday, but it is Monday’s public inauguration ceremony that is the true draw. Four years ago, Obama made history as the first black president. Then, he and first lady Michelle Obama did something that bonded them with onlookers who had braved freezing temperatures for hours to…

President Obama took his second oath of office on Sunday, in a quiet ceremony presided over by Chief Justice Roberts. Vice President Joe Biden was also sworn in on Sunday, according to NBC News. Obama repeated the directive to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” He was joined by First Lady…

As first lady to America’s first black president, Michelle Obama is judged by what she does but also what she represents. It is this dichotomy, the Washington Post reports, that has caused a feminist divide. Some say her chosen issues of fighting obesity and acting as “mom in chief” are disappointing, especially in the shadow…

(The Root) — Barack Obama came to a gunfight Wednesday with a rocket launcher. After almost completing his entire first term while deftly dodging any substantive discussion on gun control, 33 days after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, the president came out blasting. He called out Congress, announcing it’s time for Capitol Hill lawmakers…

(The Root) — An enormous stretch Humvee limousine — with an American flag waving from a rooftop antenna and red, white and blue bunting decorating the hood — was pulled up at the door of the Home for Retired Racial Stereotypes. Charlie Chan, Tonto and the Frito Bandito were loading suitcases into the trunk, while…

THE WHITE HOUSEOffice of the Press SecretaryFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DAILY GUIDANCE AND PRESS SCHEDULE FORFRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2013 In the morning, the President and the Vice President will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office. This meeting is closed press.

Tom Joyner’s response to the criticism, in a piece for BlackAmericaWeb: “He isn’t a white Republican. He’s a black Democrat who is going to be harshly criticized whichever way he decides to go.” Once again the President is getting flack, this time for not appointing enough people of color to his cabinet. Never mind that…

(The Root) — With family members of some of the children who died in the Newtown, Conn., shooting in the audience, President Obama on Tuesday unveiled his second-term plans (pdf) to implement new gun-control measures. Among the proposals mentioned: strengthening background checks to ensure that the 40 percent of gun purchasers who evade background checks…

THE WHITE HOUSEOffice of the Press SecretaryFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DAILY GUIDANCE AND PRESS SCHEDULE FORTHURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013 In the morning, the President and the Vice President will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office. This meeting is closed press.