Politics. On Point.

Trying to clean up after a current one, and remembering another, six years later Six years ago today, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, upending families and ravaging communities – and no one will forget the tragic events of those days.  But what’s required of us is more than remembrance – what’s required of us is our continued efforts to make sure that New Orleans and the Gulf Coast fully recover, and to make sure that our response to such disasters is the best it can possibly be. Katrina video, Trouble The Water, by two victims wins scores of awards.   Over the past several years, we’ve seen what Americans are capable of when tested.  We’ve seen the grit and determination of people on the Gulf Coast coming together to rebuild their communities, brick by brick, block by block.  At the same time, we’ve made sure the federal government is doing its part to help.  We’ve cut through red tape to free up funding for recovery efforts in L...

AS HURRICANE IRENE MOVES CLOSER TO EAST COAST, FEMA CONTINUES URGING ALL RESIDENTS TO BE PREPARED FEMA and Federal Partners Moving Teams and Commodities Throughout East Coast to Support States and Cities As Hurricane Irene moves closer to the East Coast of the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working closely with states up and down the East Coast to ensure they have the resources they need to prepare.  FEMA strongly encourages all East Coast residents to take steps now to prepare for severe weather in the coming days and urging them to listen to and follow the instructions of their state, tribal and local officials.  The National Hurricane Center has issued a Hurricane Watch for the North Carolina Coast from North of Surf City to the North Carolina-Virginia border.  A Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions are possible in the area within 48 hours.  Under the direction of President Obama and DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, ...

Donald Trump, the real estate mogul, and Presidential bully thought to be running for president in 2012, tweeted that President Obama, planning to vacation on Martha's Vineyard later this month, takes too many vacations. According to his Twitter account , Trump tweeted :  "He takes more vacations than any human being I've ever seen". Trump also tweeted on Aug 15 realDonaldTrump Donald J. Trump @ BarackObama played golf yesterday. Now he heads to a 10 day vacation in Martha's Vineyard. Nice work ethic. Trump, known for making false claims and outlandish accusations, can include forgetfullness to his repetoire. He obviously forgot about President Bush's record.   Thanks to the Internet, we can't. President Bush has spent all or part of 166 days during his presidency at his Crawford, Texas, ranch or en route. Add the time spent at or en route to the presidential retreat of Camp David and at the Bush family estate in Kennebunkport, Maine, an...

It's More Complicated Than Just Bringing Healthy Food To Communities Last month the First Lady included more retailers in her arsenal to help families afford, and have access to, healthier food. Several retailers, along with Walmart, made commitments to lower their food prices, improve food quality, and add more fruits and vegetables to their retail chains in support of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! model designed to rid childhood obesity within a generation. The First Lady is continuing her initiative to ensure that families have access to nutritious foods -- from birth to adulthood. “The commitments we’re announcing have the potential to be a game-changer for kids and communities all across this country,” said the First Lady. “We can give people all the information and advice in the world about healthy eating and exercise, but if parents can’t buy the food they need to prepare those meals because their only options for groceries are the gas station or the local minimart, ...

AARP today announced the release of a thought provoking video that captures the true spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy. The 48 th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. King's historic I Have a Dream speech will be celebrated Aug. 28 at the official dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. This is the first memorial on the National Mall to honor a man of color and the only one that does not commemorate a president or a war.  Reflecting on this historic moment, AARP's My Generation cr eated a stirring video tribute titled "The Living Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr." that profiles several contemporary leaders who reflect on the ways Dr. King's work changed their lives. Former U.S. Secretary of State Gen. Colin L. Powell (Ret.) acclaimed journalist Colman McCarthy, Freedom Rider Rev. Perry A. Smith , U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and a host of others share their thoughts and observations on how Dr. King's ...

CNN is reporting that the 42-year rule of Moammar Gadhafi appeared on the verge of collapse early Monday, with rebel supporters making it to the same Tripoli square where regime loyalists had congregated for months. But in a possible indication that the fight is not over, celebrations in Tripoli's Green Square gave way to tension Monday morning after rebels told CNN that they'd heard Gadhafi army forces were heading their way. CNN could not confirm any movement of Gadhafi forces. A large fire, meanwhile, could be seen rising over the capital around 4 a.m. Monday from about 10 miles (16 kilometers outside the city). The uncertainty came hours after news broke that two of Moammar Gadhafi's sons -- Saif al-Islam and Saadi -- had been arrested by opposition forces. Jumma Ibrahim, a rebel spokesman based in Libya's western mountain region, said both were captured in Tripoli. Being kept abreast of the latest Syrian strife by his John Brennan while vacationing in Martha...

First Lady Michelle Obama graces Sept/Oct, 2011 AARP magazine. As President Obama was on the brink of turning 50 eariler this month, he joked that he would soon be getting his AARP card.  "I’ve said that means testing on Medicare, meaning people like myself, I’m going to be turning 50 in a week -- so, I’m starting to think a little bit more about Medicare eligibility.   Yes, I’m going to get my AARP card soon -- and the discounts, the president said during a press conference in the East Room of the White House where he was asked questions about cutting the deficit and whether social services would be affected as a result. How ironic, however, that instead of the president gracing the September/October, 2011 issue of AARP/The Magazine, after having turned 50, and holding a tele-town hall on health care reform at AARP headquarters in July, we find First Lady Michelle Obama instead. Both The First Lady , and Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden were intervie...

President Obama and his staff are no strangers when it comes using social media. After all, his election was won with it. Getting back to those roots, the president has joined FourSquare where viewers can see places he's visited, what he did there, historical information about the stop, and more. Including his Midwest bus tour.  Check it out here .

Vice President Joe Biden has departed for Beijing, China, the first stop on a nine-day trip to China, Mongolia, and Japan. In each country, the Vice President will meet with key leaders to discuss the full range of bilateral, regional, and international issues.  The Vice President is visiting China at the invitation of Vice President Xi Jinping – the first of the planned reciprocal visits between the Vice Presidents announced by President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao during his state visit to Washington earlier this year.  While in Beijing, the Vice President will meet with Vice President Xi and other Chinese leaders, including President Hu and Premier Wen Jiabao.  The Vice President will also visit the city of Chengdu, in China’s Southwest.  On Sunday, August 21st at 10:30 AM LOCAL TIME/Saturday, August 20th at 10:30 PM ET, the Vice President will deliver a speech on U.S.-China relations at Sichuan University. In Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the Vice Presiden...

Promising politician lends support. Several employees of Verizon, one of the nation’s largest communications companies, marched for the third straight day outside the Fairfax, Virginia location, many wearing signs that read ‘CWA (Communications Workers of America) Strike Against Verizon’s Corporate Greed’. Verizon employees strike for workers' rights in front of Fairfax, Virginia's office building.     Jack Dobbyn (far right/blue shirt), Virginia’s Democratic nominee for the 42 nd House District  lends his support for the workers.  Photo/CD Brown Greed that employees like Frank Helmes, a 41 year veteran Verizon employee, claim cut to heart of their employee benefits.   Benefits they he and other employees have fought for years to maintain.   “One of the main things they’re trying to take away is the medical benefits we have now”, Helmes said.   “They want to strip away the PPOs, the Managed Care Networks and put us into some ot...

Is the president shadowing Baachman, other GOP presidential hopefuls? President Obama embarks today on a three-day bus tour to connect with Americans on jobs and the economy. President Obama begins his first leg of a three-day tour across the Midwest hoping he'll find ways from the American people to "grow the economy, strengthen the middle class and accelerate hiring in communities and towns across the nation".   The president expects to speak to small business owners, local families, private sector leaders, rural organizations, and government officials. The first stop, on Monday (today) will be in Minnesota where the President will host a town hall event in Cannon Falls, Minnesota at Lower Hannah's Bend Park. Coincidence?:  Minnesota is also home to GOP front runner, Michelle Baachman. Oddly enough the president's first day will also include Iowa (he knows how important those Iowa caucuses are) where he will host a town hall event in De...

Canceling his scheduled event at US Interstate Moving Services for today, President Obama instead flew to Dover Air Force Base to attend the return of the bodies of 30 U.S. servicemen killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan on Saturday. President Obama arriving at Dover Air Force Base. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster The dead servicemen included 22 Navy SEALs. Most were members of SEAL Team 6, the counterterrorism unit that carried out the mission to find Osama BinLaden. None of those involved in the Bin Laden raid were among the dead Saturday, U.S. officials have said. The remains were returned to Dover in "unidentified" stautus until they are positively indentified by the Armed Forces Mortuary Affairs Office. The Chinook helicopter crashed in the remote Tangi valley of Eastern Afghanistan. U.S. officials have said it was probably caused by insurgents firing a rocket-propelled grenade. The president had not announced publicly that he would visit Dover. As mentio...

Poor people: the U.S. demographic rarely mentioned by U.S. presidents or leaders,  of past or present. War on Poverty Tour to hit DC. Visit westandsmileyandwest.com . Even in our Nation's Capitol and surrounding Maryland and Virginia areas, poor people exist. These are people (some through no fault of their own) who have lost jobs, become unemployed, lost their homes and families, that now live in cars and on the streets of our cities and towns. What about the poor, Mr. President?  Have you forgotten about them? Two self-proclaimed proponents, (slash critics) of President Obama are making sure U.S. leaders don't forget this demographic of American People. Harvard professor Dr. Cornell West, and public talk radio host Tavis Smiley are touring the countryside talking with, and listening to, the stories of this nation's poor with their Poverty Tour: A Call To Conscience . While politicians express deep concern for the so-called middle clas...

Yesterday White House Policy Director Melonie Barnes and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan met with reporters in the White House briefing room to discuss measures to improve on the Bush era No Child Left Behind act  (NCLB). The act required all government-run schools, receiving federal funding, to administer a state-wide standardized test each year to all students in an effort to determine whether teachers are providing students with the best possible education practices.   Additionally, the act required states to provide "highly qualified" teachers to all students. Just in time for the new school year, the Obama administration wants to give more flexibility to states who are looking for greater relief under the No Child Left Behind law. Said Barnes, "So, instead of being able to focus on flexibility that’s necessary in our classrooms, instead of focusing on turning around our lowest-performing schools that are putting out a...

I probably shouldn't write this, but many say I favor First Lady Michelle Obama (just a tad).  I can't tell you how many times, no matter where I am, I've received that remark.  (I should really call it a compliment to be compared to someone as fabulous as our First Lady). Now, thanks to Margina Graham Parker , author of the children's book, 'I Am Michelle Obama: The  First Lady', girls around the world can see themselves being just like our First Lady. The cover of the book depicts a young, African American girl looking in the mirror at herself and seeing First Lady Michelle Obama. In an interview with AMEZion.org Parker explained how the book came to be. “This book started out as a poem", said Parker. "I was on my way to work one when the words hit me. I was so overwhelmed I had to pull the car over to write the words down. Each stanza is a glimpse of the accomplished life of our First Lady, presented in a rhythm that ...

Note : See update below - - U.S. To Assist Famined Somalia Dr. Jill Biden has arrived in Kenya with Senator Bill Frist, USAID Administrator Raj Shah, Assistant Secretary of State Eric Schwartz, and Special Assistant to the President Gayle Smith. Dr. Biden’s trip will underscore the United States’ commitment to working with the governments and people of the region, and the international community, to assist the people of the Horn of Africa during this urgent time of need, and to investing in long-term solutions to hunger and food insecurity in the region.  Amid the worst drought in East Africa in 60 years, the United Nations has declared that famine now affects five regions in Somalia and predicts that famine could soon expand throughout southern Somalia.  Thousands of Somalis are fleeing the famine and seeking refuge in Kenya and Ethiopia, which are also affected by the drought.  According to the United Nations, more than 12.4 million people in Ethiopia, Keny...

As the U.S. gets ready to recognize the horrendous September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, many today are remembering the August 7, 1998 al-Qaida-led terror attacks on the U.S. Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.  In Tanzania 11 people lost their lives and at least 85 people were wounded. In Kenya 218 people were killed with over 5,000 injured. Four men, believed to be followers of Osama bin Laden, were convicted on May 29, 2001, for their roles in the bombing that included Mohamed Rashed Daoud al-'Owhali, Khalfan Khamis Mohamed, Wadih al-Hage, and Mohamed Sadeek Odeh are all believed to be connected with the bin Laden sponsored terrorist organization also referred to as 'The Base'.  Another five defendants have been in custody, while at least 14 more at large. The men were placed on the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists list on Oct. 10, 2001. Said President Obama, marking the ...

The letters J-O-B-S hang down the front of the Commerice building in Washington.  Just a block from the White House.  Photo/CD Brown. Yesterday we learned that more than 70,000 FAA employees were returned to work after almost a two week long furlough after Congress worked together to end the FAA shutdown. Today, we learn that the July jobs report shows shows that private sector payrolls increased by 154,000 in July. The economy has added 2.4 million private sector jobs over the past 17 months, despite a slowdown in economic growth from substantial headwinds in the first half of the year. Still, unemployment remains at an all time high, hovering around 9.1%. In some cities, mainly urban, overall unemployment tops 20%. Unemployment in Detroit is currently at a staggering 30%.   President Obama continues to make jobs creation his top priority. But the affects are slow, and people remain impatient, while the White House remains optimistic. In an alm...

President Obama celebrated his birthday (officially today, August 4th) in Chicago last evening with a few friends while making a couple of speeches during DNC events. Among those helping him celebrate, singer Jennifer Hudson , and others at Chicago's Aragon Entertainment Center. Mr. President said he couldn't have had a better birthday present than spending the night in Chicago, his 'home town'.  "It's true that I turn 50 tomorrow," he said, adding that by the time he wakes up tomorrow he expects an email from AARP "asking me to call President Obama and tell him to protect Medicare." Despite the focus being on him he was par for the course in addressing the needs of Americans, and of course, the tumultuous few weeks (months) in Washington trying to pass the debt ceiling bill. Addressing the crowd of about 2,400 at one DNC event the president said, "We’ve just gone through an extraordinary week in Washington", the president sai...