Politics. On Point.

Politicians have been known to buy lavish gifts with tax payer dollars.   That isn’t news. But when they claim they don’t know what constitutes gifting and what doesn’t, well that is just a bit concerning. Virginia governor Bob McDonnell isn’t sure of the definition either. According to reports, McConnell’s wife was given a gift of a pricey Rolex watch, about $6500, from a campaign donor, which she in turn ‘gifted’ to her husband. Isn’t that re-gifting*, the tackiest form of gift giving?    Even JerrySeinfeld knows that.   And why would a woman accept a watch if it was meant for a man, unless she planned to give it to a man in the first place? McDonnell doesn’t know, and he had a time trying to explain it on a Richmond radio show earlier this week, conceding to the age old defense, “I simply can’t comment on it right now while it’s being investigated.” The governor of Virginia is being investigated? “Never in my 22 years of public service...has anyone...

The president spoke by telephone with the wife of Mandela, Mrs. Graça Machel, who remained by her husband's side in the hospital in Pretoria. Out of deference to Nelson Mandela’s peace and comfort and the family’s wishes, they did not visit the hospital where the 94 year old icon is still in critical condition. Instead, the Obamas met with the Mandela family at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa where he expressed his heartfelt support for the entire family. "It is my hope that Madiba draws peace and comfort from the time that he is spending with loved ones", said Obama. The president also reaffirmed the profound impact that  Nelson Mandela's legacy has had in building a free South Africa, and in inspiring people around the world. "Including me", the president said. "That's a legacy that we must all honor in our own lives, including this July on Mandela Day." Members of the Mandela family meeting with...

Here we are, six months into the New Year, with the reelection of the first African American president and seemingly the rights and civil liberties of African Americans are looking even more bleak. Explanation forthcoming. As the trial of George Zimmerman continues in Florida, Americans are waiting with bated breath to see if 16 year old Trayvon Martin will receive justice after being viciously assassinated, almost one year ago, by the self-proclaimed neighborhood watchman.   Food Network’s television cook, Paula Deen was ousted last week over years of her use of the ‘N word ‘ to her staff employees. African American youth around the country, especially in New York City, are still being profiled and singled out by police for “being in the wrong neighborhood” under the state’s Stop-and-Frisk policies. And yesterday the Supreme Court of the United States, with its only African American judge, decided   that Section IV of the Voting Rights bill, would best ser...

  Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden will travel to India and Singapore in late July 2013.  In India, the Vice President will meet with key leaders to discuss the full range of bilateral, regional and global issues, with a focus on advancing the prosperity, security, and shared values of our two countries.    The Vice President and Dr. Biden look forward to opportunities to engage with India’s people, including leaders in business and civil society.  In Singapore, the Vice President will consult with leaders on a range of shared priorities, including implementing the Asia-Pacific rebalance, and highlight America’s continued engagement with a key partner in Southeast Asia.   The First Family will begin their travel to South Africa, visiting Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania later this week.   Per the White House, this is the President’s second trip to sub-Saharan Africa .  He previously went to Ghana in his first term....

Report proposes Chicago lead way in addressing global challenge of feeding urban populations The Chicago Council on Global Affairs released a report on urban food security from its Emerging Leaders Class of 2013 . The group of 20 Chicago leaders has spent the last year developing an action plan for analyzing and addressing urban food security and the dual challenges of under-nutrition and obesity that have beset many urban centers. Representatives of the Emerging Leaders Class of 2013 presented their report, Feeding an Urban World: A Call to Action , at a Chicago Council public event last evening. In it they proposed Chicago utilize its extensive corporate, academic, philanthropic and public policy resources to assume a leadership role and become a model for other cities in addressing the challenges of feeding urban populations. Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s policy director, Mike Simmons, and global food security expert, Ambassador William J. Garvelink, also delivered remarks and comm...

Chanting “Just say No to the new Jim Crow” and “The War on Drugs is a war on us”, hundreds of protesters, many of them young activists who had come to Washington DC in buses from Pittsburgh and New York, marched on June 17th from the AME Church on 15th Street to Lafayette Park across from the White House where they staged a rally demanding that the Obama Administration end the war on drugs which disproportionally targets young African Americans. They also called on the president to focus more attention on the “epidemic” of Black unemployment across the country. Featured speakers at both the church and Lafayette Park rallies were Rev. Jesse Jackson , president of Rainbow Push and Dr. Ron Daniels , President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century ( IBW ). Related The War on Drugs: 40 Years Later African American Think Tank To Obama:  End War On Drugs Now

  First Lady Michelle Obama talks with students from William R. Harper High School in Chicago, Ill., in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, June 5, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy) LINK   In April, the First Lady addressed a joint luncheon in Chicago, IL hosted by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Mrs. Obama urges Chicago’s business and civic leaders to invest in expanded opportunities for young people in neighborhoods throughout the city. Following the event, the First Lady met with a small group of students and counselors at William R. Harper High School to hear firsthand about their experiences. After extending an invitation to the students, the First Lady met with them at the White House.   At the time of her speech in April, Harper High School, a Chicago public school, was profoundly affected by gun violence including 29 current or former students who were shot in the past year; 8 of them died.   Video from the First Lady’s...

Super Bowl Champions Baltimore Ravens were honored by President Obama today at the White House.    President Obama and Super Bowl Champions, The Baltimore Ravens.  Photo/CD Brown. Coach John Harbaugh and his Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers (and brother Jim), 34-31 in Super Bowl XLVII.  Nestor Aparicio, Baltimore sports radio host and author of Purple Reign 2.  Photo/CD Brown Giving back to the community, the Ravens plan to donate brand new uniforms for varsity football and girls’ basketball teams at Baltimore public schools (42 teams in all). "That is very, very significant", said Baltimore resident and Ravens' fan, Congressman Elijah Cummings who lauded the team for their community outreach.  "It's a real powerful moment", said Cummings. "It's one thing to have a team, it's another to have a team that reaches out to its city. When you think about it, there are only a few things that can unite a city or a region....

Replaces Outgoing Advisor, Tom Donilon With no Senate approval needed, President Obama today named Susan Rice as his pick for the next U.S. National Security Advisor. President Obama with (l to r): Samantha Power (new United Nations Ambassador), Tom Donilon (outgoing US National Secruity Advisor), and Susan Rice (newly appointed USNSA).  Photo by CD Brown. Rice, former United Nations Ambassador, has served in various capacities in the National Security Council and at the State Department. She is described by the Obama administration as "a consummate public servant", "fearless" and "tough".  She is described as "the most qualified and experienced experts in the field of foreign policy in the country." Rice gained attention over differing statements she made after the September 11, 2012 attacks on Benghazi that killed US Ambassador Christopher Stevens and four other Americans.  Rice's family:  Husband, Ian; daughter Maris; sister...