Politics. On Point.

The Senate, once again, show they have less interest in moving the United States of America forward, and are more intent on finding ways to block just about any and everything President Obama tries to do- even if it means looking back as far as two years ago to do it. Here's what's being reported from the Associated Press (AP). The Supreme Court on Thursday limited the president's power to fill high-level vacancies with temporary appointments, ruling in favor of Senate Republicans in their partisan clash with President Barack Obama. The high court's first-ever case involving the Constitution's recess appointments clause ended in a unanimous decision holding that Obama's appointments to the National Labor Relations Board in 2012 without Senate confirmation were illegal. Obama invoked the Constitution's provision giving the president the power to make temporary appointments when the Senate is in recess. Problem is, the court said, the Senate was not ac...

President Obama took time to give reporters the latest update on the situation with Iraq. Speaking from the James Brady briefing room, the president made it clear that there will be no U.S. boots on the ground given to the war-torn country where the focus is also on humanitarian and  counter-terrorism issues. "We do not have the ability to send troops to Iraq to solve this", he said. President Obama speaking to reporters on Iraq. The president stated his highest priority continues to be the safety of the U.S. and reiterated that Iraq must work together with its own base to solve the current situation, but stressed that both Iran and Iraq, "should avoid steps that might lead to a civil war." Related Iraq.  How did it come to this ?

We couldn't help but notice (while looking to see how many people of color, in prominent roles, work for the Obama administration) that 'former' Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is still being featured on the White House Profiles pages . Does Kathleen Sebelius still work for the White House as SHHS? Ms. Sebelius was said to have resigned amid the embattled roll out of the Affordable Care Act website  that ended up being a nightmare for the administration, and those wanting to sign up for health care coverage. You may recall incidents with the website crashing , security issues , and more . [ Sebelius' White House blog posts ]. Despite those 'glitches', more than 7 million Americans have enrolled - a feat the administration calls "historical." Silvia Matthews Burwell (Office of Management and Budget) was announced as the replacement for Sebelius, and praised by President Obama.  Burwell was confirmed by the Sena...

Sob. Sob.   Another press secretary has descended from the White House briefing room podium, into the welcoming arms of 'family'. Today, White House reporters saw the last briefing - facilitated by one Mr. James "Jay" Carney, the 29th press secretary, and the second to President Obama after he replaced Robert Gibb s nearly four years ago. President Obama and White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, aboard Air Force One, one last time. Just as his predecessor before him, Carney told reporters how much he loved his job, and how much of a "pleasure" it was. I could never understand how the PS could claim, at least on camera, to have have "the best job in the world", "loving every moment", and then just walk away. How could you no longer want to talk about every issue happening in the world, every day - for an hour -  to relentless, grilling, reporters who act like they're out for blood on every single issue? Take a read a...

Today, President Obama and First Lady Michelle visited the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Nation in Cannon Ball North Dakota. The pair participated in  a roundtable discussion   with Native American Youth and tribal officials. The  president gave remarks during the  Cannon Ball Flag Day Celebration. President Obama is the first president to visit the Sioux Nation. From the White House: President Obama's firm belief [is] that tribal leaders must have a seat at the table.  To make this commitment a reality, the President has hosted the White House Tribal Nations Conferences with tribal leaders every year he has been in office, and last year, he established the   White   House   Council   on   Native   American   Affairs   to   ensure   cross-agency  coordination   and   engagement   with   Indian   Country.   Women dance a traditional Indian dance. The Sioux Natio...

Many of us are aware of the divisive rhetoric over the so-called issue of 'illegal' immigration and  immigration  reform. As the two political sides continue to debate over what to do about an issue that seems to have no end in sight, nor the chance of going away, one person wants America to see the issue in a slightly different, dare we say, human way. Take a look at "The Secrets of Strangers" by Honduran-born TV host Rosci Diaz .   The video, posted on You Tube on June 10th, comes on the heels of recent reports stemming from the  transport of underage illegal immigrant s and how they are being treated in detention, or 'holding' centers while waiting to be processed. Diaz tries to show the fear and anguish that is imposed upon undocumented people living in the U.S. The issue of illegal immigration reform is believed to partially be the reason Rep. Eric Canto r (R-VA) lost his seat as House Majority Leader during this week's Virginia primaries...

First Lady Michelle Obama, Epicurious, the Department of Education, and the Department of Agriculture announced the winners of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, a nationwide recipe challenge to promote healthy lunches as part of the First Lady’s  Let’s Move!  initiative.  Winners  representing all U.S. states, three territories, and the District of Columbia will attend a Kids' “State Dinner” at the White House hosted by Mrs. Obama on  July 18 .   The 54 children will join the First Lady for a healthy lunch, featuring a selection of the winning recipes, followed by a visit to the White House Kitchen Garden.  2013 Winners “I am looking forward to hosting the winners of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge here at the White House for the third annual Kids’ ‘State Dinner,’” said First Lady Michelle Obama.  “This event gives us the opportunity to showcase healthy creations from talented kid chefs from across our country, and I can’t wait to...