Politics. On Point.

After having visited the Metro A.M.E. Church on Sunday, President Obama and family attend the St. John's Episcopal Church near the White House. On the day marking the birthday celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the president gave his Inaugual Address on the front steps of the Capital Building in front of Congressional members and what looked to be nearly a million American citizens. "Each time we gather to inaugurate a President we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution. We affirm the promise of our democracy. We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names. What makes us exceptional, what makes us American is our allegiance to an idea articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among ...

Attendees Speak on the Signficance of the Day President Obama spoke during Saturday's momentous dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication on the National Mall. "For this day, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s return to the National Mall.  In this place, he will stand for all time, among monuments to those who fathered this nation and those who defended it; a black preacher with no official rank or title who somehow gave voice to our deepest dreams and our most lasting ideals, a man who stirred our conscience and thereby helped make our union more perfect. And Dr. King would be the first to remind us that this memorial is not for him alone.  The movement of which he was a part depended on an entire generation of leaders.  Many are here today, and for their service and their sacrifice, we owe them our everlasting gratitude.  This is a monument to your collective achievement." The president placed signed copies of his Inauguration s...

Gets Unlikely Call From An (Unlikely) Viewer Reverend Al Sharpton , host of MSNBC's Politics Nation, received a Happy Birthday call from (wait for it), 2012  presidential candidate Newt Gingrich . “ I figured I would be the least likely phone call you ’ ll get tonight, ” said Gingrich. To which the Reverend replied, "Well, you got that right". The good Rev. thanked Gingrich for calling in. "I appreciate you calling me on my birthday." If these two can join forces, even for a moment, then certainly the GOP and President Obama stand a chance of putting their differences behind them to move the country forward. Sharpton, who declined the invitation to participate on the popular TV series Dancing With the Stars last year, turned 58, on October 3rd. He and his National Action Network plan a rally and March for Jobs on October 15th, a day before the rescheduled Martin Luther King, Jr. dedication on October 16 on the National Mall.

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 ...

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...

I thought this quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was appropriate at this time to remind us that not everyone celebrates the death of another human being, no matter the wrong done. "I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."   - Martin Luther King Jr. ---   A local poet shares her thoughts on the death of Osama bin Laden   Obama said Osama’s Dead. Obama said, “Osama is dead!” 11pm on May 1, 2011, sister sent a text, daddy called my phone, No thought of this news to be told. Early in the am hubby confirmed the slaying Obama said Osama is dead. With no pics and proof to see Many believe it’s a conspiracy. “They showed Sadam, why not Osama?” This question wants answers—did we get ...