Politics. On Point.

"We're So Strong" As the US military prepares to lift the ban preventing women from serving on the front lines of military combat, we're inspired by the words of Ms. Violet Palmer, the first female NBA referee who had these words to say about being a female in her own male-dominated profession. "I didn't know if they'd talk differently, look at me differently, or if they'd touch me", said Palmer who has been an NBA ref since 1997 of her fellow male referees. While the NBA and military operations are quite different animals, both surely were met with oppositionary reactions initially, but said Palmer, "I knew if I did my job well, they cynics would be quiet." Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta (who is slated to resign from his post this year) said in a statement yesterday, "The department's goal in rescinding the rule is to ensure that the mission is met with the best-qualified and most capable people, regardless of gen...

Just days after President Obama is re-elected, and one day after his birthday, CIA Director David Petraeus resigns citing his "extremely poor judgement" caused him to have an extramarital affair. In a letter Petreaus writes: Yesterday afternoon, I went to the White House and asked the President to be allowed, for personal reasons , to resign from my position as D/CIA. After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair. Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours. This afternoon, the President graciously accepted my resignation. As I depart Langley, I want you to know that it has been the greatest of privileges to have served with you, the officers of our Nation's Silent Service, a work force that is truly exceptional in every regard. Indeed, you did extraordinary work on a host of critical missions during my time as director, and I am deeply grateful to...

" Justice Has Been Done " President Obama initiated the killing (or attack) of Osama bin Laden, giving direct orders to Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, "to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda." Speaking late last evening just outside the White House East Room (interrupting Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice ending) the president vehemently articulated that, "We will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed." Visit msnbc.com for breaking news , world news , and news about the economy U.S. operatives raided an al Qaeda compound located in Abbottabad, Pakistan where bin Laden was said to have been living in a large home on a secured compound in an affluent suburb of Islamabad. President Obama called the event "historic" and reiterated his predecessor's comment that the war against al Queda that started over a decade a...