The White House

President Obama urges Congress to meet its deadlines and responsibilities, protect the middle class from an income tax hike, and lay the groundwork for future progress on more economic growth and deficit reduction.

Watch President Obama’s weekly address.

A look back at what you built in 2012

12/31/2012 Nativegrl77

When we launched the campaign in April 2011, I hoped to be able to send something like this.

Enjoy this compilation of some of our finest moments together:

http://my.barackobama.com/Our-Journey

I can’t wait to see how much more we will accomplish. Our next chapter is just beginning, and President Obama is counting on us to help finish what we started.

Thank you for an amazing 2012 — and have a very happy new year.

Messina

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Take Action 2013

12/31/2012 Nativegrl77

With the encouragement and support of friends like you I founded the Black Institute, a think tank that takes action, purposed to shape intellectual discourse and dialogue and impact public policy uniquely from a black perspective in the US and throughout the Diaspora.
I am pleased to share that 2012 has proven to be just that – a year of action, filled with exciting campaigns and movements that have brought about change in our communities and cities, and have put our brothers and sisters at the forefront of issues such as immigration, worker rights, consumer rights, and voter suppression.
The contributions that we received from you and other generous supporters have made an incredible difference in our efforts to:

Create and implement our first research, data, and training projects
Assist in leading the Walmart Free NYC Coalition in its victory to keep Walmart out of East New York
Stand in solidarity with local unions, elected officials, and community groups to demand fair labor practices for Cablevision workers and fair consumer practices for Verizon and Cablevision consumers
Elevate the profile of Black immigrants by organizing recruited Caribbean professionals and their aged-out children, launching a campaign for these Caribbean Dreamers, and publishing a report on this topic
Organize a clergy social justice network that has been instrumental in the support and advocacy of low wage workers and the movement for low wage workers rights that is now taking this country by storm
Start our Adopt A Dreamer Sponsorship Program

Though we have accomplished much in 2012 there is still much more to do. The generous gift that you give today will make it possible for us to continue our work to shed light on the various issues that plague our Black communities, and to help empower our men, women and children to speak out against maltreatment, injustice, ineffective government, poor public policy, and inadequate and inefficient social service programs.
Please make a tax deductible donation or become a monthly Sustainer TODAY. https://theblackinstitute.nationbuilder.com/make_a_donation

~ my 2cents ...

Gun Safety

12/31/2012 Nativegrl77

I am against hand guns in the hands of teachers let alone the home because of incidents my family and friends have experienced. I am without a doubt totally against automatic weapons because I don’t think we civilians need to have them at all. I definitely understand how folks interpret the 2nd Amendment and states’ rights but after the Gifford’s attack and all attacks afterward, it is beyond time to sit up right move into genuine outrage, use the sadness with a determination to at least ban assault weapons, retrofit K-12 School buildings and act rationally about creating registries, better permit process, close the gun show loophole and in my opinion every state should be required to impose a state of the art background check. I am not an expert on the NRA, ALEC or gun safety, but I do receive newsletters and interesting articles that are meant to start a dialogue. I will admit I cringe anytime I hear states’ rights and while I did post an article by a Mayor I did not say he was speaking up for any citizen but what he has experienced as a Mayor. I, am certain your 2nd Amendment rights will stay intact but the facts are what they are guns in the wrong hands kill innocent people. I don’t think the rules laws or Policies State by state should be different unless there are statics to back maybe a strict process. I just feel a dialogue is needed now not later and all guns should be registered and the owner vetted …everyone.

I respect the rights of Americans, though I don’t understand how our “Government is damaging the whole country” as Republicans Conservatives and the Tea Party seems to spew every time they get on camera.

The Second Amendment, states:

“A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

We the People deserve good faith effort from our members of Congress; specifically the Republican Party to do the People’s Business , move our democracy into the 21st Century yet it goes without saying … They have failed Americans miserably

~ pop culture

The end of 2012

12/31/2012 Nativegrl77

2012 Year in Review

Take a look back at 2012 and some of the famous people who made the biggest headlines this year. Watch videos about Barack Obama, Michael Phelps, Kate Middleton, Prince William, Beyonce, Jay-Z, and Whitney Houston.

Watch the 2012 In Memoriam Video »

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Franklin D. Roosevelt

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Eleanor Roosevelt

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Cast of Hyde Park on Hudson

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Get to know the cast »