In this week's video address, Barack and Michelle Obama sent a special message for the holidays. Last year's theme was "Shine, Give, Share." This year it's "Joy to All." As they describe: it's the joy of giving service to others; the joy of sharing blessings with one another; and, the joy of mixing it up with friends and families over the next two weeks. The Republican side of the house and senate could demonstrate that Joy for All spirit by agreeing to legislation that will prevent us from sliding off the fiscal cliff. more..

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Confession: posts have been few and far apart this year. One consequence, other than mixing it up with you, I've missed talking at all about this year's election. Don't worry, it's not a case of Romnesia. What's that I said.. Romnesia? It's a condition that President Obama diagnosed Mitt Romney with. more..

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As we speak, the Obamas are in Hawaii for the holidays. However, early on Christmas Eve, Michelle Obama spent some time to answer phone calls from kids asking the question of the day: Where is Santa? The phone calls were part of the NORAD "Tracks Santa" program. "Track Santa" began in 1955 after kids in Colorado Springs, saw a Sears ad in the newspaper that invited kids to call Santa, with the wording, "Hey, Kiddies! Call me direct.. Just dial.. " more..

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On April 20, at the age of 98, Civil rights activist and educator, Dorothy Height left this (partially) green globe. She was the president of the National Council of Negro Women for forty years and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994. I will not pretend to know the details of her impact in the civil rights movement, but those who fought for our rights as equal citizens of this country deserve to be acknowledged and thanked for their efforts. It's nearly impossible for anyone of the hip-hop generation - not to mention internet babies - to imagine the life of African-Americans during 1937. That's when Dorothy Height was 25 years old and just beginning her life as a civil rights activist. Martin Luther King Jr., sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat, which sparked the Montgomery bus boycott and put the civil rights movement into full gear, wouldn't happen until, a rounded, 20 years later. more..

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After watching Michelle Obama make a guest appearance on the Food Network's Iron Chef challenge over the weekend, it occurred to me that the Obama girls haven't been pictured in awhile. Maybe they found their comfort zone, tucked away with school interests and whatever else White House kids get into. Kick that to the curb. more..

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Is there any reason why president's Weekly Addresses aren't broadcast on TV stations every Saturday? At five minutes, it seems like a no-brainer way to keep people informed of the state of the nation. This idea was relevant for George Bush's presidency, especially during the Iraq war, and boomerangs to the present with Barack Obama and the economy being devastated by Wall Street's financial crisis. I do know the answer to my question, but explaining it will lead into a four page Neil Postman discourse, cross tracks to a rant about rats wearing $300 ties, and just overall shenanigans. more..

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If you look around the room during President Obama's White House meetings, you will see a few fresh, young faces. One that's front and center every morning is Darienne Page, President Obama's receptionist. At 27 years old, she's already a military veteran. After high school, Darienne joined the Army, sort of a family tradition. Working as a paralegal in Iraq she took depositions at the infamous Abu Gharib prison. Lucky for her, she wasn't involved in any of the back room shenanigans. more..

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I was listening to a podcast last week, these business types were talking shop and one of them said Barack Obama inspired him to keep his New Year's resolution to exercise. "Here's a guy that's the President of the United States, you know he has things to do and yet he finds the time to exercise for 45 minutes, every day." On the campaign trail, especially towards the end, this miraculous time management thing of his was on display as well. He'd give a midnight rally speech and be back at it a few hours later at an early morning rally in another state. Does the guy ever sleep? more..

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History was made yesterday. You might have heard about it: a guy named Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. There was no way to put the moment into words. I was soaking up the sounds and images since Saturday's Obama Express, but the inauguration ceremony was something I will always remember. Where were you when? &8592; I got that. So do you. Anyone sitting on the outside of living history has one foot in the past or is ignoring the future. Last night it was inaugural ball time.. three quick highlights. more..

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Here it is, Friday aka Notorious weekend. I'll be at an AMC theater tonight (below freezing temperatures be damned) and with any luck Laurence Fishburne will be in the lobby.. "Sup Morpheus? Sign my popcorn bag!" Early this week, Laurence Fishburne sat down with Tavis Smiley to talk shop about his portrayal of Thurgood Marshall in the one-man Broadway play, Thurgood. The play's run ended in August, but Fishburne plans things long-range.. "In 2010 I'm bringing it to Los Angeles." Get your tickets now. Of course any current conversation isn't going to skip over next week's historic inauguration of Barack Obama. Laurence Fishburne, the blurb is yours.. more..

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