Political Quick Hits: May 18th Edition

Here’s your weekly quick look at few developing stories in the political arena:

• In 2012 news, GOP presidential nominee, Ron Paul announced this week that he would stop campaigning in the future primary elections but will continue to work behind the scenes. Dr. Paul could still have a vocal presence at the Republican National Convention at the end of August in Tampa. This news now means that Mitt Romney, the presumptive nominee, has no rivals left running against him. Romney currently has 989 of the 1144 delegates needed to secure the nomination. (WSJ)

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Posted by:

Justin Burkhardt

#NewMusic: Goodie Mob “Is That You God”

There are things good and bad that take place in our lives and we have no control over them. Idk about you but I was taught not to question God. At the same time, the (wo)man upstairs is so big and the happenings of this world are so mysterious, you just might get caught asking, “God, is that you?”

Thank God for the Goodie Mob! They just released this soulful and insightful record, which is one of the tracks from the highly anticipated film, ‘The Obama Effect,’ which is set to release July 13th.

[JUMP] to [LISTEN & DOWNLOAD]

Posted by:

DJWillieShakes

Jay-Z and Pacquiao on Same-Sex Marriage

Boxer Manny Pacquiao was recently denied access to a scheduled-interview at the Grove Shopping Mall for his remarks about same-sex marriage, prompted by recent comments made by President Obama. Pacquiao stated that “I am against gay marriage, but I am not condeming gays.”

Unlike Pacquiao, many stars have recently come out not only in support of Obama’s statements, but also for same-sex marriage. Most notably, rapper Jay-Z publicly stated this week that it’s an issue of “discrimination, plain and simple.”

Boxers, hip-hop stars and incumbent presidents: these are not the usual suspects in the conversation about same-sex equality. Have LGBT rights gone mainstream in America? What do you think?

Posted by:

Ife

[Interactive Map] Voter Suppression Efforts Nationwide

If you have been following politics, than you know that Wisconsin is a major battleground this year. Well, Wisconsin isn’t the only state where voters are being challenged to get to the polls. Suppression tactics can be seen across the nation in places like Indiana, Kansas, and Georgia just to name a few. Recently the Fair Elections Legal Network and Campus Progress, have unveiled their interactive voter suppression map. This map shows us where voters rights are being challenged.

What does this mean for us, you ask?

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Posted by:

Ife

Free to Love Equal Rights

Just last week, North Carolina voters passed a bill strictly defining marriage as between a man and woman. The day after, President Obama stated that he personally agreed with same-sex marriage.

Last year, my friend, Tom Bridegroom, suddenly died. He was gay and had been living with his partner for several years in California. They had promised to marry as soon as it was legal. Tom’s family never agreed with his homosexuality, and after his sudden death, they decided to cut all contact with his partner, Shane. After an entire year, Shane decided to speak through a YouTube video, about his experience with not only Tom’s family, but with the laws as they currently are.

For some insight on the state of the marriage equality fight, I spoke with LGBT advocate with Milwaukee’s Pathfinders, Julie Brock, about her reaction to the ban in North Carolina, the President and the video, “It could happen to you.”

“I was sad North Carolinians passed the ban, but not surprised,” Brock said. “Oppression is institutionalized in America.”

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Posted by:

Ife