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.

President Obama has made it very clear in a recent interview that he is in support of same-sex marriages, something that he once opposed. This recent change of heart was attributed to his forward-thinking views, which have very much so “evolved.”

More interesting is the fact that his Republican challenger has made it clear that he doesn’t support this large base of constituents. “I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman,” he said while campaigning in Oklahoma.

President Obama will definitely get a lot of support for this announcement as well as much expected hate from the opposing party. Does this increase the chances of Obama getting re-elected? Where do you stand?

In this episode of Total Recall Live, Aliesa Nicole and DJ Willie Shakes talk about President Obama’s stance on weed, the Bo Morrison tragedy, Chester French’s love of black girls and Trayvon Martin’s killer and George Zimmerman’s bail.

Check the video after the jump.

Barack Obama makes the job of President seem too easy sometimes. His charismatic, swagged out approach to politics is part of the reason why there are a lot of young people tuning in and staying tuned. However, as a country, we are facing some of the most depressing economic times in history and when our Commander-in-Chief is seen on Jimmy Fallon making light of news that’s pretty damn serious to his constituency, I have to ask, “how does that make you feel?”

Some think it might be a lil too soon to be having fun with the news when your job is on the line as well as many other Americans. Personally, I loved this remix of the news because the news is actually really old. At the very least, we know we’re getting murdered fiscally and economically at the local and national level. I don’t wanna keep hearing that. At the same time if there’s going to be a remix of the news, I’d prefer it be Diddy…but I can digest it with the President. What do you think?

Satirical news analyst Jon Stewart had this to say: “You don’t have to do this shit anymore.”

Tuesday was an election day in Wisconsin and the crew at the Milwaukee League of Young Voters Education Fund were getting people out to vote all day. Starting at 8:30 a.m., volunteers started arriving. People were making calls, organizing maps, and breaking into teams to canvass the neighborhood by 9:00 a.m.

As I started volunteering to make phone calls reminding people to vote, I discovered that most people did not know that the Scott Walker Voter ID Law was suspended just in time for the primary. I also discovered that people didn’t know they could vote for presidential candidates from both parties in the primaries.

As I looked around the League office, I realized the room was full of young male and female volunteers. The room represented a contrast to the popular concept that young people are not engaging in politics. Not only were they personally engaging in politics, but they were organizing to engage and inform others. Like other primaries, voter turnout throughout the day was low, however, the Wisconsin primary was important because Wisconsin is a swing state.

Although Santorum “performed strongly across most of the state” he could hardly compete with Mitt Romney’s ad campaigns in southeastern Wisconsin. Romney won in the largest GOP districts of Milwaukee, Racine, Waukesha and Ozaukee counties; effectively putting an end to the Santroum campaign.

With the recall election only nine weeks away, Wisconsin is a political hot-bed of activity. The actions of Wisconsin voters could be a strong indication of the 2012 presidential outcome. All eyes will be focused on Wisconsin, and the youth in particular!

By now you may have heard the story of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. He was allegedly killed by a self-appointed neighborhood watchman named George Zimmerman, who claims to have shot and killed Trayvon out of self defense.

He was not arrested, although recent audio tapes revealed that Zimmerman was asked to not follow him, and that Trayvon pleaded for his life. It doesn’t sound like a case for self defense, but nonetheless, Zimmerman remains a free man. However the question weighing on the public’s mind, is why hasn’t Zimmerman been arrested and charged with at least manslaughter, based on the fact that Trayvon held no deadly weapon? Is imagined danger enough to justify a real murder?

In Zimmerman’s 911 call, some have claimed that he used a racial slur to describe Trayvon, and others like him. It has become clear that Trayvon’s death and Zimmerman’s freedom are a matter of racial stereotypes. It is generally accepted that young black men are dangerous, and white men are honest and heroic. But Zimmerman is Hispanic (considered Caucasian, technically), and thus this is not simply about black vs. white, but rather about perceived identity and prejudice vs. reality.

Although Zimmerman is not white, he looks ‘white,’ and benefited from the privilege associated with his fair skin, and an Euro-centric name. Had his last name been Gonzales, would he have been detained or arrested that night?

As the Miami Herald writer Leonard Pitts states:

“White, then, is not simply color, but privilege…He said it was self-defense. Police took him at his word and sent him on his way.”

This privilege of assumed innocent until proven guilty, was not afforded to Trayvon before he was shot. That is the problem: Trayvon, who was perceived to be guilty of a crime, actually was not; while Zimmerman, who is perceived innocent, has actually killed someone.

While I completely agree with Pitts, that black skin has become synonymous with danger, and white skin with privilege; I think that the real problem is that our society continues to not deal with the prejudice of what we see. While Americans pride themselves on ethnic diversity and colorblindness, every aspect of society recently has bought into the idea of us versus them. Blacks against whites, rich against poor, Mexicans against Americans, women against men, liberal against conservatives.

We have all bought into the divide and conquer strategy, based on what people look like. We continue to let our eyes be the judge of character and not our conscience. We are not judging people on their values, relationships, or treatment of others; but rather, still by the color of their skin.

Geraldo Rivera recently stated publicly that black and Latino children should not wear the “hoodie,” because it makes them a target for suspicion. Believe me, I get it. With the way the world is, we must be aware of how others perceive us; but let’s be honest, it wouldn’t have mattered what he was wearing, or even what he was doing. Zimmerman believed that he was a threat because he was black. If we are going to only judge danger based on how people look, let’s just throw out the Constitution altogether, because no black or brown person stands a fair chance in American society if we are going to believe that perception alone determines if a person is guilty or not.

Zimmerman should be afforded something that may have never been given to Trayvon; a chance to be judged for his actions, and not his skin color.

99problems.org’s Dee-1 ran into the multi-talented Dawn Richard at the VibeHouse X Allhiphop.com Breeding Ground event at SXSW. After finding out that Dawn is close friends with his first cousin, Dee-1 asks the R&B star about the 2012 election. Let’s just say that she’s all in. What about you?

The event was sponsored by Adidas via @CashmereAgency.

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

• Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords officially resigned from Congress on Wednesday. She resigned to focus more on her recovery from being shot in January, 2011 at a political event in Arizona. Giffords’ pledged to return one day saying, “Everyday, I am working hard. I will recover and will return, and we will work together again, for Arizona and for all Americans.” (NBC)

• In 2012 news, this week Mitt Romney released his tax returns from the past two years. Mitt has made $42.7 million the past two years and payed $6.2 million in taxes.  Romney had been attacked for not releasing his tax returns and some still want Mitt to release years further back. (CNN Money). One poll this week shows that Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are now tied in Florida, which is the next GOP primary on January 31st. This is news because until recently, Mitt Romney was the clear front-runner and now the 2012 GOP race looks to be a close two-man race between Romney and Gingrich.

• President Obama gave his State of the Union address on Wednesday night where he said that state of the union is getting stronger. President Obama defended his policies and called keeping the American Dream alive “the defining issue of our time.” In what could be his last State of the Union address if he’s not re-elected this year, the president proposed letting the Bush tax cuts expire, having the wealthy pay more in taxes, more refinancing for homeowners in trouble, and more clean energy initiatives among many other things in his speech. (Full CNN Speech Transcript)

• Finally, if President Obama is re-elected in 2012, his staff could look a little different for his second term. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said this week that he does not expect to remain in office if the president is re-elected. Geithner is the last remaining member of Obama’s original economic team. (BusinessWeek) . It is also being reported that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will not stay on the job if Obama is re-elected. Mrs. Clinton is reported to have said she is tired of the “high wire of American politics.” She has also previously denied that she will pursue another run for the presidency in 2016. (First post)

]]> http://99problems.org/2012/01/political-quick-hits-january-27th-edition/feed/ 0 http://99problems.org/2012/01/state-of-the-union-issue-breakdown-infographic/ http://99problems.org/2012/01/state-of-the-union-issue-breakdown-infographic/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:13:46 +0000 DJWillieShakes http://99problems.org/?p=20927

This Tuesday, President Obama proceeded to address the nation through his State of the Union speech for the fourth time since he’s been elected. As always, everyone from around the world checked in to see what issues he and his administration will be prioritizing in the near future. However, this year’s speech is a little more important than the last, given the fact that this could be Obama’s last opportunity, as president, to make an impact that would satisfy constituents.

The Washington Post created the featured infographic identifying the amount of time the president spent talking about a specific issue in comparison to the last few speeches.

Did President Obama leave out an issue that was important to you?

Janelle Monae speaks on her recent performance for the 44th president at a fundraiser that took place a month back at the University of Illinois, Chicago. As a young voter, she was very clear about continuing to support him in November. In the featured excerpt, Janelle highlights some of Obama’s statistics during his 4-year tenure as Commander in Chief:

“I was deeply honored to be invited by the President to perform at the rally in Chicago at the University of Illinois at Chicago. It was an amazing feeling to be amongst so many people, young and old, black, white, red, disabled, all united, eager to help support a man who has ended the war in Iraq, gotten rid of ‘don’t ask don’t tell’- allowing anyone to serve this country regardless of who you love, made sure women were not paid less than men merely because they are women, doubled Pell grants, given 2.5 million young people health insurance, and has created a law that recognizes that crimes based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race or disability aren’t just any crime- they’re hate crimes that deserve justice. These are all things he said he’d do before he was elected and did them. There are more important accomplishments that can be added to this list. I strongly believe our nation should continue upon this path, bringing justice to all and change where needed. President Obama remains the candidate of hope and change, and he will continue to move our country forward, bringing even more change if re-elected.” – Janelle Monàe

Janelle Monae sure is, but are you sold on Barack Obama’s candidacy representing hope & change?

While on set for Snoop’s GGN, I bumped into one of the funniest female comics in the country, Luenell. You may know her name from various urban films such as “Think Like A Man,” “35 & Ticking” or even Katt Williams’ “American Hustle” DVD. If you’ve ever seen her perform, you’re not going to be caught off guard when you check out the featured video. As we continue to get the perspectives of stakeholders and tastemakers in the entertainment community, don’t hesitate to let us know who you will be going for this November.

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

• White House Chief of Staff William Daley resigned Monday. Daley, a former banker and commerce secretary under the Clinton administration replaced Rahm Emanuel last January. Daley will be replaced by budget director Jacob Lew at the end of the month. The White House chief of staff’s duties include managing daily operations of the staff, weighing in on domestic/foreign policy, and helping manage relationships between the White House and Congress, Wall Street and other outside groups. (Washington Post)

• In 2012 news, Mitt Romney on Tuesday won the New Hampshire primary becoming the first non-incumbent Republican to win the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary. Mitt is the clear favorite to win the 2012 Republican nomination. Next up is the South Carolina primary on January 21st.

• On Thursday, the Justice Department said that last week’s controversial recess appointments by President Barack Obama are constitutional. Richard Cordray was selected to become the director of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Obama also named three members to the National Labor Relations Board. (CNN)

• Outgoing Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is in his last days in office, but he has caused quite a controversy this week when he approved full pardons for 199 people including 14 convicted murderers. Since the conservative governor took office in 2004, he has granted clemency to 222 people whose crimes ranged the gamut. Four men who were convicted of murder and received full pardons were released on Sunday. These four were all serving life sentences and worked as inmate trusties at the governor’s mansion. A murder victim’s sister has said about the pardons, “We will live in fear for the rest of our lives.” (CNN) A Mississippi judge has since put a halt to the release of 21 inmates still in custody who were pardoned as a court reviews whether Barbour broke the law. (USA TODAY)

As the 2012 presidential election approaches, it is becoming painfully clear that the U.S. economy may be the topic helping voters decided which candidate to choose. Unemployment has remained relatively high across the nation, but some populations have been hit harder than others. The Obama administration has made progress in its attempts to stabilize unemployment, and job growth has been on a small but steady rise. But if stabilizing the economy is the greatest challenge for the 2012 election, then increased employment is the only solution.

While job growth has increased, the questions regarding who is gaining employment still remains. Today, the White House released a press release announcing the Summer Jobs Act to employ nearly 180,000 youth between the ages of 16-24 nationwide. The White House has been encouraging youth employment since 2009, and has worked with many private companies to ensure that young people received on-the-job training and paid internship positions. However, today they took an aggressive stance toward youth employment stating:

“America’s youth can’t wait for Congress to act.”

Obama is moving forward without Congress by proposing $1.5 billion to make sure that youth can be hired not only in the summer, but year-round.

This is an important step to ending high rates of unemployment not only for youth and disadvantaged communities, but also for the nation as a whole. With all of the political circus, we often forget that the high school and college students WILL  grow up to become the leaders of this nation. We must do everything possible to support their growth and development in every realm of society. The administration also points out that in 2011, taxpayers contributed more than $93 billion “in direct cost and lost tax revenue to support young adults disconnected from school and work.”

Many conservatives, such as Rick Santorum, repeatedly state that they want to discontinue social welfare programs, however, unemployed and uneducated youth will cost us far more in lost tax revenue than in entitlement programs alone. Translation: It will cost us far less, as a society, to educate and hire the multi-ethnic youth of America.

In the next 60 days, the administration will launch  Summer Jobs+ Bank, an online job search through its business, non-profit, and government partner organizations. They hope that these summer jobs will lead to a more informed workforce prepared for long-term employment in the private and public sector.

Check out the full press release here.

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

• The Obama administration announced Tuesday that they will be using the enticement of foreign aid to other countries as a way to promote gay rights around the world. The administration also vowed to combat efforts by other countries that criminalize homosexual conduct or abuse/ignore abuse on gay citizens. “Some have suggested that gay rights and human rights are separate and distinct, but in fact they are one in the same,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said. (NY Times)

• Rod Blagojevich, former Governor of Illinois, was sentenced to 14 years in prison this week on federal corruption charges that related to him trying to sell/trade a United States Senate seat that was left vacant when President Obama was elected to the White House. Blago is expected to serve at least 12 of the 14 years in federal prison. (NY Times)

• The Obama administration rejected a request to let anyone of any age buy the morning-after pill, Plan B, directly off of drugstore and supermarket shelves. The Department of Health and Human Services vetoed the FDA’s decision to make the contraceptive available without any restrictions. This split decision stunned both women’s health advocates and abortion opponents. President Obama said that he agreed with Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ decision though he “did not get involved in the process.” (Washington Post)

• On Thursday, the Senate failed to approve President Obama’s pick, Richard Cordray, to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The bureau become the symbol of the administration’s efforts to rein in Wall Street excess and abuse. Until there is a confirmed director, the consumer bureau can’t regulate financial products from non-banks, including student loan providers, debt collectors, payday lenders and check cashers. It also can’t regulate mortgage originators and servicers, something that played a role in the recent financial crisis. President Obama said that he is considering sidestepping Congress with a recess appointment. (CNN Money)

• Finally, in 2012 news, CNN polls released on Wednesday show that former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is the frontrunner in three of the first four states to vote for the Republican nomination. The polls also show that it is still anyone’s race to face President Obama in 2012, as less than half the people questioned in each state say their minds are made up. The Iowa caucuses are January 3rd, followed by the New Hampshire primary on January 10th. (CNN)

I can remember it like it was yesterday. The moment that Barack Obama was elected president, you would’ve assumed Jay-Z and Young Jeezy had something to do with it, due to the amount of times their hit record, “My President is Black” played around the country. I have no exact number of plays, but it was definitely the hip-hop ode to candidate. However, three years after a black man was made president of this great country, some people are quietly asking if he was the right man for the job, while some are yelling it to the top of their lungs. At the end of the day, everyone isn’t in love with Barack just because he’s a cool public figure. We are all looking between the couches in search of the lil bit change we were promised.

The real question is, how influential will hip-hop be in the 2012 election? Is Barack still the popular candidate in the hip-hop community?

1. M1 of Dead Prez: “Obama Nation”

2. Lupe Fiasco: “Obama is the Biggest Terrorist”

3. Rhymefest: “I mean we got indecisive ass Barak Obama and confused ass Tiger Woods”

4. Killer Mike: “Burn”

5. Tyler The Creator: Aחԁ Obama wanted change, I threw a couple f**king pennies аt һіm

6. DMX: What the f**k?! That ain’t no f**kin’ name, yo. That ain’t that nigga’s name. You can’t be serious. Barack Obama. Get the f**k outta here.

7. KRS-One & Professor Griff: “The Obama Deception”

9. Prodigy: “Black Devil”

10. Big Krit: “Obama cool, but he ain’t sending me no free checks”

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

• As expected, the Supreme Court announced this week that it will decide on the constitutionality of the Obama administration’s health care reform. The court will hear two major questions, the first being if the individual mandate requiring Americans to have health insurance is constitutional and if so, the second question is should all of the healthcare reform be scrapped? Arguments will likely be in February or March, with a ruling coming by June. The ruling will once again make health care an important issue for the 2012 presidential race. (CNN)

• Congress again avoided a shutdown threat by passing a temporary spending measure on Thursday that will keep the government funded until December 16. The government would have run out of  money midnight Friday if another temporary spending bill wasn’t passed. (CNN)

• As 99problems reported earlier this week, a nationwide crackdown of the various Occupy movements is happening this week. Occupy Wall Street and all of their set up was cleared out of  Zuccotti Park. A judge later ruled that protestors are allowed back in the park to protest during the day but cannot set up tents or sleeping bags there and must leave at night.

• Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez, 21, allegedly fired nine shots at the White House last Friday, one cracking a bulletproof window. He was charged Thursday with attempting to assassinate the president or his staff. Ortega-Hernandez has a history of mental illness and believed President Obama to be the “Antichrist.” If convicted he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. (Washington Post)

• Finally, the congressional super committee has until next Wednesday to reach an agreement that will have at least $1.2 trillion in savings over the next decade. If the committee can doesn’t reach an agreement, Congress has one month (December 23) to vote on a deal. A failure to pass anything would result in $1.2 trillion in automatic across-the-board spending cuts starting in 2013. These cuts would be evenly divided between defense and non-defense spending. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said this week that such cuts could cripple the American military establishment. So will this “do-nothing Congress” get something done?

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

• In 2012 news, the dates for the 2012 presidential debates between President Obama and whoever wins the GOP nomination have been set. Debates will be held October 3rd at the University of Denver in Colorado, October 16th at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY,  and October 22nd at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. The only vice-presidential debate will be held October 11th at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. (Politico)

• GOP presidential nominee Herman Cain was accused of inappropriate behavior with female employees in the 1990s, according to a Politico report released this week. In the report, it says that Herman Cain, while head of the National Restaurant Association, engaged in “sexually suggestive behaviors” in front of at least two female employees. The women signed an agreement with the restaurant group that gave them financial payouts to leave the association. It is not yet known how this will affect Mr. Cain’s campaign, however his campaign has had its best fundraising week yet, raising $1.2 million since the story broke. Herman Cain has remained defiant against his critics this week, and even accused fellow GOP nominee, Rick Perry’s, campaign of being behind the leaks, which Perry has denied.

• Also in more 2012 news, the New Hampshire primary was officially set this week to be held on January 10th, this first in the nation primary will take place seven days after the Iowa caucuses. (ABC News)

• In what was seen by many as shameless politicking than actually trying to get any law passed, on Thursday, the Senate rejected both Republican and Democratic proposals to boost construction of roadways and other infrastructure projects. No infrastructure plans or jobs bills have been passed by Congress since President Obama urged Congress to act quickly on a jobs bill back in early September. (CNN)

• Finally, next Tuesday November 8th is Election Day, don’t forget to go out and vote!

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

• The White House announced this week a new plan to help students buried in student loan debt. The plan allows students to consolidate federal loans, changes the interest rate, and limits the monthly payment down to 10 percent of a student’s income. But is that enough? Our article on that is here.

• Do you remember “Joe the Plumber” from the 2008 election? Well, Samuel Wurzelbacher (aka Joe the Plumber) has announced that he will run for Congress in Ohio. He will make his bid as a Republican nominee in Ohio’s 9th district, which is currently being contested by Democrats Marcy Kaptur and Dennis Kucinich due to redistricting. (Politico)

• The deadline to come up with $1.5 trillion in cuts over 10 years as part of the debt ceiling deal is now less than a month away. A deal must be in place by the bipartisan super committee by November 23rd. If nothing is agreed upon, automatic cuts would be triggered, which could really be felt across the economy by potentially affecting infrastructure projects, higher education, basic research, and state and local governments. This week, the GOP members rejected the Democrats’ deal saying it relied too heavily on tax increases on the rich. The super committee’s negotiations are described as being “deadlocked” over taxes. (CNN)

• Finally, in the most recent 2012 poll news, Mitt Romney is at or tied for the top spot in the first four states to vote for the Republican nomination. According to recent CNN polling of GOP voters, Romney holds an overwhelming lead in New Hampshire, leads in Florida and is essentially tied with Herman Cain in Iowa and South Carolina. My personal thoughts have always been that once the dust settles, it will be Romney v. Obama in 2012. (CNN)

As you may know, the Libyan Leader, Muammar Gaddafi’s 42-year rule was put to an immediate end as he was recently captured and slain. However, you may not have caught the airing of the 1987 sitcom, ‘Second Chance,’ that displays the date July 29th, 2011 where he is sitting before God and is sent to hell. 83 days off, but what a guess. God Bless The Dead!

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

• Former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed Thursday in his hometown of Sirte. Gaddafi was captured alive after a NATO airstrike but reportedly, he died during a crossfire between transitional government troops and his loyalists. His death comes two months after rebels took control of the capital Tripoli, where Gaddafi had ruled as a dictator with an iron fist for 42 years. A formal announcement of Libya’s liberation will be made on Saturday. President Obama pledged U.S. support for Libya after Gaddafi and told the people of Libya, “you have won your revolution.” (Reuters)

• The Iowa caucuses will be held on January 3, as it was announced this week. The caucuses are important as they are the first major electoral event in the nominating process for the presidential election. These caucuses will give us a first look at who is leading the race for the Republican presidential nomination. (Politico)

• Social Security checks are going to rise 3.6 percent starting in January. This cost of living adjustment is the first social security raise in three years. However, many seniors may not see the full amount since there are expected to be hikes in Medicare part B premiums. The hikes could eat up a big portion of the social security raise. The changes in Medicare premiums will be announced next month. (CNN Money)

• On Tuesday, another Republican Presidential Debate was held in Las Vegas. The biggest news out of the debate was a heated exchange between Mitt Romney and Rick Perry. Rick Perry accused Romney of hiring illegal workers at his home, and a heated exchanged then followed.

• Finally, late Thursday night, the Senate rejected a key part of Obama’s job’s bill which was a proposal to send $35 billion to cash-strapped states to keep public school teachers, police and firefighters on the job. The senate voted 50-50 on the measure, which is short of the 60 votes needed. Three democrats joining the Republican-led opposition. This is just the first in a series of votes to come on jobs as Obama’s larger job package is being cut down into smaller parts to be voted on. (CNN)