APLEblog.com

Former Speaker of the House (AP)

Many of Newt’s critics including the respectable Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC) are concerned that Newt’s statements concerning President Obama and food stamps are a part of the “Southern Strategy,” and a play on racial undertones reminiscent of the Black Ghetto Queen. If these connotations were true, it would imply the former Speaker is actually saying that he will bring back jobs to Blacks. Considering the disparately high unemployment rate amongst Blacks, why is this not a good thing? It is a fact that Blacks are disproportionally affected by the 2008 economic collapse more than any other racial group. According to the recent December 2011 job report, Black unemployment is approximately 15.8%, compared to 7% for Whites and 11% for Hispanics. Thus far, Newt seems to be the only Republican candidate that has made it a point to address joblessness within the Black community. Why unemployment is significantly higher for Blacks is a different discussion for another post, but whatever the theory it is a subject that needs much attention. (more…)

During his commencement speech at the University of Michigan on May 1, 2010, President Obama took on partisanship and dirty politics.

Calling for more civility in our political discourse, Obama said, “But we can’t expect to solve our problems if all we do is tear each other down. You can disagree with a certain policy without demonizing the person who espouses it. You can question somebody’s views and their judgment without questioning their motives or their patriotism. Throwing around phrases like ’socialists’ and ‘Soviet-style takeover’ and ‘fascist’ and ‘right-wing nut’ may grab headline but it also has the effect of comparing our government, or our political opponents, to authoritarian, and even murderous regimes.”

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Seven of the nine Justices of the Supreme Court were present at last night’s State of the Union Address which was given by President Barack Obama.  They sat stoned-face as the President expressed his disapproval of their ruling in the Citizens United v. FEC case.  The Justices did not flinch during the President’s stern remarks except for Justice Alito who shook his head as though saying, “No, not true.”

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The President’s attire has been creating some buzz lately. When the President threw the ceremonial first pitch at the All-Star Game in July 2009, cyberspace and television programming exploded with chatter about his “Mom” jeans. Earlier this month, Weatherproof Garment Company, a New York company, placed a towering billboard featuring the President in Time Square.  The billboard shows the Obama wearing a Weatherproof jacket during a visit to the Great Wall of China.

Some say the ad is disrespectful.  But it’s not.  Which elected politician would not want to have a larger than life image of himself or herself on a billboard in Times Square – the epicenter of the theatre, dining, fashion, media, and business worlds?  It’s the most popular intersection in the world.

Although the White House did not solicit or approve the ad – I think they are secretly relishing the free PR.  Hence their half-hearted request to the company to remove it.

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