Roland S. Martin's Blog, page 682

U.N. Says Somalia's Famine Reaches Into Mogadishu

Source: CNN United Nations – Three more regions of Somalia have now been struck by famine, including the capital, Mogadishu, the United Nations announced Wednesday. Mogadishu, the Afgooye corridor and the Shabelle regions west of the capital are the latest that "have slipped into famine," U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters Wednesday afternoon. The declaration "reflects the massive influx of people into the city in the last two months," he said. "This latest information also confirms the seriousness of the [...]

Minnesota School Faces Lawsuit Over Racist 'Wigger Day'

Source: Steven Hoffer / The Huffington Post A Minnesota school district allowed a homecoming event called "Wigger Day," during which students wore clothes and behaved in a manner that "from their perspective, mimicked black culture," according to a federal class action lawsuit filed against the district on Friday. The suit alleges that despite student council voting on a "tropical theme" for homecoming in 2009, a group of approximately 60 students from the predominantly white school instead attended the event dressed [...]

Done Deal: President Barack Obama Signs The Budget Control Act of 2011 In The Oval Office

Source: White House This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.

Bronx Principal With White Supremacist Ties Fired (VIDEO)

Source: Todd Johnson / theGrio New York, NY – A Catholic elementary school principal with ties to a white supremacist publication has been fired, the New York Archdiocese said Tuesday. Frank Borzellieri, who previously served as a high school English teacher, is the author of several books, including 2004′s Don't Take It Personally: Race, Immigration Crime and Other Heresies, in which he declared diversity a "weakness," according to the New York Daily News. The New York Archdiocese launched an internal [...]

White House: Tea Party 'Terrorists' Criticism Inappropriate

Source: The Huffington Post The White House said on Tuesday that the use of the word "terrorists" to describe Tea Party Republicans is inappropriate and the "product of an emotional discussion" about the debt ceiling. On Monday, Politico reported that, during a meeting between Vice President Joe Biden and House Democrats ahead of the House's vote on the debt ceiling deal, Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) argued that Democrats "have negotiated with terrorists." Sources told Politico that Biden responded that the [...]

Debt Bill Divides Progressive And Black Caucuses (VIDEO)

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., explains why he broke with some in the caucus and voted "yes" on the debt bill.

President Obama Signs Debt Ceiling Bill, Ends Crisis (VIDEO)

Source: Alan Silverleib and Tom Cohen / CNN Washington – President Barack Obama on Tuesday signed into law a last-minute compromise plan to raise the nation's $14.3 trillion debt ceiling, narrowly averting what could have been an unprecedented default with calamitous economic consequences. The U.S. Senate passed the plan, which imposes sweeping new spending cuts over the next decade, shortly after noon ET. The bill was approved in a 74-26 vote; 60 votes were required for passage. The measure was [...]

Rep. Steve King Says Covering Birth Control Could Make Us A 'Dying Civilization' (VIDEO)

Source: The Huffington Post Washington – The new set of guidelines issued by the Department of Health and Human Services this week that will require health insurers to cover birth control with no co-pays have been controversial for a number of reasons, ranging from cost issues to moral objections. Some conservative groups, such as Americans United for Life, have condemned the guidelines because they might force insurers to cover the morning after pill, which many anti-abortion advocates equate with abortion. [...]

Moody's Affirms U.S. AAA Rating, Lowers Outlook To "Negative"

Source: Charles Riley / CNN Money New York – Credit rating agency Moody's said Tuesday the United States will keep its sterling AAA credit rating for the time being, but lowered its outlook on U.S. debt to "negative." A "negative outlook" indicates the possibility that Moody's would downgrade the country's sovereign credit rating within a year or two. The rating agency, which had placed U.S. debt rating on review for a possible downgrade last month, said the political deal to [...]

Pat Buchanan Refers To Obama As 'Your Boy' To Al Sharpton (VIDEO)

Source: Frances Martel / Mediaite Pitting newly minted host Al Sharpton against longtime conservative firebrand Pat Buchanan was bound to generate a potent shouting match, no matter what the topic. But given Buchanan's record of questionable comments, it's hard not to find something off-color about his debate with Sharpton today, where, discussing the debt, he argues that "your boy," President Obama, was "whipped" by Sen. Mitch McConnell, and adds a "briar patch" reference for good measure. The debate centers around [...]