Confederate Flag-Loving Black Man Takes Racist Patriotism To Capital Hill

A Capitol Hill staffer forwards this intern's widely circulated email to HuffPost Hill, noting that she feels "morally obligated to share." Thank you.

Obama Administration: Premiums Under Obamacare Will Be Even Lower Than Originally Predicted

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is set to release a report on Thursday morning that analyzes the 2014 premiums in the Obamacare insurance marketplaces in 11 different states, including Virginia, Colorado, Ohio, and Oregon. Officials said that the data will show that the weighted average of the least expensive mid-level health plans in those states’ marketplaces are 18 percent lower than what the CBO thought they would be when the law first passed.

Low-Wage Government Contractors Hold Third Strike To Demand Living Wage

Service workers at Washington D.C.’s Union Station are walking off the job Thursday morning to protest the federal government’s failure to ensure the companies it contracts with pay a livable wage. The strike is the third in eight weeks for low-wage federally-contracted workers in the nation’s capital, as part of a campaign called Good Jobs Nation that is pressuring the government to stop paying poverty wages through its private-sector partners. Previous strikes at other government buildings have sparked investigations into wage theft and other abuses.

Most Media Coverage Ignores Premium Drop, Focuses On GOP Effort To Undermine Obamacare

Early on Wednesday, as House Republicans prepared to vote for a delay of the Affordable Care Act’s employer and individual mandates, New York state officials announced that health care premiums in the new exchange will plummet by at least 50 percent as a result of the law.

One In Four Young Black Men Recall Recent Unfair Police Treatment, Gallup Finds

Almost one in four young black males have experienced recent unfair treatment by the police, according to a newly released Gallup Survey. Among black males between ages 18 and 35, 24 percent said they recalled an instance within the last 30 days in which they were treated unfairly during dealings with the police. For all African Americans, that number was 17 percent. Here’s Gallup’s breakdown by category:

Detroit Becomes Largest City To Declare Bankruptcy

On Thursday afternoon, Detroit filed for bankruptcy protections that will make it easier for the Michigan city to walk away from over $18 billion in unpayable debts. The long-awaited move is the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, trumping filings from Stockton, CA, and Jefferson County, AL, in recent years.

Larry Elder Deflects and Distorts Just To berate Rachel Jeantel for having a speech impediment (It's something to hear another 'Black Man' talk like this)

Conservative radio host Larry Elder lashed out at Rachel Jeantel Wednesday night on CNN because she suffers from a speech impediment.

Schools Across The Country Are Considering Education Bills Crafted By Corporate Frontgroup

School privatization laws crafted by corporate interests have been introduced in nearly every state in the first half of 2013, according to the Center for Media and Democracy. 43 states and the District of Columbia are considering school legislation developed by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the umbrella organization that pushes state laws catered to business interests on a myriad of topics.

Student Loan Profits 'Morally Wrong' : Elizabeth Warren

The Obama administration and Congress are not helping students, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) charged Wednesday, reaping record profits off the federal student loan program that a regulator said has finally surpassed $1 trillion in overall debt.

House Votes To Delay "Obama Care's" Individual Mandate

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans pressed ahead Wednesday on delaying key components of President Barack Obama's signature health care law, emboldened by the administration's concession that requiring companies to provide coverage for their workers next year may be too complicated.

Summer Temperatures Surge In Much Of U.S.

NEW YORK -- From Minnesota to Massachusetts temperatures surged to potentially dangerous levels Wednesday as the largest heat wave of the summer stretched out and stagnated, with relief in many parts of the country still days away.

With Gun Violence On The Rise, Hospitals Train Their Staff On How To Survive Shootings

Over the past several years, mass shootings have intensified instead of abating. Mass shootings are typically defined as random gun-related incidents that take place in a public place. But there’s another space that’s emerging as a battleground for these types of tragedies: hospitals.

Thanks To "Obama Care's", New Yorkers’ Health Insurance Premiums Will Plunge 50 Percent

Health care premiums on the individual market will tumble by at least 50 percent as a result of the Affordable Care Act, the New York Times reported on Wednesday. The state joins Oregon, Montana, California, and Louisiana in reporting lower than expected rates in the law’s new health care marketplaces.

Rush Limbaugh: 'I Can Now' Say 'Nigga' Audio

Rush Limbaugh crowed on Tuesday that, after hearing an interview with Trayvon Martin's friend Rachel Jeantel, he was now allowed to use the word "n---a." He then used the word.

Twitter User Who Helped Stop Juror B37 From Profiting From A Book Deal Speaks Out (Newsone)

The woman behind the Twitter and Change.org campaigns that put Juror B37‘s book deal to a screeching halt is New York-bred Genie Lauren.

Even Stevie Wonder Can See That Stand Your Ground Has Problems With It!

At a concert in Quebec on Sunday, following the verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, musician Stevie Wonder made a pledge to his audience: that he won’t perform in states or countries that have Stand Your Ground laws or their equivalents on the books.

Miami Considers Jailing Homeless People For Eating, Sleeping In Public

Being poor could soon be a crime in the city of Miami.

As though life weren’t already difficult enough for people who can’t afford regular housing, they could soon find themselves thrown in jail and their possessions confiscated if they’re caught engaging in certain everyday activities in public.

North Carolina Lawmakers Ram Through Plan That Would Increase Taxes On Poor People

North Carolina lawmakers rammed through massive tax reforms on Tuesday that would disproportionately benefit higher-income earners, bringing the measure to a vote in the House after approximately 25 minutes of debate. The legislative compromise, which was formally unveiled on Monday, represents some of the biggest most regressive changes to North Carolina’s tax code in eight decades. The Senate will take up the measure on Tuesday afternoon, both chambers will hold final votes Wednesday, and Gov. Pat McCrory (R) is expected to sign it by the end of the week.

7 Mind Blowing Moments From Zimmerman Juror B37′s First Interview

On Monday night, one of the jurors in the George Zimmerman trial offered shocking insight into how the group of six women reached its decision to acquit the defendant of all charges in the murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

25 Years After Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, Company Still Hasn’t Paid For Long-Term Environmental Damages

The long-term plan for rehabilitating damaged resources has yet to be implemented a full quarter century after the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska, spewing more than 11 million gallons of crude oil into the surrounding ecosystem.

The 6 Decisions That Could Have Saved Trayvon Martin's Life (Rather What Zimmerman Should Have Done As An Adult!)

It's impossible to know whether it was Trayvon Martin or George Zimmerman who threw the first punch in the confrontation that ended Martin’s life. The jury apparently relied on that ambiguity to acquit Zimmerman of murdering Martin, because he said he killed the 17-year-old in self defense. But despite the confusion, there are plenty of facts that both sides can agree on. While Zimmerman may have been found not guilty, that doesn't mean he wasn't responsible. Trayvon Martin would be alive today, but for at least six decisions made or not made by Zimmerman and the state of Florida.

16 Moving Images From Trayvon Martin Rallies Across The Country

Thousands of Americans across the country protested the George Zimmerman verdict on Sunday, “chanting, praying and even fighting tears” after the jury acquitted the neighborhood watchman of all criminal charges for killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

Three Self-Defense Cases That Went The Other Way

George Zimmerman was acquitted in the murder of Trayvon Martin over the weekend, successfully using a claim of self-defense to convince six jurors that he was right to shoot and kill the 17-year-old Martin. The case centered around the question of whether Martin was physically aggressive toward Zimmerman in any way — the defense claimed that the teenager bashed Zimmerman’s head into the concrete — or if Martin was simply a victim. Ultimately, the jury decided, the prosecutors could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Martin didn’t engage Zimmerman in a fight, prompting him to use deadly force in self-defense.

Hostess Twinkies Return To Shelves While Unionized Jobs Disappear

Twinkies, one of the best known snacks made by Hostess Brands, are back on shelves on Monday after the company filed for bankruptcy late last year. Yet jobs at the company aren’t coming back with the dessert. While 18,500 people worked for the company before it filed, only about 20 to 25 percent of those jobs will return when all of the brands are brought back, according to an industry analyst.

What Athletes’ Response To The Zimmerman Verdict Says About Race And Class In America

Athletes were quick to react when a jury acquitted George Zimmerman on all charges in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin Saturday night, with many questioning both the ruling and the American justice system.

University Of Michigan May Soon Offer In-State Tuition To Undocumented Students

A day after the Detroit Free Press highlighted undocumented Michigan students’ struggles with tuition costs, the University of Michigan proposed “significant revisions” Monday to allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition.

McDonalds Tells Workers To Budget By Getting A Second Job And Turning Off Their Heat

McDonalds has partnered with Visa to launch a website to help its low-wage workers making an average $8.25 an hour to budget. But while the site is clearly meant to illustrate that McDonalds workers should be able to live on their meager wages, it actually underscores exactly how hard it is for a low-paid fast food worker to get by.

Why Stand Your Ground Is Central To George Zimmerman’s Case After All

The Stand Your Ground law that gained notoriety in the wake of Trayvon Martin’s shooting became central to the case again last week, when written instructions advised the jury that found shooter George Zimmerman not guilty to take the law’s central provision into account.

Bangladesh Government Allows Workers To Form Unions

Bangladesh’s government approved a labor law on Monday that would make it easier for workers to form unions. The legislation also included provisions that create a fund to improve workers’ living standards and require companies to deposit 5 percent of profits into employee welfare funds.

Six Million Trayvons: How The George Zimmerman Mindset Has Rigged The Justice System Against Young Black Men

George Zimmerman killed one boy, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Although a Florida jury found Zimmerman not guilty, his attitude — that a young black male is an object suspicion and contempt — not only cost Martin his life but has infected the entire United States criminal justice system.

Appropriations committee responds to Jay-Z, Beyonce Cuba trip

Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee are looking to limit Jay-Z and Beyonce’s travel options.

What Happens When You Say The N- Word And Mean N***Ger! (Lights OUT!)

An unidentified White man was rushed to the hospital Friday with a massive head injury after allegedly calling a Black man a racial slur at a Manhattan restaurant, the New York Daily News reports.

Robert Zimmerman Jr's Tasteless Interview After Verdict (Trayvon looking for firearms?)

As the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial settles into the American consciousness, Robert Zimmerman Jr., the brother of George Zimmerman, sat with Piers Morgan immediately following the verdict to discuss the trial and what he thinks is next for his brother.

White Supremacy Acquits George Zimmerman(If you are white, hold your ground. If you are black, hold your tongue)

 By: Aura Bogado The Nation

A jury has found George Zimmerman not guilty of all charges in connection to death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. But while the verdict came as a surprise to some people, it makes perfect sense to others. This verdict is a crystal-clear illustration of the way white supremacy operates in America.

First Graders To Take NRA-Sponsored Gun Class, New Missouri Law

First-graders may soon be able to enroll in a NRA sponsored gun class as a result of a public safety bill signed into law by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon (D) on Friday.

Channa Lloyd The Black Intern on Zimmerman's Defense Team Wanted To Know Was George Racist? (Blinders On Here)

CNN interviews Channa Lloyd, the mysterious African-American intern who's been assisting George Zimmerman's attorneys throughout the trial. Her very presence at the defense table has raised questions in the racially charged case and set Twitter abuzz.

Melissa Harris-Perry: ‘I Live In A Country That Makes Me Wish My Sons Away…Because It’s Not Safe’

On Sunday, MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry became emotional while discussing how race may have impacted the George Zimmerman verdict and the difficulty black men face in the United States.

Congressman Blames Obama For Zimmerman Having To Stand Trial For Killing Trayvon Martin

Congressman Steve King (R-IA) suggested Sunday that George Zimmerman should never have even had to stand trial for killing Trayvon Martin, blaming President Obama and his Department of Justice for the case.

Civil Rights Leader Turns Attention To Group That Wrote ‘Stand Your Ground’ In Aftermath Of Zimmerman Verdict

When the story of Trayvon Martin’s killing first made national news, attention quickly turned to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) — a conservative group with corporate backing that crafts model legislation and recruits members of local governments to propose and pass it. ALEC is the group that crafted Stand Your Ground, the law that allowed Zimmerman to walk free on the night that he shot and killed the unarmed 17-year-old Martin, but which he did not ultimately use in his defense. Since the trial started, though, discussion of ALEC has faded from the national conversation. On Sunday, in the wake of the jury finding George Zimmerman not guilty, President of the National Urban League Marc Morial tried to refocus people’s attention back on ALEC, calling for concerned activists to demand that ALEC’s corporate partners denounce the group.

The Joe Horn Case of Deadly Force Of Pasadena Texas 2007 (Put them down just like stand your Ground)

The Joe Horn shooting controversy refers to the events of November 14, 2007, in Pasadena, Texas, United States, when local resident Joe Horn shot and killed two men burglarizing his neighbor's home. Publicized recordings of Horn's exchange with emergency dispatch indicate that he was asked repeatedly not to interfere with the burglary because the police would soon be on hand. The shootings have resulted in debate regarding self-defense, Castle Doctrine laws, and Texas laws relating to use of deadly force to prevent or stop property crimes. The illegal alien status of the burglars has been highlighted because of the U.S. border controversy. On June 30, 2008, Joe Horn was cleared by a grand jury in the Pasadena shootings.

Zimmerman Will Get His Murder Weapon Back!

George Zimmerman is a free man after a jury found him not guilty on all charges. He's also free to get back the gun he used to kill Trayvon Martin.

Double Standards 'Stand Your Ground' Law: Marissa Alexander Gets 20 Years For Firing Warning Shot

TAMPA, Fla. -- Marissa Alexander had never been arrested before she fired a bullet at a wall one day in 2010 to scare off her husband when she felt he was threatening her. Nobody got hurt, but this month a northeast Florida judge was bound by state law to sentence her to 20 years in prison.

Protests against George Zimmerman trial verdict spring up nationwide

In cities across the country, protests have taken shape in reaction to George Zimmerman’s acquittal of all murder charges in his second degree murder trial for the death of Trayvon Martin.

George Zimmerman found not guilty in death of Trayvon Martin

After deliberating for more than 16 hours, a jury of six women on Saturday evening found George Zimmerman not guilty in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old in Sanford, Fla.

Sequestration Slashes Programs That Help The Unemployed Find Jobs

Even with unemployment remaining stubbornly high, programs that help workers gain the support and skills they need to get new jobs are bracing for severe cuts thanks to sequestration. A report released on Tuesday from the National Skills Coalition (NSC) found that workforce training and support programs, which have already dealt with drastic cuts to funding over the past decade, are facing very difficult decisions as sequestration begins to hit their budgets.

Unemployment Rate For Black Women Higher Now Than Four Years Ago

The economic recovery from the Great Recession officially began four years ago last month, and while the unemployment picture has improved for most groups, it is still higher for adult African-American women now than it was then, according to a new report from the National Women’s Law Center. Their unemployment rate currently stands at 12 percent, compared to 11.8 percent in June 2009. It is also nearly 1.7 times higher than their rate before the crash, which stood at 7.1 percent in December 2007.

College A Risky Investment In United States?

“Inefficient,” “decentralized,” and “risky investment” are all terms used to describe the state of U.S. higher education by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in a newly released report.

Just How Much Sequestration Is Hurting Communities Across The Country

The latest victims of sequestration, the automatic, across-the-board budget cuts that went into effect in March, were 650,000 civilian workers at the Department of Defense, who began experiencing furloughs on Monday. But already children have been kicked out of Head Start, the elderly are receiving fewer meals from Meals on Wheels, low-income families are losing access to public housing, and some public schools have been devastated by the cuts.

You’re Allowed To Carry A Gun Into The Texas Senate Gallery, But Not A Tampon

On Friday afternoon, the Texas Senate will vote on a package of abortion restrictions that Republican lawmakers have been attempting to push through a special session. After State Sen. Wendy Davis (D-TX) successfully blocked a vote on the legislation last month with a 13-hour filibuster that was aided by disruptions from hundreds of protesters in the gallery, Senate Republicans aren’t taking any chances this time.

Worldwide Air Pollution Deaths Per Year Number Over 2 Million, New Study Claims

Air pollution may be responsible for more than 2 million deaths around the world each year, according to a new study.

Inside The Massive Global Black Market For Smartphones

Before a federal SWAT team descended last summer, one storefront in a Detroit suburb attracted so many people bearing shopping bags stuffed with iPhones and iPads that managers installed a port-a-potty on the sidewalk.

‘Fruitvale Station’ Director Ryan Coogler On Filming Police Brutality, The Bay Area, And Trayvon Martin

When Fruitvale Station, the story of the last day of Oscar Grant’s life before he was shot on New Year’s Eve by transit police on a BART platform in the San Francisco bay area, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January I was struck by Michael B. Jordan’s remarkable performance in the lead role, the movie’s deft, warm, funny conversations, and the bond director Ryan Coogler built between Oscar and Katie (Ahna O’Reilly), a young woman Oscar meets in the morning and ends the day filming his death as an act of witness. I caught up with Coogler in June to talk about Katie and Oscar’s relationship, why he made the movie as a love letter to the Bay Area, and how he hopes Fruitvale Station can challenge audiences’ perceptions of young black men–and what kind of justice they deserve. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

40 Years After Roe, Doctors Warn That Reproductive Rights Are In Grave Danger

Dr. John J. Sciarra remembers his time as a young doctor in New York City nearly half a century ago. He remembers watching young women die from botched, illegal abortions because they had no safe options. At the time, he felt powerless to help them, and that fact haunted him.

Old White Dude Lays Down The Facts About The Zimmerman Case!

Truth is truth and this guy has to speak on a lot of it. Remember, it's not how you give a message, it's how you make people understand it. This guy uses yelling to get his point across and they are point that make sense.

Elizabeth Warren Vows To Break Up Big Banks With Major New Legislative Push

A bipartisan group of Senators are proposing the “21st Century Glass-Steagall Act” in an effort to curb the power of big banks by reinstating a Depression-era rule that separated commercial and investment banking. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), John McCain (R-AZ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Angus King (I-ME) proposed the bill on Thursday.

Everything You Need To Know About The ‘Nuclear Option’ And Harry Reid’s Plan To Fix The Senate

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) took the first step to invoking the so-called “nuclear option,” a Senate procedure that will allow a majority of the Senate to effectively change its rules to limit widespread obstructionism by the minority. As the trigger for this reform involves seven executive branch nominees being held up by Senate Republican filibusters, the likely consequence of this round of rules reform will be to eliminate the minority’s ability to filibuster nominees to non-judicial jobs. Here’s what you need to know about the showdown in the Senate that will occur next week:

Bluegrass Boondoggle: Kentucky Uses Money Meant To Redevelop Coal Country To Fund Arena Renovation

“Coal keeps the lights on,” people in my home state, particularly those who traipse around town with their Friends of Coal bumper stickers plastered to the backs of their cars, are fond of saying. And for most of the last century, there’s been no bigger reason to make sure the lights can stay on than the chance to watch University of Kentucky basketball.

Meet The People Who Lost Their Housing Thanks To Budget Cuts

Ismael Brazza was one of the lucky few to move to the top of the waiting list for Section 8 housing vouchers in Washington State. After applying more than a year ago, he was told he would finally get the subsidy to help pay for rent and had two months to find an apartment. But after just a week of searching he found out that his voucher was being rescinded thanks to sequestration. Now he’s back to staying with different relatives.

Black spending power projected to reach $1.1 trillion (The Grio)

Black consumers are wielding power and influence in the marketplace like never before. All while spending their way to a major milestone.

Black inventor, Julian Sharpe, who invented tsunami survival capsule targeted by Racist Websites (The Grio)

(KING) – A local engineer and inventor recently learned he’d been targeted by a racist website, and he’s not alone. The site’s also taken aim at Oprah, President Obama, and Trayvon Martin.

Congressman May File Criminal Charges Against Obama For Delaying Health Law

A Republican Congressman said he is looking for a way to file criminal charges against President Obama for delaying a portion of the Affordable Care Act, suggesting that the administration is “beyond” incompetent and may have engaged in Watergate-level transgressions.

Will Walmart Create Any Extra Jobs If It Opens In DC?

The DC City Council passed a living wage bill on Wednesday over the strong objections of Walmart. The company threatened to walk away from opening stores in three planned sites within the city if the bill becomes law. Now the bill heads to Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D)’s desk, where its future is uncertain.

Iowa Supreme Court: It’s OK To Fire A Woman For Being Too Attractive

Standing by a December decision, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled Friday that a male dentist who fired a female assistant because she was too attractive and threatened his marriage did not commit sex discrimination.

GOP Rams Farm Bill Without Food Stamps Through The House

With Thursday’s vote to sever food stamps funding from the federal spending that guarantees the agricultural industry a baseline income, conservatives in the U.S. House achieved a longstanding goal. The GOP has pressed to undermine or outright end food stamps (formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP) for years, as the ThinkProgress timeline below shows.

Colorado Counties Want To Form 51st State To Avoid Environmental Protections

At least ten rural Colorado counties are taking aggressive steps to form a 51st state, saying their interests are not being met by moves to regulate the oil and gas industry, increase renewable energy, and better regulate guns. Organizers in Kansas and Nebraska are also interested in joining the state they call “North Colorado.”

Brazilian Attorney General Challenges Constitutionality Of World Cup Tax Exemption

Roberto Gurgel, Brazil’s Attorney General of the Republic, has filed a lawsuit asking the country’s Supreme Court to decide the constitutionality of a special World Cup law its Congress passed at the request of FIFA, international soccer’s governing body, according to a report from Bloomberg. The law governs trademark and advertising rights, alcohol sales, ticket prices, and a host of other issues related to the World Cup, which Brazil will host in the summer of 2014.

‘I don’t bite’ sign provokes soul-searching about racism in UK

NBC News - LONDON — A diner owner has triggered soul-searching about racism in Britain after putting up a sign informing customers she is black and doesn’t “bite.”

Student Loan Deal Reached In Senate Threatens To Raise Future Costs

WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan group of senators struck a deal late Wednesday to overhaul the federal student loan program, tying interest rates on new loans to the U.S. government’s cost to borrow in a move that immediately reduces the cost to finance higher education, but is forecast to raise borrowing costs for millions of graduate students and parents in about three years.

Virginia Republican Who Accepted Thousands In Gifts Suddenly Endorses Limits

As controversy continues to swell around Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-VA) and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II (R) over their questionable relationships with a wealthy supporter, Cuccinelli is trying to distance himself from McDonnell. But while he called Wednesday for new restrictions on the gifts Virginia politicians can accept, Cuccinelli personally has accepted more than $69,000 in gifts during his political career.

Women’s Health Experts Virtually Absent From Cable News Coverage Of Texas Abortion Bill

Cable news has been covering the ongoing pro-choice protests in Texas for about two weeks by now — but not everybody has been invited to participate in that conversation. A new analysis from Media Matters finds that women’s health experts are “noticeably absent” from segments discussing the implications of Texas’ proposed abortion restrictions. Instead, cable news shows have opted to feature political pundits who aren’t actually physicians or reproductive health experts:

As Alabama Cuts Benefits, Desperate Man ‘Robs’ Bank To Get Food, Shelter In Jail

So desperate for food and shelter, an Alabama man did the unthinkable this week: robbing a bank so he could turn himself in and get sent to jail.

Billionaire Koch Brother Says Eliminating The Minimum Wage Will Help The Poor (?)

A conservative mogul worth $43 billion says he knows the secret to helping poor people. According to Charles Koch, the U.S. needs to get rid of the minimum wage, which he counts as a major obstacle to economic growth.

GOP Push To Split Farm Bill Leaves Food Stamps Vulnerable To Severe Cuts

A House Republican scheme to strip food stamp funding out of the farm bill would lead to the program being weakened or even outright dismantled, according to poverty experts. Reports indicate that GOP leaders are having trouble finding the votes to support a split farm bill so far, but the tens of millions of Americans who rely on food stamps would be at risk should the political winds shift.

Walmart Threatens To Shut Down Stores If DC Passes Living Wage Bill

Walmart fought hard to persuade DC residents to let it open stores in the district. But now the retail giant is threatening to walk away from three planned sites if the DC City Council passes a “living wage” bill that would require all major employers to pay workers a minimum of $12.50 an hour.

Cleveland man, Raymand Clements, gets 23 years for a shooting dog

CLEVELAND — A judge in Ohio has handed down a nearly 23-year prison term to a career criminal convicted of weapons charges after he allegedly shot a dog tied to a tree.

Five Statements That Show Why Elisabeth Hasselbeck Will Fit Right In On Fox And Friends

Fox and Friends will have a new co-host come September to replace Gretchen Carlson: Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Rumors suggested for months that Hasselbeck would leave The View, where she represented the conservative position and often clashed with other co-hosts. In a statement, ABC said of Hasselbeck leaving that, “She stood behind her political views even if they were not the most popular opinions at the table never shying away from voicing a difficult question.”

Remember Nikola Tesla's Birthday By Remembering All Of His Awesome Inventions

Wednesday is inventor Nikola Tesla's 157th birthday.

U.S. Government Pays Hundreds Of Dollars To AT&T And Verizon For Every Wiretap

WASHINGTON (AP) — How much are your private conversations worth to the U.S. government? Turns out, it can be a lot, depending on the technology.

Texans Call Out Rick Perry: If You Want To Reduce Abortions, Then Back Sex Ed

Thousands of Texans are asking their governor to focus on implementing comprehensive sex education resources as an effective method of reducing the number of abortions in the state. Over 5,000 people have signed onto a petition from the Texas Freedom Network urging Gov. Rick Perry (R) to add sex ed to the issues currently being considered in a special legislative session.

New York City Rent Now Averages Over $3,000 A Month

New data confirms what everybody already knows about living in New York City: The rent is too damn high.

Protests Ensue Over Discarded Black History Materials In Michigan's Highland Park School District

Weeks after local residents found dumpsters full of discarded black history materials from a Detroit-area school district, community members gathered in protest Monday.

How the Pentagon's payroll quagmire traps America's soldiers

(Reuters) - As Christmas 2011 approached, U.S. Army medic Shawn Aiken was once again locked in desperate battle with a formidable foe. Not insurgents in Iraq, or Taliban fighters in Afghanistan - enemies he had already encountered with distinguished bravery.

Chris Hayes: Rand Paul Has 3 Racist Strikes Now

Chris Hayes is done with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky).

Though Paul has drawn favor from liberals for his defense of civil liberties and opposition to America's wars, the MSNBC host argued on Tuesday night's installment of "All In With Chris Hayes" that it's impossible to take him seriously after the revelation that one of his aides used to be a neo-Confederate activist.

Commerce Dept. Wasted $2.7 Million In 'Misunderstanding' Over Hacker Threat, Inspector General Finds

The U.S. Commerce Department destroyed more than $170,000 worth of desktops, printers, TVs, cameras and computer mice to remove from its network an infection that had been vastly overstated, according to a newly released audit.

Undocumented Immigrants Would Pay Billions More In Taxes If Allowed To Work Legally: Study

Allowing undocumented immigrants to work legally in the U.S. would boost their state and local tax contributions by an estimated $2 billion annually, a new study finds.

Target Gives Managers ‘Multi-Cultural Tips’: Not All Hispanics Eat Tacos Or Wear Sombreros

Three Target employees are suing the retail company over an offensive guide for warehouse managers on how to deal with Hispanic workers. According to the lawsuit filed in Yolo County, California, Target’s “multi-cultural tips” teach predominantly Caucasian managers that not all Hispanic employees are cultural stereotypes who eat tacos and like salsa music. The document also claims that Cubans are more educated and more likely to be legal immigrants than Mexican employees:

Cleveland Kidnapping Victims Release Thank You Video: ‘Through Hell And Back With My Head Held High’

The three women recently freed from captivity in a home in Cleveland released a YouTube video on Tuesday morning, thanking their supporters and affirming the renewal of their normal lives.

Meet the Conservatives Who Campaigned for Apartheid South Africa

Grover Norquist, Jack Abramoff and Jeff Flake all spent their early years trying to end the divestment movement.

The Will To Fight For The Jobless, Do We Have It?

By: Katrina vanden Heuvel 

Turmoil in Egypt. Edward Snowden’s travel plans. Immigration reform’s fortunes. Obamacare’s troubles. The Weiner-Spitzer return to politics. There’s no shortage of items absorbing political energy and media bandwidth. But simmering below all of this is a crisis that goes without the immediate attention it demands. Last Friday morning, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported yet another month of lackluster jobs numbers. While Washington has long since lost any sense of urgency regarding the jobs crisis, this is an issue that continues to poll at the top of Americans’ concerns.

White People Orgins In The Bible, Lepers, Edomites…? (theafrolounge.com)

Leprosy in the Holy Bible is referring to white skin, meaning the white people in Biblical days were called leprous. Leprosy is also called a curse in the scriptures. Leprosy today is called albinoism.

'GTFOH' Someone made an app called "Angry Trayvon" on The Google Play Store

Do these people have any regards for human life? An app called Angry Trayvon which poked fun at Trayvon Martin’s death was available in Google play store, Apple and Android. It has been removed, but WHY would something like this be created in the first place?

Why Georgia Gets To Thumb Its Nose At The Constitution’s Ban On Executing The ‘Mentally Retarded’

More than a decade ago, the Supreme Court held that “death is not a suitable punishment for a mentally retarded criminal.” Yet, despite this decision, the state of Georgia will execute a “mentally retarded criminal” next week unless the Supreme Court intervenes.

Sorry, Republicans, Your Own Investigation Proves No Dead People Voted In South Carolina

South Carolina never found a single dead voter in recent elections. At least, that is the final word from the State Election Commission investigation into whether 900 people voted using a dead person’s name, according to the Columbia Free Times.

The NFL Won’t Partner With Obamacare, But Its Players Could Still Benefit From It

Amid outcry from conservatives and Republican senators, the National Football League announced last week that it was not and would not pursue a partnership with the Obama administration to market the Affordable Care Act, the health reform law President Obama signed in 2010. The White House has sought partnerships with sports leagues like the NFL and NBA and with other organizations to market the law, largely because the timing of those leagues’ seasons and the demographics they reach are crucial to the law’s ultimate success.

No, Republicans, ‘Missing’ White Voters Won’t Save You

As GOP House members continue their Kamikaze mission to scuttle the immigration reform bill, many political observers are wondering why. After all, isn’t it obvious that Republicans need more minority, particularly Hispanic support, and that therefore their self-interest should lead them to support a reasonable bill? Karl Rove thinks so.

How Government Regulations Saved Lives On Asiana Airlines Flight 214

As the nation breathes a sigh of relief for the many passengers of Asiana Airlines passengers on Flight 214 who escaped uninjured after their Boeing 777 crashed in San Francisco, aircraft safety experts are attributing the relatively small number of fatalities to government regulations adopted in the aftermath of past accidents.

Wall Street Journal Op-Ed: Homeless Shelter Volunteers Are The Real Cause Of Homelessness

According to a hedge fund manager writing in the Wall Street Journal, homelessness isn’t caused by deep-seated inequities in society, but rather by people like his teenage son who volunteer at homeless shelters.

Company Advertises Shoot-A-Gun-Control-Lobbyist Target With Picture Of Virginia Tech Victim

A company that sells gun owners who fantasize about shooting their political opponents with bullets the opportunity to live that dream, is now using a picture of a mass shooting victim to promote its latest product. Zombie Industries specializes in target mannequins that bleed when shot. One of their newest targets is a “Gun Control Lobbyist Zombie,” which allows shooters to imagine they are mowing down undead supporters of universal background checks every time they squeeze the trigger.

The Supreme Court affirmed the rights of gay people just as they rode roughshod over the rights of African-Americans (The Nation)

The recent Supreme Court decisions striking down the federal Defense of Marriage Act and reaffirming the California Supreme Court’s rejection of the challenge to Proposition 8, the state ban on gay marriage, mark a major moment in United States civil rights history. No longer can the federal government discriminate against legally married gays and lesbians, and same-sex couples may now legally marry in California. That we have come this far should be cause for celebration. And yet, we cannot.

When Israel Was In Egypt’s Land, Let My People Go: Biblical Israelites Are Black (theafrolounge.com)

The Israelites of the Holy Bible are African (black) people. The book of Deuteronomy chapter 28 speaks of the curse of the Israelites in which they are scattered around the earth by ships in captivity (slaves) and oppressed by the enemy. This only relates to the African Slave Trade. Many believe this “curse” was added when the Bible was last revised by a European, King James, in 1611 to justify the European enslavement and mistreatment of black people around the world.

University Of North Carolina Allegedly Retaliated Against A Rape Victim For Coming Forward

The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill is now facing a third federal investigation into its sexual assault policies. This time, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating allegations that UNC inappropriately retaliated against Landen Gambill, a sophomore at the university, after she publicly came forward about her rape.

Insurers Refuse To Cover Kansas Schools Where Teachers Carry Guns Because It’s Too Risky

In the wake of the Newtown massacre, several states passed laws to allow school officials to carry firearms on campus, arguing that more guns would keep students safe. Insurance companies apparently disagree now that these laws are beginning to take effect. In Kansas, where the law kicked in July 1, major insurers have deemed the new policy too risky and are refusing to cover schools that arm their employees.

Seventy Top Retailers Open Bangladesh Factories To Inspection

Seventy top clothing retailers, mainly European brands, will open their factories in Bangladesh to safety inspections as part of an upgrade plan that was finalized and released on Monday, the Associated Press reports. Initial inspections will be completed within nine months, and if they reveal factories to be unsafe, the companies will underwrite the cost of repairs and renovations.

Koch Brothers To Pour Millions Into Obamacare Misinformation Campaign

Americans for Prosperity — a conservative group funded by the Koch brothers — is spending millions on ads that aim to turn Americans against the Affordable Care Act, just as government officials prepare to enroll the uninsured in the law’s new health care exchanges beginning on October 1. The campaign will eschew attacks on President Obama in favor of a new non-ideological tone that could appeal “young women” who watch the Food Network, “Law & Order,” and “Good Morning America.”

Bush-Appointed Judge Slams Decision Striking Voting Rights Act — Court’s Reasoning Was ‘Made Up’

If a leading conservative scholar and former judge were now on the Supreme Court instead of Chief Justice Roberts or Justice Alito, it is likely that the Voting Right Act would remain intact.

Mos Def (Yaslin Bey) Willing Shows Us What A Force Fed Guantanamo Inmate Goes Threw

American hip-hop artist and actor Mos Def, also known as Yaslin Bey, appears in a video released by the British human rights charity Reprieve on Monday in which he undergoes the process of being force tube fed, similar to what hunger strikers at Guantanamo Bay experience.

States Aim To Protect Students From Being Swallowed Up By College Debt

Although an attempt to address student loans remains unresolved in Congress, politicians in Oregon and New Jersey are forging plans to prevent students from carrying crippling debt.

9 Things We Won’t Miss About Rick Perry

With his announcement Monday that he will not seek an unprecedented fourth full term as Governor of Texas, Rick Perry (R) will retire from the office in January 2015. Sadly, he will leave behind a record of right-wing extremism that few could match.

'White History Month' Float Stirs Controversy At July 4th Parade

A small North Carolina town's Fourth of July parade was mired in controversy after a float touting "White History Month" drew a number of complaints from parade attendees.

Fourth Of July Violence In Chicago: Homicide Rate Passes 200 After Long Holiday Weekend Of Shootings

The Windy City reached a grim milestone over the long Fourth of July weekend as the city's homicide rate surpassed 200.

The Sunday July 7Th 2013 Talking Heads

FOX NEWS SUNDAY

John Roberts, sporting an aggressively aquamarine tie, is substituting for Chris Wallace today, lending the proceedings a sort of "Generic Inflatable News Anchor" feel to a space that's typically filled by Wallace's archness. He'll be joined by Senators Bob Corker and Jack Reed to talk about Egypt. Then Rick Perry is here to mansplain how things are going to be for women in Texas. He'll do so not wearing a military-style beret, so it will seem like we are getting freedom and democracy right as compared to other places.

Searched Without Consent On The 4Th: DWI stop without being asked if you were drinking, caught on camera

The guy in this video tries to show us what rights an American citizen has during traffic stops and police check points. He details things out very well. Not once did he try to go overboard in giving the officers a reason to go gun-ho on him. Still, what if this guy were Black?

Rick Perry Doubles Down: Wendy Davis Should Be ‘Proud’ That Her Mother Didn’t Abort Her

Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) doubled down on his criticism of state Sen. Wendy Davis (D), who filibustered for 13 hours to defeat an omnibus anti-abortion bill, and argued that he only meant to “compliment” the lawmaker for her “accomplished” life.

11-Year-Old Chilean Rape Victim’s Health Is In Danger Because She Can’t Get An Abortion

An 11-year-old Chilean girl who has become pregnant from rape is renewing a contentious debate over abortion in the conservative Catholic country, where the medical procedure is illegal under all circumstances. Doctors have warned that continuing the pregnancy will be dangerous for the 11-year-old’s health, as well as for the health of her fetus. But, under Chile’s total abortion ban, she is forced to continue it anyway.

GOP May Hold Debt Ceiling Hostage To Enact Paul Ryan’s Budget

House Republicans will hold the national debt ceiling increase hostage until President Obama agrees to mandatory spending cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, the National Journal reports, and will seek to use the leverage of default to force Democrats to enact the policies in Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) budget.

Bolivia's Morales Says He Would Grant Asylum To Snowden If Asked

LA PAZ, July 6 (Reuters) - Bolivian President Evo Morales said on Saturday he would grant asylum, if requested, to former U.S. intelligence agency contractor Edward Snowden.

Private Prisons Expect To Profit From Immigration Reform

The Senate’s immigration reform bill could provide a boon to private prison companies, the Wall Street Journal reports, increasing the federal prison population “by 14,000 inmates annually” at a cost of $1.6 billion over 10 years.

Scott Walker Quietly Signs Mandatory Ultrasound Bill Into Law

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) quietly signed new abortion restrictions into law on the Friday after the Fourth of July that will require “women seeking abortions to undergo an ultrasound and ban doctors who lack admitting privileges at nearby hospitals from performing the procedures.” The law could force two state abortion clinics to close their doors and is already sparking legal challenges from reproductive health advocates:

Thirty Four People Were Shot In Chicago On July 4

As the country celebrated July 4, Chicago saw another day where gun violence claimed dozens of victims, with six people killed and 28 left wounded. The youngest of those wounded included two boys, ages 5 and 7, who were celebrating the holiday with their families.

Affordable Care Act Awareness

One year ago last week, the Supreme Court upheld the bulk of the Affordable Care Act.

The legislation is not perfect, but seeks to provide health coverage to the nearly 50 million uninsured in our nation. Without a doubt, more payment and coverage reforms in the health care system are needed to achieve this goal.

The GOP's tough choice when dealing with Voting Rights

ATLANTA (AP) — When the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights act last week, it handed Republicans tough questions with no easy answers over how, and where, to attract voters even GOP leaders say the party needs to stay nationally competitive.

Long Term Unemployed Soon To Be Savaged By The Sequester

The sequester isn’t so scary—that’s what The Washington Post proclaimed this week. It’s an attitude many people in Washington seem to have adopted, as momentum to solve the slashing automatic cuts has almost entirely vanished.

Police Taken Off The Streets After Video Captures Them Shooting Man’s Dog

Three police officers in Hawthorne, California, have been removed from their patrol this week after a video captured them arresting a man who was recording them, then shooting the man’s dog. A spokesperson for the police department says the decision is for the officers’ safety.

Economy Added 195,000 Jobs In June; Unemployment Remains At 7.6 Percent

The economy added 195,00 jobs in June and the unemployment rate remained the same, at 7.6 percent, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Analysts had expected 165,000 jobs to be added.

Organizer Of Armed March Loads Shotgun In Middle Of Washington DC While Warning Of ‘Revolution’

The libertarian activist Adam Kokesh who called for and then canceled an armed march on Washington uploaded a YouTube video on July 4 that shows him loading a shotgun in the center of Freedom Plaza, Washington, D.C, near the White House. In the video, Kokesh cryptically warns, “We will not allow our government to destroy our humanity. We are the final American revolution. See you next Independence Day.”

Unemployment Rate For Post-9/11 Veterans Falls To Lowest Level In Years

While the unemployment rate for all veterans fell below the national unemployment rate months ago, one group of veterans — those who have served since September 11, 2001 in Iraq and Afghanistan — continued to lag behind as the rest of the job market recovered.

Concealed Carry Applications Approach Record Pace In Many States

States that have passed laws to ease their already-lax gun laws since the Newtown Massacre are seeing dramatic spikes in concealed carry applications in 2013. A Wall Street Journal review of 12 states found that permit application rates are on pace to have their “biggest year ever.”

Low-Wage And Temporary Workers Are Propping Up The Recovery

The monthly jobs report showed steady if slow economic growth, with 195,000 jobs added to the economy in June. However, the bulk of these jobs were concentrated in low-wage service industry jobs, an ongoing trend of a recovery that has been propped up by low-wage and temporary jobs that often lack benefits and basic labor protections. In total, more than 62 percent of this month’s job growth was due to a proliferation of low-wage jobs in hospitality, temp services, and retail.

'Conservatives Gone Wild': Rachel Maddow Explains North Carolina Republican's Changes To Voter Laws Thanks To The SCOTUS

Rachel Maddow took North Carolina Republicans to task Wednesday for their attempts to push changes to election law that could discourage voters -- a situation she described as "conservatives gone wild."

Oral Sex Study: Can Cunnilingus Ward Off Infidelity?

According to a recently published study, one of the reasons men perform oral sex on female partners may be to minimize the risk of infidelity.

Divided We Fall: The Red Divided

It seems entirely revealing, if dispiriting, that the days before the July Fourth holiday showed Red America and Blue America pulling apart at an accelerating rate.

94 Percent Of American Flags Imported Into The U.S. Last Year Came From China

Millions of Americans will show their patriotism this July 4 by waving a product that may have come from China.

Federal Poverty Line Doesn't Adequately Reflect Cost Of Living In America, Analysis Finds

Just because the government doesn't define you as poor, doesn't mean you have enough money to live.

The federal poverty line for a family of four was $23,283 last year, nearly one-quarter of what it takes to live in New York City and slightly more than one-third of what it takes to live in St. Louis, according a family budget calculator from the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning think tank. In fact, EPI found that in 615 cities across the country it takes a total income at least twice the federal poverty line for any type of family with three children or fewer to afford basic expenses.

African Women The First Mathematicians: Mathematics And It's Roots In African (theafrolounge.com.com)

The Lebombo bone is the oldest mathematical object known to man. It dates back to 35,000 BC and resembles the calendar stick that is used by the Khoisan “bushmen” tribes of southern Africa.

88-Years-Old Today, Medgar Evers!

The life of Medgar Evers was cut far too short 50 years ago, when the civil rights activist and war veteran was assassinated at just 37-years-old by a White supremacist. Although Evers would not live to see the Civil Rights Movement blossom, he helped plant early seeds of change in the Deep South that eventually took hold. NewsOne celebrates the life of Evers on what would have been his 88th birthday.

Study Showed Minority Voters Waited Longer

Newly revealed data shows yet again that minority voters in Florida waited longer on average than their white counterparts to cast their ballots.

See How Brazil’s Olympic And World Cup Dreams Turned Into A Nightmare

More than a million Brazilians flooded the streets of dozens of cities across the country, forcing major news outlets across the world turned their focus to Brazil all at once. They captured Brazilian flags being worn as capes, flying above the throngs, juxtaposed with signs and scored by music and the chanting of huge crowds. The return of international soccer’s grandest event to the World Cup’s birthplace in South America for the first time in three decades, and to Brazil for the first time in more than half a century, was supposed to look like this. But the message the world heard from Brazil was supposed to sound very, very different.

How Levar Burton Tries To Avoid Police Mistreatment For Driving While Black

Even an African American famous for promoting child literacy fears mistreatment by the cops because he is black. In a discussion on CNN’s Erin Burnett OutFront about use of the “N Word” in America, former Reading Rainbow host Levar Burton explains his protocol for handling a police stop to avoid violence:

North Carolina Prepares To Suppress Black Voters, Now That The Voting Rights Act Lost Its Teeth

Just days after the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, North Carolina is moving forward with a host of bills to roll back voting rights. Republican lawmakers are accelerating a new agenda to eliminate early voting, Sunday voting hours, and same-day registration provisions. GOP leaders also vowed to move quickly to pass a controversial voter ID law that would make it much harder for minorities, seniors, students, and low-income voters to cast their ballots.

There Are 12 Million Stateless People Around The World, But Edward Snowden Isn’t One Of Them

Edward Snowden, the former contractor who leaked the details of several National Security Agency spying programs, is currently a man on the run, attempting to find asylum from U.S. prosecution in countries around the world.

REPORT: Corporations Pay Lower Tax Rates Than The Middle Class

Large, profitable U.S. corporations actually paid just a 12.6 percent effective tax rate in 2010. That’s barely a third of the 35 percent corporate rate on the books, and it’s actually lower than the median effective tax rate for middle-class Americans. The number comes from a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study intended to clarify the terms of debate as lawmakers weigh changes to the business tax code.

Jim Kelly, Black Marital Arts Icon Dies At 67

SAN DIEGO — Actor Jim Kelly, who played a glib American martial artist in “Enter the Dragon” with Bruce Lee, has died. He was 67.

Black Hockey Stars Highlighted In NHL Draft

NEWARK, New Jersey (AP) — Canadian 17-year-old Nathan MacKinnon was the first pick of the NHL draft on Sunday, following in the footsteps of another hockey star from his hometown in Nova Scotia — Sidney Crosby.

Tell Me Y'all Not Feeling This New Eddie Murphy Song, Featuring Snoop Lion: "RedLight"

The Academy-Award-nominated actor was widely panned for his attempts to cross over into the music industry back in the 80s and early 90s, but that hasn’t stopped him from trying.

Prada uses black model in print campaign for first time in 19 years

Prada, a label known for rarely casting models of color, has selected a black model for a new print campaign. For first time in 19 years, a woman of African decent will be a major face of the luxury fashion brand in a Fall/Winter 2013 advertisement.

Record Heat And Drought Fuel Chaotic Wildfire In Arizona, Killing 19 Firefighters

On Sunday evening, nineteen firefighters were killed when they were fighting a wildfire southwest of Prescott, AZ after winds shifted direction. This is the single deadliest incident for U.S. firefighters since the attacks of September 11th, 2001.

Surrounded By Men, Ohio Governor Signs Stringent Abortion Restrictions Into Law

Flanked by a group of other male officials, Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) signed a contentious two-year budget bill into law on Sunday evening. The governor vetoed 22 amendments to HB 59 before approving it, but he left intact several provisions that will severely limit women’s reproductive access.

Virginia Outsources Taxpayer Refund System, Private Companies Profit

In 2012, Virginia’s Republican-controlled legislature enacted a budget provision that effectively forced the state’s tax department to outsource its refund system to a debit card company, claiming it would save the government hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. But the state’s deal with Xerox to replace tax refund checks with Comerica-issued debit card has meant headaches and fees for taxpayers and raised concerns about excessive outsourcing.

Georgia Newspaper Column Calls On U.S. To Send Muslims ‘Back To Their Native Land’

A local newspaper in Georgia recently published a column ostensibly about U.S. Middle East policy but took a hard right turn into birtherism and racism, highlighting the Islamophobia problem at the local-level.

Everything You Need To Know About San Francisco’s Transit Strike

On Monday, 2,400 unionized workers for San Francisco’s commuter rail system, the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), went on strike after talks with management over contracts broke down. BART serves 400,000 riders on an average weekday. The strike happened after the union and management were unable to come to an agreement over a raise, contributions to health care and pensions, and safety protocols. Here is everything you need to know to understand what’s at stake.