Created and directed by the award-winning filmmakers Mark Benjamin and Marc Levin, BRICK CITY, is a five-part documentary series that captures the daily drama of a community striving to become a better, safer, stronger place to live. Against great odds, Newark’s citizens and its Mayor, Cory A. Booker, fight to raise the city out of nearly a half century of violence, poverty and corruption.

The President talks about how the chatter and ruckus around health insurance reform on television obscures the reality of what’s happening in America. He discusses how in most towns people and Members of Congress are having constructive conversations, and how people are learning how reform will help them and their families with the real problems they have faced with the insurance system. August 15, 2009.

11 year old Damon Weaver has landed the opportunity that many journalist are killing for; the chance to interview President Barack Obama. Weaver ask questions concerning education and what efforts the President will be taking to make the system better.

So, now that news networks and public opinion have shifted from Wall Street’s slumps to elections in Iran to the legacy of Michael Jackson… what is the next topic of small-talk discussion? What else, but health care reform? President Obama seems to like it, and most of America seemed to agree, up until he started getting down to business. Suddenly, a flurry of flying statements and disconnected ideas and press conferences and catch phrases are dominating this concept of “health care reform.” No wonder heads are spinning, as well as the spin doctors (no pun intended) on the right as well as on the left. The President has tried to explain his plan to the American public, but in fact, health care reform may be his idea, but it is not his plan. Reform can only come through Congress, which he has asked to draft and pass a bill before the end of July.

That’s the general strategy. Here are a few pointers to make sense of the playing field… make sure to keep your eye on the ball.

1. There are two health care bills currently under debate in Congress - one for the House of Representatives and one for the Senate – both of which include the oft-quoted “public option” to put pressure on private insurance companies to clean it up, shave down costs, and be more attentive to consumers’ health needs rather than their pocketbooks. The bills are long, including everything from funding for closing critical shortages in health care professionals to establishing insurance “health exchanges” (think: a virtual shopping center for health care) to setting minimum standards of coverage for private insurers. Complicated? Certainly. Still changing? By the minute. I suggest calling your representatives to ask what is currently in the bill and how its provisions may affect you.

2. You may be thinking… goodness! This is all happening so fast! Bingo.

The President drives a hard bargain, but he has also proved himself somewhat of a political genius. There is an ebb and flow to what happens on Capitol Hill, and when the waters have warmed for an issue, there is no direction but full steam ahead. This year is an important period when officials’ political capital is still high and the energy seems right across the nation for a serious conversation about health care. It is rushed, but it also might be the only opening we have to take this shot before Americans (and major TV networks) lose interest altogether.

3. So – What’s in it for you? The possibility that you won’t face steadily increasing insurance costs over years to come. Or the slight chance that, if something terrible happens and you need emergency surgery, that you will be able to recover without the sticker shock of realizing that cute doctor walked off with your down payment on a new car, or a trip to Europe. Or the real fear that Congress won’t get this exactly right and a bit more of your paycheck will go every month for a poorly constructed program that hurts more than it helps. What is the difference? You. Let your representatives know your side of the story, so they can make informed decisions in the days to come.

Earlier this week, exiled President of Honduras; Manual Zeyala meet at the United Nations to discuss his abrupt removal from office and his desire to continue his term through out next January. The recent Honduran crisis has European and American officials dismissing the militia’s actions as an “illegal coup”.

This past Sunday night Honduran President Manuel Zeyala was ousted from the presidential palace, in capital city of Tegucigalpa, by the army during, in what many are saying is an “unconstitutional expulsion”. Prior to his abrupt and involuntary departure to Costa Rica, Mr. Zeyala was set to initiate procedures, which could have leaded the country to constitutional reformation.

The referendum, initially set to be voted on Sunday (the day in which he was captured), was said to have included changes to the Honduran constitution that would open the doors for presidential reelection (amongst various other changes), however; The Supreme Court denounced President Zeyala’s initiative. Nevertheless, a determined Zeyala went against their verdict in pursuit of his previous agenda: to reform the constitution. He even took the lengths to fire those in office who argued against his referendum. Continue reading “Conflict in Honduras” »

President Obama asks supporters to declare their support for his three core principles for health care reform, and to share their personal stories to help build support for the reforms that are so desperately needed. Learn more at http://my.barackobama.com/healthcare

Shutting down all the naysayers with his accomplishments within his first 100 days. Pres. Obama continues to lay down his hand with his decision on closing Guantanamo Bay. He will make a speech this morning on national security, including discussing plans to deal with pending cases at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the most outspoken critics of Obama’s policies, is slated to give an opposing argument this morning. Cheney argues that Obama’s decisions leaves the U.S. vulnerable to further “terrorist” attacks.

In January, the president also ordered the closing of the camp, which holds military detainees suspected of terrorist activity, saying it has weakened, not bolstered, national security. But Obama’s plans been met with opposition from both sides of the aisle in Congress.

Obama’s address is scheduled for 10:10 a.m. ET at the National Archives. Cheney will speak before the conservative American Enterprise Institute at 10:45 a.m.

The President announces that the Office of Public Liaison will now change its name to the Office of Public Engagement, and will also change its mission accordingly. He discusses the Citizen’s Briefing Book, a project of the Presidential Transition Team, as an example of the value that public engagement can produce.

A campaign launched in Britain last week plans to deliver food and medical supplies to innocent people in the midst of violence between the Sri Lankan government and militant group the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The “mercy mission” is now in danger, as the Sri Lankan Navy claims that it was alerted by authorities that a boat sailing from Britain under the guise of civilian aid with more than 2,000 tons of food would actually be heading for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Based on this, the navy has said it will fire on any unauthorized vessel in Sri Lankan waters. M.I.A. — who is of Tamil-lineage and whose father is a revolutionary opposed to the Sri Lankan government — has publicly urged the government to let the boat through. “The Mercy Mission will carry dry food and medicines for Tamil civilians in the Wanni within the Sri Lankan Government’s ‘safe zone,’” she said. “Many have already perished from starvation and preventable disease. We cannot ignore these genocidal conditions, and if the aim of the SL Government is to protect the lives of the civilians, then this ship will reach its destination and lives will be saved.”

For more information on the conflict in Sri Lanka, read up here.

Kal Penn does a complete 180 and crotch kick on us! The quote “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” just saved Kal Penn’s ass with us. By being typecasted in college humor-stoner-stereotypical Indian movies didn’t leave us with much interest in this actor, but after being fwd’d a email from a friend of Limite and dropping our jaws after reading. The Daily News newspaper reports that Penn has landed a job in the White House… yes the white White House!

Penn, will become associate director in the White House Office of Public Liaison, administration officials confirmed Tuesday. The Indian-American film star will be an emissary to the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities, along with arts and entertainment groups. Continue reading “Kal Penn goes from ‘House’ to White House” »