Video: Melody Barnes 101, Obama’s Director of Domestic Policy

Very impressive!

See a video of Desiree Rogers, Obama’s White House Social Secretary here.

One can’t help but to notice the sharp contrast between these accomplished, thoughtful women and that lady from Alaska that they were trying to put on u.s.

God Is Not a Respecter of Persons, That Is, Unless You’re Barack Obama

Something about this doesn’t feel right—especially since the last time I contacted a church for info on attending an event they were having they didn’t even send me a reply.  I can see schools vying for the Obama family, but churches?

The Washington Post reports:

There have been letters, discreet inquiries and bold appeals. Some are using their connections; others are just seeking a foot in the door.

It’s part of the spirited competition among Washington churches to land the most sought-after Christians in town: the Obama family.

Methodist, Baptist, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian, Episcopal — all have been courting the Obamas to be regulars in their pews on Sunday mornings.

Read more.

You’ve Got To Be Friggin’ Kidding Me: Sarah Palin’s Turkey Slaughter Interview

After watching Fast Food Nation, I don’t eat beef very much any more.  Now, I think I’m going to have give up turkey on Thanksgiving in honor of Sarah Palin.  Yikes!

Audio: Michael Eric Dyson’s Series of Three Lectures on Barack Obama’s Election

Please partake of Michael Eric Dyson’s series of three lectures, collectively entitled, “Obamamerica,” provided courtesy of The Phoenix.

In mp3 format

• Lecture 1: Obama and Race
  
• Lecture 2: Obama and America
• Lecture 3: Obama and Rap

Liza Mundy Discusses Her Biography of Michelle Obama

I want a Michelle Obama biography that is the depth of a David Levering Lewis or Walter Isaacson tome.  Liza Mundy’s bio is not of that nature.  It’s more of a surface-level introduction to Michelle Obama. Anyway, it’s still interesting to hear Mundy discuss writing the book.

Video: Rachel Maddow and Melissa Harris-Lacewell Discuss African Americans and Prop 8

There’s a religious element to African American attitudes on this issue as well.  There are well-respected black ministers who articulate in a convincing way against homophobia in the black religious community, but I’m not sure about the extent to which they were deployed in California.

Video: Dr. John Hope Franklin on Barack Obama’s Victory

Most people, as Dr. Franklin demonstrates, are pretty sober-minded about Obama’s election.  We know change will take time.  We know he’s not the second coming of Christ.  We know he’s going to make mistakes, has a ton on his plate, and is an imperfect man.

Video: Toni Morrison Discusses Writing and Her New Book, “A Mercy”

I’m excited that Toni Morrison is writing about this period.  I can’t wait to read the book, when I get some time.

Kristof: Obama and the War On Brains

One of the many reasons I am grateful that Barack Obama will be our next President is because it will slow the trampling over rational thought, science, and education.  Nicholas Kristof addresses this in a recent New York Times op-ed.  He writes:

Barack Obama’s election is a milestone in more than his pigmentation. The second most remarkable thing about his election is that American voters have just picked a president who is an open, out-of-the-closet, practicing intellectual.

Maybe, just maybe, the result will be a step away from the anti-intellectualism that has long been a strain in American life. Smart and educated leadership is no panacea, but we’ve seen recently that the converse — a White House that scorns expertise and shrugs at nuance — doesn’t get very far either.

Read more.

Video: Spike Lee, Writer, and Cast Discuss Miracle at St. Anna

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in while–probably since Inside Man.  It pains me that Spike Lee had to go all the way to Europe to tell the story of our great American heroes.  It’s also sad to see the movie not get as much support as it should.  Check it out if you haven’t seen it already.

Spike Lee Interview

Writer and Cast Interview Part 1

Writer and Cast Interview Part 2