Congress Ushering In New Members, With Old Divide

Congress is ushering in the new and the old — dozens of eager freshmen determined to change Washington and the harsh reality of another stretch of bitterly divided government. The 113th Congress will convene Thursday at the constitutionally required time of noon for pomp, pageantry and politics as newly elected members of the House and […]

Associated Press
By Associated Press
Anne Easby-Smith, left, and Trace Robbins, right, who work for House Speaker John Boehner, help to prepare the Rayburn Room on Capitol Hill in Washington,Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, where members of the House of Representatives will pose for pictures at an oath of office ceremony with Boehner. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Congress is ushering in the new and the old — dozens of eager freshmen determined to change Washington and the harsh reality of another stretch of bitterly divided government. The 113th Congress will convene Thursday at the constitutionally required time of noon for pomp, pageantry and politics as newly elected members of the House and Senate

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150 Years After The Emancipation Declaration: Has The Promise Of Equality For All Been Met Yet?

(MintPress) – “… That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; […]

Frederick Reese
By Frederick Reese
"First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln," by Fancis Bickness Carpenter (1830-1900) is shown here.

(MintPress) - “... That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government

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GOP Governors Walk Balance Beam On Health Law

Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who made a fortune as a health care executive, long opposed President Barack Obama’s remake of the health insurance market. After the Democratic president won re-election, the Republican governor softened his tone. He said he wanted to “have a conversation” with the administration about implementing the 2010 law. With a federal […]

Associated Press
By Associated Press
In this May 16, 2012 file photo, Florida Gov. Rick Scott speaks in Fort Lauderdale. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter, File)

Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who made a fortune as a health care executive, long opposed President Barack Obama's remake of the health insurance market. After the Democratic president won re-election, the Republican governor softened his tone. He said he wanted to "have a conversation" with the administration about implementing the 2010 law. With a

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Hanin Zoabi: Trying To Bring Rare Justice To Israel

(CHICAGO) –Instances indeed are rare. An important one deserves mention. In mid-July 2010, Knesset members stripped MK Hanin Zoabi of key parliamentary rights and privileges. They did so for participating in the May 2010 Freedom Flotilla. She joined others trying to bring vital humanitarian aid to Gaza. Lunatic fringe MK’s targeted her. They oppose doing […]

Stephen Lendman
By Stephen Lendman
Israeli Arab parliament member Hanin Zoabi arrives for a hearing about her disqualification from politics at Israel's Supreme Court, in Jerusalem, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Emil Salman)

(CHICAGO) --Instances indeed are rare. An important one deserves mention. In mid-July 2010, Knesset members stripped MK Hanin Zoabi of key parliamentary rights and privileges. They did so for participating in the May 2010 Freedom Flotilla. She joined others trying to bring vital humanitarian aid to Gaza. Lunatic fringe MK's targeted her. They

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Success And Failure: Looking Back On Obama’s First Term

(MintPress) – As the nation prepares to usher in a new year, the world of politics is preparing for the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. In 2008, the event was historic, moving people from across political aisles to tune in to a moment that surely will appear years from now in children’s textbooks. With […]

Trisha Marczak
By Trisha Marczak
President Barack Obama pauses as he speaks at the election night party at McCormick Place, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

(MintPress) – As the nation prepares to usher in a new year, the world of politics is preparing for the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. In 2008, the event was historic, moving people from across political aisles to tune in to a moment that surely will appear years from now in children’s textbooks. With a nation divided between

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Maine Same-Sex Couples Marry In First Hours Of Law

Arriving in a limo, Donna Galluzzo and Lisa Gorney had all the trappings of a traditional wedding: Rings, flowers, wedding vows, an entourage and a friend to officiate. With tears in their eyes, they were among the first gay couples to exchange wedding vows early Saturday morning after Maine’s same-sex marriage law went into effect […]

Associated Press
By Associated Press
A crowd cheers at 12:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, as the first same-sex couple to be legally married in Maine departs City Hall in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Arriving in a limo, Donna Galluzzo and Lisa Gorney had all the trappings of a traditional wedding: Rings, flowers, wedding vows, an entourage and a friend to officiate. With tears in their eyes, they were among the first gay couples to exchange wedding vows early Saturday morning after Maine's same-sex marriage law went into effect at

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