Category Archive: News

1. Watch: President Obama Addresses US Involvement In Libya

   March 29, 2011 11:38 am Leave a Comment

   Last night, President Obama gave his address speech from Washington DC concerning the current situation in Libya. As you may know, the United States, along with other countries across the world, including France, began air raids on Libya on March 19. Many have called the President’s decision to send U.S. forces to Libya an over extension of his power (some have even mentioned impeachment).

   But last night, the President presented the reasoning behind the military action, stating that because Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and his forces have brutally targeted, oppressed, and killed hundreds of the innocent, the United Nations came together for a resolution to protect the people. The President and many political analysts have emphasized continuously that the United States is not going it alone in Libya (like Iraq or Afghanistan), but is instead a part of a coalition of countries that are trying to remove Gadhafi from power.

   Watch and listen to the President’s full comments on Libya above.

2. News: Michelle Obama Becomes An Author

   March 17, 2011 7:22 pm Leave a Comment

   
   First Lady Michelle Obama is penning a book on gardening, which is one of her passions.  She recently planted a spring kitchen garden on Wednesday and plans to release the book in April of 2012 during her husband’s bid for re-election.
   Lady-O will also be giving the proceeds from the currently untitled book to charity.

3. News: Japan Hit With 8.9-Magnitude Earthquake, Destructive Tsunami Follows

   March 11, 2011 1:27 pm Leave a Comment

   

   Japan has been devastated by a massive earthquake that triggered an enormously destructive tsunami. The natural disaster occurred earlier today and reportedly, hundreds of people are dead and missing. According to CNN:

   The most powerful earthquake to hit Japan in recorded history struck off the island nation’s shore on Friday, collapsing buildings, touching off widespread fires and unleashing walls of water up to 30 feet high.

   The waves swept across rice fields, engulfed towns, dragged houses onto highways, tossed cars and boats like toys — reaching as far about six miles (10 kilometers) inland in Miyagi Prefecture on Japan’s east coast.

   Hundreds of people were dead and hundreds more missing, Japanese media reported, citing local and national police. Tens of thousands of people were displaced, according to Japan’s Kyodo News agency.

   Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the “enormously powerful” earthquake had caused “tremendous damage over a wide area.”

   Waves from the tsunami have the potential to affect a number of countries, including the United States. Hawaii, and the coasts of Oregon, Washington, and California (which has been hit) are all on watch for damage.

   Prayers, thoughts, and condolences are with the people of Japan and everyone affected by today’s tragic events. If you want to help, you can visit the Red Cross for more information on the different ways to donate money.

4. Update: ThatsAbortion.com Billboard Removed

   February 25, 2011 1:11 pm Leave a Comment

   

   Earlier this week, a controversial anti-abortion billboard was placed in New York with the wording: “The most dangerous place for an African American is in the womb.” FreesWorld readers responded with a letter and a number of insightful comments. Well, today, news comes that the billboard has been removed, but its sponsor says not for the reasons you may think:

   “We received a complaint that some people who objected to the billboard were harassing the wait staff of a nearby restaurant,” said Hal Kilshaw, a VP for Lamar Advertising [the company responsible for the ad space]. “We heard that there would be a protest tomorrow. There were concerns about problems for people who live or work in the area. That’s why we chose to take it down. We are not taking the copy down because we don’t think the copy should have been accepted in the first place or that it is too controversial.”

   And it also seems that the mother of the little girl used in the ad was unaware her daughter’s image would be used for campaign: (more…)

5. FreeSpeech: A Response To The ThatsAbortion.com Ad

   February 23, 2011 8:00 pm Leave a Comment

   A FreesWorld.com reader wrote in to discuss the recent ThatsAbortion.com ad in New York. Read Thembisa S. Mshaka’s letter and leave your thoughts below.

   

   Free,

   I have been in advertising and marketing communications for over 12 years. As a writer of numerous campaigns across categories from pro-social to entertainment, I understand the impact words and images are designed to make in the form of advertising. I want to examine all that is wrong with this ad:

   Copy: “The most dangerous place for an African-American is in the womb.” The headline is designed to grab your attention. It certainly does that—but it also maligns African American expectant mothers and infers that the Black female body is toxic and to be feared, when in fact the womb is the seminal, most natural place in the world for any child of any mother. Now Black women’s wombs are more dangerous than urban streets, than corrupt police, than semi-automatic weapons, than drugs?! The headline seems to work counter to the overall message, which is that they want to prevent abortions. If that’s so, then what’s so scary about a pregnant Black woman? Ohhh, the fact that she might be in control of her own reproductive system; that she would make an informed choice of her own volition. Now I get it. (more…)

6. News: Protests In Egypt End As President Mubarak Resigns

   February 11, 2011 7:07 pm Leave a Comment

   After 18 days of protests that often turned violent and deadly, the people of Egypt are celebrating. Earlier today, President Hosni Mubarak appeared in a minute long TV spot announcing his resignation after ruling the country for 30 years. When the news of his departure broke, people filled the streets with cheers and chants of “Egypt is free.” Power has now been handed over to the military.

   Protesters first took to Egypt’s streets on January 25, demanding presidential term limits, a higher minimum wage, an end to police brutality, and governmental reform. Most importantly, the asked that Mubarak, who was notorious for ruling the country with a heavy hand, finally resign.

   What caused the protests to catch fire? A Facebook page. The page was started by Wael Ghonim and called for a mass demonstration to take place on January 25 in protest of the death of Khaled Said, a man who was beaten to death by police last year. The message of the page spread among young people and the rest is literally history.

   At a press conference today, President Barack Obama said that “Egypt will never be the same” and noted that the country has some challenges and triumphs ahead.

   Click here for a complete timeline of the Egyptian protests and watch President Obama’s full statements below. (more…)

7. A Message From President Obama To Today’s Young People

   January 29, 2011 1:04 pm Leave a Comment

   

   Yesterday, President Obama sent a special message to today’s youth through Russell Simmons. The President spoke of the legislative changes that have been made with young people in mind (like health care and student loans) and promised to continue to think of America’s youth when he’s making decisions in the future.

   “I’ve always believed that here in America, every young person should be able to set goals and reach them; to discover their passions and follow them; and to earn their piece of the American Dream. That’s why, during the last two years, my Administration has worked hard to give people like you the opportunities you need to reach your potential and win the future.

   We passed the Affordable Care Act that allows young people to stay on their parents health care plan until they’re 26 – allowing more time to find a job that carries insurance. We reformed the student loan system to put billions of dollars back into the pockets of students paying for college instead of watching it pad the profits of big banks. (more…)

8. Watch: President Obama’s State Of The Union Address

   January 26, 2011 10:10 am Leave a Comment

   In case you missed last night’s address by the President, here it is in full with a quick description below.

   President Obama speaks about moving forward to create jobs, out-compete in the global economy by investing in innovation and education, and win the future for our children and our country. This enhanced version features charts, graphs and other visual aids that accompany the President’s speech. January 25, 2010.

   “We do big things.”

9. Don’t Forget To Watch President Obama’s State Of The Union Address Tonight

   January 25, 2011 8:36 pm Leave a Comment

   

   At 9PM ET tonight, President Obama will take over your TV screens for his 2011 State of the Union Address. The President is expected to speak on the gains made in the revival of the economy, job creation, and the need for Democrats and Republicans to work together. If you’re away from a TV when the time hits but still have a Internet connection, you can watch the address live on YouTube.

10. An Example of What Martin Luther King’s Birthday Should Be All About

    January 17, 2011 4:35 pm Leave a Comment

    

    The President and First Family honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today by participating in a mentoring project at Stuart Hobson Middle School, a local Washington D.C. school. The project was organized by Greater DC Cares’ Mentoring Matters Initiative. After the event, the President share some thoughts:

    This is just an outstanding program, an example of what Martin Luther King’s birthday should be all about. I want to thank all the mentees and mentors who are participating.

    Dr. King obviously had a dream of justice and equality in our society, but he also had a dream of service, that you could be a drum major for service, that you could lead by giving back to our communities. And that’s what this program is all about and that’s what these participants are all about. (more…)