Political Review - realoutlook.com

The oil spill that followed the explosion at the Deepwater Horizon platform in the Gulf of Mexico will plague the regional environment for years, even decades, to come with devastating effects on the regional economy that will be felt across the nation. The ongoing destruction from the leak, the endless investigations, allegations and law suites will fill headlines indefinitely and emerge again as some argue for greater government regulation while others use it as another example of how dismal government regulators are at the task with which they are charged. While there are a multitude of looming questions, some of which may never be answered, it is quite clear that a string of terrible decisions began with the inception of drilling, continued through the government response, and go on day after day with no end in sight. (more…)

Anita MonCrief, like so many others in urban America, was drawn to ACORN’s promise of bringing a better life to the disadvantaged in low income minority communities across the nation. But unlike most who join the ranks of ACORN, Anita attained recognition from the faculty at the University of Alabama where she graduated with an award for academic excellence. Her subsequent experience, before joining ACORN included interning as a legislative assistant with the American Bar Association Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative and as an election observer with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. ACORN saw the opportunity to exploit experience that would require access to priority election agendas. What they didn’t see was Anita’s strong moral compass and the courage to back her convictions. (more…)

Barack Obama warned us on Wednesday that his Republican opponent, Senator John McCain, will try to scare us saying Obama “doesn’t look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills.” Anyone who rides a bus in a major metropolitan area from time to time is quite aware of, and comfortable with, the ethnic diversity we encounter. None of us would deny the trepidation we experience with the occasional presence of gang bangers, skinheads or mischievous teens we encounter regardless of our own ethnic composition. But I doubt our elected representatives have been inclined to take advantage of the experience in the districts or states they represent. Nor has the press that covers them. (more…)

A Federal Holiday observing the birthday of
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was first celebrated in 1986 after being signed into law in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan. Not until the year 2000 was it observed in all 50 states. In the intervening years many questioned whether a simple Baptist minister who helped organize a bus protest deserves a memorial day on par with those honoring such great Americans as Presidents Washington and Lincoln. Truth is, most Americans know so little about the man, or for that matter, know little of Washington or Lincoln. (more…)