Newark New Jersey Mayor, Cory Booker is not only one of the nation’s most successful mayors but he is now a genuine hero. His miraculous of a woman from her burning home, has many calling him America’s Real Mayor (a simultaneous riff and diss on the title given to Rudy Giuliani of New York for his efforts during 9-11). The Assoicated Press is reporting that last night, upon returning from a Television Interview, Mayor Booker noticed that his neighbor’s home was on fire. Mayor Booker immediately sprung into action, along with his security detail. The men charged into the home, searching for victims. They headed for the second floor when Booker reports that “Suddenly [I] had the realization that I can’t find this woman. I look[ed] behind me and [I] see the flames and I think, I’m not going to get out of here. Suddenly, I was at peace with the fact that I was going to jump out the window. I just grabbed her and whipped her out of the bed“. The two made it to the front entrance, where they both collapsed.

Booker has been revered for his yeoman’s effort at transforming New Jersey. But these types of heroics can  propel spectacular politicians to the status of inevitable national figures. It may not be long until we see Booker 2016 (for President) T-shirts. Levity aside, we should all be grateful that Mayor Booker and his neighbor are alive and well.

Over the past weekend, 60 minutes concluded their program with an inspiring profile on the Orchestra Symphonique Kimbanguiste of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the only symphony in Central Africa and the only all-black orchestra in the world. The profile closed in on the universal appeal of music and gave an unexpected face to classics such as Handel’s Messiah. Viewers were able to watch in adoration as the powerful and heavenly melodic voices of the 200- member symphony bounced off the walls of their intimate concert hall. Although French is the national language of the Congo, 60 Minutes aired performances of symphony members as they performed German classics as well.

The special was a beautifully sound reminder of the power and reach of music.

Watch the special here:

http://cnettv.cnet.com/av/video/cbsnews/atlantis2/cbsnews_player_embed.swf

Watch the Orchestra Symphonique Kimbanguiste perform “Handel’s Messiah.”
http://cnettv.cnet.com/av/video/cbsnews/atlantis2/cbsnews_player_embed.swf

There is a new trend in American politics that is dragging our political discourse down, to once unthinkable lows. It began with Michelle Obama, who has been subjected to a level of vitriol and partisan attack that is unprecedented. Other First Ladies have received tepid criticisms but they have generally been considered off limits. First Ladies are the wholesome embodiment of our nation. Attacks against them have been considered uncouth. Mrs. Obama has not received that benefit. After she determined that the healthy nourishment of our children would be the focus of her first term, she was derided as a socialist intruder. Conservatives cried angrily that she was trying to control their lives. The right has  determined that in their attempts to dress down the President, the traditional rules no longer apply. The right has labeled Mrs. Obama, an angry black woman. A conservative host, on the nationally syndicated Laura Ingraham show, once called her and the first family, “Trash”!

The right should have thought long and hard before opening this Pandora’s box as their tactic has returned to haunt them. Last night, on CNN, Hillary Rosen, a democratic strategist, attacked Mitt Romney’s wife. Her statement was simple. Ann Romney can’t possibly understand the needs of the average woman, because “Ann Romney has never worked a day in her life”.  For the right, Rosen’s words became a shield against Democratic claims of a GOP War On Women. Now, they argue, Obama is at War With Housewives and Traditional Mothers.

At times, I am nauseated by the silliness of our political discourse. As an observer of politics, I have loved all of our First Ladies. They were always the stalwart figures that buttressed their husbands when challenges overwhelmed them or a lack of confidence besieged them. I am left dejected and discouraged by Rosen’s attacks on Ann Romney and by the attacks on Michelle Obama. The entire world of punditry, spent the day trying to pit Housewives against Working Women. Attempts were made to commodify the contributions of both and determine which made better mothers! I have long thought that political consultants have only one trick; to divide Americans, one from another and pit them against each other. Today proved my thesis. The attacks on the First Lady were without precedent but it is equally discouraging to see that Democrats have succumbed to the tactic. (Some might argue that Hillary Clinton has been subjected to similar assaults but I would disagree. Hillary became the subject of the right wing’s fire, when she entered the policy arena. She actively negotiated policy items and thus received the same criticisms that any politician would receive.)

The attacks on First Ladies and prospective national mother figures, is disheartening because it signals that our politics has crossed a final boundary of decency. It signals that nothing in public life is sacrosanct. Glenn Beck and other right wing pundits have even attacked the children of the first family! I wonder if Rosen, or Beck, or Limbaugh ever bother to ask themselves, where our nation goes from here. How much more rancorous can our debates become before our nation becomes dysfunctional? What precisely are they winning when they leave our nation devoid of any civility? Such rhetoric is beneath our country but more importantly, such rhetoric is dissolving our union! When the First Lady, becomes the object of derision, we can be certain that we have truly lost our way.

By: Ju’lia Samuels

The verdict is in, and as far as I am concerned, The Couple is quickly becoming an online favorite of mine. Real life couple and creative partners, Dennis Dortch and Numa Perrier came together and created an online series that is viral gold. The show’s catch phrase says it all, “There’s dating…and then there’s living together.” The first episode focuses on the awkward conversation that ensues when establishing bed side assignments.

There is a new episode every Sunday night.

Watched the first episode here:

Catch more of the online series

Women are rare in the profession of politics and even more rare, are women in the U.S. Senate. Elizabeth Warren intends to join the exclusive club of the Senate but she has been met by the compelling political force of Scott Brown. Scott Brown, was a former state legislator and former Nude model. He became a national celebrity when he captured Ted Kennedy’s old seat. Brown’s victory was particularly impressive because he is a Republican. Ted Kennedy was known as the democratic “Lion of the Senate”. Brown, an obscure state legislator was able to run for Kennedy’s old post in part because most Republicans considered it to be a fools errand. No one believed that in Massachusetts, the heart of liberal America, a Republican could take Ted Kennedy’s Senate Seat. Brown’s victory was literally witnessed all over the country. The nation seemed to pause as the throne of Camelot was captured. The republicans were eager to brandish Brown as their greatest trophy. Many even began suggesting that he could be President or at minimum, Vice President. But that was quite a while ago. Since his election, Brown has proven himself to be far too independent and liberally minded, for the tastes of most in his party. His tendency to break with his party however, has made him a bit of a hometown hero. He is as popular as ever, much to the chagrin of most democrats. However imposing Mr. Brown’s popularity is, it hasn’t discouraged a challenge from Elizabeth Warren, who is challenging Brown for the Senate Seat.

Warren became a national heroine with her advocacy of the Consumer Protection Buereu. She became the President’s secret weapon in promoting the reform of complex financial regulations. Warren was able to discuss the complexity of Wall Street’s financial shenanigans, with a clarity unparalleled by any in the country. She had long been a serious thinker of the left, but her vocal advocacy for consumer protections, made her a star. If Occupy Wall-street has a mother, the undisputed parent is Elizabeth Warren. But the brilliant professor is facing fierce opposition from the charming and handsome, Brown. The contest has put the financial kingpins of the Republican Party up against the small dollar donations of the Democrats liberal base. The Republicans are willing to wager and sell limbs to hold on to Kennedy’s seat and to keep the nation’s most successful consumer advocate as far from the halls of power, as possible. Despite the outside flood of GOP cash and effort, Warren seems to be standing tall. The polls on the race have vacillated. In some polls Warren is nipping at Brown’s heels and in others she’s taking out his shins, soccer style. Despite her successes, the race is closer than anyone could have predicted. The two are virtually tied. However, strong her position, its still a surprise that Brown is even a factor in the race. The left in Massachusetts has found a candidate that is beloved, and yet an out of place Republican, is still in contention for a senate seat, in arguably the nations greatest bastion of progressivism. Can Warren Win? It remains to be seen. She has run a campaign that has been flawless thus far. The rhetoric she has employed has been picked up by the President himself and (some might say) has been responsible for the progressive pose that has resulted in his renewed popularity. Warren has then, twice saved the Democrats and their agenda. But can she save herself?