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Second Grader's Precious 'Chocolate Bullets' Plan Earns Handwritten Note From Vice President Biden

Drew Weisholtz — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:50:00 +0000

A 7-year-old Wisconsin boy has come up with a rather delicious way to solve the gun control debate in this country. And it’s won the support of one very high-ranking politician. A second grader identified only as Myles at Wisconsin’s Downtown Montessori Academy wrote Vice President Biden a letter several months ago with his plan [...]

4-Year-Old Mayor Is the Cutest Politician You Will Ever See

Drew Weisholtz — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:15:35 +0000

Experience isn’t always the most important qualification for a politician. Sometimes dimples work just fine. The mayor of teeny, tiny Dorset, Minnesota (population 22) is a four-year-old boy named Robert “Bobbie” Tufts. We don’t know if his senior advisor is Rubber Duckie or if he pledged naptime for all citizens, but Bobbie won the coveted [...]

The White House Is Now on Tumblr Because of Course It Is

Jeremy Taylor — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:41:24 +0000

The Official White House Tumblr sounds like a parody website that would be full of political snark and GIFs. But it's not a parody. The recently launched page is actually the official Tumblr for the White House. Like, for real.

But that doesn't mean there isn't snark

The Funniest Moments From the 2013 White House Correspondents' Dinner

Emerald Catron — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:02:15 +0000

The annual White House Correspondents' dinner took place this past weekend, and it was a delight. We honestly think it was probably the best performance at one of these dinners since Stephen Colbert roasted George W. Bush right in front of him (this makes us cringe a little bit less though). Only we aren't talking about Conan O'Brien -- we're talking about President Obama, who really hammed it up this year.

Steven Spielberg Debuts New 'Obama' Footage at White House Correspondents' Dinner…Wait, What?

Nick Romano — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:15:59 +0000

While 'Lincoln' might not have taken home the Oscar for Best Picture, it was considered one of the best films of the year by many a critic, mainly for Daniel Day-Lewis' exceptional performance as Honest Abe. In light of the film's success, what is its director Steven Spielberg planning as a follow-up?

During Saturday's White House Correspondents' Dinner, President Barack Obama revealed the first behind-the-scenes footage from Spielberg's next project, 'Obama,' which re-teams him with...Day-Lewis in the title role? Take a look...

Law Requiring Gun Ownership Passed in Georgia

Chris Chaberski — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:46:27 +0000

If you live in Nelson, Georgia, the government has decided that you must own a firearm. The city council voted 5-0 in favor of the “Family Protection Act” in the small town of 1,300 about 50 miles north of Atlanta. The ordinance was initially proposed last month, and it garnered a high level of media attention. [...]

IRS Warning — 12 Scams to Watch Out For This Tax Season

Chris Chaberski — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:21:07 +0000

The IRS has issued its annual warning about the “Dirty Dozen” schemes out there—ways that certain disreputable folks will try to steal your money or methods people use to hide financial information from the tax agency. Here’s what IRS Acting Commissioner Steven T. Miller had to say: This tax season, the IRS has stepped up its efforts to [...]

Defense of Marriage Act Goes Before Supreme Court

Chris Chaberski — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:23:39 +0000

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard its second day of arguments on the issue of same-sex marriage, specifically a challenge to the 1996 federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). This follows Tuesday’s case concerning California’s Proposition 8. The DOMA case, known as United States v. Windsor, covers this: The case concerns the part of the [...]

Supreme Court Hears First of Two Gay-Marriage Cases

Chris Chaberski — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:55:32 +0000

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Hollingsworth v. Perry, the case that is challenging the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage. It is the first of two gay-marriage-related cases the court will hear this week; on Wednesday it will hear arguments in United States v. Windsor, a challenge to the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

Red Hot Chili Peppers Drummer Chad Smith Lobbies Congress for Music Education Support

Chad Childers — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 16:50:51 +0000

Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith is a man who respects the craft of music and embraces its many forms, so it's no surprise that he'd be willing to speak out on behalf of music education in Washington, D.C. Smith did just that earlier this week, speaking to members of Congress about music funding in public schools.

Is Your Unclaimed Tax Refund Among the $1 Billion Being Held by the IRS?

Chris Chaberski — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:23:29 +0000

There are still a few weeks left to file your 2012 tax return, but April 15 of this year marks another important deadline for taxpayers: it's your last chance to file for a refund on your 2009 taxes.

Oklahoma Legislators Approve Bill That Allows Armed Teachers!

Critter — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:30:46 +0000

Oklahoma public school districts may soon be able to decide if they want armed teachers in the classroom. Recently the Oklahoma House passed the The Special Reserve School Resource Officer Act by a (68-23) vote.

Drink Up: Judge Blocks New York's Large-Sugary-Drink Ban

Chris Chaberski — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:22:09 +0000

Looks like you’ll be able to a large Coke in restaurants after all, following a New York State Supreme Court judge’s ruling. Judge Milton Tingling released his decision today, announcing that New York City is ”enjoined and permanently restrained from implementing or enforcing the new regulations.” The move is a big blow to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, [...]

President Obama Lays Out Ambitious Agenda in State of the Union Address [VIDEO]

Dan Alexander — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 03:58:04 +0000

Riding the wave of his re-election, President Barack Obama hit upon themes of the economy, energy, climate change and gun control in his State of the Union address delivered to a joint session of Congress. Obama declared in the speech that the state of the union is stronger and ticked off the reasons he believes [...]

Women Will Soon Be Allowed to Serve in Ground Combat

Chris Chaberski — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:32:45 +0000

For the first time, women in the armed forces will be moved into combat roles. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta will make the official announcement Thursday. Since they were first permitted to join the armed forces, women have been restricted from participating in active ground combat. This policy will be eliminated, clearing the way for [...]

The Best GIFs From Obama's 2013 Inauguration

Emerald Catron — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:01:25 +0000

For such a solemn event, yesterday's presidential inauguration sure did span a lot of cute GIFs. It helps that the Obama family has two young daughters to keep things entertaining. They laugh. They yawn. They ruin pictures. They're just like us! Here are a few of our favorite moments from yesterday's ceremony.

Inauguration 2013 — Barack Obama Sworn In For Second Term As President

Joe Student — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:50:46 +0000

Barack Obama took the oath of office just before noon in Washington on Monday to begin his second term as president of the United States. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to the president on a platform on the steps of the U.S. Capitol with hundreds of thousands of flag-waving citizens viewing [...]

Does the NRA's Ad Featuring Obama's Children Go Too Far?

Chris Chaberski — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:47:59 +0000

On Wednesday President Obama announced a series of proposals to address gun violence. The day before, the National Rifle Association, which opposes the president’s ideas, released a Web ad that stoked controversy, particularly because the ad focuses on Obama’s daughters. In it, the NRA calls Obama an “elitist hypocrite” because his children, who by law [...]

President Calls for Assault-Weapon Ban, Stronger Background Checks

Chris Chaberski — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 20:09:48 +0000

Wednesday afternoon, President Obama proposed numerous measures in response to a string of recent mass shootings across the country, including one at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in which 20 children and six adults were murdered by a gunman. Obama called for a ban on assault weapons, like the one used in Newtown, [...]

Norwich, N.Y., Gun Shop Posts Sign Banning Obama Supporters (UPDATED)

Daniel J. Cassavaugh — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:06:14 +0000

Update: We interviewed the store's owner. His comments appear below.

Heading Due North, a gun and sporting-goods store in Norwich, New York, posted two photos to its Facebook page of signs in front of the store criticizing anyone who voted for President Barack Obama or New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The store is owned and operated by David Francis, who also signed a letter posted on the storefront window.

The sidewalk sign reads: "IF YOU VOTED FOR OBAMA OR CUOMO U ARE NOT WELCOME HERE."