Nelson Mandela Near Death

One of the most polarized figures of all time and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, a South African man by the name of Nelson Mandela is now on life support in a city called Pretoria. This anti-apartheid icon served a 27 year jail term on Robben Island, fighting against apartheid, which is South Africas version of racial segregation. He has been battling respiratory infections ever since. He spent the last 14 months of his jail term at the Groot Drakenstein Prison. After his jail term, Mandela became the first black president in 1994 beating then-South African president F.W. de Klerk, after leaving jail for approximately 4 years. He became a national hero. He alone became the founding father of South Afrca's multiracial democracy.
In the hospital since June 8 for a lung infection that has debilitated him considerably, Mandela at the age of 94 may only have another few days left. The President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma was scheduled to go to Mozambique at a summit on infrastructure investment, but cancelled his trip due to the condition of Mandela. He turns 95 years old on July 18.
President Obama is making every effort to visit with Mandela and expects to be by his bedside in less than 48 hours, but Mandela may not live long enough for President Obama to see him. Mandela will be sadly missed by the African people and from supporters around the world.

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Snowden Accused of Espionage, Seek Asylum in Ecuador

All you hear about lately on the news lately seem to be about a man called Snowden. Who is he anyway? I can tell you what he was, and the world will eventually portray him of what he is now. He's now on the run facing espionage, leaving everyone he ever knew behind so not to face a life in prison in the United States. He is now running away from one of the most powerful governments in the world, and I believe regardless of where he goes, he will always have to look behind his back and accept the fact that he will eventually be caught.

He was a former technical contractor who worked for Booz Allen Hamilton, who leaked details of classified NSA mass surveillance programs to the press. They included interception of US telephone metadata, and a surveillance program called PRISM. To some, that may not seem much, but there are programs that are done in secret by the US and most other countries that help keep everyone safe. These programs used by NSA were programs that never should have come to light in public. Because of what he has done,as quoted in a June 23rd CNN article by Catherine E. Shoichet, "He's going to be facing serious consequences no matter what happens. He had a life in which he was living in he United States. He was an American citizen his whole life. He had a long-term girlfriend in Hawaii, a stable, lucrative career -- all of which he gave up in order to bring to light what he believed is serious wrongdoing on the part of our highest political officials. And he's now -- no matter what, at best -- going to spend the rest of his life on the run from the most powerful government on earth."
Snowden left everything behind, as just mentioned, even his long-term girlfriend in Hawaii. Her name is Lindsay Mills pictured immediately below....

A write-up about her which also contains photos can be found RIGHT HERE

Originally, he fled the US, where his destination was Moscow, then Hong Kong. and now it is  believed that he is seeking asylum in Ecuador. He is trying to find a place where the United States cannot reach him to have him extradited back to the U.S. and then tried for espionage.

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Obama Weekly Address on Father's Day

The following video is one of the weekly videos that President Obama produces each and every week. This week's topic is Father's Day which is today, June 16, 2013. The President highlights his life with his parents and how important a dad is in a family. He mentions how he wasn't as connected with his father as he really should have been. He explains how he supports government that supports family values. He mentions a few personal moments with his family and how important it is to show unconditional love to our children. Every mom and dad and child, regardless of political affiliation, should watch this video. It's not about Congress, and the bills that they pass, do not pass and are trying to pass. It's not about the politically divided parties that seem to have a very negative effect on the country. It's all about family, fatherhood, and the values instilled by members of the family.



Immediately below, President Obama hosts a Father's Day luncheon in the State Dining Room to celebrate the importance of strong families and mentorship. June 14, 2013.

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