Usher Challenges The Boys And Girls Of Atlanta To ‘Be Iconic’

Usher Raymond the fourth has been many things. Multi-platinum recording artist, Grammy winner, actor, amazing dancer and now, a giant outdoor billboard in Atlanta.

As part of the Boys & Girls Clubs’ “Be Great” campaign, the people of A-Town were greeted this morning with a shiny new outdoor display featuring a young Usher and the phrase “Be Iconic,” which Usher certainly has become.

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It’ll Take President Obama More Than 100 Days, By Kim Stolz

FROM THE HUFFINGTON POST: President Obama is nearing the end of his “First 100 Days.” While important policy decisions, both foreign and domestic, are at hand, the president and his team must also think hard and be cautious of what kind of “personality” the White House will be perceived to have by everyone watching. Every decision Obama makes has the capacity to make him look strong, weak, timid, hawkish, radical, compromising, and the list goes on. In addition, in 2009, which he has forecasted to be a “difficult year,” it is more than likely that he will be called all of those things, but will have to stay focused and strong in his decision-making.

Continue reading Kim’s opinion of President Obama’s decision-making at HuffingtonPost.com.

Sway Joins NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg In Answering Obama’s Call For Service

Throughout the campaign and his months in the oval office, President Barack Obama has made service a top priority. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg followed Obama’s lead today with his NYC Service event, and I was honored to be asked to serve as his co-host.

Mayor Bloomberg wants New York to be the nation’s capital for service. His plan includes appointing a chief service officer, recruiting new volunteers and requiring schools to promote volunteering. There were quite a few notable attendees, including Caroline Kennedy, former New York first lady Silda Wall Spitzer and Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, who shook my hand and thanked me for coming out.

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Will Vermont’s Legalization Of Gay Marriage Inspire Other States To Do The Same?

Today, the Vermont Legislature overrode Governor Jim Douglas’ veto of the bill allowing same-sex couples in the state to marry legally. Vermont, with this measure, became the fourth state to legalize gay marriage, along with Massachusetts, Connecticut and everyone’s favorite wild card, Iowa. (Come on, New York! Seriously.)

What is exceptional about this story, however, is that Vermont is the first state to legalize gay marriage by legislation rather than a ruling which, to many, signals an even greater sea change for gay rights in America.

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President Barack Obama Probably Not Going To Pass A Puff-Puff-Give Initiative

By Rya Backer

President Barack Obama had an online town-hall meeting today, during which a wealth of causes and dilemmas alike were discussed, namely many of the issues that had been discussed during Tuesday’s televised press conference. However, what made the event unique was that anyone was welcome to ask a question — a liberty that prompted over 100,000 submissions. It was an accomplishment that didn’t go unnoticed by the commander in chief, as he stated, “When I was running for president, I promised to open the White House for the American people. This is an important step toward achieving that goal.”

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President Obama Compares Washington, D.C. To ‘American Idol’

President Barack Obama’s appearance on “The Tonight Show” Thursday was memorable for many reasons, including the way he compared life in Washington, D.C. to being on “American Idol” — with everyone being Simon!

LENO: Now it’s only [been], what, 59 days now, right?

MR. OBAMA: Yes, 59 days.

MR. LENO: And so much scrutiny. Is it fair to judge so quickly? I mean –

MR. OBAMA: Well, look, we are going through a difficult time. I welcome the challenge. You know, I ran for president because I thought we needed big changes. I do think in Washington it’s a little bit like “American Idol,” except everybody is Simon Cowell.

MR. LENO: Wow. Wow. That’s rough.

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Got $1? Good Charlotte Want You To Turn That Into Clean Water For 40 Kids

It was just a few months ago that I was blessed with the opportunity to visit Africa and the Omindo School in the remote village of Lihanda, Kenya.

For me, my producer Sean and the rest of the team, that was a trip of a lifetime. But with all the fun and enjoyment of meeting the people of Kenya and the kids at the Omindo School, the harsh reality of the extreme poverty in the region is unavoidable and unforgettable. The most obvious and severe problem in Africa is the total lack of adequate sanitation and the ne...

Talking Racism In ‘Resident Evil 5′ With USA Today

By Stephen Totilo

I didn’t think that the first time I’d be quoted in USA Today would be for a conversation about racism, but it’s racism as it relates to video games — that kind of fits. For years, I’ve been MTV News’ video game guy.

So on Sunday night, after wrapping up a mini-marathon with a pre-release version of “Resident Evil 5,” and right before I got started with the “Prince of Persia” expansion (thank goodness for my patient wife!), I got on the phone with Mike Snider, a reporter for USA Today. He was writing a piece that would be published in today’s paper.

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Thousands Of Young People Flock To D.C. For Power Shift Conference

By Pete Griffin

As we speak, thousands of young Americans are rallying outside the Capitol or in meetings with their congressmen and -women, demanding action on issues of renewable energy, green jobs and putting a stop to coal-burning power plants. More than 12,000 young people from across the country invaded Washington, D.C., over the past four days to protest current U.S. policies on energy and climate change.

This revolution was organized around Power Shift, a conference that brought together college students and others from all 50 states.

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Is President Obama Painting Himself Into A Corner By Setting Iraq Deadline?

During his address to Congress last night, President Barack Obama focused on the state of the economy, bringing a young and energetic voice to an otherwise grim situation. While he came off stern and concerned, the president offered uplifting statements as well, saying, “We will rebuild,” and arguing the potential success of the $787 billion stimulus package, which has gone from a bill to a reality in recent weeks.

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