Iris Mack's Blog - White House

Superstar Lupe Fiasco Kicked Off Inauguration Stage for Anti-War Song

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 16:58:00 --0100

Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor. He also performs as the frontman of rock band "Japanese Cartoon" under his real name. As an entrepreneur, Fiasco is the chief executive officer of 1st and 15th Entertainment.

Raised in Chicago, Fiasco developed an interest in hip hop after initially disliking the genre for its use of vulgarity. In addition to music, Fiasco has pursued other business ventures, including fashion. He runs two clothing lines, Righteous Kung-Fu and Trilly & Truly; he has designed sneakers for Reebok. He has been involved with charitable activities, including the Summit on the Summit expedition, and in 2010 he recorded a benefit single for victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Several journalists who attended an inaugural party last night to celebrate President Obama's second term reported that rapper Lupe Fiasco was kicked off stage for playing an "anti-war song for 30 min" and going on an "anti-Obama diatribe mid set."

Fiasco is noted for his anti-establishment views, which he has expressed in both interviews and his music. So what he did isn't a surprise to me. What is surprising is that the concert organizers invited him to perform in the first place. Note: Some of Lupe Fiasco's songs have over 52 million hits on youtube.

Obama Jobs Council: No Meetings in a Year

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:03:00 --0100

President Barack Obama's Jobs Council hit a notable milestone on Thursday: one year without an official meeting. The 26-member panel is also set to expire at the end of the month, unless Obama extends its tenure.

The group, formally known as the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, last convened on Jan. 17, 2012 for a White House session where it presented formal recommendations to Obama. It was the panel's fourth official meeting since it was created in early 2011.

Please read more here.

Treasury Secretary Nominee Lew: Professed Lack of Finance Expertise & Rubin Protege'

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 00:22:00 --0100

Mark Gongloff writes the following in The Huffington Post: There are some misunderstandings out there about Jack Lew, Obama's pick to run the Treasury Department, which is what you get with a relative cipher like Lew. One thing is clear enough, from his association with former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin to his stint at Citigroup to his professed lack of expertise in financial markets: His track record should not inspire any hope that he will care much about financial reform. Somebody, please stick a fork in the U.S. economy! We're definitely done!

Charlie Rangel: Obama's Record on Diversity is "Embarrassing as Hell"

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 04:35:00 --0100

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) on Thursday called it ?embarrassing as hell? that President Barack Obama is facing charges that his White House lacks diversity. Please read more here.

Huffington Post: Obama Orders Pay Raise For Congress, Federal Workers, Joe Biden

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 01:22:00 --0100

Obama ordered the raise as he continues to negotiate unsuccessfully with congressional leaders to find a deal in order to avoid the fiscal cliff at the end of the year. If no agreement is met, over $500 billion in planned tax increases and spending cuts will be implemented. Please read more here.

$1 Trillion Obamacare Tax Hike Hits January 1, 2013

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 15:21:00 --0100

On January 1, regardless of the outcome of fiscal cliff negotiations, Americans will be hit with a $1 trillion Obamacare tax hike.

Obama Wins, Layoffs Begin

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:50:00 --0100

It has been reported that these companies will be laying off employees as a result of President Obama's re-election and/or health care law.

Wall Street Journal: Obama Wins a Second Term

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 07:19:00 --0100

President Barack Obama won re-election Tuesday in a closely fought race, overcoming the doubts of a nation ravaged by a prolonged economic downturn and setting up a test of whether he can forge a productive second term in a divided political system. Please read more here.

U.S. Presidential Debate Songified!

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 22:09:00 --0100

Here's a bit of humor in an otherwise dismal situation!

Hollywood Actor Clint Eastwood at the 2012 Republican National Convention

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 05:39:00 --0100

Clint Eastwood makes Mitt Romney's day...

Bloomberg Businessweek: Unemployment Rates Rose in 44 U.S. States in July

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 15:57:00 --0100

Unemployment rates rose in 44 U.S. states in July, the most states to show a monthly increase in more than three years and a reflection of weak hiring nationwide. The Labor Department said Friday that unemployment rates fell in only two states and were unchanged in four. Unemployment rates rose in nine states that are considered battlegrounds in the presidential election. That trend, if it continued, could pose a threat to President Barack Obama's re-election bid in less than three months. Please read more here.

Forbes: Barack Obama's $2 Billion Investment Fund

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 15:32:00 --0100

Despite huge losses, the White House is again betting billions of taxpayer dollars on venture capital deals.

Jon Stewart Slams Obama Executive Privilege In Fast & Furious Scandal

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 13:43:00 --0100

So much for the promise of transparency in the Obama administration...

Obama Promotes "Bottom-up Economics"

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 14:41:00 --0100

Now, I've heard of Keynesian economics, Austrian economics, Reagonomics, Obamanomics, .... Now our President has introduced a new one - Bottom-up Economics!

Bloomberg: Romney Critical Of Government Aid That Helped Bain Profit

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:46:00 --0100

Mitt Romney likes to say that ?government does not create prosperity.? His record in the private equity industry shows otherwise.