Day: July 16, 2013

The not guilty verdict in the George Zimmerman case has me thinking a lot about a book I first encountered in seminary, Is God a White Racist?, by the Rev. Dr. Bill Jones. As a budding seminary student, it took me by surprise. Now, as a wiser, older professor looking at the needless death of Trayvon Martin, I have to say: I get it.

God ain’t good all of the time. In fact, sometimes, God is not for us. As a black woman in a nation that has taken too many pains to remind me that I am not a white man, and am not capable of taking care of my reproductive rights, or my voting rights, I know that this American god ain’t my god. As a matter of fact, I think he’s a white racist god with a problem. More importantly, he is carrying a gun and…

Today Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston will become the 2,502nd celebrity to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, joining icons like Steven Spielberg, Audrey Hepburn, and Frank Sinatra on what has become, since its launch in 1960, a who’s-who’s of who’s made it in American entertainment. But unlike, say, the Oscars or the Emmys, the standards for inclusion are kept under tight wraps. So what, exactly, does it take to get one of these coveted pink terrazzo marble stars? TIME got the scoop from the newest member of the star selection committee: America’s Funniest Home Videos creator Vin Di Bona, and Ana Martinez, the Walk of Fame’s Vice President of Media Relations and Producer.

1. Produce something iconic.

In theory, anyone can apply for a star—all it takes is mailing an application and a fee to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. But submissions won’t even be considered if the…

Republicans are still discussing why Romney lost the recent election. He lost, not because he didn’t receive more votes from his base, he lost because he received fewer votes period. End of story. Republicans claim that Romney received the majority of the votes cast by real Americans. Perhaps he did if you define real Americans as those who voted for Romney. That’s a really circular argument if I have ever heard one. Rather than reforming the party, the GOP are currently trying to find ways of increasing the number of real Americans who vote and decreasing the number of votes by other Americans.

Related articles

• Did Romney’s faith cost him 2012 election? (wnd.com)
• Will the Republican party get another George W Bush? | Harry J Enten (guardian.co.uk)
• We’re supposed to believe that Mitt Romney didn’t really want to run for president? Puh-leeze! (blogs.e-rockford.com)
• Republicans eager to increase share of white…

Summer workdays are a challenge for everyone. The weekends are great: Days are long, the weather is nice and there’s always something fun to do even if it’s just watching the clouds roll by in the sky. Then comes the work week, and you find yourself facing a computer screen in a cubicle with nothing but a Garfield comic, office coffee and the gentle whir of the copy machine to keep you company. It feels like an eternity until your early dismissal on Summer Friday when you can rush outside, apply sunblock and go frolic in the great outdoors again.

Luckily the internet is here to help. Make your Tuesday much more manageable by taking a break with this video of an undeniably adorable fluffy little Pomchi (Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix) puppy munching on a watermelon. Get your RDA of cuteness in one easy serving.

MORE: WATCH: Bulldog Jumps for Joy on…