Barack Obama

Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to Barack Obama, Sr. (born in Nyanza Province, Kenya) and Ann Dunham (born in Wichita, Kansas). Barack Hussein Obama (born August 4, 1961) is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and a member of the Democratic Party.

Obama grew up in culturally diverse surroundings. He spent most of his childhood in the majority-minority U.S. state of Hawaii and lived for four years in Indonesia. Obama delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention while still an Illinois state legislator. Since announcing his candidacy in February 2007, Obama has emphasized ending the Iraq War and implementing universal health care as campaign themes.

As a member of the Democratic minority in the 109th Congress, Obama co-sponsored the enactment of conventional weapons control and transparency legislation, and made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Obama's parents separated when he was two years old and later divorced. His father went to Harvard University to pursue Ph.D. studies, then returned to Kenya, where he died in an auto accident when the younger Obama was twenty-one years old.

Tuesday Breakfast Bender

Welcome to July 31st! On this date 37 years ago, the British Navy issued its final daily ration of rum aboard the HMS Phoebe on what has come to be known as Black Tot Day. The centuries-old tradition of doling out grog to thirsty sailors concluded after the House of Commons determined months of debate that the risks of piloting ships while drunk outweighed the benefits. Could NASA be next? And on that sobering note, here is your Tuesday Top 5: 5) Silent FaithWhat better way to forget about the silencing of the boatswain's "Up Spirits" than mimes -- ultra-religious mimes? Jason and Mason Porter of Dallas are using actions, not words, "to encourage people to embrace the Christian faith." The twin sons of Rev. Ray Charles and Shirley Porter have been moving audiences at Bethlehem Pentecostal Holiness Church for several years despite their rough pasts, which include time in...