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.

Wednesday Breakfast Bender

Welcome to August 1st! On this date 26 years ago, MTV began broadcasting in the United States and aired its first video, "Video Killed the Radio Star," by the Buggles. Here is your Wednesday Top 5: 5) Turning Your Alcoholism Into ArtWho says drinking and driving don't mix? British art and design student Jack Kirby pounded a Budweiser four-pack every day for three years -- and then used the empties to create a scale model 1965 Ford Mustang. Kirby said it was "hard work," though he did reportedly have a couple cans afterward to celebrate. 4) Avian Birth ControlChristian conservatives may have a point when they say contraception is for the birds. Officials in Hollywood are so fed up with the out-of-control pigeon population that they are looking to put the the flying rats on the pill. Argyle Civic Association is leading the campaign to dose an estimated 5,000 birds...