The Student Loan Debt Crisis

If you have student loan debt, you won\'t want to miss this weeks show! Join Pat as she sings her song of student loan debt woe to Robert Applebaum, Attorney and founder of \"ForgiveStudentLoanDebt.com, a movement dedicated to easing the burden of student loan debt on America\'s college graduates! More »

A New Show Time, A New Show Focus!

Press Pause is now broadcasting live Saturdays at 4:00pm for all the political news, and the information you need to stay on top of Election 2012! Learn about our new focus on issues important to women, and much, much more! More »

Coming to Press Pause: Ask Dr. Rola!

Dr. Rola Tomori is coming to Press Pause to share her vision on how to empower the community by improving the psychological wellbeing of individuals, through education, prevention and advocacy, both nationally and internationally. More »

Americas Got Talent: Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.!

The amazing crooner is coming to Press Pause! Join us for an entire hour of his music, and his amazing story, and to get caught up on his career! (Pat will probably try and get him to sing to her, too...) More »

What Everyone Should Know About Trayvon Martin

On February 26, 2012, a 17-year-old African-American named Trayvon Martin was shot and killed in Sanford, Florida. The shooter was George Zimmerman, a 28-year-old white man. Zimmerman admits killing Martin, but claims he was acting in self-defense. Three weeks after Martin’s death, no arrests have been made and Zimmerman remains free. More »

Supreme court unlikely to delay Obama healthcare ruling

The Supreme Court on Monday appeared prepared to decide the fate of President Barack Obamas sweeping healthcare law soon, rather than delaying for years a ruling on the mandate that Americans buy insurance or pay a penalty. More »

Press Pause is keeping track of Conservative efforts around the country to suppress the votes of minorities, the elderly, and the young. Tune in for the latest news on nationwide legislation aimed at affecting the outcome of the Presidential election! More »

 

Next On Press Pause: The Student Loan Crisis

According to the website “ForgiveStudentLoanDebt.com”, forgiving student loan debt would have an immediate stimulating effect on the economy. Join us live on “Press Pause” Saturday, May 19th when we talk to Robert Applebaum, Attorney and founder of ForgiveStudentLoanDebt.com joins Pat to discuss his movement, and HR4170, the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012. Only on “Press Pause” with Patricia Wilson-Smith, Saturday at 4pm on WAEC 860 AM!

Previously on Press Pause: Landau Eugene Murphy Jr!!!!

This week “Press Pause” takes a music break with a whole hour with “America’s Got Talent 2011″ winner Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.! Pat is his biggest fan!!! Tune in to see how she holds up on air with this amazing crooner!

Previously on Press Pause: Derrick Ashong

Derrick N. Ashong – or DNA as he is sometimes known – is literally the voice of a new generation – and he’s coming to “Press Pause”.

Described by VanityFair.com as “a spirit of promise and hope and harmony” DNA’s band Derrick N. Ashong and Soulfège is a critically-acclaimed, refreshingly original and exciting group of musicians who produce an eclectic blend of Hip-Hop, Reggae, Funk, World Beat and West African Highlife music that has been featured in such major media as MTV Africa, NPR, the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald, MNet Africa, ABC Chronicle and BBC Worldservice, reaching 146 million listeners worldwide.

Tell The Truth and Shame the Devil!

The Obama Campaign has released an incredible response video to the random and factually challenged attacks Mitt Romney has been leveling against President Obama, especially since winning Wisconsin and presumably all-but clinching the deal on the Republican nomination. Good for him!

But I sure hope he does a little better with the fact-uating than he does in this clip, ‘cuz, he’s not exactly looking like a beacon of truth in this one. Share this!!!!!

Supreme court unlikely to delay Obama healthcare ruling

Supreme Court

(Source: Reuters)

The Supreme Court on Monday appeared prepared to decide the fate of President Barack Obama’s sweeping healthcare law soon, rather than delaying for years a ruling on the mandate that Americans buy insurance or pay a penalty.

In the first of three days of historic arguments, the justices voiced doubt that a U.S. tax law requiring that people pay first and litigate later should postpone a ruling on the legal challenge to the president’s signature domestic legislative achievement.

At the core of the healthcare law, signed by Obama in 2010, is a requirement that people obtain health insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty. The question on Monday was whether people can challenge this so-called individual mandate before paying the penalty and seeking a refund.

The Obama administration and the challengers – including 26 of the 50 states – agreed that the case should be decided now. One of the four U.S. appeals courts that ruled on the law prior to the case going to the high court held that the tax law barred the challenges until the penalty was paid. The justices then appointed an outside private lawyer to argue that position.

A Powerful Tribute to Trayvon Martin

Trayvon Martin

Trayvon Martin

Thank you to Mark Thompson of Sirius XM’s “Make It Plain” and attorney Exavier Pope for joining us on “Press Pause” yesterday to discuss the Trayvon Martin case. As promised, we’ve uploaded the tribute songs we played on yesterday’s show, and we’ll continue to add to the collection as it grows. You can listen by clicking here. Also, we found this incredible tribute video – pass this one along, and keep the story alive until justice is served, and beyond!

What Everyone Should Know About Trayvon Martin

Trayvon Martin

On February 26, 2012, a 17-year-old African-American named Trayvon Martin was shot and killed in Sanford, Florida. The shooter was George Zimmerman, a 28-year-old white man. Zimmerman admits killing Martin, but claims he was acting in self-defense. Three weeks after Martin’s death, no arrests have been made and Zimmerman remains free.
Here is what everyone should know about the case:
1. Zimmerman called the police to report Martin’s “suspicious” behavior, which he described as “just walking around looking about.” Zimmerman was in his car when he saw Martin walking on the street. He called the police and said: “There’s a real suspicious guy. This guy looks like he’s up to no good, on drugs or something. It’s raining and he’s just walking around looking about… These a**holes always get away” [Orlando Sentinel]
2. Zimmerman pursued Martin against the explicit instructions of the police dispatcher:
Dispatcher: “Are you following him?”
Zimmerman: “Yeah”
Dispatcher: “OK, we don’t need you to do that.”
[Orlando Sentinel]

Suppressing the Vote is Not Right

(Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Sweeping new laws — including an end to same-day registration and cuts to early voting — could disenfranchise millions of voters in 2012.

The most controversial voter suppression tactics are photo ID laws, which have been proposed in 35 states. Nearly a dozen, including Georgia, have passed strict voter ID laws pushed mostly by Republican-led legislatures.

Proponents say they prevent voter fraud but have difficulty showing there are many people — if any — voting under a false identity. From 2002 to 2007, the Justice Department conducted an investigation and failed to prosecute anyone for impersonating an eligible voter.

Minorities, the poor, elderly, students and the disabled — groups less likely to have a government ID — are disproportionately affected by such laws. An estimated 21 million people do not have a current, government-issued photo ID. The numbers are even higher for black people, Hispanics and other minorities.

The Texas Legislature passed one of the worst such laws, whereby a concealed-weapon permit qualifies as a voter ID while a student ID does not.

Can Obama Revive His 2008 Magic?

 

As the year comes to an end, and the Republican Presidential field narrows, Press Pause wants to know whether or not the Obama Administration can get the ole 2008 magic back to ensure the re-election of President Obama. Rashad Richey, the Political Director for the Georgia Democratic Party will join Pat in-studio to discuss what the Obama Campaign can do, and the role Georgia’s voters can play!

Rashad Richey is the hard hitting host of “Community Impact”, which airs every Thursday live from 3pm-4pm and special broadcasts during the week, highlighting issues that matter to our local and national communities. He can be heard on 1420 WATB, 1430 WGFS – GA, and 93.5 FM – New York. Community Impact also has a sizeable internet audience that can be viewed on futuremovementradio.net, weeradioonline.com, and watb1420.com. Rashad is a successful business owner, Political Director of the Democratic Party in Ga, Sr. Political Director for Democracy In, LLC (a political advocacy and community development firm) and a member of the American Council of Young Political Leaders which is a U.S. State Department organization dedicated to the educational enhancement of international government relations.

On The Show: Reverend Al Sharpton Fights Voter Suppression

Rev. Al joins forces with the Congressional Black Caucus to fight unfair legislation

Al Sharpton, President and Founder of National Action Network, and host of MSNBC’s “Politics Nation” is scheduled to appear on the radio talk show “Press Pause” on WAEC Love 860 AM, Saturday, February 29th at 6pm to discuss his upcoming march to protest voter suppression on March 4, 2012.

Reverend Sharpton will be joined by members of the Congressional Black Caucus for the march, which begins in Selma Alabama, and ends in Montgomery Alabama, a route that re-creates three other historic voting rights marches held in 1965. As a result of those protests, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on August 6, 1965. “Reverend Sharpton is a socio-political icon, and a hero”, says Patricia Wilson-Smith, host of the show. “I was born in 1965 – everything that my generation has achieved is a direct result of the work of men and women like this civil rights hero. We are absolutely thrilled to have him on the show!”

Click here to read the full press release.