Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola

Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. It occupies the eastern five-eighths of the island, which it shares with Haiti, making Hispaniola one of only two Caribbean islands, along with Saint Martin, that are shared by two sovereign states.

The native Taíno (pronounced /tīnō/) people had inhabited Hispaniola before the arrival of the Europeans, dividing it into five chiefdoms. The Taíno people had eventually moved north over many years, and lived around the Caribbean islands.

The Taíno natives had done quite well for themselves and were on their way to being an organized civilization. Christopher Columbus explored and claimed the island, landing here on his first voyage in 1492.

The colony of Santo Domingo became the site of the first permanent European settlement in the Americas, the oldest continuously inhabited city, and the first seat of the Spanish colonial rule in the New World.

Meanwhile, France occupied the western third of Hispaniola, naming their colony Saint-Domingue, which became the independent state of Haiti in 1804.

After more than three hundred years of Spanish rule the Dominican people declared independence in November 1821.





The Capital is Santo Domingo. Spanish is the official language.

President Leonel Fernández's term ended 8.16.12. The current president is Danilo Medina.

Vice President Rafael Alburquerque's term ended 8.16.12 as well. Margarita Cedeño de Fernández is the current VP.



The Country profile , the CIA Factbook, and the history.





7.12.10 President Obama & President Fernandez meet on Trade, Drug-Trafficking, and Haiti.

NAACP, the Tea party, and Shirley Sherrod

NAACP Ben Jealous speaking at the 2010 Convention:


7.12.10 NAACP to condemn 'racism' of the Tea Parties.

7.14.10 NAACP passes resolution blasting Tea Party 'racism.' Ben Jealous explains why the resolution was passed. The resolution was passed to condemn extremist elements within the Tea Party, calling on Tea Party leaders to repudiate those in their ranks who use racist language in their signs and speeches. Tea party leader, Mark Williams, is trying to condemn the NAACP. Video showing racism within the tea party.

7.18.10 CNN's Don Lemon speaks with Rev. Al Sharpton who gives his views about the Tea Party movement.



7.18.10 New Developments: Mark Williams & Tea Party Express expelled !
The National Tea Party Federation, an organization that represents the Tea Party political movement around the country, has expelled conservative commentator Mark Williams and his Tea Party Express because of an inflammatory blog post he wrote, federation spokesman David Web.


7.18.10 The National Tea Party Federation's David Webb explains why his group expelled Mark Williams and his Tea Party Express.





7.18.10 Ben Jealous: "Getting rid of Williams is a good start."





7.19.10 Andrew Breitbart, a conservative blogger, published a video of a speech by USDA employee Shirley Sherrod in an attempt to show that the NAACP itself tolerates racist behavior within its ranks – a stinging accusation just one week after the civil rights group made a similar charge against the conservative Tea Party movement. The video clip showed Shirley Sherrod, who later became an Agriculture Department employee, seeming to say she had not done her utmost to help a white farmer save his farm 24 years ago was taken out of context, and fails to include the point of her story - that people need to move beyond race. The NAACP and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack rushed to judgment. Vilsack forced her to resign. But after the full video surfaced, it proved that Shirley Sherrod's message was taken out of context. The NAACP, and Vilsack, and the White House apologized to Sherrod and she was offered a new job in the Agriculture Department. Additionally, black farmers have yet to be paid by congress for a racial bias settlement they won in 1999.

7.22.10 Pres. Obama and Mrs. Sherrod speak .

All videos

NOTE: The lesson for the nation here is to not rush to judgment before having all of the facts. When Breitbart released the partial video (and remember he did it to get back at the NAACP for calling the tea party out on the racial elements within their group. And he wanted to take media attention off of Mark Williams' racial comments) the NAACP, Tom Vilsack, and the White House should have called Shirley Sherrod to hear her story before rushing to the wrong conclusions and firing her.




7.21.10 Salon.com writer Alex Pareene: Vilsack offers Shirley Sherrod a new job.

7.23.10 Op-Ed Columnist Bob Herbert: Shirley Shorrod, Thrown to the Wolves.

7.24.10 Op-Ed Columnist Maureen Dowd : The Obama White House is too white.

7.27.10 Huffington Post Writer Duchess Harris: Shirley Sherrod for President.

PM Netanyahu Interview on Larry King

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Larry King Live.

Hawaii

Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states (August 21, 1959), and is the only state made up entirely of islands. Hawaiʻi’s natural beauty, warm tropical climate, inviting waters and waves, and active volcanoes make it a popular destination for tourists, surfers, biologists, and volcanologists alike. The temperature is mild, and cane sugar, pineapple, and flowers and nursery products are the chief products. Hawaii also grows coffee beans, bananas, and macadamia nuts. The tourist business is Hawaii's largest source of outside income. Read more facts .



The Capital is Honolulu. The executive branch is led by the Governor of Hawaii assisted by the Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii, both elected on the same ticket. The history on infoplease.com.

Hawaiʻi has garnered additional attention as the location where President Barack Obama was born and spent much of his youth. Obama is the only president to hail from the state.