Nation

Does the Barack-Hillary team stand a chance?

President-elect Obama has foreshadowed his agenda of temperance by naming cabinet appointments in the past few weeks. Rather than skewing heavily to conservative hawkish strategies or to more radical liberal changes, Obama has used his typically even-handed approach to staff the cabinet.

Did you know that on this date in 1955 Rosa Parks famously refused to give up her seat to a White person? Check out the rest of this week’s Black history facts to find out more about Lou Rawls, Alpha Phi Alpha, Dorie Miller and Alvin Ailey.

Barack Obama has been both moderate in choosing the political ideals that will fuel his presidency, and pioneering in the appointment of African-American women to important posts. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/us/politics/01rice.html?ref=world" target="_blank">Susan E. Rice</a> embodies the theme of change, and will serve as the United States Ambassador to the U.N.

This morning, President-elect Obama appointed his national security Cabinet posts in a televised press conference.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is set to depart for Mumbai at the behest of President George W. Bush to gain insights into the horrific attacks of the last three days.

From the Afro-American Newspapers: BALTIMORE — Long-time civil rights icon Julian Bond has announced he will step down as national board chairman of the NAACP. He will serve out his final term through February 2009 and not seek re-election.

PALM DESERT, Calif. (AP) Two men were shot to death in a crowded toy store Friday in a confrontation apparently involving rival groups, city officials said. The officials said they were told the men shot each other, but investigators remained tight-lipped.

Somali pirates seized control of a chemical tanker in the Gulf of Aden on Friday and a NATO helicopter gunship, too late to prevent the hijacking, picked up three security guards who jumped into the sea.

From Reuters:   NEW YORK (Reuters) – A man working for Wal-Mart was killed on Friday when a throng of shoppers surged into a Long Island, New York, store and physically broke down the doors, a police spokesman said.

President-elect Barack Obama had a message for Americans as the turkey and fixings digested. He was sober about the economic challenge ahead, but also encouraged everyone to count their blessings on a special holiday. Video after the jump.

From The New York Times Online: Sorry, Mr. President. Please surrender your BlackBerry.