Hi TOD’ers I just got back and wanted to check in with you!
I awakened very early today on what has to have been one of the most beautiful mornings that we have had here in DC this year. I was sent final instructions on today’s event via email last night. It essentially told you the dos and don’ts and what you could and couldn’t bring and what was necessary to enter the WH grounds. The first item on the list was a government issued driver’s license so I stop reading that section because I had a license. This morning I decided to change purses so that I was carrying something light since I knew that I would be standing for quite a while. I was transferring everything that I would need for the day when I realized that I couldn’t find my drivers license. I was sure it was somewhere in my purse. After searching for about 15 minutes panic set in. I couldn’t believe that of all times I couldn’t LOCATE MY DRIVERS LICENSE.
After freaking out for 10 minutes frantically looking in the car and old jeans and everywhere I could think of I finally called my friend who got me the ticket for today with my voice cracking with disappointment and near tears I told him that I couldn’t find my license and wouldn’t be able to attend. He said in his always calm voice “Donna do you have a valid government issued Passport”. I said YES and he said get your passport and get downtown. They will accept a passport. Big sigh of relief and out the door I went.
I arrived at the 1st checkpoint at approx. 6:15. There was a huge line. I asked the guard if she knew how many people had already gone through and she said over 1700. Sigh!!!
Needless to say I was not able to get as close as I would have liked (No Meta unfortunately that was not me who got to shake the Presidents hand). The drive way up to the WH is lined with military of every branch of the service standing at attention. The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps played while we were waiting for the event to start. They are the ones in the Red and White uniforms that look like colonial times. Also the Marine Corp Band played. The pageantry is magnificent. You have all 50 flags of the US and the colors of all the branches of the Military. From what I could see SOS Clinton. VP and Dr. Jill Biden were standing next to the First Lady. Chancellor Merkel is a teeny lady next to the First Lady and the President and does she ever where a dress…I guess we will find out tonight :). After inspecting the military the President and Chancellor came over and shook some hands. These were mostly kids visiting DC who got to go to the front row. I was waaaayyyy in the back of them.
This was my first visit to the WH South Lawn. It is so beautiful. I took pictures of the Washington Monument from the south lawn and the girls play set as well as strangers and the White House itself. I couldn’t get good close up pictures of the President. I was just too far away. I met a couple from Illinois that are going to the State Dinner tonight. The woman was explaining to me some of the protocol for that Dinner and it is incredible. Did you know that they have an actual receiving line and the President and First Lady shakes every guests hand. Wow to be there tonight.
I’ll send Chip the pictures once I figure out how to do it and get something to eat. I am exhausted!
Hi honey, glad you got there, YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! 🙂 🙂 So glad you had a good time. We have been waiting for you to get back. Can’t wait to see the pics. Take a break and catch your breath. Yes the weather is great here today. WOW, WOW, WOW, we are so proud of you. Get back to us SOON!!!!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 :).
Oh Donna, how exciting. Also how frustrating that you couldn’t find your license. Always something happens, but you got there. Can’t wait to see the pictures. Love the first hand reports. We are all jealous and Proud!!!
Oh, Dang, Donna! I was trying to recall your photo form OFA and really thought that may have been you. Wishful thinking, I guess. But it sounds like you had a great time nevertheless. I’m so thrilled you got to see the whole thing and see some of the grounds as well. Can’t wait to see your photos!!
Ahh Donna, thank you so much for your detail experience. I can just Imagine the excitement along with the panic that set In, when you couldn’t find your license :-(. But, you got there anyhow, and you were able to be on the White house groundsand meet other People as well. Please know that I was looking and assuming that this one, and that one could be you, and the truth Is, i never met you, and have no Idea what you look like, but I certainly was thinking of you 🙂 I was excited for you, and thanks again for the sharing bless your heart 🙂 🙂
Donna- I had to skip to the end of your post to see whether you got in or not! I’m so glad your calm friend was able to help you with another form of ID, and that you were inside the grounds, even if you weren’t able to get close enough. It sounds quite awesome, and I can only imagine the pageantry with all the soldiers lined up along the driveway and the flags. How wonderful – can’t wait to see pictures. Thanks for rushing back to give us the summary!
So loud mouth Ed is in republican shill mode about Weiner. A woman came on and told him if Weiner should resign for lying, so should the republicans for lying to American about the war, death panels and all the other lies they keep telling the American people. So agree with her.
So glad that woman came on and told Ed the truth – clearly, the week on “suspension” didn’t teach him anything. Weiner can resign when Vitter, Ensign, Coburn have resigned and possibly in jail, and when Bush, Cheney and the rest of that crooked gang are at the Hague. Weiner showed poor judgement, but based on what we know, he didn’t commit any crimes.
Actually, there’s a lot of bad news for Republicans and quite a bit of good news for Democrats this week. Don’t believe the hype. Weiner is a silly distraction. The real stuff is quite significant – here’s a small sample:
1. Peace talks are supported by tens of thousands of Israelis who marched on the streets of Tel Aviv.
2. Auto companies are recovering nicely, winning awards, and paying off debt. And the White House released a fact check of the fact checkers who tried to imply that the President’s facts were incorrect – and he wasn’t incorrect. The White House also launched a really cool web tool to explain the auto bailout.
3. The President is sticking to his withdrawal timeline, and going to announce details shortly.
4. An Moody’s economist on the radio this morning announced that the stock market will likely speed up recovery after the summer, and this downturn is just a cyclical blip – nothing to be worried about.
5. Jovie has a bunch of great transportation and green energy announcements that she’s published just this week.
6. First Lady Michelle announced she’s heading to Africa for a formal visit.
7. The First Family (sans President) managed to sneak in a publicity free weekend in Chicago last week.
8. OFA has sent out volunteers equipped with cell phones and twitter instructions, and people seem really eager to get moving on the campaign.
These are just off the top of my head – and I’m sure if we focused on it, we could come up with hundreds of examples of really great stuff that happened on the Democratic side this week. Don’t let the media confuse you – it’s been another good week for Democrats.
Can someone here explain to me just what is a “real job!” I listened to the caller on the radio broadcast video and the caller said, “…there are some government employees who need to go out and find a real job.” Is he saying that some government jobs are not real jobs? What are these government employees doing all day? I can tell you what some government employees did for two years – campaign and filibuster! 99.9% of the GOP Congress took their salaries under false pretenses!
It amazes me how nonchalant some people are about job loss. Here this caller says that the CBO has stated that if the Debt Ceiling is not raised, 250k jobs will be lost. So very nonchalantly, he concludes that these would be government jobs! Like Boehner, so what, they’re only government jobs! First of all, I don’t take the loss of any job nonchalantly. Secondly, don’t these idiots understand that the more jobs lost, the less revenue coming in and the “entitlement” of unemployment compensation will add to the deficit!
The low number of jobs created and the rise of unemployment had a lot to do with the uncertainties created by the GOP/TP House of Representatives and the reduction of government jobs by the GOP/TP governors. It is very evident what the aims and goals of the GOP/TP are. It is sad to think that so many people are blindly agreeing with them. However, IT’S REVENUE AND JOBS, STUPID!
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
Hi TOD’ers I just got back and wanted to check in with you!
I awakened very early today on what has to have been one of the most beautiful mornings that we have had here in DC this year. I was sent final instructions on today’s event via email last night. It essentially told you the dos and don’ts and what you could and couldn’t bring and what was necessary to enter the WH grounds. The first item on the list was a government issued driver’s license so I stop reading that section because I had a license. This morning I decided to change purses so that I was carrying something light since I knew that I would be standing for quite a while. I was transferring everything that I would need for the day when I realized that I couldn’t find my drivers license. I was sure it was somewhere in my purse. After searching for about 15 minutes panic set in. I couldn’t believe that of all times I couldn’t LOCATE MY DRIVERS LICENSE.
After freaking out for 10 minutes frantically looking in the car and old jeans and everywhere I could think of I finally called my friend who got me the ticket for today with my voice cracking with disappointment and near tears I told him that I couldn’t find my license and wouldn’t be able to attend. He said in his always calm voice “Donna do you have a valid government issued Passport”. I said YES and he said get your passport and get downtown. They will accept a passport. Big sigh of relief and out the door I went.
I arrived at the 1st checkpoint at approx. 6:15. There was a huge line. I asked the guard if she knew how many people had already gone through and she said over 1700. Sigh!!!
Needless to say I was not able to get as close as I would have liked (No Meta unfortunately that was not me who got to shake the Presidents hand). The drive way up to the WH is lined with military of every branch of the service standing at attention. The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps played while we were waiting for the event to start. They are the ones in the Red and White uniforms that look like colonial times. Also the Marine Corp Band played. The pageantry is magnificent. You have all 50 flags of the US and the colors of all the branches of the Military. From what I could see SOS Clinton. VP and Dr. Jill Biden were standing next to the First Lady. Chancellor Merkel is a teeny lady next to the First Lady and the President and does she ever where a dress…I guess we will find out tonight :). After inspecting the military the President and Chancellor came over and shook some hands. These were mostly kids visiting DC who got to go to the front row. I was waaaayyyy in the back of them.
This was my first visit to the WH South Lawn. It is so beautiful. I took pictures of the Washington Monument from the south lawn and the girls play set as well as strangers and the White House itself. I couldn’t get good close up pictures of the President. I was just too far away. I met a couple from Illinois that are going to the State Dinner tonight. The woman was explaining to me some of the protocol for that Dinner and it is incredible. Did you know that they have an actual receiving line and the President and First Lady shakes every guests hand. Wow to be there tonight.
I’ll send Chip the pictures once I figure out how to do it and get something to eat. I am exhausted!
Hi honey, glad you got there, YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! 🙂 🙂 So glad you had a good time. We have been waiting for you to get back. Can’t wait to see the pics. Take a break and catch your breath. Yes the weather is great here today. WOW, WOW, WOW, we are so proud of you. Get back to us SOON!!!!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 :).
Oh Donna, how exciting. Also how frustrating that you couldn’t find your license. Always something happens, but you got there. Can’t wait to see the pictures. Love the first hand reports. We are all jealous and Proud!!!
Donna, thank you SOOOOOO much for the news! Ah flip, my heart was pounding when I read about your driver’s license …. I was afraid to read on!
Any way, thrilled you had such a great day, what a lovely experience – thank you again Donna, will catch up later. 😉
Oh, Dang, Donna! I was trying to recall your photo form OFA and really thought that may have been you. Wishful thinking, I guess. But it sounds like you had a great time nevertheless. I’m so thrilled you got to see the whole thing and see some of the grounds as well. Can’t wait to see your photos!!
Thanks for the blow-by-blow — I’m so happy for you that you had this opportunity and had a wonderful time :-D.
congratulations again.So happy you got to get in 😀
donna, thanks for sharing your experience! so glad you could use your passport!
Ahh Donna, thank you so much for your detail experience. I can just Imagine the excitement along with the panic that set In, when you couldn’t find your license :-(. But, you got there anyhow, and you were able to be on the White house groundsand meet other People as well. Please know that I was looking and assuming that this one, and that one could be you, and the truth Is, i never met you, and have no Idea what you look like, but I certainly was thinking of you 🙂 I was excited for you, and thanks again for the sharing bless your heart 🙂 🙂
Donna- I had to skip to the end of your post to see whether you got in or not! I’m so glad your calm friend was able to help you with another form of ID, and that you were inside the grounds, even if you weren’t able to get close enough. It sounds quite awesome, and I can only imagine the pageantry with all the soldiers lined up along the driveway and the flags. How wonderful – can’t wait to see pictures. Thanks for rushing back to give us the summary!
These people want to kill America. I don’t understand how any person expecially seniors can go along with this.
They don’t want to kill America as badly as they want to get rid of PBO. Hate and fear are some very powerful emotions when coupled with stupidity.
you’re on the $ Yarn
So loud mouth Ed is in republican shill mode about Weiner. A woman came on and told him if Weiner should resign for lying, so should the republicans for lying to American about the war, death panels and all the other lies they keep telling the American people. So agree with her.
Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I hear you.
So glad that woman came on and told Ed the truth – clearly, the week on “suspension” didn’t teach him anything. Weiner can resign when Vitter, Ensign, Coburn have resigned and possibly in jail, and when Bush, Cheney and the rest of that crooked gang are at the Hague. Weiner showed poor judgement, but based on what we know, he didn’t commit any crimes.
Nice article about Pawlenty’s joke of an economic plan.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/tim-pawlentys-fantasy-economic-plan/2011/05/19/AGNmVCLH_blog.html?wprss=ezra-klein
Holy cow your headline scared me. I thought it was going to be a newsclip of some Democrats saying Medicare is on the table. Whew!
Ah, sorry!!!!!!!! 😆
Hee! You got my heart racing there for a second. There is just a lot of bad news for Dems this week and I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Actually, there’s a lot of bad news for Republicans and quite a bit of good news for Democrats this week. Don’t believe the hype. Weiner is a silly distraction. The real stuff is quite significant – here’s a small sample:
1. Peace talks are supported by tens of thousands of Israelis who marched on the streets of Tel Aviv.
2. Auto companies are recovering nicely, winning awards, and paying off debt. And the White House released a fact check of the fact checkers who tried to imply that the President’s facts were incorrect – and he wasn’t incorrect. The White House also launched a really cool web tool to explain the auto bailout.
3. The President is sticking to his withdrawal timeline, and going to announce details shortly.
4. An Moody’s economist on the radio this morning announced that the stock market will likely speed up recovery after the summer, and this downturn is just a cyclical blip – nothing to be worried about.
5. Jovie has a bunch of great transportation and green energy announcements that she’s published just this week.
6. First Lady Michelle announced she’s heading to Africa for a formal visit.
7. The First Family (sans President) managed to sneak in a publicity free weekend in Chicago last week.
8. OFA has sent out volunteers equipped with cell phones and twitter instructions, and people seem really eager to get moving on the campaign.
These are just off the top of my head – and I’m sure if we focused on it, we could come up with hundreds of examples of really great stuff that happened on the Democratic side this week. Don’t let the media confuse you – it’s been another good week for Democrats.
Awwww. . . that is a great post!
Thank you Theo67. Thoughtful as usual! Always enjoy reading your posts!
Donna – thanks for sharing your excitement with us. I could feel it in your writing! Regarding medicare is on the table: My trust is with POTUS.
Thanks for sharing with us Donna! So happy you had a great time!
The headline scared me too so i skipped the video. Whew! now that In know Dems are not featured, I will take a look-see.
Yikes, sorry CEB!!
The only thing about Medicare/Ss that should be on the table is to GET RID OF THE CONTRIBUTION CAP.
Everyone should be paying the same % into the pot, end of story. That would fix everything (that isn’t really broke) overnight.
Medicare is on the table they say, well hopefully so will be their jobs in 2012. Get rid of every last one of them. Except our President of course.
Can someone here explain to me just what is a “real job!” I listened to the caller on the radio broadcast video and the caller said, “…there are some government employees who need to go out and find a real job.” Is he saying that some government jobs are not real jobs? What are these government employees doing all day? I can tell you what some government employees did for two years – campaign and filibuster! 99.9% of the GOP Congress took their salaries under false pretenses!
It amazes me how nonchalant some people are about job loss. Here this caller says that the CBO has stated that if the Debt Ceiling is not raised, 250k jobs will be lost. So very nonchalantly, he concludes that these would be government jobs! Like Boehner, so what, they’re only government jobs! First of all, I don’t take the loss of any job nonchalantly. Secondly, don’t these idiots understand that the more jobs lost, the less revenue coming in and the “entitlement” of unemployment compensation will add to the deficit!
The low number of jobs created and the rise of unemployment had a lot to do with the uncertainties created by the GOP/TP House of Representatives and the reduction of government jobs by the GOP/TP governors. It is very evident what the aims and goals of the GOP/TP are. It is sad to think that so many people are blindly agreeing with them. However, IT’S REVENUE AND JOBS, STUPID!
Back to my question, “What are real jobs?”