American Legion National Commander Jimmie Foster greets President Obama at the 2011 American Legion National Convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center
OK, I assume I’m not alone when I see him stride to a podium with the Presidential March music (don’t know what it’s called) and I get all emo. I cannot remember responding this way to this scenaro in many years.
“Hail to the Chief” I hear Romney is giving some sort of speech to the American Legion, after hearing the commander proudly talk about Bin Ladin and the cheering from the crowd, there is nothing Romney can say to veterans that comes close.
My friend watched PBO’s remarks to the American Legion, and saw a snippet of Romney’s to the VFW. She said the stark difference was that Romney was speaking about himself, and the President was addressing how much the veterans have done for their country.
I am so glad that Commander Foster began his introduction by providing information on how much PBO has been working on behalf of America’s veterans because many attending this event may not have been aware before now of just how much he, FL Michelle, and Dr. Jill have been doing for active duty military personnel and for veterans.
I agree, especially since the VFW group in San Antonio, Texas is having a cow because President Obama is not speaking at their convention. They are saying they were snubbed. President Obama has been a steadfast supporter of the military but it seems he just can’t do enough for some folks.
Yes, apparently Mitt Romney and Rick Perry will be speaking at the VFW convention in San Antonio, Texas. And of course, the fact that President Obama will not be attending is catnip for Fox.
The VFW website notes that previous speakers have included “President Barack Obama.” Didn’t check further, but that would imply he’s spoken to them before, as President. He probably alternates groups, in different years … like they all do with the military academy graduations, etc.
The VFW can whine all they want. As a Viet Nam Vet, hubby has no use for the VFW. They did not allow Viet Nam vets to join and he hasn’t forgotten that. they deserve Romney and Perry.
Good insight, from the “inside.” I’m of the Viet Nam era, but I had forgotten those vets weren’t allowed to join the VFW. I’m sure you noticed that President Obama made mention in his remarks before the American Legion that the soldiers Viet Nam “won every battle.” That was particularly poignant, I think, in giving them the recognition and thanks they all deserve.
Here is a shining example of how the Republican Party has made a mockery of our democracy. I can’t wait to see the wall to wall coverage of this disgusting behavior by the feckless MSM. Where was all of this cost cutting discipline during the Bush administration?? Inquiring minds would like to know. I won’t hold my breath.
WHITE HOUSE DISAPPROVES OF CANTOR DISASTER PLOY
=================================================
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, [White House press secretary Jay Carney] said the federal government’s priority should be to respond to the disaster. He also noted pointedly that Cantor hadn’t demanded offsets when the Bush administration rang up “unprecedented bills.”
“I guess I can’t help but say that I wish that commitment to looking for offsets had been held by the House majority leader and others, say, during the previous administration when they ran up unprecedented bills and never paid for them,” Carney said, according to a White House pool report.
The White House spokesman said it was premature to make a decision yet on the costs of Hurricane Irene for the federal government.
Hi all. Thanks Chips for letting me view the video. I had an interview and just got home and I got to watch it because of you. On another note…I have been thinking about the east coast non stop. I dropped by youtube to listen to a song that always gets my spirits up. At the bottom of the video was a google ad for the president. I just clicked the link and it took me to OFA…If you care to do the same, enjoy this music on me:
Proud, thank you so much for sharing this. KD is one of my favorite singers and I love that song. It always brings tears to my eyes. Listening to this after listening and watching the President is very emotional. Thank you again.
One of my favorite episodes of The West Wing – and hot Mark Harmon, and Aaron Sorkin writing Shakespeare into everything JUST FOR ME…… The Wars of the Roses plays (Henry IV 1&2; Henry V; Henry VI 1,2,3; Richard III) on stage, the bucket of the Red (Lancaster) and White (York) roses in the convenience store that spills on the floor….
I love this song too—–everyone’s version, male, female, group, talent show contestants—–it’s so beautiful and moving, (almost) no one can make it sound bad. It’s been around forever —I can’t remember the name of the original guy, with his guitar, but that was great too and I loved when Oprah had the Canadian Tenors sing it with Celine Dion joining them in surprise—–I’ve listened over and over and over. It’s just one of those songs. Thanks for posting.
Since this is about to becme a BIG Fekkin Deal, we’d better get it on the radar – in 3 posts:
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to contact UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on September 20 and ask for recognition of Palestine as a full member state of the United Nations. At the Foreign Ministry, the assessment is that in order to avoid an American veto, the Palestinians will seek a vote at the General Assembly and not at the Security Council, even though the former is less binding. The vote at the General Assembly will probably take place in October….more
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prosor, sent a classified cable to the Foreign Ministry last week, stating that Israel stands no chance of rallying a substantial number of states to oppose a resolution at the UN General Assembly recognizing a Palestinian state in September.
Theo, The US can’t use its veto in the General Assembly. They either have to vote against the Palestinians or abstain from voting or not be present. If the US votes against the Palestinians it will anger all of the Middle East. If we vote against Israel, it will upset many in the US and leave PBO open to attack by the republican nuts. I see us abstaining probably.
I think we’d piss off the entire Middle East if we abstain as well…..
PBO has stated often there should be a two-state solution. Voting FOR Palestine should come as no surprise to anyone but those who will complain and be angry with PBO for everything anyway…
You are right, there is that side, too. As I said, it is going to be a BFD and we’d better start paying it some attention. It is going to affect what is happening in Syria as well, and Iran will meddle.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I’m sure the Palestinians talked to Secretary Clinton and/or President Obama before making their formal request. Should be interesting. It infuriates me that Netanyahu and the Republicans have put the world in this position by refusing to negotiate or act in good faith. Of course, the Palestinians share the blame, but I think the obstinance has been on Netanyahu’s side, fueled by his supporters in Congress. I wonder how this will play out.
The IDF is currently in the process of finalizing its preparations for Operation Summer Seeds, whose purpose is to ready the army for September and the possibility of confrontations with Palestinians following the expected vote in favor of Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly….
The document states the disorder will include “marches toward main junctions, Israeli communities, and education centers; efforts at damaging symbols of [Israeli] government….
The army is establishing two virtual lines for each of the settlements that are near a Palestinian village. The first line, if crossed by Palestinian demonstrators, will be met with tear gas and other means for dispersing crowds.
The second line is a “red line,” and if this one is crossed, the soldiers will be allowed to open fire at the legs of the demonstrators, as is also standard practice if the northern border is crossed….more
This may be OT. But I ‘ve just about had it with that Ben from Politico. Ever the bearer of so-called bad news for PBO. Today he’s been on the kick about how Black leaders are turning up the heat on PBO. I tweeted him back and told him that black leaders have been around long before PBO, what have they done? I told him to tell them to look in the mirror. I know that this is the kind of thing these reporters want to see people pushing against each other like this, but I refuse to let these so-called black leaders off the hook — who can’t find a mike quick enough to beat up on PBO.
And for good measure, Ben tweets about PBO appearing on TJMS, and of course he notes that it is because of the pressure.
I tweeted him back and told him that PBO has appeared on TJMS many times before and I never seen it reported. But suddenly when he appears today, it is because he is under pressure from black folks.
If I am making a mountain out of a mole hill, I apologize. But I have had it with that man who cannot find a a bad poll number to publish quick enough or anything resembling bad news.
Sadly, it’s not just Politco, the other night Rachel m was implying that the only reason PBO was speaking at the MLK memorial dedication was to get back the vote of all those African Americans he lost.
As for the President on TJMS, i guess the fact that Tom and POTUS are old friends is lost on Ben.
Rachel is a disaster and seems to be getting worse. Thank heavens I switched her off weeks ago, and only hear about her antics on these blogs. She’s not part of the solution.
Wow, that is really disturbing. And extremely hypocritical on her part. That would be like saying that Rachel supported the repeal of DADT for solely self serving reasons. When there are much larger principles at stake…equality, the integrity of living up to our professed beliefs, human compassion and tolerance, et al. I doubt she would appreciate being marginalized in such a way.
If she marginalized this to simply an issue of race, and/or asserts that President Obama is acting in a self serving manner, ignoring the broader and more honest perspective, she is being either opportunistic or is not as smart as I once thought her to be.
It’s hard not to be angered by this…..
The fact that Rachel said that, Debz, is ultra despicable. I cannot stomach that woman, and she needs to go away. Let her go find another hard hat and stand in front of a projection of the Hoover Dam again, and leave the rest of us the hell alone.
Too bad so many pinned such high hopes on Rachel in the early days (before election night ’08), as I did.
I am disappointed too J O’B. I really thought she was going to be an outstanding advocate but I have been disappointed so many times, I just will not watch her show any longer.
The MSM is using these stupid cowardly black “leaders” as cover for their racist onslaught of empty attacks on and faux outrage at the President. Any time any of them pulls this BS, I think we should push back HARD and remind them that when they give these same black “leaders” an equal media platform in calling out the Tea Party, GOP, CEO’s etc, only then will we take them and their exploited puppets seriously. Until then they had better STFU because we’re well acquainted with their long used tactics of using and exploiting Blacks against each other.
It would seem, in the bubble of the village, they believe the CBC and Corney an Tavis speak for all African Americans. As soon as we started to see all of these “job fairs” and “bus tours for the poor” the media began their meme that PBO is losing African American voters. They are using these handful of nuts to attack the President.
And Howard Fineman is on Hardball dissing the president again, as is his habit. He just made a blanket statement which was outrageous, saying Congressional Democrats are really “disappointed” with President Obama and think he just doesn’t understand politics! I am so sick of all these people just throwing this junk out there all the time. It’s actually sickening.
I am really disappointed with Congressional Democrats, I wonder if Howard would like to report that. As for the first African American President who got his political education in Chicago, not understanding politics? that has to be the most ridiculous statement ever made.
Howard Fineman has long been a fool – even more so after he attended the tea party nonsense summit last year and was brainwashed there. I fast forward whenever he’s on. But to be honest, I haven’t watched any of these shows in about three weeks. Thanks to all those who still have the stomach, who can keep up informed of their shenanigans so we can fight back.
Howard Fineman is a small-minded and dishonest man motivated by envy, fear and resentment of a man infinitely smarter, more powerful, more accomplished, more dignified and more decent than his archaic self…
Howard Fineman continues to manifest the same conscious/unconscious racist reactions to President Obama that plagues so many in the media and politics…
Howard Fineman has ZERO credibility as an objective “pundit” particularly where President Obama is concerned. I recall during the NY-26 special election in 2009, he was waxing poetic about Sarah Palin’s clout and ability to influence elections in a major way (note: this was someone who had a lot to do with John McCain’s embarrassing defeat in the 2008 Presidential election). In that very election, the Democrat won – in a district that had not seen a Democratic winner since before FDR!
Then Mr. Fineman claimed that Obama had “negotiated himself into oblivion” and that Repubs had won during the debt ceiling debate with no evidence to back up anything he was saying. Fineman is negative about this President 95% of the time. He is only positive when he has no choice but to be, and even then he tries to find a way to spin it in a semi-negative way. Yet he always presents the Repubs as being in a position of strength and power, and goes deathly silent when the evidence shows otherwise.
Mr. Fineman works for Arianna Huffington and birds of a feather flock together.
Howard just can’t figure out President Obama’s politics….he’s too old school, resistant to change and not smart enough to think at the level President Obama does. As my Grandma used to say, “it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks.”
Doesn’t understand politics? Excuse me, my man Pres. Obama shot from 98th or 99th in the Senate to become the first AA President. He shot pass all those old heads in a short period of time and even beat Dem royalty, the Clintons. So the idea he doesn’t know politics is bull shit. What they want to say is that Obama wants to get things done, he wants to do the right thing even if he gets flack for it. Those Dems are afraid to make the tough calls and the tough votes. This is why the budget and the tax cuts were put off folks. These Dems complaining are all about politics.
So I think we move beyond color and focus on character, and the practical elements of all legitimate debates. The powers that be want us to be splintered. They want us responding to our emotional angst. It is in their best interest to keep us divided amd emotionally distracted.
Let’s not engage them at the edges, but push them to the core of the issues, enlarge the perspective and the focus. They are attempting to narrow our perspective of President Obama to race…we need to refuse to take that bait. We need to go beyond that to the issue that they are attempting to obsfucate, to what it is they are attempting to distract us from. They want us to think President Obama is not supported, they want us to question our own support, they want us to be mad at each other, they want to weaken our party, and they want to build a false case for the jackasses in theirs. President Obama doesn’t fall for their traps, lets try hard, hard, hard not to do the same. My response to them would be how’s your candidate’s relationship to the inner city community. How will your candidate address the needs of the poor. Show me what your candidate has done. Don’t give me talking points…….talk to me!
Case in point, why are Latinos the face of immigration…..we have illegal immigrants that are not of color, in fact I read that Canadians and the Irish make up a good portion of those who may be in this country illegally. We don’t talk about the white illegals because it is easier to exploit a person of color, and to exploit the irrational fears of whites, that’s a twofer. It is always easier to exploit those that have been the longest oppressed and have the least amount of power.
Maybe the class warfare issues should be referred to as power issues. Maybe depressed urban communities should be framed around poverty and opportunity issues, not the ethnicity of the neighborhood. We don’t lose aspects of our self identity when the discussion is broadened, but we strengthen our connection to the collective nature of government, and one another as Americans.
It’s no secret that racism and bigotry is being used against this President, and it is painful to witness, especially for those that can most closely relate to that experience in their own lives. This community serves as a respite, a source of sharing and comfort when our emotions are pushed and pulled, and our frustrations grow. I say express your upsets here, share your tears here, swear to the skies here, you will be heard, your pain will be acknowledged and you will be reminded that you are not alone. You will also be reminded that the struggle is bigger than our emotions or our individual experiences…so you can be strengthened by understanding, by empathy and compassion and by the knowledge that we will accompolish our goals together.
I think away from here, like our President we need to force the discussions and the debates to the heart of the issues, and back to the very issues that they are attempting to divert us from. Just as the President must serve all Americans, in addition to our support for President Obama, we need to let our voices speak out as Americans, always invested in the greater good.
That’s terrible of her to imply and basically stupid. Never thought she was stupid before this but I don’t even have a tv.
How about those who Tweet..Twittering her and letting her know how vile that is?
Africa, I thank you for speaking up and pushing back against those who are so determined to divide and conquer the black community. No need to apologize, in my humble opinion. Right now, I have zero respect for the so called Black leaders, especially members of Congress, who can’t wait to get in front of a mike to bash President Obama. John Conyers, for example, has been in congress almost as long as Gaddafi has ruled Libya. How come there are still poor people in his congressional district? Members of CBC should know better about the nature of the American system, which makes it difficult to institute radical changes. CBC’s record of no accomplishments proves this. Unless, of course, members of CBC are ready to admit that they sold out the African American community by failing to enact legislations that solved all the problems that have plagued Black people, not just for decades, but for centuries.
BTW, I would like to ask Hon. John Conyers and Hon. Maxine Waters: How come you have not been able to lead congress to pass a bill granting African Americans Reparations? Is it be because you sold out the Black Community? Of course I know better. It’s because the nature of the political system would not allow you to pass such legislation. So why are these Black leaders jumping all over President Obama when they know fully well that he cannot end poverty by an executive order, but needs the cooperation of Congress to pass bills that will put people back to work and thus reduce poverty levels. Why isn’t Maxine Waters unleashing his anger at the obstructionist Republican party?
Amen to all you’ve said. Conyers has been beating that reparations drum for so long, I believe he uses it to keep his seat in his district, to use as a show of solidarity with black folk, knowing full well, as you’ve so much as stated, that reparations will never be realized in the common view of it. Even Randall Robinson, a few years ago, relinquished that goal with the knowledge of this country’s divided history and current day sentiments toward slavery’s heirs.
Indeed! Thanks EDP4BHO for all your forthright comments that I always enjoy reading. I am really tired of people who know better, or should know better, joining the bandwagon in bashing and disrespecting President Obama. Congressman Conyers, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Dr. Cornel West and Mr. Tavis Smiley, all know that the President is not against assisting the poor. They know how the government functions and the role that Congress plays. They know how obstructionist the Republican party has been from day one of President Obama’s presidency. They know, or should know, the revival of naked racism directed at the President, especially by the teabaggers. They know the grief he has been getting from some of the economically comfortable and self indulgent progressives like Hamsher, Greenwald, Shultz and others. So, why are these so called defenders of Black people ganging up on the first Black president who has been catching hell from all over? Why? These are the same people who defended President Clinton to the hilt. Do these people really think that President Obama is less interested in the plight of Black people than was President Clinton?
Nathkatun7, IMO, and I’m leaning more on it being fact, that these, and I will call them as I see them, kneegrows suffer from delayed slavery syndrome. People have not been tested before quite to the extent that they are now, in witnessing a great phenomenon as we are privileged to behold, and that is that there is actually, in this country with its sordid past of enslavement, pillage, segregation, and hate against its citizens of color, a black President. No matter what argument/discussion I engage in regarding PBO and so many detractors who claim to be/have been in support of him, but who radically attack him on one issue or other, it all comes back to the color of his skin.
They can’t get him on policy necessarily because he is doing everything he said he would do, or he is attempting to against tremendous opposition. They can’t get him on ethics because he is of high moral caliber. They can’t get him on ideas because he has immense creativity and foresight. They certainly cant’ deny he is very intelligent, and very likeable. So, what else is there? Jealousy, envy, petty resentments. President Obama has been able, just by his being, to pull the sheets back, pull the curtain on every vile, spineless, narcissistic, greedy personality in media and politics, so that we really see what this country is made of. I am no student of politics, I hate politics, but this current environment is nothing I’ve ever known before. It is a spectacle to see, and causes one to philosophy about the direction of the country if we don’t take hold of all of our senses and pull back from an abyss.
Ben is a major jerk and facts that do not fit into the narrative he wishes to push are completely lost on him…
He does know, but this new meme about blacks is just another phase of their kitchen sink strategy…
The media, PL, GOP all cooperating in their effort to take President Obama down…
I think they figure that if they can convince people that President Obama has lost his most reliable base, that it will finally make that massive negative impact they’ve long been pushing and hoping for…
It is all part of their psychological warfare and they are desperate…
Were you worried because of the taint that Michele Bachmann has cast upon the state of Minnesota 😉 Please know regular Minnesotans
are plenty embarrassed by her and for her. I was a little worried myself, only because I tend to generalize that this group may tend to be more conservative, and that age might be a factor. I thought the President was outstanding…..his remarks moved me to tears, and especially when he expressed how steadfast our military has been in service to the nation, when many other institutions were shirking their responsibilities. And I thought he was warmly received.
I will say this, I am glad he acknowledged members of the Democratic Congressional delegation by name, if my Rep was in attendance, as a Republican, IMO, he hasn’t earned that respect because he hasn’t done anything but get in the way, or go against this President’s efforts.
No, I was actually worried because the older generation of military are set in their ways and lean Republican. I thought his speech was outstanding and when he acknowleged their service by applauding, he was very his jaw and chin were so taught. I was moved. Of course, anytime I see the President, his speeches bring me to tears. I am so proud of him.
Sue – I think most of us think there are but a few “weirdos” in Minnesota! But I know how you must feel – I used to live in Florida (think 2000, Katherine Harris, hanging chads, etc.). 🙂
Noticed that Michele Bachmann is also speaking at the American Legion Convention – guessing because she “represents” the host state. Remind me not to tune in. Actually, for all I know, she’s spoken already. Musta missed it.
I can not even begin to imagine her speaking at this event.
I know she is happy to bash the President, bash government, worry about the rich, supports a third world economy, derides the poor, touts the superiority of our culture, insists on American exceptionalism, assails the religion of Islam, demeans the LGBT community, treats immigrants like they are cancerous. I’ve never heard her speak about the military…scares me to think where she could go with that. Dominionist want to dominate, first the country and then the world in the name of their religion. Frankly, she is a fucking whack job. She may in fact need an exorcism 😀
But I will grant her this, at least she can speak in coherent sentences, despite the idiotic content, something I can not say about her evil twin ‘Word Salad Sarah.’
Sue. I was a little worried too because I thought the group might lean conservative, but the President was wonderful and the crowd were very warm. His words are not empty and they have to be aware of that because he has worked very hard with all his policies to deserve their respect since the day he took office. I also loved the video of the handshaking. I think I saw a few hearts melt right there on the spot. The people were so thrilled to get pictures with him.
I am also very glad that all the Democratic reps were mentioned and applauded. Senator Franken, Senator Klobuchar, Gov. Dayton and Rep. Ellison and Mayor Rybak are all good hard working public servants who don’t go for the political theatrics and attention seeking that Michelle Bachman revels in. I hope that the people in her district will come to their senses and start choosing substance over show. I have to believe that Minnesotans are more sensible down to earth people than that.
I was very moved by both the President and the reception he received. Wish we could have greeted him with yesterday’s weather, at least it wasn’t 18″ of snow 😉
Does anyone know whether media played Romney’s phony act at the VFW function today? Or did they pretend it didn’t happen because compared to the President, Romney’s act was clearly an act – and a badly acted one at that?
I forgot to mention before but very moving introduction just fabulous the respect and admiration given and received. Thank you so much Ms. Chips for posting all of these videos and article. 🙂
My my my, look at my President charming the pants off of all those seasoned adults, especially the well-coiffed senior ladies. I dub him LLCoolB, LL standing for Ladies Love 😀
Really? What did Bob Boy say now? I cannot stand these people….LOL. You have to laugh to keep from going bananas about these people. Please see my posts above in reply to Nathkatun7.
“…advocates say that families who want prayers can have them and assert that the Liberty Institute [a conservative group] has blown the dispute out of proportion to embarrass the Obama administration.”
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
OK, I assume I’m not alone when I see him stride to a podium with the Presidential March music (don’t know what it’s called) and I get all emo. I cannot remember responding this way to this scenaro in many years.
“Hail to the Chief” I hear Romney is giving some sort of speech to the American Legion, after hearing the commander proudly talk about Bin Ladin and the cheering from the crowd, there is nothing Romney can say to veterans that comes close.
My friend watched PBO’s remarks to the American Legion, and saw a snippet of Romney’s to the VFW. She said the stark difference was that Romney was speaking about himself, and the President was addressing how much the veterans have done for their country.
’nuff said.
Actually, IMO that highlights the essential difference between the two political parties. Republicans = Me, and in contrast Democrats = US
“Actually, IMO that highlights the essential difference between the two political parties. Republicans = Me, and in contrast Democrats = US”
*nods in full agreement.*
I am so glad that Commander Foster began his introduction by providing information on how much PBO has been working on behalf of America’s veterans because many attending this event may not have been aware before now of just how much he, FL Michelle, and Dr. Jill have been doing for active duty military personnel and for veterans.
I agree, especially since the VFW group in San Antonio, Texas is having a cow because President Obama is not speaking at their convention. They are saying they were snubbed. President Obama has been a steadfast supporter of the military but it seems he just can’t do enough for some folks.
Isn’t Romney speaking there?
Yes, apparently Mitt Romney and Rick Perry will be speaking at the VFW convention in San Antonio, Texas. And of course, the fact that President Obama will not be attending is catnip for Fox.
Does Fox complain when repugs make excuses for not speaking at the NAACP? Not!! Fox loves to hear themselves talk about non issues.
During the ’08 election, the VFW was not very welcoming to Senator Obama, but they were falling all over themselves for Cheney.
The VFW website notes that previous speakers have included “President Barack Obama.” Didn’t check further, but that would imply he’s spoken to them before, as President. He probably alternates groups, in different years … like they all do with the military academy graduations, etc.
Non-issue, of course.
Here are the remarks President Obama presented at the ’09 VFW convention:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-the-Veterans-of-Foreign-Wars-convention/
Here’s how it’s playing out in parts of Texas, from the Houston Chronicle blog:
http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2011/08/white-house-defends-obamas-absence-from-vfw-convention/
The VFW can whine all they want. As a Viet Nam Vet, hubby has no use for the VFW. They did not allow Viet Nam vets to join and he hasn’t forgotten that. they deserve Romney and Perry.
Good insight, from the “inside.” I’m of the Viet Nam era, but I had forgotten those vets weren’t allowed to join the VFW. I’m sure you noticed that President Obama made mention in his remarks before the American Legion that the soldiers Viet Nam “won every battle.” That was particularly poignant, I think, in giving them the recognition and thanks they all deserve.
*soldiers [in] Viet Nam”
In every speech to or about veterans, President Obama mentions vets from every war. His support for Viet Nam vets is appreciated in my house.
This President loves his country, it’s people, it’s history and it’s potential. I just wish more people could/would see that.
Here is a shining example of how the Republican Party has made a mockery of our democracy. I can’t wait to see the wall to wall coverage of this disgusting behavior by the feckless MSM. Where was all of this cost cutting discipline during the Bush administration?? Inquiring minds would like to know. I won’t hold my breath.
WHITE HOUSE DISAPPROVES OF CANTOR DISASTER PLOY
=================================================
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, [White House press secretary Jay Carney] said the federal government’s priority should be to respond to the disaster. He also noted pointedly that Cantor hadn’t demanded offsets when the Bush administration rang up “unprecedented bills.”
“I guess I can’t help but say that I wish that commitment to looking for offsets had been held by the House majority leader and others, say, during the previous administration when they ran up unprecedented bills and never paid for them,” Carney said, according to a White House pool report.
The White House spokesman said it was premature to make a decision yet on the costs of Hurricane Irene for the federal government.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_08/white_house_disapproves_of_can031886.php
When the older veteran/legionnaire saluted the President after his remarks … oh, my. Still crying.
Me too.
Thanks for the video Chipsticks.
Hi all. Thanks Chips for letting me view the video. I had an interview and just got home and I got to watch it because of you. On another note…I have been thinking about the east coast non stop. I dropped by youtube to listen to a song that always gets my spirits up. At the bottom of the video was a google ad for the president. I just clicked the link and it took me to OFA…If you care to do the same, enjoy this music on me:
This song never fails to make me cry. It is so beautiful…
I have never heard this song before…thank you for sharing it.
I am so consumed by emotion listening to it, the tears just came pouring out….Wow.
Ladies…it does the same to me….
Proud, thank you so much for sharing this. KD is one of my favorite singers and I love that song. It always brings tears to my eyes. Listening to this after listening and watching the President is very emotional. Thank you again.
One of my favorite episodes of The West Wing – and hot Mark Harmon, and Aaron Sorkin writing Shakespeare into everything JUST FOR ME…… The Wars of the Roses plays (Henry IV 1&2; Henry V; Henry VI 1,2,3; Richard III) on stage, the bucket of the Red (Lancaster) and White (York) roses in the convenience store that spills on the floor….
Where I first heard that awesome song.
One of my all-time favorite story arcs on one of my all-time favorite shows.
I love this song too—–everyone’s version, male, female, group, talent show contestants—–it’s so beautiful and moving, (almost) no one can make it sound bad. It’s been around forever —I can’t remember the name of the original guy, with his guitar, but that was great too and I loved when Oprah had the Canadian Tenors sing it with Celine Dion joining them in surprise—–I’ve listened over and over and over. It’s just one of those songs. Thanks for posting.
It was written by Leonard Cohen. Justin Timberlake also sang it for the Haiti Earthquake Relief program.
Yes, you are right. Here’s the Canadian Tenors with Celine—–they’re so cute! And I miss Oprah.
KD Lang is amazing and Canadian; very proud of her
🙂
Her voice is perfection.
Thanks Proudmember, this is so beatiful and stirring.
I love KD Lang, and I love her version of Hallelujah. She is inspirational and this music, just wow. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Since this is about to becme a BIG Fekkin Deal, we’d better get it on the radar – in 3 posts:
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to contact UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on September 20 and ask for recognition of Palestine as a full member state of the United Nations. At the Foreign Ministry, the assessment is that in order to avoid an American veto, the Palestinians will seek a vote at the General Assembly and not at the Security Council, even though the former is less binding. The vote at the General Assembly will probably take place in October….more
http://tinyurl.com/3bmnmbn
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prosor, sent a classified cable to the Foreign Ministry last week, stating that Israel stands no chance of rallying a substantial number of states to oppose a resolution at the UN General Assembly recognizing a Palestinian state in September.
http://tinyurl.com/3ngyn4t
The bad thing is that it now puts the President and SOS in a bind, because they might need to use the veto, right?
Theo, The US can’t use its veto in the General Assembly. They either have to vote against the Palestinians or abstain from voting or not be present. If the US votes against the Palestinians it will anger all of the Middle East. If we vote against Israel, it will upset many in the US and leave PBO open to attack by the republican nuts. I see us abstaining probably.
I think we’d piss off the entire Middle East if we abstain as well…..
PBO has stated often there should be a two-state solution. Voting FOR Palestine should come as no surprise to anyone but those who will complain and be angry with PBO for everything anyway…
JMHO
You are right, there is that side, too. As I said, it is going to be a BFD and we’d better start paying it some attention. It is going to affect what is happening in Syria as well, and Iran will meddle.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I’m sure the Palestinians talked to Secretary Clinton and/or President Obama before making their formal request. Should be interesting. It infuriates me that Netanyahu and the Republicans have put the world in this position by refusing to negotiate or act in good faith. Of course, the Palestinians share the blame, but I think the obstinance has been on Netanyahu’s side, fueled by his supporters in Congress. I wonder how this will play out.
It would be a BOLD move to vote YES…it would galvanize the Peace movement in Israel and give a boost of support to Arab Spring…..
Thanks overseasgranny for bringing these details to our attention.
So did Bush, but we won’t let facts get in the way of Republican hatred.
The IDF is currently in the process of finalizing its preparations for Operation Summer Seeds, whose purpose is to ready the army for September and the possibility of confrontations with Palestinians following the expected vote in favor of Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly….
The document states the disorder will include “marches toward main junctions, Israeli communities, and education centers; efforts at damaging symbols of [Israeli] government….
The army is establishing two virtual lines for each of the settlements that are near a Palestinian village. The first line, if crossed by Palestinian demonstrators, will be met with tear gas and other means for dispersing crowds.
The second line is a “red line,” and if this one is crossed, the soldiers will be allowed to open fire at the legs of the demonstrators, as is also standard practice if the northern border is crossed….more
http://tinyurl.com/3p28zpz
This may be OT. But I ‘ve just about had it with that Ben from Politico. Ever the bearer of so-called bad news for PBO. Today he’s been on the kick about how Black leaders are turning up the heat on PBO. I tweeted him back and told him that black leaders have been around long before PBO, what have they done? I told him to tell them to look in the mirror. I know that this is the kind of thing these reporters want to see people pushing against each other like this, but I refuse to let these so-called black leaders off the hook — who can’t find a mike quick enough to beat up on PBO.
And for good measure, Ben tweets about PBO appearing on TJMS, and of course he notes that it is because of the pressure.
I tweeted him back and told him that PBO has appeared on TJMS many times before and I never seen it reported. But suddenly when he appears today, it is because he is under pressure from black folks.
If I am making a mountain out of a mole hill, I apologize. But I have had it with that man who cannot find a a bad poll number to publish quick enough or anything resembling bad news.
And these black leaders, totally different story.
Go figure.
Sadly, it’s not just Politco, the other night Rachel m was implying that the only reason PBO was speaking at the MLK memorial dedication was to get back the vote of all those African Americans he lost.
As for the President on TJMS, i guess the fact that Tom and POTUS are old friends is lost on Ben.
Rachel is a disaster and seems to be getting worse. Thank heavens I switched her off weeks ago, and only hear about her antics on these blogs. She’s not part of the solution.
Wow, that is really disturbing. And extremely hypocritical on her part. That would be like saying that Rachel supported the repeal of DADT for solely self serving reasons. When there are much larger principles at stake…equality, the integrity of living up to our professed beliefs, human compassion and tolerance, et al. I doubt she would appreciate being marginalized in such a way.
If she marginalized this to simply an issue of race, and/or asserts that President Obama is acting in a self serving manner, ignoring the broader and more honest perspective, she is being either opportunistic or is not as smart as I once thought her to be.
It’s hard not to be angered by this…..
The fact that Rachel said that, Debz, is ultra despicable. I cannot stomach that woman, and she needs to go away. Let her go find another hard hat and stand in front of a projection of the Hoover Dam again, and leave the rest of us the hell alone.
Too bad so many pinned such high hopes on Rachel in the early days (before election night ’08), as I did.
I am disappointed too J O’B. I really thought she was going to be an outstanding advocate but I have been disappointed so many times, I just will not watch her show any longer.
The MSM is using these stupid cowardly black “leaders” as cover for their racist onslaught of empty attacks on and faux outrage at the President. Any time any of them pulls this BS, I think we should push back HARD and remind them that when they give these same black “leaders” an equal media platform in calling out the Tea Party, GOP, CEO’s etc, only then will we take them and their exploited puppets seriously. Until then they had better STFU because we’re well acquainted with their long used tactics of using and exploiting Blacks against each other.
It would seem, in the bubble of the village, they believe the CBC and Corney an Tavis speak for all African Americans. As soon as we started to see all of these “job fairs” and “bus tours for the poor” the media began their meme that PBO is losing African American voters. They are using these handful of nuts to attack the President.
And Howard Fineman is on Hardball dissing the president again, as is his habit. He just made a blanket statement which was outrageous, saying Congressional Democrats are really “disappointed” with President Obama and think he just doesn’t understand politics! I am so sick of all these people just throwing this junk out there all the time. It’s actually sickening.
I am really disappointed with Congressional Democrats, I wonder if Howard would like to report that. As for the first African American President who got his political education in Chicago, not understanding politics? that has to be the most ridiculous statement ever made.
Or the fact that then-Senator Barack Obama totally beat the Clinton machine, and the McCain machine … yeah, right, politically naive he sure is (not).
Howard Fineman has long been a fool – even more so after he attended the tea party nonsense summit last year and was brainwashed there. I fast forward whenever he’s on. But to be honest, I haven’t watched any of these shows in about three weeks. Thanks to all those who still have the stomach, who can keep up informed of their shenanigans so we can fight back.
Howard Fineman is a small-minded and dishonest man motivated by envy, fear and resentment of a man infinitely smarter, more powerful, more accomplished, more dignified and more decent than his archaic self…
Howard Fineman continues to manifest the same conscious/unconscious racist reactions to President Obama that plagues so many in the media and politics…
Everyone get on TWITTER, and push BACK ” Hey @howardfineman **I** am disappointed with YOU and CONGRESSIONAL DEMS who don’t have the POTUS’ BACK! ”
DO IT NOW.
actually this is better:
Hey @howardfineman @ForeverWired **I** am disappointed with YOU and CONGRESSIONAL DEMS who don’t have the POTUS’ BACK! #GOPFAIL #MEDIAFAIL
Thank you Tally. When you do it like that I can just copy and paste. They you so much!
Tally, you tell Coward Fineman that I said to go to hell and wipe that ignorant smirk off his face in the process.
Meanwhile, I’m using your tweet to pushback:)
how’s this?
Hey coward @howardfineman, hopefruit says kindly go to HELL and wipe that ignorant smirk off your pathetic face. #GOPFAIL #MEDIAFAIL
TOTALLY! 🙂 🙂 🙂
DONE.
Saw it – THANKS!!
Amen!
And from here forth he shall be known to me as ‘Coward Fineman’
Done Tally. Didn’t have room to credit your tweet, but I tweeted it anyway. Thanks so much.
I don’t need any credit.
I need President Obama to have a 2nd term, with an army of Dems who have his BACK.
Howard Fineman has ZERO credibility as an objective “pundit” particularly where President Obama is concerned. I recall during the NY-26 special election in 2009, he was waxing poetic about Sarah Palin’s clout and ability to influence elections in a major way (note: this was someone who had a lot to do with John McCain’s embarrassing defeat in the 2008 Presidential election). In that very election, the Democrat won – in a district that had not seen a Democratic winner since before FDR!
Then Mr. Fineman claimed that Obama had “negotiated himself into oblivion” and that Repubs had won during the debt ceiling debate with no evidence to back up anything he was saying. Fineman is negative about this President 95% of the time. He is only positive when he has no choice but to be, and even then he tries to find a way to spin it in a semi-negative way. Yet he always presents the Repubs as being in a position of strength and power, and goes deathly silent when the evidence shows otherwise.
Mr. Fineman works for Arianna Huffington and birds of a feather flock together.
Howard just can’t figure out President Obama’s politics….he’s too old school, resistant to change and not smart enough to think at the level President Obama does. As my Grandma used to say, “it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks.”
Doesn’t understand politics? Excuse me, my man Pres. Obama shot from 98th or 99th in the Senate to become the first AA President. He shot pass all those old heads in a short period of time and even beat Dem royalty, the Clintons. So the idea he doesn’t know politics is bull shit. What they want to say is that Obama wants to get things done, he wants to do the right thing even if he gets flack for it. Those Dems are afraid to make the tough calls and the tough votes. This is why the budget and the tax cuts were put off folks. These Dems complaining are all about politics.
So I think we move beyond color and focus on character, and the practical elements of all legitimate debates. The powers that be want us to be splintered. They want us responding to our emotional angst. It is in their best interest to keep us divided amd emotionally distracted.
Let’s not engage them at the edges, but push them to the core of the issues, enlarge the perspective and the focus. They are attempting to narrow our perspective of President Obama to race…we need to refuse to take that bait. We need to go beyond that to the issue that they are attempting to obsfucate, to what it is they are attempting to distract us from. They want us to think President Obama is not supported, they want us to question our own support, they want us to be mad at each other, they want to weaken our party, and they want to build a false case for the jackasses in theirs. President Obama doesn’t fall for their traps, lets try hard, hard, hard not to do the same. My response to them would be how’s your candidate’s relationship to the inner city community. How will your candidate address the needs of the poor. Show me what your candidate has done. Don’t give me talking points…….talk to me!
Case in point, why are Latinos the face of immigration…..we have illegal immigrants that are not of color, in fact I read that Canadians and the Irish make up a good portion of those who may be in this country illegally. We don’t talk about the white illegals because it is easier to exploit a person of color, and to exploit the irrational fears of whites, that’s a twofer. It is always easier to exploit those that have been the longest oppressed and have the least amount of power.
Maybe the class warfare issues should be referred to as power issues. Maybe depressed urban communities should be framed around poverty and opportunity issues, not the ethnicity of the neighborhood. We don’t lose aspects of our self identity when the discussion is broadened, but we strengthen our connection to the collective nature of government, and one another as Americans.
It’s no secret that racism and bigotry is being used against this President, and it is painful to witness, especially for those that can most closely relate to that experience in their own lives. This community serves as a respite, a source of sharing and comfort when our emotions are pushed and pulled, and our frustrations grow. I say express your upsets here, share your tears here, swear to the skies here, you will be heard, your pain will be acknowledged and you will be reminded that you are not alone. You will also be reminded that the struggle is bigger than our emotions or our individual experiences…so you can be strengthened by understanding, by empathy and compassion and by the knowledge that we will accompolish our goals together.
I think away from here, like our President we need to force the discussions and the debates to the heart of the issues, and back to the very issues that they are attempting to divert us from. Just as the President must serve all Americans, in addition to our support for President Obama, we need to let our voices speak out as Americans, always invested in the greater good.
Thanks Sue. You write so beautifully, and with specificity. I always gain from your thoughts.
Right onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
You are always so incredibly incisive and spot on Hopefruit…
That’s terrible of her to imply and basically stupid. Never thought she was stupid before this but I don’t even have a tv.
How about those who Tweet..Twittering her and letting her know how vile that is?
Wow Rachel, couldn’t have anything to do with the fact that he is the FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT.
Africa, I thank you for speaking up and pushing back against those who are so determined to divide and conquer the black community. No need to apologize, in my humble opinion. Right now, I have zero respect for the so called Black leaders, especially members of Congress, who can’t wait to get in front of a mike to bash President Obama. John Conyers, for example, has been in congress almost as long as Gaddafi has ruled Libya. How come there are still poor people in his congressional district? Members of CBC should know better about the nature of the American system, which makes it difficult to institute radical changes. CBC’s record of no accomplishments proves this. Unless, of course, members of CBC are ready to admit that they sold out the African American community by failing to enact legislations that solved all the problems that have plagued Black people, not just for decades, but for centuries.
BTW, I would like to ask Hon. John Conyers and Hon. Maxine Waters: How come you have not been able to lead congress to pass a bill granting African Americans Reparations? Is it be because you sold out the Black Community? Of course I know better. It’s because the nature of the political system would not allow you to pass such legislation. So why are these Black leaders jumping all over President Obama when they know fully well that he cannot end poverty by an executive order, but needs the cooperation of Congress to pass bills that will put people back to work and thus reduce poverty levels. Why isn’t Maxine Waters unleashing his anger at the obstructionist Republican party?
Amen to all you’ve said. Conyers has been beating that reparations drum for so long, I believe he uses it to keep his seat in his district, to use as a show of solidarity with black folk, knowing full well, as you’ve so much as stated, that reparations will never be realized in the common view of it. Even Randall Robinson, a few years ago, relinquished that goal with the knowledge of this country’s divided history and current day sentiments toward slavery’s heirs.
Indeed! Thanks EDP4BHO for all your forthright comments that I always enjoy reading. I am really tired of people who know better, or should know better, joining the bandwagon in bashing and disrespecting President Obama. Congressman Conyers, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Dr. Cornel West and Mr. Tavis Smiley, all know that the President is not against assisting the poor. They know how the government functions and the role that Congress plays. They know how obstructionist the Republican party has been from day one of President Obama’s presidency. They know, or should know, the revival of naked racism directed at the President, especially by the teabaggers. They know the grief he has been getting from some of the economically comfortable and self indulgent progressives like Hamsher, Greenwald, Shultz and others. So, why are these so called defenders of Black people ganging up on the first Black president who has been catching hell from all over? Why? These are the same people who defended President Clinton to the hilt. Do these people really think that President Obama is less interested in the plight of Black people than was President Clinton?
Nathkatun7, IMO, and I’m leaning more on it being fact, that these, and I will call them as I see them, kneegrows suffer from delayed slavery syndrome. People have not been tested before quite to the extent that they are now, in witnessing a great phenomenon as we are privileged to behold, and that is that there is actually, in this country with its sordid past of enslavement, pillage, segregation, and hate against its citizens of color, a black President. No matter what argument/discussion I engage in regarding PBO and so many detractors who claim to be/have been in support of him, but who radically attack him on one issue or other, it all comes back to the color of his skin.
They can’t get him on policy necessarily because he is doing everything he said he would do, or he is attempting to against tremendous opposition. They can’t get him on ethics because he is of high moral caliber. They can’t get him on ideas because he has immense creativity and foresight. They certainly cant’ deny he is very intelligent, and very likeable. So, what else is there? Jealousy, envy, petty resentments. President Obama has been able, just by his being, to pull the sheets back, pull the curtain on every vile, spineless, narcissistic, greedy personality in media and politics, so that we really see what this country is made of. I am no student of politics, I hate politics, but this current environment is nothing I’ve ever known before. It is a spectacle to see, and causes one to philosophy about the direction of the country if we don’t take hold of all of our senses and pull back from an abyss.
You are right to push back Africa…
Ben is a major jerk and facts that do not fit into the narrative he wishes to push are completely lost on him…
He does know, but this new meme about blacks is just another phase of their kitchen sink strategy…
The media, PL, GOP all cooperating in their effort to take President Obama down…
I think they figure that if they can convince people that President Obama has lost his most reliable base, that it will finally make that massive negative impact they’ve long been pushing and hoping for…
It is all part of their psychological warfare and they are desperate…
Keep up the good work dear…
Thank you Chipsticks for posting this video. I was unable to view the program in real time. THANKS!
Ditto. I didn’t get to see it this morning as I was on the road to work. It looks like he was appreciated there. I was worried.
Were you worried because of the taint that Michele Bachmann has cast upon the state of Minnesota 😉 Please know regular Minnesotans
are plenty embarrassed by her and for her. I was a little worried myself, only because I tend to generalize that this group may tend to be more conservative, and that age might be a factor. I thought the President was outstanding…..his remarks moved me to tears, and especially when he expressed how steadfast our military has been in service to the nation, when many other institutions were shirking their responsibilities. And I thought he was warmly received.
I will say this, I am glad he acknowledged members of the Democratic Congressional delegation by name, if my Rep was in attendance, as a Republican, IMO, he hasn’t earned that respect because he hasn’t done anything but get in the way, or go against this President’s efforts.
No, I was actually worried because the older generation of military are set in their ways and lean Republican. I thought his speech was outstanding and when he acknowleged their service by applauding, he was very his jaw and chin were so taught. I was moved. Of course, anytime I see the President, his speeches bring me to tears. I am so proud of him.
Sue – I think most of us think there are but a few “weirdos” in Minnesota! But I know how you must feel – I used to live in Florida (think 2000, Katherine Harris, hanging chads, etc.). 🙂
Noticed that Michele Bachmann is also speaking at the American Legion Convention – guessing because she “represents” the host state. Remind me not to tune in. Actually, for all I know, she’s spoken already. Musta missed it.
I can not even begin to imagine her speaking at this event.
I know she is happy to bash the President, bash government, worry about the rich, supports a third world economy, derides the poor, touts the superiority of our culture, insists on American exceptionalism, assails the religion of Islam, demeans the LGBT community, treats immigrants like they are cancerous. I’ve never heard her speak about the military…scares me to think where she could go with that. Dominionist want to dominate, first the country and then the world in the name of their religion. Frankly, she is a fucking whack job. She may in fact need an exorcism 😀
But I will grant her this, at least she can speak in coherent sentences, despite the idiotic content, something I can not say about her evil twin ‘Word Salad Sarah.’
Yup, they (Palin & Bachmann) are our Crash-Test Dummies in our search for the REAL future female President of the United States.
That’s a funny line. Thanks, GG.
Best of luck in your search Gail…
I’ll always stick with the absolute best candidate regardless of race, gender, religion…
Sue. I was a little worried too because I thought the group might lean conservative, but the President was wonderful and the crowd were very warm. His words are not empty and they have to be aware of that because he has worked very hard with all his policies to deserve their respect since the day he took office. I also loved the video of the handshaking. I think I saw a few hearts melt right there on the spot. The people were so thrilled to get pictures with him.
I am also very glad that all the Democratic reps were mentioned and applauded. Senator Franken, Senator Klobuchar, Gov. Dayton and Rep. Ellison and Mayor Rybak are all good hard working public servants who don’t go for the political theatrics and attention seeking that Michelle Bachman revels in. I hope that the people in her district will come to their senses and start choosing substance over show. I have to believe that Minnesotans are more sensible down to earth people than that.
I was very moved by both the President and the reception he received. Wish we could have greeted him with yesterday’s weather, at least it wasn’t 18″ of snow 😉
We’ll get that soon enough 🙂
Have you seen this? Bill O had a police dept. investigate one of their own for having an affair with his wife. Just unbelievable:
http://gawker.com/5834808/how-bill-oreilly-tried-to-get-his-wifes-boyfriend-investigated-by-the-cops
I guess this won’t help with those “secret Mooslum” rumors!
76%
By Amy Sullivan
Awesome speech !I got teary eyed wow what a great president!
Does anyone know whether media played Romney’s phony act at the VFW function today? Or did they pretend it didn’t happen because compared to the President, Romney’s act was clearly an act – and a badly acted one at that?
Was he there…
HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!!
Of course this is from the BBC – I haven’t seen this coverage on our fail media.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14713121
Thanks, Tally. I am tweeting this, especially to the people who claim Irene was hyped.
40 deaths is too much. Yet we would probably be talking 400 deaths, not 40, had those preparations not been made.
I forgot to mention before but very moving introduction just fabulous the respect and admiration given and received. Thank you so much Ms. Chips for posting all of these videos and article. 🙂
Second that. Thanks Chips, we appreciate you!!!! 😀
New thread here:
http://theobamadiary.com/2011/08/30/96-3/
😉
My my my, look at my President charming the pants off of all those seasoned adults, especially the well-coiffed senior ladies. I dub him LLCoolB, LL standing for Ladies Love 😀
That’s what has Bob Herbert so pizzed at the President. He could never have that effect on folks if he tried.
Really? What did Bob Boy say now? I cannot stand these people….LOL. You have to laugh to keep from going bananas about these people. Please see my posts above in reply to Nathkatun7.
That’s ok, edp, LLCoolJ won’t mind sharing his title with POTUS 😀
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44333487/ns/us_news-the_new_york_times/
“…advocates say that families who want prayers can have them and assert that the Liberty Institute [a conservative group] has blown the dispute out of proportion to embarrass the Obama administration.”
This is disgusting on so many levels…