First Lady Michelle Obama hugs Roxanna Green as she enters the House Chamber prior the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan. 25, 2011. John and Roxanna Green are the parents of eleven-year-old Dallas and the late Christina Taylor, the nine-year-old girl killed when a gunman opened fire on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson earlier this month. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
Who’s sitting with the first lady at President Obama’s jobs speech to Congress:
Jeffrey Immelt, the CEO of GE who heads Obama’s jobs council
Steve Case, the founder of AOL
Richard Trumka, the AFL-CIO president
Kenneth Chenault, the CEO of American Express
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley
Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Darlene Miller, a small business owner
Albert Green, the CEO of a small business
Jan Heister, the president of a small business
Philip Maung, a small business owner
Gracey Ibarra, a mother of two children
Joseph Kidd, a 30-year-old father who served in Iraq
John Raftery, a Marine who is the CEO of a construction firm
Nicole Gentile, a third-grade teacher
Kelcie Fisher, a high school senior
Hector Sealey, a director of safety at a construction company
Kirk Bergstrom, a project engineer
David Catalano, the founder of a digital advertising agency
Dannie Mangrum, a corrections officer, and Sabrina Mangrum, who is getting a teaching degree
Jessica Pickett, a technician who works with a fire department
Marlena Clark, a community college graduate
Tamara Washington, a single mother
The Obama Diary 
Love this guest list being pointed out Chips! He is the People’s President!
Off topic, but I love FLOTUS in creamy beige!
Sorry to butt in, The live Stream at Whitehouse. gov of the President’s speech tonight is enhanced by chart, graphs and statistics. For those that prefer to avoid MSM coverage, like myself, you may enjoy the enhanced version there. Think of it, no talking heads, and facts, facts,facts 😀
Maybe folks on Twitter can give a shout out for the enhanced coverage at Whitehouse.gov 7PM EDT
Please consider make a donation tonight to President Obama’s reelection campaign fund.
Sue I totally tweeted it and I copied your no talking heads, and facts, facts,facts hope that was OK
lawd hammercy!
Ron Paul To Fox Ambush Reporter Jesse Watters: Bill O’Relly Doesn’t Understand Journalism Or Economics
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/09/08/314656/oreilly-ron-paul-jesse-water/
Did anyone see that the MSNBC poll had Ron Paul winning the debate at 50% this morning? The people commenting said they thought he won, and how smart and consistent Ron Paul was? Were they watching the same show? I thought what few questions they asked RP was he seemed too old to be president and very confused. Wnen the others were talking about putting fences around our borders RP said “if they put fences, they would hold people in”? CrAZY TALK TO ME.
Paulites look to spam any poll. Go to pro-Paul sites and they’d have a list of polls to “freep”, and they’d also probably have instruction of how to vote multiple times ie. delete cookies, mask/proxy IP’s etc.
GOP Voted For $50 Billion To Rebuild Iraq Without Cuts, Now Insist On Cuts To Offset Funding To Rebuild America
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/09/08/314467/gop-voted-for-50-billion-to-rebuild-iraq-without-cuts-now-insist-on-cuts-to-offset-funding-to-rebuild-america/
Cornyn voted against delaying $20.3 billion in Iraq infrastructure funds
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00371
The United States has made nearly $53 billion available for Iraq reconstruction
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2010-03-22-iraqcosts_N.htm
Financial cost of the Iraq War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_cost_of_the_Iraq_War
91 charged with Medicare fraud! Federal sweep targets doctors and nurses!
Msm mentioned it for ten seconds and then moved on!
Hmmm!
isn’t this the DOJ’s second or third bust on Medicare fraud?
Rick Scott had to get to the governor’s mansion in FL so he wouldn’t get busted again!
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/07/2395370/scotts-plan-to-limit-hmos-coming.html#ixzz1XNUq5GUa
No wonder he was recently named “America’s Worst Governor”
Gobrooklyn, there is a great news release on the DOJ site now about the lasting Medicare Fraud status. Very interesting. HZ
Stopping the Fraud In medicare, Is a good thing, It helps our Economy, and the Obama Admisnistration too Good job, DOJ, good job 🙂
That is what President Obama means when he says that he’s going to reform Medicare. He’s going to reduce the amount of waste and fraud in the system and eliminate the fraudulent “providers”, retaining the federal dollars for the consumers, where it should be. The PL and MSM are hell bent on distorting the President’s words knowing fully well what he means.
Yup! The msm knows that ryans plan will be a big issue and they want to say that the president hates these laws!
Just like they say he hates the environment! Lol!
Hi, hopefruit2, the DOJ has been cleaning up big on the Medicare Fraud. If interested, the DOJ department will send you updates daily on what cases have been won. The DOJ is doing so much under Attorney General Holder, but of course, the media is not reporting. So we must get our own updates. We just keep being informed on the excellent job this Administration is doing. This is what keeps me going about our President. Great people working for and around him for all of us. Just go on site DOJ and check your interests and those will be sent to you via e mail. HZ
Thanks HZ, this is good to know – I will definitely check out the DOJ site!
It was huge news locally in Chicago.
I read about our Illinois arrests—-most were in South Florida, surprise, surprise. There were some interesting schemes. One dr. in my area was a busy surgeon, grad of Northwestern, associated with a respected hospital, and I can’t figure out why he had to bill for services not performed/bill for more intricate surgeries than performed etc. I guess there are greedy skunks in all walks of life and no matter how well they’re doing. I’m glad they nailed them. This has been a huge problem driving up Medicare costs, and other drs. may think twice before trying to do the same.
California Health Insurers Hire Tobacco Lobbyists, Pay Top Lawmaker Tens Of Thousands In Direct Payments
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2011/09/08/314278/california-health-insurers-hire-tobacco-lobbyists-pay-top-lawmaker-tens-of-thousands-in-direct-payments/
I like the guest list. It’s a diverse crowd from all works of life.
Very impresive list and well mixed, but. but Mr Rusty ( bOEHNER) DOES NOT WANT US TO WATCH THE SPEECH
to night that we can watch the game WTF? he is scare like hell that the people are going to watch the speech BIG
TIME, Rusty scream his head off to change the date so they can debate their garbage, so so PBO said O.K. no problem
assholes. It seems that the WH GOT EXACLY what they wanted , but of course do not tell that to the MSM cable talking
heads,because the y told us that PBO caved in NOT. it was perfect perfect the GOP reacted so crazy to chabge the date.
I/am ready to watch the SPEECH TO NIGHT WITH SOME FRIENDS over a glass of a fine RED wine, so you GO mr
President we gat your back.
Mayor Villaraigosa is a huge proponent of an Infrastructure Bank.
Here is Rep. DeLauro explaining what an infrastructure bank is –
There is also a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Sen. Kerry and Sen. Hutchinson to create an infrastructure bank with as little as $10B that would leverage $600B in spending over time. They would all be loans, so no cost added to federal budgets, and the Fed. Government would only payout loans up to half the cost of the project, meaning the state, local or private investors would chip in the rest.
The Infrastructure Bank would also essentially replace the earmark process if done right.
Thanks, StR. Keep it coming. We’ll be more prepared here than some of the members of Congress!
This infrastructure bank leveraging private funds is excellent, because it takes the checkbook power away from Congress, takes away their talking point about government spending and about government taking the place of free markets, and shows all those who are complaining about the rumoured $300 or $400 billion jobs bill that you don’t need big dollars to make big change. This should show those who freaked out earlier this week about rumours that sometimes, we don’t have all the facts and shouldn’t react to media rumour-mongering or framing. I hope this is true – I love it!
Now Isn’t that nice? I like diversity, because People are People, and we all want to live a better life, and be Included, and NOT looked down upon, yep I like 😀
Annoucement: I will never forsake My Steven, but I just read Andy Borowitz’ column. I may have to alternate….
With all due respect, Borowitz is a comedian . . and IMO not often a very funny one. Hardly a replacement for actual news.
I think gcwp1 is enjoying his satire!
Thanks – that was a surprise comment.
My bad. I thought you were serious. And I really don’t think Borowitz is funny. But that’s my personal opinion. And I probably need to eat something.
Abject apologies, gcwp1.
I KNOW that, LOL. I love his satirical writing, as I do Dave Barry. Not EVERYTHING is politics 🙂 I don’t watch The Colbert Report for actual news either.
You watch for the eye candy 😉 and of course the wit.
Stephen is a very astute observer of daily life…..I think he may be more reliable than the news 😀
Our BF has it all (including a wife and 75 children 😦 ) He is fully present in an interview and simultaneously thinking ahead to his next funny/pointed response. So many IQ points. And he sings and dances.
But you know his wife, and kids seem pretty cool. 75 kids…I knew of 3……holy cow.
Did you ever see him on Letterman when he was taking about growing up in a family of 11 kids. It was hysterical.
He’s got so much depth. I heard him speak about the loss of his father and brother and how it shaped him. And as much as I hate admitting it, I’m sure his wife is a fantastic woman…ah well. I go back to work tomorrow (school system) Need to get my mind on people that actually exist in my life – like my students, LOL.
I love Colbert too. Every segment of every show is pure genius, and he delivers in such a humorous and charismatic way—–many hidden truths revealed for all to see.
Thanks for making a positive impact on the minds and in the potential of our young people.
Oh – you are talking about me?! At first I assumed you meant Colbert, LOL. What a lovely compliment, Sue! I do my best. Thank you.
Students anticipate the Presidents Richmond visit on Friday:
http://thecollegianur.com/2011/09/08/students-anticipate-obama’s-visit/21361/
Great story – the kids are paying attention and know he’s the only one looking after their future.
The President will be closing tax loopholes to pay for this proposal!
He said it’s paid for. So the GOP will have to say no to extending payroll tax cut to millions of working families ($1000 a year or more in their pockets) because we need to keep loopholes open!
Checkmate.
You see, he has put them In a box! Gives him something to run on where he can say the economy being bad is not my fault!
Indeed!
They will need Houdini to help them get out.
This also get out in front of the Super Committee potentially using the money they’d gain from closing loopholes elsewhere. I believe one plan was to close the loopholes but than lower tax rate so it would be a net zero in revenues. Another would have been to use it to cancel any military cuts.
This “spends” that money on job creation.
The two funniest guests (because of my imagined rationale behind the invites):
Trumka
Case – the founder of AOL (Arianna’s cash cow, and she’s not invited)
Really love the former military, the teachers, the first responders, etc., and look forward to their professions being touted in the speech.
Obama-Biden 2012 !!!!!!
Steve Case grew up in Hawaii and went to Punahou School. I believe he and POTUS were there at the same time. I think Case severed all ties from AOL by 2005.
Well, when I said I was imagining the rationale, I didn’t expect to get it all wrong! But thank you! The truth has set me free (to enjoy Mr. Case’s attendance).
Nice mixture of a guest list. That is our smart POB. Another great job. HZ
You guys know I am already happy, I get to see FLOTUS, as well as POTUS. I wasn’t sure if FLOTUS was going to be there. But so happy she is.
good grief is this guy for real? 😯
Cantor Nixes President Obama’s Infrastructure Bank Idea
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/cantor-nixes-president-obamas-infrastructure-bank-idea.php
conniving fucker
Lindsey Graham Backs Federal Voter ID Law, Calls Restrictions ‘The Future Of The Country’
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/lindsey_graham_backs_federal_voter_id_law_calls_restrictions_the_future_of_the_county.php?ref=fpa
that person needs support 😯
WI State Worker Fired After Spreading The Word On DMV’s Restrictive Voter ID Policy
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports: “A low-level state employee was fired Thursday after he sent an email to his fellow employees telling them about the state Department of Transportation’s policy on giving out free photo identification cards for voting.”
The email explained that the Department of Transportation would provide photo IDs “to people only if they specifically asked to have the fee waived,” according to the report.
State employee fired after telling co-workers about photo ID policy
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/129469023.html
He should sue them big time. This is just bizarro. I remember seeing the lady who was trying to get her son an ID. The guy at the DMV said he needed to see “activity” on the bank stmt. she asked where is that written. The DMV stooge said it’s what they were told in their training. She asked about seniors and students who don’t drive. He said, they get them free. She asked how come she was not told up front. He said he was told only to say it’s free it someone asks. This is deceitful and should be against some laws. They need to get the ACLU on this pronto.
Wisconsin League of Women Voters is on i (and I think the ACLU was, earlier in the year)t:
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/128162923.html
*is on it
Fox News shoves foot into mouth again:
“Nevada, Sept 8 (IBNS) A US-based Hindu group is protesting against the Fox News channel for reported remarks hinting that Hinduism was a fringe group.
Channel’s Gretchen Carlson, Fox & Friends co-host, in September seven segment, reportedly apparently labeled Hindus and others as “sort of fringe groups”.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) on Thursday, said that Hinduism was oldest and third largest religion of the world with a rich philosophical thought and about one billion adherents.
How such a religion, which gave the world its oldest existing scripture Rig-Veda and yoga (practiced by about 16 million Americans), could be classified as a fringe group, Zed asked.
Zed urged Fox and its owner News Corporation to be more sensitive when handling faith related subjects, as television was a forceful medium. He asked News Corporation Chairman Rupert Murdoch, Fox News Channel Chairman Roger Ailes and Gretchen Carlson to immediately issue a statement on this matter….more
http://www.indiablooms.com/NriDetailsPage/nriDetails080911a.php
good luck with Mr Zed
Jeesh. Every segment CNN is tearing apart the jobs plan before it is announced!
I am sure tweety and Rachel have orders to do the same! Sigh!
Desperation is setting in. They will be proven wrong, yet again.
EPIC FAIL For CNN AKA the Republican Propaganda Network.
You know what Jovie, I have not watch CNN or Msnbc today, why is that you ask? Because I know how the sorry ass anti-Obama media is. They ran their darn mouth when he didn’t put out a plan, now that he is putting out one, they are still running their stupid mouth. So all I want to see is when the President give his speech.
I’m with you anniebella. When something big is about to happen, I don’t watch, lol. These people drive my blood pressure up and just make me mad. This is going to be a brutal campaign season and frankly when the pundits and Republicans start with those demonic talking points I’m gone.
But I do appreciate Jovie. 😀
Maybe MSM is in the tank with big Pharma……driving us all to heart and blood pressure medication. Collusion 🙂
Yep, Yep.
They keep saying the speech is Obama’s “make or break” moment——repeatedly, every hour. It looks to me like they’re setting it up for David Gergen to pretend to haz another sad as he did yesterday when rumors about the speech were spreading around. Gergen started shaking his head “no”, as in “no good”, before he knew any facts.
In case you missed this interview with Jay Carney on Fox. He’s great. Put the witch in her place. Sorry for the link to HuffPost
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/08/gretchen-carlson-jay-carney_n_954017.html
THANK YOU! Jay Carney held is own with her talking points and did not get far. Jay is the man!
Carney is great. I don’t know how he does it, but I’m glad he’s there. Ms. Carlson was just spewing ignorant talking points. As Jay was saying “thanks” at the end, he had the look of “wowzer” like he couldn’t believe the inanity.
AM LOOKING FORWARD TO PBO’S SPEECH TONITE…HE’S DOING THE VERY BEST THAT HE CAN DESPITE THE ABSOLUTELY UNAMERICAN GOP!
How are you feeling Sue? Better than yesterday is my hope.
While we’re waiting for President Obama’s speech, we may want to “check in” with FDR. Here’s a speech he gave before the 1936 election @ Madison Square Garden … about so many things that PBO is presented with today, such as Republican attacks, an even greater unemployment situation, etc. The entire speech on video is worth seeing, but this is a transcript … here’s FDR’s closing:
“Of course we will provide useful work for the needy unemployed; we prefer useful work to the pauperism of a dole.
“Here and now I want to make myself clear about those who disparage their fellow citizens on the relief rolls. They say that those on relief are not merely jobless—that they are worthless. Their solution for the relief problem is to end relief—to purge the rolls by starvation. To use the language of the stock broker, our needy unemployed would be cared for when, as, and if some fairy godmother should happen on the scene.
“You and I will continue to refuse to accept that estimate of our unemployed fellow Americans. Your Government is still on the same side of the street with the Good Samaritan and not with those who pass by on the other side.”
Full transcript:
http://millercenter.org/president/speeches/detail/3307
Here’s a snippet on video of the “I welcome their hatred” part from FDR (PLEASE DO NOT READ THE COMMENTS); of course, President Obama could never get away with this “language” today, it’s not in his makeup and he can’t appear as an angry black President, but you know he must be thinking it – and he will say it in his way:
Hello captain chipsticks! hello everyone!! good afternoon to you all. I’m a newbie, please be gentle with me 😉 actually not really new because I’m visiting this site everyday, several times a day..and glued myself reading all your hilarious comments for hours. I love it!!
I wanted to let you know that I’m so happy and thankful that I’m not fighting alone for our rights by supporting our great president. He is a good man!! he deserves our supports and votes. Thank you chips for all of this!! you’re a real hero!
Cheers!! xox
Welcome CupCake!
Welcome, Cupcake! We have a great time here, and chipsticks is da bomb! Glad you came out of lurk status to comment! Again, welcome!!!
Greeting, CupCake!! Please jump in and join the flow. We need new ideas and support every single day.
Welcome cupcake, this is a great site. i only occasionally post but lurk daily. Rest assured that you are DEFINATELY not fighting alone there are many of us who support this great President. He is a wonderful man and fantastic leader, I know we will all be working hard for his re election.
Let me add my voice to the chorus…WELCOME, we are glad you are with us, and adding your voice to our conversations.
Welcome cupcake, great to see you here! Hope you join in on the chat, and I hope you’re not morally corrupted by any of the shady characters around here. No names mentioned, of course. 😆
Thanks so much for visiting, appreciate it!
Hi cupcake—–happy to see you chiming in!
welcome Cupcake
Thank you everyone!!! this place is awesome…I’m loving you all already! xox
thanks to BWD
Not attending Pres. Speech aka the economic terrorists: @JimDeMint, @RepPaulBrounMD, @RepJoeWalsh, @repronpaul, @DavidVitter
20 minutes ago
🙄
Jon Bruning Explains Why He Compared Poor To Racoons
http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/jon-bruning-explains-why-he-compared-poor-to-racoons.php?ref=fpb
In discussing the upcoming 9/11 events I could not help but think of Christina Greene’s family and how difficult this 9/11, her birthday, will be for them. These thoughts make me very sad. I hope they are healing, please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Oh that’s right. She was a 9/11 baby. Loved the book someone did on all the 9/11 children that were born that day with a special tribute to our “little angel” Christina Greene. I will light a special candle for her tonight with one for the Prez. Thanks for reminding us.
JoJothe cat…did I read a couple days ago that you are a graphic artist?
The idea was tossed around a bit yesterday about a Superhero’s Calendar including members of this administration, men and women. Jay ‘Clark freakin’ Kent was the inspiration point. Maybe a few of us were being silly, but it is a possibility for a fund raising prop. I know someone on board here is an artist…I have always aspired to be, but am only slightly crafty.
VIDEO: Rick Perry Vs. Ronald Reagan On Social Security
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/09/08/314970/video-rick-perry-vs-ronald-reagan-on-social-security/
FLASHBACK: Mitt Romney Has Consistently Supported The Privatization Of Social Security
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/09/08/314777/flashback-mitt-romney-has-consistently-supported-the-privatization-of-social-security/
Senate backs Lynch veto of voter photo ID bill
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20110907/NEWS06/110909923
Thanks Chips for all of the great and wonderful diaries. I know that the research takes lot of time, thanks.
John Brennan: No new prisoners to Guantanamo Bay
Excellent.
But but but but…. the professional left told me that Obama = Bush on GITMO, it JUST CAN’T BE TRUE!!!!!
Reid turns tables on Obama speech-skippers by setting Thursday-night debt vote
I so love this move by Reid.
Don’t forget to watch Pres. Obama’s speech on C-SPAN; no talking heads nor interruptions. 6:30pm EST
http://www.c-span.org/Events/President-to-Address-Joint-Session-of-Congress/10737423964/
I’ll be there and here live blogging.
:o)
I intend to. The speech airs at 4 p.m. here in Arizona so I will still be at work.
Okay, OT again, but I would love to see what body language experts think about this
Seen during the commercial break at last night’s debate
ugh, is old man Perry trying to intimidate old man Paul?
I don’t know about ya’ll, but if anybody grabbed ahold of my arm like this and had the nerve to wag their finger in my face…they’d be pulling back a nub. I’m just saying.
You got it. Perry’s a stone cold bully.
For every pundit that says boner is reasonable, is flat out wrong!
He is playing the Newt Gingrich playbook, but he has a lot more support!
This guy is the most dangerous house speaker America has ever had!
Hello folks,
I posted this near the end of the Wingnut debate thread last night. Don’t know if people saw it. So here it is again:
So important, zizi.
CNN had a segment asking afghan Pashtuns if they know what happened on 9/11.
The answer was repeatedly No!
Pray for the people in Texas. I am so sad for their losses.
I know this is an important speech, but Is it bad that I kinda can’t wait to see what FLOTUS where’s tonight. They always seems to coordinate and she always seem to set “a mood” when she dresses for these things.
This is cool:
Watch tonight’s speech at WhiteHouse.gov/live with enhanced charts & stats:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/09/08/watch-live-presidents-jobs-address-enhanced-charts-and-stats
But but but tweety said where are the charts?
Tweety’s nuts.
Thanks for the link Meta. I will be watching. Only two hours to go.
I’m so looking forward to it. This is about the time I start to get jittery. Where’s DonnaNoShock?!!
WH aides will brief House democrats(if you can call them that) on Friday, about jobs plan!
House Democrats are a joke!
I was mostly kidding about perry v paul in my comment, but the paul-ites are not.
Ron Paul’s fanatics are crazy.
Ron Paul’s Fans Rush to Protect Him From Rick Perry’s ‘Assault’