30
Nov
11

this and that

President Obama arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport

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President Obama’s limousine is seen under a tent outside a private residence as he speaks at a campaign event in New York

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Another gentle reminder:

Please vote for the kids at Desertflower’s school – the deadline is midnight tonight (see today’s Rise and Shine post for more info).

You can do so either online or by text:

Go to the RefreshEverything website – registering takes two minutes, just type “desert shadows” in the search box and the school will come up. Then vote!

Or, Text 73774 and type in the message code 109320.

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Esquire

😯

Charles Pierce: It is gradually dawning on people that Newt Gingrich is not the flavor-of-the-month/week/day/hour, and is very likely going to be the Other Guy for as long as there is a contest for the Republican nomination. It’s certainly becoming clear to Willard Romney, who yesterday got pissy with a Fox News anchor and lapsed into that unattractive part of his personality that can best be described as his Flog-the-Scrimey-Help mode…. Willard, you’ve got a problem.

If Newt Gingrich really thinks he can win, then Newt Gingrich will do absolutely anything to accomplish that. He has no conscience in these matters, and he has no soul to speak of. He believes that the rules governing ordinary mortals in matters like public prevarication and gross public deceit do not apply to him….

… This is no longer a campaign. It is Newt Gingrich’s last chance to define himself in history as the grandiose figure he sees when he looks in the mirror … If anyone thinks he’s likely to abandon that great quest just because he’s fundamentally unprincipled, and because the image itself is a tinpot fraud, they’re fooling themselves….

Full post here

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Osborneink: The Occupation movement has a large contingent – not quite half – that is passionately opposed to endorsing the president of the United States for reelection …. this portion has managed to make the president into a source of division within the broader progressive movement. The Occupation was supposed to break our silos, but we are still talking past one another and that’s got to stop.

You’ve probably heard by now that black Americans are not taking part in the Occupation….

…. I can’t help thinking back to Jane Hamsher, whose participation in the XL Keystone protests actually hurt their credibility in the African American ‘sphere. I’m also reminded of how John Lewis got shunned in Atlanta, giving that city’s mayor room to deny the Occupation legitimacy. Puritan gatekeeping gets you nothing.

Joan Walsh and Glenn Greenwald and David Sirota, et al – what I’ve come to call the Salonites – don’t seem to understand the topic of race privilege, much less class. Recognition that race is a cultural construct does not blunt the cumulative effect of constant attacks on the character and intelligence of the first African American president.

Put simply, the Bill Maher – Michael Moore set has alienated a huge Democratic demographic…..

Read the full post here

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Thank you Video Queen Donna 😉

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First Lady Michelle Obama meets with members of the board of Partnership for a Healthier America, an organization working to end childhood obesity, at the Omni Hotel in Washington, D.C., Nov. 30, 2011. Mrs. Obama later delivered the keynote address at the PHA’s inaugural Building a Healthier Future Summit. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)


244 Responses to “this and that”


  1. 1 maritza
    November 30, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    Chips, thank you for all that you do; I just threw a $50 bone into your fundraiser link towards the reelection of our president. Sorry for not linking your link; it shows my personal info when I click on it now.

    • November 30, 2011 at 6:20 pm

      Oh Martitza, I can’t thank you enough, you’re incredibly kind – I’ll have to up that target! You’re a gem.

      I’m always puzzled by this business of people’s personal info showing up at the OFA site. I used to think the info was only visible to the person themselves, ie that it was stored on their own computer, but I mentioned before that all kinds of strange things happen when I click on links sent to me in OFA emails. I was ‘Barb’ before, and lately I’ve been some guy whose name I can’t remember now – his details showed up again for me when I clicked today’s OFA link. It’s weird.

      Any way, thank you again Martiza, really appreciate you helping out the fundraiser 😉

      • 3 maritza
        November 30, 2011 at 6:49 pm

        I’ll try to throw a bone ($) here and there till 2012 via your way. Thank you so much Chips for all that you do.

        • November 30, 2011 at 6:58 pm

          Thank you maritza! You know what I always say, if it wasn’t for you people it’d be very lonely around here. This would be a typical comments section:

          Chipsticks: Thanks Chipsticks, lovely photos.

          Chipsticks: No problem Chipsticks, thanks for visiting.

          Chipsticks: My pleasure Chipsticks, see you later.

          Chipsticks: Okay Chipsticks, talk to you then.

          😳

          • 5 Me4obama (@Me4obama)
            November 30, 2011 at 7:10 pm

            😆 😆 😆 😆 😆

          • 6 Roberta in MN
            November 30, 2011 at 9:03 pm

            You are too funny. 🙂 🙂 🙂

          • 7 JojoRaze
            November 30, 2011 at 9:46 pm

            Oh, Chips! You are too modest! I’ve been a fan of your work since you were Jackeens on DU…you’ve been the bomb dot com since then. People would follow you wherever. 😉 You really are a lifesaver for PBO supporters. If it wasn’t for you, I’d believe the media that PBO’s ratings are the worstest ever when they’ve been going up since the Jobs Act tour.

  2. November 30, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    I was just reading Josh Marshall’s analysis of Mitt Romney’s Newt problem over at TPM. It’s pretty spot on, IMHO. Ya’ll should check it out.

    Mitt’s Darkening Horizon

  3. 12 donna dem 4 obama
    November 30, 2011 at 6:11 pm

    Sometimes as I follow this President and see how hard he works it leaves me puzzled that the country as a whole can’t see what I see in this man. Then this past weekend I had family at my home for the Thanksgiving Holiday and we got into many discussions about politics and one of them was about why things are so gridlocked in DC. Now let me tell you that all of the people in this discussion felt that the Republicans are working overtime to stop PBO but some of their comments knowing the fact of Repub obstruction left me scratching my head. They would say things like, “PBO needs to exert his authority and make congress pass his bills” or “he has to stop trying to work with these people and just make them pass his bills”. So I took a deep breath and calmly reminded them of how laws are passed and that EVERYTHING was being filibustered and then one of my nieces said to me, “why was Bush able to get Dems to vote to go to war or to pass tax breaks for the rich or the prescription drug bill (I had mentioned all these items to them in my discussion of how we got into this mess) and PBO can’t do the same now that he is in DC. I went on to explain that these Republicans are unlike any before them and that they march in lockstep even when they are wrong just to stop PBO with the hopes that he will be blamed in the end.

    THIS^^^^ IMHO is why there is this (false) impression that things haven’t worked out well for him. Many of you have stated just as much of the youth in my family have admitted that this is the first administration that they have given any serious attention. As far as they were concerned a President should be able to make Congress get things done because in their view that’s how things have worked in the past.

    This article I have linked below echoes the young people in my family and unfortunately I think far too many other people in this country. They know their civics but its like they ignore the facts and just insist on the results that they seek and if not then it must be something that the biggest target in DC (President) isn’t doing enough of. Please take a moment to read it and I would love to get your opinion.

    {Snip}
    “The public likes to think of the President of the United States, no matter who’s in office, as having vast powers. He or she is “leader of the free world.” He or she holds the most powerful office on the planet, making life and death decisions every day. If the president — any president — wants a proposal to create jobs and grow the economy, it must be within his or her power to force one into the Oval Office, if necessary, through sheer force of will.”

    http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/741622/liberals_blaming_obama_for_not_overriding_congress_could_make_gop_even_more_irresponsible/

    • 13 jacquelineoboomer
      November 30, 2011 at 6:55 pm

      “How a bill becomes a law” over at Donna’s house! If each of us can reach just one person (young or old) and change their thinking, that’s a start. Some of us Americans are just a bit lazy, however, and expect a lot – without much of a personal investment.

      But good for you, Donna, as usual!

    • November 30, 2011 at 7:07 pm

      Donna, I had the same sort of talk with my nephews last weekend. It was very, very painful. They’re angry that PBO hasn’t just asserted his will. That he doesn’t just get things done. That he never goes out and speaks directly to the people and doesn’t communicate what he’s doing. ARGHHHHHHHHH. When I explained to them about how the media is dominated by RW corporate entities, you’d have thought I was telling young kids there was no Santa Clause. They were horrified that perhaps the media isn’t objective!! I spent a lot of time trying to explain how things really work, how PBO had already done most of the things they wish he’d do and that Congress had obstructed everything PBO has tried to do. It was exhausting!!

      • November 30, 2011 at 9:37 pm

        GOOD FOR YOU! Thank you. Maybe it will sink in at some point and they will begin to be more curious about the process, maybe even educate their peers.

    • 16 criquet
      November 30, 2011 at 7:08 pm

      The one thing i hope you said as well was that President’s get most things done when they have solid majorities in Congress. The Democrats staying home was the real problem and everyone who can vote (and vote for PBO and Democrats ) should do so to stop the partisan gridlock.

    • November 30, 2011 at 7:36 pm

      You should explain to her that war and tax cuts for the rich are easy things to get from Congress. Money for the lazy undeserving masses is not.

    • November 30, 2011 at 9:22 pm

      Donna – you hit the nail on the head. I had an equally frustrating discussion a few weeks ago with a friend’s husband in Northern California. First, he was completely anti-Pelosi, which was disturbing, in her district. But, even though he said he would likely vote for President Obama in 2012, he expressed frustration that the President hadn’t been able to push through stuff like a dictator would. Of course, he didn’t have a single idea what has actually been accomplished, and was running on fumes of rumours he’s heard from whatever sources he gets his information. But, I had to work hard to explain to him the powers of the Executive Branch versus the Legislative Branch. And he’s American!

    • 19 Puddin'
      November 30, 2011 at 10:21 pm

      I have had this same conversation with several people who have asked the same questions (and not all young people)….in the end I remind them that this is a democracy not a dictatorship…”PBO is a president not a dictator…I don’t want PBO to be a dictator no more than I want a republican to be a dictator”. And then of course we get into the race issue!

  4. November 30, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    Also James Fallows as a good post up about Mitt’s FoxNews interview and an interesting take on Mitt’s “Call me Mitt” name “flip-flop” at the CNN debate. Another interesting read.

    On W. Mitt Romney, and the Mystery of Names

  5. 21 halo
    November 30, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    Gotham Bar and Grill in NYC is an amazing restaurant!

    • 22 jacquelineoboomer
      November 30, 2011 at 6:56 pm

      Wish I were there … er … tonight! Boy, three campaign events in one evening. Luckily, PBO can handle this – and more!

  6. November 30, 2011 at 6:31 pm

    Osborneink: The Occupation movement has a large contingent – not quite half – that is passionately opposed to endorsing the president of the United States for reelection …. this portion has managed to make the president into a source of division within the broader progressive movement. The Occupation was supposed to break our silos, but we are still talking past one another and that’s got to stop.

    You’ve probably heard by now that black Americans are not taking part in the Occupation….

    …. I can’t help thinking back to Jane Hamsher, whose participation in the XL Keystone protests actually hurt their credibility in the African American ‘sphere. I’m also reminded of how John Lewis got shunned in Atlanta, giving that city’s mayor room to deny the Occupation legitimacy. Puritan gatekeeping gets you nothing.

    Joan Walsh and Glenn Greenwald and David Sirota, et al – what I’ve come to call the Salonites – don’t seem to understand the topic of race privilege, much less class. Recognition that race is a cultural construct does not blunt the cumulative effect of constant attacks on the character and intelligence of the first African American president.

    Put simply, the Bill Maher – Michael Moore set has alienated a huge Democratic demographic…..

    http://www.osborneink.com/2011/11/crossroads-at-a-president.html

    • 24 bonkers
      November 30, 2011 at 6:54 pm

      “Put simply, the Bill Maher – Michael Moore set has alienated a huge Democratic demographic…..”

      That was the whole point of the MegaMedia owners deciding consciously to make a few hundred people at the time, in one square in NYC, a much bigger story than the President of the United States and his quest to get the Jobs Bill passed with the “Pass This Bill” messaging. President Barack Hussein Obama had already begun the push and already “changed the debate” from the debt ceiling and default, to having millionaires and billionaires pay a tiny bit more in taxes. President Obama, Warren Buffet, and others had already started this conversation when 99.9% had ever heard of “Occupy Wall Street.” OWSers took the attention off of what the President and Buffet and so on were starting.

      The Billionaire MegaMedia owners allowed OWS to become a story because they knew it would devolve into in-fighting with wildly confusing messages with a healthy dose of fighting with police. Myself and many others all over the place were warning that OWS was being used as a “divide and conquer” tactic by MegaMoney. It’s as predictable as the sun rising in the East. And now that’s exactly how it’s all played out!

      Of course as usual, they underestimated the power of what Stanley Ann’s son helped spark in 2007, and which is even stronger today. He truly has done what so many protesters chant, “A people. United. Can never be Divided.” OWSers can choose to help with OFA, Elizabeth Warren’s campaign and so on, or simply be forgotten by next year and not even a footnote in history. Fired Up and Ready to Go, ya’ll!!

      • 25 RinaX
        November 30, 2011 at 7:26 pm

        Yes, I’ve just started calling anyone who pushes that BS liars. President Obama started this when he wiped his ass with Paul Ryan’s “serious” bill back in April and started proposing raising taxes. The main sticking point on the debt ceiling deal was RAISING REVENUES, and at that point the President had the majority of the public on his side, it was just the idiot Republicans in Congress who refused to listen to their constituents.

      • 26 dotster3
        November 30, 2011 at 7:32 pm

        I had Thom Hartmann on my car radio today—–I would never listen to him at home. But the whole show was a constant stream of young OWS guys calling in to breathlessly report on their arrests. It was like it was all fun and games and exciting, this power struggle with law enforcement. Not one guy, at least while I was listening, mentioned any goal, any reason for being there.

        • November 30, 2011 at 7:37 pm

          Exactly Dotster, I think for most of them it’s the ‘thrill of the chase’, but they have absolutely no idea where they’re running. It’s really sad because this movement had so much potential, it’s just been hijacked by Firebaggers and fools.

          • 28 bonkers
            November 30, 2011 at 7:56 pm

            I don’t think it really had potential since it wasn’t authentic, but I’m not going to take issue with anything you ever say again, Chips…now that you have the DISEMBODIED DANCING CALLISTA HEAD FROM HELL!!! at your disposal. Permanent checkmate for you, Chips.

            • November 30, 2011 at 8:17 pm

              Actually Bonkers, you’ve just given me an idea: unless people say “you’re absolutely right darling Chips (and I must say, you’re looking particularly ravishing today), I agree with every single majestic word you said” I’ll threaten them with Callista’s dancing head. And if that doesn’t teach them a lesson, I’ll bring out Newt’s mankini.

              😆

              I just felt OWS had potential, even though it’s been all over the place since the start with no defined goal. Maybe (in my innocence) I hoped it would become a movement that would put it up to the GOP and their ideology, a thinking wo/man’s Tea Party. Not to be, of course. I should have guessed they’d be hijacked by the usual suspects.

        • 34 bonkers
          November 30, 2011 at 7:54 pm

          I used to get involved in protests like this and it was definitely an adrenaline rush. Then I turned 19.

      • 37 EDP4BHO
        November 30, 2011 at 8:07 pm

        A local talk radio host extols constantly the power of OWS, and was pretty much saying how they put the message out about the 1%. I was unable to get to him, but I wanted so badly to tell him that no, PBO put the message out there. Now just a couple of days ago, someone posted a Thanksgiving letter, thanking OWS and others. There was a “thank you” to PBO for revealing to us the ways of Washington. I did not at first take this kindly, until I thought about it and realized he was being correct. We knew all this OWS business would play to distract away from PBO’s jobs bill, the fact that he took it around the nation as he said he would, and that he was calling out the rethugs. We’ve got to forceably fight back against the miscues about who held the gavel first in showing us who our real enemies are.

    • 38 Me4obama (@Me4obama)
      November 30, 2011 at 7:20 pm

      This is why I don’t support #ows.

      • 39 Puddin'
        November 30, 2011 at 10:31 pm

        Me too…and if the media would report the truth about what has happened/happening in Oakland, CA, more people would agree with you.

  7. November 30, 2011 at 6:36 pm

    Donna I think you have hit on the main issues we must overcome. They think just voting to put President Obama in the oval office gives him the power to change things. He cannot do it without our help to change congress. We must give him the help he needs to pass the bills that we the people are waiting for to make things better for all of us.

    • November 30, 2011 at 6:39 pm

      michael moore with his nonsense about ‘the buck stops with you’ What a complete moron.

    • November 30, 2011 at 7:23 pm

      I recently had a conversation with someone at TPM who insisted that all President Obama needed to do was “push” harder for a larger stimulus package and he would have gotten it. This person had no concept of blue dogs, Repubs or cloture.

      • 43 Cindy Sweatt
        November 30, 2011 at 11:59 pm

        Yes, and if he would have just “tried” he could have gotten the country single payer health insurance. They didn’t pay attention then, and now believe everything they hear (as long as it is against the President). What can we do to convince these people that they need to re-visit the truth. It seems like they “want” to believe the lies.

    • 44 Puddin'
      November 30, 2011 at 10:36 pm

      When folks start talking about what PBO hasn’t done, I ask them “what have they done”…I remind them that PBO has said time and time again that a lot of work is needed to change things and he can not, can not do it by himself…he said he is going to need all of us…and them I tell them about the faxes, emails, tweets, phone calls that we all (TOD family) do all the time…they just get quiet!

  8. 45 desertflower
    November 30, 2011 at 6:40 pm

    I have some catching up to do, but I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to say thank you to each and every one of you for taking some time out of your day, to send your vote into Pepsi for the kids at the elementary school I teach in. When I came home for lunch, and saw what Chips had done to GOTV on this…I had tears in my eyes. This is a most incredible community of like minded, generous, and compassionate souls.Regardless of what happens, I just want to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to each and everyone that took time to vote. I am so honored to be a part of this place that Chips has created …

    You all would love these kids, as much as I do, if you knew them. I would love for them to achieve this goal…and be heard! If I could wrap my arms around all of you, I would do it. Please know that this has meant the world to me….I will keep you posted as to the outcome. They will have to verify votes and things….so, vote if you haven’t already…..and cross your fingers!

    No naughty mats today!!! 🙂 Chips will NEVER be on the mat….no matter WHAT you do, or no matter how far down the “naughty road” the girls try to take you! (lisa…I’m looking at you:)

    Kisses and hugs to all…we’ll give it our best shot until midnight tonight!!!

    Love you, Chips!

    • 46 desertflower
      November 30, 2011 at 6:42 pm

      Did I say that I LOVE this President…and he’s looking especially fine! I bet none of you noticed that though 🙂

    • November 30, 2011 at 6:45 pm

      Ah desertflower, I know it was a pleasure for everyone to do what they could today, you’re a much loved TODer …. even if you’re outrageously naughty at times and lead poor innocents like Lisa, M4O, Meta, UT and Tally astray. 😕

      I’m sure your school is up against monster huge campaigns from bigger schools, so I know it won’t be easy to get in to that top 15, but I have my fingers and toes crossed!

      Your passion for these kids is a thing of beauty, you’re an inspiration – love ya!

      • 48 desertflower
        November 30, 2011 at 6:54 pm

        Thank you, sweet Chips:) I’m so honored. Really. It is all so touching to me. Can’t say thank you all, enough.

        Now..I am naughty, and proud of it…but I HIGHLY doubt that I am the one that corrupted those “innocents” ! Seriously….! I think we all can pretty much pull our own “naughty weight” around here…no one is safe OR INNOCENT!

        Love you back. You are one in a million. Giant hugs 🙂

  9. 49 desertflower
    November 30, 2011 at 6:47 pm

    That picture of Newt from Esquire…..like the Great Wizard of Oz…..Do they MAKE man bras? Creepy,

  10. 53 utaustinliberal
    November 30, 2011 at 6:48 pm

    Chips I thought you couldn’t top yourself after Mankini Newt but oh no; you surpassed expectations. The man boobs on Newt almost made me projectile vomit. Egads! This man is ridiculously unattractive……..and that’s being kind. 😉

    • November 30, 2011 at 6:54 pm

      You know UT, I thought long and hard about bringing that photo here ….. but then I thought, what the heck! 😆

      I’ve had an idea – will I combine the man-bobs pic with the mankini pic?

      • 55 desertflower
        November 30, 2011 at 6:56 pm

        NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        • November 30, 2011 at 7:48 pm

          DF, I voted for your school by texting. Can I also register online and vote again?

          • 57 desertflower
            November 30, 2011 at 8:23 pm

            Yes, Jackie…you can vote online too! Only once:) Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One online vote and one text per day….

            • 58 HZ
              November 30, 2011 at 8:57 pm

              Desertflower, I voted today online. I am hopeful that you will win this so much. Oh, those kids will be so happy. I will be listening for the results. Thanks for doing this, DF. What a wonderful and dear person you are. Those students will be our next generation of great performers. We can do this.HZ

      • 59 jacquelineoboomer
        November 30, 2011 at 7:01 pm

        NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, please. 🙂

      • 62 utaustinliberal
        November 30, 2011 at 7:01 pm

        Ewwwwwwwwww……………… *silently chants* do it do it do it do it do it do it do it. 😆

        I can’t imagine waking up next to him – like Calista Gingrich – and patting myself on the back like yeah I bagged me an A-List hottie! I often wonder how he and Herman Cain are able to have affairs. I just don’t see any attractive qualities.

    • 68 desertflower
      November 30, 2011 at 6:55 pm

      Projectile vomit! THAT’S what I was going for! Man titties. How gross.

      • 69 dotster3
        November 30, 2011 at 7:42 pm

        He’s just so doughy and haughty and repulsive. Every time I see or hear him, my immediate reaction is “Ewwwwwwwwwwwww” and then “Grossy Gordo!” Put him on the stage with Obama. I can’t imagine a more obvious choice.

    • November 30, 2011 at 7:12 pm

      Sorry, but Callista is just as much a monstrosity. UGH.

  11. 73 carolyn
    November 30, 2011 at 7:00 pm

    Brian Williams had a nice segment on the Christmas decorations at the White House, emphasizing the tribute to the troops in the decorations. Also showed pictures of FLOTUS with the children. No snark.

  12. November 30, 2011 at 7:07 pm

    Was encouraged to find this video

    Latino Community Members Share Why They Support President Obama

    Part of it is in Spanish, so I did not understand it, but I think it all supports the president – so I love it. these are the kind of resources we need in 2012.

    http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/11/latino-community-members-share-why-they.html

  13. November 30, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    Rejected rail funding becomes California’s gain

    the silver lining to the Rick Scott dark cloud

    Rejected rail funding becomes California’s gain
    http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/11/rejected-rail-funding-becomes.html

  14. November 30, 2011 at 7:09 pm

    Chips, that drawing of Newt is so eery and creepy and SO RIGHT ON.

  15. November 30, 2011 at 7:11 pm

    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  16. 137 jacquelineoboomer
    November 30, 2011 at 7:15 pm

    Jon Huntsman calls Herb Cain’s problems “bimbo eruptions”:

    http://www.thestatecolumn.com/articles/jon-huntsman-slams-herman-cain-over-bimbo-eruptions/

    I’m so glad we went through the women’s liberation movement last century. Really helped expand minds.

  17. November 30, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    Hello Chipsticks and TOD Family. Again, thank you for all that you do for us here. I appreciate Chipsticks so very much. Chipsticks may many blessings always come your way. I love you back so very much. (((((((HUGS))))))) HZ

    • November 30, 2011 at 7:24 pm

      Hiya HZ, thank you so much for the lovely message, how are you doing today?

      • November 30, 2011 at 9:25 pm

        Hi Chipsticks. You are sooooooooooooooooooooooo welcome!!!!!! I am doing very good today. Had a very long day yesterday, stayed up until 3:00 this morning, but awaken my usual time. I did rest most of the day, but I am very grateful. Trying to take it as it comes. No controlling this stuff, so move on as much as possible and regroup when necessary. It hurts like hell, but I am will be tough.HZ

  18. November 30, 2011 at 7:29 pm

    The Obama camp has been stepping up its criticism of Mitt Romney in recent weeks, but White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Wednesday that he isn’t assuming the former Massachusetts governor will be the Republican nominee.

    “Wolf, I don’t assume anything,” he said on “The Situation Room.” “This Republican primary is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. When I was on your show just a couple of weeks ago, we were talking about new Republican front-runner, Herman Cain. We’ve now had Donald Trump, Michele Bachmann, Gov. Perry, Herman Cain. Now, Newt Gingrich. So I don’t know what’s next, but I’m going to enjoy sitting back and watching this rollercoaster primary of theirs.”

    But even with the ever-changing cast of GOP frontrunners, the Obama campaign, the Democratic National Committee and other supporters of the president have focused squarely on Romney.

    http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/1111/dont_assume_anything_8d1727fa-97dd-44dd-891d-912969e1076e.html

    Lol!

    • 144 Me4obama (@Me4obama)
      November 30, 2011 at 7:35 pm

      Yes and all my tweets and retweets are on Willard Mitt Romney. I am keeping my eyes on him and am not letting up until he drops out. #obama2012

  19. 145 Tulips
    November 30, 2011 at 7:30 pm

    Hey desert flower i tweeted your challenge and asked my followers to vote. Good Luck!

  20. November 30, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    Illinois Democratic House hopeful John Tree, on Chicago O’Hare /D.C. United flight 448 Monday night, helped subdue an unruly passenger, according to his campaign. Tree, a colonel in the Air Force Reserves, was in his military fatigues.
    Tree, running in the north suburban tenth congressional district primary, commutes to the Pentagon for his reserve duty.
    Tree seated in coach, was “asked by a flight attendant sometime after takeoff to move from his coach seat to first class in order to stand between her and a passenger who had been extremely verbally abusive to flight personnel and other passengers,” his campaign said in a release. MSNBC “Hardball” host Chris Matthews–who attended the funeral mass of Maggie Daley in Chicago earlier in the day–was one of the passengers in first class during the incident.
    “The passenger in question was reportedly shouting profanities, kicking the aircraft walls and making threats. At one point, the passenger got out of his seat, and jabbed Tree several times in the abdomen as he stood between the passenger’s seat and the galley.
    “Tree, with the help of a number of other passengers in the first class cabin, subdued the passenger and returned him to his seat. Tree sat next to the passenger for the remainder of the flight to prevent further disturbances. The passenger responded with a tirade of verbal abuse toward Tree, the airline and the United States military.

    http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2011/11/illinois_tenth_house_john_tree.html

    • 149 jacquelineoboomer
      November 30, 2011 at 8:47 pm

      Wow. Obviously, the unruly passenger needs help … and I shouldn’t joke … but can’t help but think that Chris Matthews dove under his seat during the incident.

      Thank you, John Tree, for saving the day!

  21. November 30, 2011 at 7:37 pm

    CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – With the drawdown of Operation New dawn, soldiers at the redistribution property assistance team yard are packing up the last pallets of excess equipment from units left on Contingency Operating Base Adder to ship out of Iraq, Nov. 27.

    “Our mission was to help the drawdown of Iraq,” said Staff Sgt. Gene Taylor, RPAT Yard non-commissioned officer in charge, 227th Quartermaster Company, from Morton, Miss.

    “Our mission here was to take all the units’ equipment … send them to Afghanistan or send them back to the States to get remanufactured,” said Taylor.

    The RPAT yard processes a wide range of equipment left over from various units on base. “Units turn in all their non-rolling stock and their rolling stock to us … we’re processing all the non-rolling stock in here,” said Taylor. “My guys here … get everything together, banded up, boxed up and ship it to where it needs to go so we can get it out of the country.”

    Rolling stock consists of all military vehicles, while non-rolling stock includes all other equipment.

    The final pallets include radios, computer equipment and hospital equipment, said Pfc. Tye Spinks, customer service representative, 227th QM Company, from Bandera, Texas.

    “It’s mainly stuff that the units can’t take back with them,” said Spinks. “They’re only taking back what they actually need for that mission to get to where they’re going.”

    http://www.usf-iraq.com/news/headlines/final-pallets-of-equipment-prepare-to-exit-iraq

  22. November 30, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Transferring Joint Base Balad to the government of Iraq was part of the largest military transition since World War II.

    Col. Brent Bigger, 332nd Expeditionary Mission Support Group commander, arrived at JBB four months prior to the transition in July 2011.

    “When I first arrived everything was go, go, go; operations, operations, operations,” said Bigger, who is deployed from the Pentagon. “I thought, ‘It doesn’t seem like we’re closing the base.’ I expected to walk in, clean up and get out.”

    As the 332nd EMSG commander, Bigger had to balance transitioning the base while still supporting the critical F-16 top cover mission. “Our job as the mission support group was to provide base operational support and infrastructure,” said the Keizer, Ore., native. “We still had to have everything going full speed to keep JBB humming smoothly- power, water, sewer systems and bathrooms, services and several thousand contractors.

    “JBB had a mission and the population was actually increasing,” continued Bigger. “We were by far the main hub of all ground movement in Iraq, supporting all other base closures in the Iraq Joint Operations Area up until two weeks before our closure – a challenging feat.”

    With JBB containing multiple military branches, largely Army and 180 tenant units, Bigger was referred to as the mayor, which is the Army equivalent to a mission support group commander.

    “Collaborating with and supporting the Army and especially their leadership on base was always synergistic,” said the colonel. “Our communication lines were wide open. Everyone was on the same JBB team and I repeated that theme constantly.”

    http://www.usf-iraq.com/news/headlines/the-final-days-of-joint-base-balad

  23. 152 auni
    November 30, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    —and what was Chris doing?

  24. November 30, 2011 at 7:51 pm

    If you’re looking for some of America’s safest drivers, it’s easy to find them behind the wheel of our nation’s large trucks and buses.  Safe driving is their livelihood, and I know that most of them take safety as seriously as we do at DOT.
    And that applies to talking on a cell phone behind the wheel. As one commercial driver, Tim Cox, told a Texas news program recently, “If it’s in the truck while I’m driving I don’t answer it; I don’t text.  It’s just too dangerous; you’re endangering your life and the lives of others.”
    But, because of the size of their vehicles and the weight of the loads they carry for us, when drivers of large trucks, buses, and hazardous materials lose their focus for even a few seconds, the outcome can be deadly.

    http://fastlane.dot.gov/2011/11/fmcsa-finalizes-hand-held-cell-ban.html

  25. November 30, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    OMG. Knoller is SUCH a tool. Posh?? Really? Because most big donors you know live in ramshackle garden level apartments.

    markknoller Mark Knoller
    Pres Obama now at end of 3 campaign fundraisers in NYC. First at a posh townhouse. Second at a downtown restaurant.
    4 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

    • November 30, 2011 at 7:58 pm

      You know forus50, deep in his heart I suspect Mr Knoller thinks anywhere with a roof is posh for President Obama and his, you know, like. If you know what I mean.

      • 156 EDP4BHO
        November 30, 2011 at 8:15 pm

        He should know all “Kenyans” don’t live in grass huts…. 🙄

      • November 30, 2011 at 8:21 pm

        I think it freaks out slobs like Knoller and the rest of his pack that PBO is dripping with CLASS. He oozes DIGNITY. They can’t stand it!

      • November 30, 2011 at 8:25 pm

        yup I totally agree. And since Knoller is “portly” — to put it kindly — I’m sure he’s not liking that POTUS is making him travel all over the US. Life for a White House reporter was so easy with Bush. He really is a TERRIBLE reporter and CBS does a disservice by keeping him employed in that position. He gets all hung up on stupid things like auto-pen, golf rounds and today he tweeted about Obama giving a speech in campaign-style cadence. Really? So there is a presidential cadence that one must follow? There are no words for such foolishness. Knoller is a small minded, bitter man and it shows in his so called “reporting”.

        • November 30, 2011 at 8:30 pm

          + 1,000,000,000

          And the guy is so utterly bored with his job and dripping with cynicism I wish he’d just bog off and retire – and let someone who would actually do the job professionally take over.

          • 162 bonkers
            November 30, 2011 at 8:53 pm

            Surely Marky-Snark really let the Shrub Admin have it when Shrub was calling on that gay male prostitute by name as if they were friends:
            http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/17/opinion/17dowd.html?_r=1&hp

            Can you imagine what would happen if this was while President Obama was the one in office?!? Instead, 98% of the MegaMedia does a collective, “Move along…nothing to see here…” Amazing.

            • November 30, 2011 at 9:05 pm

              Oh good grief, I’d completely forgotten about that guy. You know, the more you think about what went on during that administration, not least the bulk of the media’s cheerleading of the Iraq war, never mind their ignoring of the Gannon story, the more the coverage of President Obama makes you want to tear your hair out. It’s just obscene.

              • 164 bonkers
                November 30, 2011 at 9:31 pm

                You’re absolutely right darling Chips (and I must say, you’re looking particularly ravishing today). I agree with every single majestic word you said. And I mean that.

                Yes, the Billionaires that own all the MegaMedia want you, me, and the entire world to forget that a male prostitute, who was still “working” while he was posing as a journalist, had full White House access, and Shrub and his Press Secretaries used to call him by name as if they were personal friends. Busting up the MegaMedia is Issue Numero Uno to me, but I will await your directions, Chips, you glorious person, you.

  26. 166 SUE DUVALL SMITH
    November 30, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    NOTHING STOPS OUR ‘ENERGIZER BUNNY’ PBO!!!!!! HE ALWAYS HAS THAT BOUNCE IN HIS STEP!!!! 4 MORE FOR 44!

  27. 167 SueBee
    November 30, 2011 at 8:12 pm

    Our President looks..so..so Presidential, Debonair, and most importantly FOINE 🙂 🙂 🙂

  28. 168 jacquelineoboomer
    November 30, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    Those of you on the DCCC email list probably know they are trying for big numbers in fundraising by midnight tonight.

    Only because Speaker-for-Life Nancy Pelosi signed the latest request (and not some loser like James Carville) am I posting the link (House Democrats will triple-match donations received before midnight tonight):

    http://www.dccc.org/tonight

    • November 30, 2011 at 9:14 pm

      I donated today after I received an email saying that they needed $47,000 more dollars before midnight so that the GOP could not claim a fundraising victory. We cannot have that!

  29. November 30, 2011 at 8:34 pm

    OMG Chips you just turned up the thermostat with those picture of the superfine POTUS.

    I found this video of the President’s visit when he was finished talking with Patrick and Donna Festa at their Scranton home:

  30. 184 desertflower
    November 30, 2011 at 8:40 pm

    Sorry, but I’m done with this shit for brains. Seriously? Isn’t she on the Intel Committee? That’s an oxymoron if I ever heard one!

    http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/11/bachmann-i-would-close-our-non-existent-embassy-in-iran.php?ref=fpa

    • 185 jacquelineoboomer
      November 30, 2011 at 10:31 pm

      It’s getting boring, almost. Is she the one who didn’t know Libya was in Africa? Or was that Santorum?

      So many (wrong) answers; so little time for all of ’em to excel. Ha!

  31. November 30, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    Next time your house!

  32. 200 desertflower
    November 30, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO holy crap…Ron Paul’s ad EVISERATES NEWT! Truth!

    http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/updates/2291

  33. November 30, 2011 at 9:14 pm

    Just got a chance to view the YouTube videos on Mitt’s horrible interview. All I can say is “ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!”

    I’m actually surprised that the interviewer actually asked him anything of substance. They weren’t difficult questions but they weren’t the usual softball questions republicans usually get on Fux News. PBO could — and has — answer them in his sleep. Gah, these goopers are thin-skinned. 😯

  34. 205 Tulips
    November 30, 2011 at 9:14 pm

    Michale Moore- is now known as moorely taitz on twitter. They are having a photo fest. http://twitpic.com/7mcz1y

  35. 219 Ladyhawke
    November 30, 2011 at 9:20 pm

    Have I said lately how much I love David Plouffe? Rachel Maddow just interviewed David and as usual he was wonderful. The man is relentlessly on message. He is freakin awesome. I hope everyone gets a chance to see the interview.

  36. 221 desertflower
    November 30, 2011 at 9:23 pm

    I think this can not be shared enough…for so many reasons, Please pass this on!

    http://bobcesca.com/blog-archives/2011/11/congress-not-potus-approves-of-indefinite-detention.html

  37. 222 Eleroy
    November 30, 2011 at 9:46 pm

    Thank you President Obama!!!
    You sir, ROCK!!!

    We stand solidly behind you and we will prevail!!!

  38. November 30, 2011 at 9:50 pm

    I loved David Plouffe on Rachel’s show tonight.

  39. 226 Tulips
    November 30, 2011 at 9:51 pm

  40. 227 GGail
    November 30, 2011 at 9:52 pm

    Ok, ok, ok, – you’ve scared me tonight Chipsticks with that disappearing Newt picture!!!

    “you’re absolutely right darling Chips (and I must say, you’re looking particularly ravishing today), I agree with every single majestic word you said”

  41. November 30, 2011 at 9:53 pm

    OMG, HermanCain’s 6th grade assessment of foreign policy:

    yfrog.com/kkmj25j

    Seriously, did he graduate from high school? WAY too much of a joke. SO UNATTRACTIVE IN EVERY WAY.

      • 233 jacquelineoboomer
        November 30, 2011 at 10:22 pm

        meta – That came from Herb, or are you kidding? (I hope you’re kidding, and that I fell for it.)

        At the bottom of the blob chart, it says it shows the density of Facebook connections around the world. If this is his, it’s sloppy, juvenile, and – as you said – so unattractive in every way.

        Problem is – if it’s not his, it sure could be. And that’s the real joke.

  42. 234 Tulips
    November 30, 2011 at 9:56 pm

    The genius behind the Moorely taitz

  43. 235 FTL
    November 30, 2011 at 9:58 pm

    Good evening all. I was just reading donnadem’s comment about how a bill is passed. I have been thinking for a while now that they need to bring back the school house rock things that used to run on Saturday mornings so that people will know how the gov’t works.

  44. November 30, 2011 at 10:00 pm

    I think that’s Corey Booker to Michelle’s left in that last photo. He’s another of my very favorite public servants. Booker for Governor!

  45. November 30, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    Former Arapahoe County sheriff arrested for selling meth for sex with a man. LOL. Voted 2001 Sheriff of the Year. And the best (if that isn’t already the best!) is he’s now being held in a jail named after him.

    http://gawker.com/5863916/former-gop-sheriff-of-the-year-busted-in-gay-sex+for+meth-deal

  46. 244 Ladyhawke
    November 30, 2011 at 10:15 pm

    Attention Jay Carney fans:

    Lawrence O’Donnell just teased that Press Secretary Jay Carney will be on the show tonight.


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