18
Dec
11

rise and shine

President Obama meets former Czech President Vaclav Havel during a summit between the United States and the 27-member European Union in Prague, Czech Republic, in this April 5, 2009 file photo. Havel, the dissident playwright who wove theater into politics to peacefully bring down communism in Czechoslovakia and become a hero of the epic struggle that ended the Cold War, died Sunday Dec. 18, 2011 in Prague. He was 75.

President Obama made the following statement on the death of Czech leader Vaclav Havel:

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing today of Vaclav Havel, a playwright and prisoner of conscience who became President of Czechoslovakia and of the Czech Republic. Having encountered many setbacks, Havel lived with a spirit of hope, which he defined as “the ability to work for something because it is good, not just because it stands a chance to succeed.” His peaceful resistance shook the foundations of an empire, exposed the emptiness of a repressive ideology, and proved that moral leadership is more powerful than any weapon. He played a seminal role in the Velvet Revolution that won his people their freedom and inspired generations to reach for self-determination and dignity in all parts of the world. He also embodied the aspirations of half a continent that had been cut off by the Iron Curtain, and helped unleash tides of history that led to a united and democratic Europe.

“Like millions around the world, I was inspired by his words and leadership, and was humbled to stand with the Czech people in a free and vibrant Hradcany Square as President. We extend our condolences to President Havel’s family and all those in the Czech Republic and around the world who remain inspired by his example. Vaclav Havel was a friend to America and to all who strive for freedom and dignity, and his words will echo through the ages.”

****

Morning everyone. A bit of a busy day ahead, but will catch up later 😉


288 Responses to “rise and shine”


  1. 1 Julie
    December 18, 2011 at 7:53 am

    Good morning all you TOD people! Another glorious day!

    Julie

  2. 3 Ceb
    December 18, 2011 at 8:04 am

    Good morning, Chips and TOD family.

    Have a great day everyone.

  3. December 18, 2011 at 8:11 am

    Happy sunday #TOD family..!!

    ·oooO·.·.·.·.·.·.·.
    ·.·(·.·.)·.·.Oooo·
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    ·.·.·\_)·.·.·.·)·./·.·.
    ·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·(_/·.·.·
    ·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·
    ·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·
    ·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·
    ·.·Rock Wuz Here.·.
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    ·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·

    FIRED UP…!!

    READY TO GO..!!! 😀

  4. 6 mtmarilyn
    December 18, 2011 at 8:13 am

    Good morning Chips and TOD family! I hope everyone has a gl horious Sunday!

  5. 7 CTGirl
    December 18, 2011 at 8:39 am

    RIP, Sir!

    Gooooood morning everyone!

  6. December 18, 2011 at 8:46 am

    I love Vaclav Havel. I honor his life, his courage, his vision.
    wow wow wow. I am so glad that PBO got to be with him
    on a couple of occasions before VH died. Rest in peace,
    dear man, dear leader.

  7. 10 Linda
    December 18, 2011 at 8:51 am

    Good Morning…..

    Is Barack Obama the first Ninja elected President of the United States?

    Burying Your Victories: What if Obama Taxed the Rich but Never Told Anyone? Did you know Obama’s health care bill contained a $20 billion a year tax on the richest Americans?

    http://www.truth-out.org/burying-your-victories-what-if-obama-taxed-rich-never-told-anyone/1323786787

    This is the real reason the Republicans want it repealed.

  8. 11 Linda
    December 18, 2011 at 9:12 am

    Chris Hayes talking about Ron Paul again

    • December 18, 2011 at 9:25 am

      Another far left libertarian who Hayes the government.
      Me thinks, the far left is confused. If you are for Ron Paul, you are not a leftie, you may be an ideologue, or a single issue voter, but you are not a leftie!

      That is all!

    • 13 hopefruit2
      December 18, 2011 at 9:31 am

      As another poster said earlier, I think they’re pushing Ron Paul to help Romney. Ron Paul’s surge will knock Gingrich off frontrunner status and ultimately help Romney in Iowa. That’s what the media is doing – helping Romney.

    • 16 dotster3
      December 18, 2011 at 9:35 am

      After looking at the comments on Romney’s endorsement in the Des Moines Register last night, I am predicting that Paul wins Iowa. There were hundreds of comments, and almost all were from Paul supporters. They are rabid. I tried to bravely insert some brutal truths about Paul in a comment, and my comment was gone in a flash.

      • 17 utaustinliberal
        December 18, 2011 at 4:18 pm

        Bless your heart for trying Dotster. Paul followers are rabid in their obsession with him. A classmate of mine is a Paul follower and my goodness, no matter what you tell him about Paul, he’s still obsessed with his neurotic policies. Paul would have voted against the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, would allow private businesses to discriminate against African-Americans. His past writings which were exposed this week seem like the writings of a deranged person who thinks isolationism is wonderful. Too mnay damned red flags.

    • 18 Cha
      December 18, 2011 at 5:09 pm

      Chris Hayes should be talking about what you posted above, Linda. That’s a great bit of news about HCR that the real left should enjoy. Instead, he’s being shallow and talking about a racist..that’s all that stands out for me. ron paul reminds me of a cockroach.

      I have falling stars on my screen!

  9. December 18, 2011 at 9:27 am

    Paul Ryan lying like a son of a gun, in this week.

  10. December 18, 2011 at 9:38 am

    Love the pictures tweeted by Richard Engle about the war being OVER weeks earlier. Trying to find all the coverage on TV…not finding any!

    • 23 L3
      December 18, 2011 at 9:57 am

      He was the lead story on Today this morning and Iraq was the second story on ABC’s morning show after Romney’s two endorsements by Haley and the Des Moines Register. It was also the second story on the CBS morning show.

      Hey Chips, your favorite Politico hack, Julie Mason, is going to be on Reliable Sources this morning. She’s listed as being with Sirius XM Radio. It looks like these folks have parlayed their Politico experience to possibly make more money as they spread their tentacles to other media organizations.

  11. 24 Linda
    December 18, 2011 at 9:47 am

    Oh Goodie ….AlexNitWit….is having the first Black Governor on her show to undermine President Obama and say that Clintion is still the first Black President.

    brb…I need to go throw-up.

    • 25 vero804
      December 18, 2011 at 9:51 am

      Ha…guess unheard it correctly. This will be so enlightening. NOT!

      • 26 Left-Indie
        December 18, 2011 at 10:42 am

        Just heard it. His logic is going in circles. However, what I think the main point of his complaint is that obama is not hiring enough black folks, and two, the Prez needs to stack the belly of the government machinery with people that think like him so that even after he leaves office these like-minded folks carry on. He is wrong at the cabinet level. There is Dept. of Energy, Attorney Gen, UN secratary, and the surgeon general. On the lower level, I don’t know. My wife worked in D.C govt and remember her telling me that the Bushies were graping parmanent post everywhere. It would be great if we are doing that, too.

        • 27 dotster3
          December 18, 2011 at 11:08 am

          People need to remember that President Obama is president of all of the people.

        • December 18, 2011 at 11:34 am

          as someone pointed out on twitter, would be nice if Pres.Obama can get his appointees through Congress in the first place. Also Joy of the Reid Report showed that Pres.Obama appointed and hired more Blacks than Clinton did and that if the Blackness of the President was determined by how many AA’s in top positions of his cabinet then George Bush would be the Blackest of all. He appointed Rice and Powell.

    • December 18, 2011 at 1:41 pm

      People misunderstood “first black President”- from the woman that coined it
      Edited on Thu May-08-08 11:39 AM by Ichingcarpenter

      She’s won the Pulitzer and Nobel prizes and recently received the PEN/Borders Literary Service Award. A new collection of her nonfiction, What Moves at the Margin, is out now. Toni Morrison will now take your questions:

      Do you regret referring to Bill Clinton as the first black President? —Justin Dews, Cambridge, Mass.

      People misunderstood that phrase. I was deploring the way in which President Clinton was being treated, vis-à-vis the sex scandal that was surrounding him. I said he was being treated like a black on the street, already guilty, already a perp. I have no idea what his real instincts are, in terms of race.
      —————————————————————————————————————————————

      Why did you endorse Barack Obama for the presidency? —Chris Francis Lightbourne, Long Island, N.Y.

      I thought about voting for Hillary at the beginning. I don’t care that she is a woman. I need more than that. Neither his race, his gender, her race or her gender was enough. I needed something else, and the something else was his wisdom.

      http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132×5883719

      • 30 Cha
        December 18, 2011 at 5:25 pm

        That’s interesting what Tony Morrison had to say about that..thank you, creolechild. I read the comments and a lot of them were from known PObama haters and they actually refrained from any cheap shots and didn’t mention him at all.

  12. 31 debbyeOh
    December 18, 2011 at 9:48 am

    Good morning, TOD family! And good morning to you, Miss Chips, when you get a moment, could you please email me? Many thanks! debbye :).

  13. 32 vero804
    December 18, 2011 at 9:50 am

    OMG…I think I just heard Alex Witt tease her show by telling us that she’s going to interview the nation’s first black governor about how Bill Clinton may, in fact, still really really be this country’s first black president. This, I got to,see. There will be some interesting verbal garbage coming from old man Wilder this fine morning,

    • 33 jacquelineoboomer
      December 18, 2011 at 9:53 am

      Can’t even begin to tell ya how much I dislike Alex Witt.

    • 35 Bill
      December 18, 2011 at 9:53 am

      Doug Wilder has been and is upset that PBO does not seek his advice for every decision he makes.

      • 36 vero804
        December 18, 2011 at 9:58 am

        Yeah. Every now and then he goes on Joe Madison’s talk radio show to start some trouble with his unsolicited advice and complaints against the president. He was still complaining about the fact that the president hadn’t considered or appointed a black man for the Supremes when he had the vacancies. How random and old is this complaint? Just trying to complain for the sake of complaining.

      • 37 L3
        December 18, 2011 at 10:15 am

        I did not know he had a problem with PBO until recently. Do you know any details?

        • 38 Bill
          December 18, 2011 at 10:28 am

          I have the sense he expected a big time appointment such as maybe a Supreme Court Justice spot and has been complaining that PBO has not appointed enough Blacks to major positions.

      • December 18, 2011 at 11:37 am

        Read this: Revenge of the Clintonites: Black Democrats cling to their ‘first black president’

        http://www.thegrio.com/politics/revenge-of-the-clintonites-black-democrats-cling-to-the-first-black-president.php

        • 40 Cha
          December 18, 2011 at 5:38 pm

          Thanks gobrooklyn! Wow WOW WOW..Joy Reid came though. I absolutely hate Whiners like Wilder and she really outed him.

          It’s an intriguing question coming from the first — and only — black governor of Virginia. Meanwhile, the present governor of that state had to walk back an attempt to commemorate the Civil War with no mention of slavery. If Wilder left a stamp on that state on behalf of African-Americans, Gov. Bob McDonnell may not have gotten the memo.

      • 41 nathkatun7
        December 18, 2011 at 7:30 pm

        He is more upset and jealous that he did not become the first Black President. That’s all. He ran for President and got absolutely no where. Now this looser wants to tell the guy who ran and won big what to do. Somebody should ask him how many high level Black people he appointed when he was Governor of Virginia. How many? Names please.

        Wilder won the governorship of Virginia because he ran as a moderate conservative Democrat who de-emphasized race. Now all of a sudden he pretends to be a race man. I am just so sick of these so called Black leaders who are so consumed with envy! Thankfully the vast majority of black people know the games that people like Wilder and Waters are playing.

    • December 18, 2011 at 9:55 am

      Wilder was the one who is pushing Hillary to come onto the ticket to save the Party.
      This guy Wilder is just like Waters and Cornell West.

    • 44 isonprize
      December 18, 2011 at 8:39 pm

      Doug Wilder needs to check into the “Go somewhere and have a seat” hotel.

  14. 45 jacquelineoboomer
    December 18, 2011 at 9:51 am

    RIP, Mr. Havel. Solidarity!

  15. December 18, 2011 at 9:52 am

    The media has blacked out the coverage of the end of the Iraq war.
    You know, like they did when the President went to Austrailia.
    Coincidence?

    • 47 jacquelineoboomer
      December 18, 2011 at 9:56 am

      I did see coverage last night and this morning on CNN. MSNBC was on “Lockup” (in more ways than one).

  16. 48 vero804
    December 18, 2011 at 9:53 am

    Is anyone else bothered by the talking point that Ron Paul should be taken seriously, even though he is a racist?

    • 49 nintendowii10
      December 18, 2011 at 9:57 am

      I’m bothered by Ron Paul followers who refuse to actually look up his positions and parrot the same old rhetoric about him respecting the Constitution and whatnot.

      • 50 vero804
        December 18, 2011 at 10:00 am

        One of Hayes’ panelists this am called him a “constitutional Republican.” I’m like, why? Just because he claims the constitution as the basis for his crappy positions?

      • December 18, 2011 at 12:22 pm

        Ron Paul’s supporters (at least the ones I’ve encountered on blogs) refuse to accept his racism. They claim he didn’t write the racist newsletters. The refuse to comment on his anti Civil Rights, Voting Rights and Disability Act stance. They are seem more like a cult to me.

        • December 18, 2011 at 1:13 pm

          He claims that he didn’t write the racist newsletter, but he allowed the racist newsletter to be authored under his name, and hasn’t explained whether he endorses the ideas expressed under his name in the newsletter.

    • December 18, 2011 at 9:57 am

      This issue, more than any other in the liberal media, is mind boggling.
      It tells me, that the liberal media is not.
      It is, in fact, libertarian media.
      Let’s not kid ourselves!!!

    • 54 jacquelineoboomer
      December 18, 2011 at 9:58 am

      Funny we know he’s a huge racist, but you never hear that from news people. At least I’ve never heard it. Did you hear Ron Paul accuse Michele Bachmann of “hating Muslims” (on Jay Leno’s show), which she has now denied? They are all low lifes.

      • 55 vero804
        December 18, 2011 at 10:03 am

        Did not know he said that about Bachman. Well, it seems like it took,Sean Hannity to point out Paul’s racist statements about blacks’ ending the LA riots only because it was time to pick up their welfare checks.

  17. 57 JD
    December 18, 2011 at 9:55 am

    Havel is one of my heros, a man known for his persistence in doing right and opposing wrong. Reminds me of someone else…

    I highly recommend Havel’s essays as well as “Letters to Olga”. Really thought provoking.

  18. December 18, 2011 at 10:00 am

    Karzai is on fareeds show…

  19. 61 vero804
    December 18, 2011 at 10:11 am

    Could the House Repubs possibly end up doing a full year extension since according to Boehner the 2 month extension is unacceptable? That would be good unless they manage to extract some major concessions, like crazy spending cuts.

  20. 64 desertflower
    December 18, 2011 at 10:12 am

    Happy Sunday, TOD’ers! Found a MUST READ for you …..

    http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-gops-crackpot-agenda-20111207

    The Republican Party – dominated by hardliners still cocky after the electoral sweep of 2010 – has backed its entire slate of candidates into far-right corners on everything from the environment and immigration to taxation and economic austerity. Whether the GOP opts for Mitt Romney or an “anti-Mitt” is almost entirely beside the point. On the major policy issues of the day, there’s barely a ray of sunshine between any of the viable Republicans, not counting those who have committed the sin of libertarianism (Ron Paul) or moderation (Jon Huntsman). No matter who winds up with the nomination, it appears, Obama will face a candidate to the right of Barry Goldwater.

    Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-gops-crackpot-agenda-20111207#ixzz1gtp8i6HV

    • December 18, 2011 at 11:01 am

      Incredibly good read DF. Certainly a must for anyone here who has RWNJ in their lives. I like the last quote:

      “Mike Lofgren, until recently a top Republican staffer on the Senate Budget Committee, has offered an even more dire assessment of “the whole toxic stew of GOP beliefs.” This fall, Lofgren announced he was abandoning his own party – unable to stomach what he called “the headlong rush of Republicans to embrace policies that are deeply damaging to this country’s future.” Citing the “broad and ever-widening gulf between the traditional Republicanism of an Eisenhower and the quasi-totalitarian cult of a Michele Bachmann,” Lofgren summed up the GOP’s capitulation to extremism: “The crackpot outliers of two decades ago,” he concludes, “have become the vital center today.””

    • 66 Lovepolitics2008
      December 18, 2011 at 11:15 am

      Thanks for the link, desert. Wow reading all the lunacy at once is just scary.

      This article should be read by every non-radical republican voter and every independant. The reading of the radical policies all at once can trigger some “awakenings” I think.

    • December 18, 2011 at 2:07 pm

      Libertarianism is more extreme than the tea party. And Jon Huntsman is not a moderate.

  21. 70 vero804
    December 18, 2011 at 10:22 am

    This interview is bullshit.

  22. 71 Linda
    December 18, 2011 at 10:32 am

    It appears that the TeaPublicans are nervous about their re-election chances.

    They have not paid their RNC yearly dues.
    They have refused to help raise money for the Party as a whole.
    They have refused to share what money they do have with other Republicans

    • 72 vero804
      December 18, 2011 at 10:44 am

      I suspect they r funneling their money away from the traditional Party apparatus, toward Super PACs and other shady entities. Repubs love to operate in the dark as much as possible to gain an unfair advantage.

  23. 73 jacquelineoboomer
    December 18, 2011 at 10:32 am

    CBS Sunday Morning showed very moving coverage of the last U.S. military out of Iraq. One soldier said he’d be home for his daughter’s birthday and his son’s birthday.

    Thank you, President Obama.

    With about 4,500 Americans alone killed in Iraq (not to mention all the other war dead), shouldn’t we all really be having parades in the street that the remaining military are finally ALL coming home?

  24. 75 dotster3
    December 18, 2011 at 10:39 am

    MTP, in its infinite wisdom, decided they needed to feature Michele Bachmann today, even though she is in 5th place and—-this is funny—-only managed to attract 10 supporters at her event in Iowa yesterday. 10. Bachmann autographed the head of a bald guy supporter with the date of the Ia. caucuses. Bet he washes his head soon to stop people from pointing and laughing at him.

    • 76 Bill
      December 18, 2011 at 10:49 am

      And as usual Gregory let her run over him. He did not contest her saying PBO was responsible for the deficit increase. She quoted 2007 deficit figures not mentioning 2008 and the economisc meltdown. Gregory said nothing. He is always horribly unprepared.

  25. 78 desertflower
    December 18, 2011 at 10:41 am

    The MSM is so slow on the news! If you all remember, I posted about this news 2 days ago! Only now does it show up on MSNBC’s site

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45714468/ns/world_news-asia_pacific/#.Tu4I2TXlPeg

    This is regarding an agreement to send food aid to N Korea in exchange for them STOPPING URANIUM ENRICHMENT. This is a BFD…..what took them so long????

    • 79 nathkatun7
      December 18, 2011 at 8:16 pm

      But check out the headline, desertflower! Instead of putting emphasis on stopping uranium enrichment the emphasis was put on sending food to North Korea. If this happened during the Bush administration, I bet the headline would have read: “NORTH KOREA FORCED BY BUSH TO STOP URANIUM ENRICHMENT IN EXCHANGE FOR FOOD AID!”

  26. 80 Elly in Maryland
    December 18, 2011 at 10:46 am

    For me the end of the war is a balancing act. I respect and applaud the soldiers, can’t imagine how hard their jobs are, I am proud of them and so glad they are coming home. But I can’t forget the awfulness of how Bush et al got us in there on false pretenses and what they did/didn’t do after invading (Abu Ghraib, not understanding various factions, getting rid of all Bath party people, disbanding the Iraqi army, bringing in GOP ideologues to waste our money setting up stock exchanges etc) – I know I have spelled words wrong, I could go on and on and on. I hate the thought of Americans sugarcoating the war. The people who started it are still around and dangerous – I read somewhere that Romney’s foreign policy advisors are a bunch of neocons – will read more on this when I get a chance.

  27. 82 Pamela
    December 18, 2011 at 10:50 am

    Good Morning Everyone! Christmas music, decorating, checking in to keep informed! Thank you for an intelligent place to read the FACTS!

    • 83 JoJothecat
      December 18, 2011 at 2:02 pm

      Sounds like fun Pamela, Xmas music, decorating, and the Sunday before Xmas. I watch the WH Xmas special over and over again. This is much better than watching the GOP Sunday Liarfest.

  28. December 18, 2011 at 10:54 am

    MidAmerican Energy Holdings’ second planned solar energy investment is heartening an industry beset with problems, although observers say the two deals have special features that make them less than a total endorsement by Warren Buffett of all solar energy projects.
    MidAmerican, the Des Moines-based energy division of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. of Omaha, is putting an undisclosed amount of money – hundreds of millions, by most estimates – into two solar energy farms being built by First Solar, an industry leader. The first deal, for a California project, is an outright purchase. The second, in Arizona, is the purchase of 49 percent of a solar farm.
    The first probably wouldn’t have happened without government support, according to Raz Godelnik, who wrote on TriplePundit.com. He teaches about “green business” at the University of Delaware.

    http://m.omaha.com/om/pm_23101/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=g563WAWw

    Was wondering when Buffett was going to purchase some solar companies? If only he purchased Solyndra.

  29. 85 desertflower
    December 18, 2011 at 10:57 am

    Nice pictures of the war that’s finally over! Thank you, President Obama!!!

    http://thinkprogress.org/security/2011/12/18/391546/photos-last-troops-leave-iraq-thats-it-the-war-is-over/

    • 86 Linda
      December 18, 2011 at 11:00 am

      Oh my… that last picture….My brother kissed the ground when he got off the plane after coming back from basic training. The Vietnam War had just ended and he did not have to go .

  30. 88 Alycee (@jazziz2)
    December 18, 2011 at 11:07 am

    Good mornng TOD! A local woman’s happy experience decorating the White House Christmas tree:

    http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2011/12/18/news/doc4eed62c028247339279334.txt?viewmode=fullstory

  31. 89 Sankofa
    December 18, 2011 at 11:14 am

    Brought over from “Christmas” post. I mean no harm folks, I have concerns. Lately, I’ve noticed more articles about negativity from emo-progs, teathugs and rw talking head pundits being posted, more handwringing and more ” familiarity” with the First Family than I am comfortable with. First Lady Michelle Obama is NOT MICHE to us, we don’t know her like that and if the president or his staff are reading TOD, we should give them the respect due the first family. I love TOD, I love Chipsticks dedication in bringing excellent photos/videos and information, it is my haven from the constant ugliness outside of here. I enjoy and learn much from our commenters which I share with others and I don’t like that I’m skiping commenter’s post and sometimes all comments. I am a supporter of Presidemt Obama without qualifiers and if we can give football, baseball, basketball and hockey teams our support through wins and defeats, the President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama deserves no less from us. And I agree that maybe Chips needs to reiterate what this diary is all about. I want us TODers to be better than the noise outside, I want us to inspire and cause lurkers to post, I want others to recommend this site without reservation ( and yes, I have heard this), I want us to be a force in this upcoming election. Yes, we all have opinions and I will defend your right to express them, I’m just requesting that we give the president the support he needs and to not drop into this familiarity trend I see happening. I know, it’s all in good fun but still, a level of respect for the man, his wife and the office should be observed. Then again, maybe it’s just me.

    • 90 desertflower
      December 18, 2011 at 11:20 am

      I see your point, but it is moot. THIS is disrespectful in my eyes…more so than anyone here fondly calling Michelle Obama, “Miche”.

      http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/happy-holidays-from-the-obamas/2011/12/14/gIQAKwL4yO_story.html?hpid=z3

      • 91 Judith Fardig
        December 18, 2011 at 11:51 am

        Truly horrid and not at all funny (if it was supposed to be). Does the writer have a twitter handle?

      • 93 Sankofa
        December 18, 2011 at 12:41 pm

        Desert flower, how is my statement moot because of this cartoon? I don’t want to argue with you, just asking a question. Being brought up to respect others that deserve it and to pronounce someone’s name correctly is what I believe (having a name that gets mangled). If we are allowed to express our “feelings” here in a safe haven, why shouldn’t I be allowed the same. I grew up in the 50′ s so I would no more call Michelle Miche as I would call Nancy Pelosi Nan or Harry Reid Har no matter how fondly I think of them. We have a different opinion on moot statements and I will defend your right to your statements/ opinions any and everyday. If I feel that we, TODers, are reacting too much to lying pundits and articles and bringing them here for my “consumption”‘, then I call it as I see it and this is MY opinion, not gospel. Then again, it could just be me.

        • 94 EDP4BHO
          December 18, 2011 at 1:19 pm

          I am in agreement with you. We can all do better, once we get over the discomfort of being called out. I include myself as well, and do not mind an intelligent suggestion. I thank you for your respect and dedication to the Obama family and to the President himself. I don’t feel that you are in censorship mode, so I can relate. Stay here with us.

          • 95 Sankofa
            December 18, 2011 at 1:34 pm

            Thanks EDP4BHO. I’m not going anywhere 😀 I never want to censor anyone ever because this IS a haven from the crazy. My intention was not to call anyone out I was stating my personal feeling about things. We have said or thought that President Obama makes us want to do and be better and that’s what I want too. If he or White House staffers are reading TOD, I want them to remain and respect our input and make us the go to place for articles, positive information and photos. I want us to be the best TOD we can be. So on that note, everyone have a great and positive day. Again, thanks EDP4BHO.

        • 96 desertflower
          December 18, 2011 at 1:56 pm

          Sankofa….my apologies. I think that you may misunderstand me, but I respect your opinion. I just have to disagree with you on using the term of endearment for the First Lady. No one meant any disrespect by calling her that. No, we don’t know her, but we all wish we did. TRUE disrespect, I would argue, comes from the media, who constantly refer to this President as “Obama”, the pundits of any political stripe that outright lie, smear, tell half truths, push slanted agendas etc. in the hopes of tarnishing this President. Comparing that, to TOD’ers fondly and warmly mentioning Mrs. Obama has “Miche”, to me, is not a form of disrespect, but maybe just more” familiar” than you are comfortable with. I’ve not seen true disrespect for our First Family here…I would argue that Chips works very hard to make that a reality. That said, if it offends you, then it is one person too many that is offended.
          What I obviously failed on in showing my Washington Post link above, was that, at least to me…that is what true disrespect looks like. I didn’t find it clever OR funny…whatever that thing was that she THOUGHT was so clever, I found disrespectful. I meant that the endearing term for Mrs. Obama didn’t even come close to what she wrote…not that your comment wasn’t important….for that misunderstanding, I am sorry. Of course what you have to say is important…this place IS a haven from the ugly, and Chips will keep it that way…for ALL of us to comment on and share info that is pertinent to our common cause of working to get the truth out, and re elect this most incredible man.
          You are entitled to your opinion, of course…as I am mine. We have a different threshold for what constitutes disrespect.
          I’m glad that you voiced your concerns, and I hope that we just continue to Press On and do the tough job that we have ahead of us. Together.

          • 97 Sankofa
            December 18, 2011 at 4:12 pm

            Desertflower, we agree. I was not offended by your comments at all and I know no one here means or meant any disrespect to First Lady Obama. Here’s a point, I recommended this site to some FB friends and two visited and later messaged me a) First Lady shouldn’t have her name shortened and b) were very uncomfortable about discussions of their private sexual business, which I agreed. Just thought I would bring my concerns to all here. I want folks to enjoy TOD as we do without reservations. Don’t get it twisted, I could sit on a naughty mat every day here and at home cause I’ve got a wicked sense of humor and I’m definitely no prude. I think again, it’s just the way I was raised to not shorten someone’s name because it’s diminishes them in some way from the familiarity of it all, it that makes sense (like familiarity breed contempt kinda thing). I don’t do it to anyone, not even my family so to read it hear made me cringe, that is all. I agree that we are a fun loving group, Chipsticks has naughty mats for those “naughty times” and I find them funny, at times. Listen, enjoy your selves. I was sharing MY concern, I truly do NOT speak for everyone here….=o) So desertflower….let’s get to work on re-electing President Obama and better Democrats in 2012. …..”offering hand to you”…

      • 99 nathkatun7
        December 18, 2011 at 8:46 pm

        That was really sickening! The fact that this was carried by the “respecatable” Washington Post tells you everything about the media’s attitude towards President Obama. God forbid if some of us dare to call this racism. I can here people say that this not racism; that it’s just failed comedy.

    • 100 jacquelineoboomer
      December 18, 2011 at 11:24 am

      Understand what you are saying, totally. But keep in mind that finding refuge on TOD has become more like “family therapy” sessions for many here. We totally support the First Family in every way, as you do. We also think of them as “our family” (I’m sure you’ve seen that posted), and sometimes take liberties in good fun.

      In some of our daily lives and on so many other blogs and “news” sites, you have to be careful what you say to avoid making situations worse. Here, Chips has instituted a haven for those who want to just simply ENJOY every day of President Obama’s two terms, with his family at his side, letting our spirits soar. Sometimes, we go overboard, but it’s such a relief from the hassles that “other places” bring, I wouldn’t want to see it end.

      Obviously, we can also get serious when serious is warranted. But – speaking ONLY for myself – good humor and sanity are more important to me than watching my every word.

      • 103 Sankofa
        December 18, 2011 at 12:56 pm

        Jacquelineoboomer, not to belabor the point, I get all that. My post, which echoes some that have been brought up before, is about bringing the negative articles here. MY personal belief about not calling the First Last Miche is just that, my personal belief, it makes me cringe when I see it or hear it. As you stated, I want to simply enjoy this site, read great positive articles and react to “calls to action” and share all the positive about President Obama aith others hoping they will share also and I don’t want this type of atmosphere to end. I am NOT telling anybody to change, I’m voicing my concern in this safe haven. Then again, it could just be me and my old fashioned notions……

      • 105 dotster3
        December 18, 2011 at 1:57 pm

        I love all the fun and funny and have joined in on the enjoyment of all the swoon-worthy Obama photos. But what I find cringe-worthy is when people speculate about the Obama’s sex life. That is just wrong and so disrespectful, imho, goes way over the line. Both Barack and Michelle have conducted themselves with the utmost dignity. I want them treated the same way, not like some pop star couple in the tabloids. And I think this place is so valuable and want to attract as many Obama supporters as possible—-a wide range—-and that is not the way to do it. And I always think—-what if the President or First Lady—or their daughters—-ever landed here——–not what I want them to see.

        • December 18, 2011 at 3:10 pm

          I agree. I’ve often thought about recommending this blog to friends and family because Chipsticks does a FANTASTIC job of culling though the videos and articles on the daily accomplishments of POTUS and his administration and presenting them in the most interesting (and sometimes fun) way. However, I haven’t yet recommended this blog because of, in my opinion only, the over the line speculation and commentary about their sex life, etc. It personally doesn’t bother me but I know my friends and family who are interested only in the political work of the President would find that cringe inducing. I know it’s a good problem to have – to have a very beautiful couple in the White House – but I’m with you on keeping the conversation at a place that POTUS and his family would enjoy reading.

        • 107 L3
          December 18, 2011 at 3:15 pm

          I feel the same way about that and I can’t stand it. It’s prurient.

        • December 18, 2011 at 3:46 pm

          Now THIS I agree with. At first, I was a little embarrassed by the “naught mat”, but I loosened up and joined in the fun. Discussing the President and First Lady’s sex life is over to top, IMO.

      • 109 desertflower
        December 18, 2011 at 1:57 pm

        Thank you….you said that better than I.

      • 110 nospin
        December 18, 2011 at 8:34 pm

        X 1 million

        I hope TOD continues to do what it has been doing.

    • 111 Sara
      December 18, 2011 at 7:10 pm

      Thank you for your post! Just want you to know you are not alone. I have been lurking here for almost two years and I treasure Chips. I do not let a single day go by without getting my ‘fix’ on Obama news from TOD and SmartyPants. I do not know any sources that do a better job than these two independent women. But … I shudder at some of what passes for humor. It keeps me from suggesting my teenage relatives read it. Commenting on President Obama’s ‘package’ is supposed to be funny? Speculation that Michelle’s beautiful skin is because of activity in the marriage bed is considered okay? I often wish Chips had a separate thread for those comments. President Obama lamented that he can’t take a swim in Hawaii without a shirtless photo appearing on the front page of national news. Given that he would appreciate more privacy, how can the TOD family wish that the President would visit the site? Anyway, I know I am an old prude and have never commented on the false familiarity but I want you to know that there may well be a lot of TOD members that whole heartedly support your opinion and appreciate you giving voice to this viewpoint. God bless.

      • 112 Sankofa
        December 19, 2011 at 9:36 am

        Thanks for your reply Sara, some of what you said is why I won’t refer certain friends here, at this time. They would either not be comfortable or blush…… :(. Oh well, live and let live.

  32. 113 desertflower
    December 18, 2011 at 11:14 am

    Seriously? Georgia can afford to waste taxpayer $$$$ on this shit?

    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/12/17/georgia-birther-suit-attempts-to-remove-obama-from-2012-ballot/ Hey buddy! You’re racism is showing!

    • 114 Linda
      December 18, 2011 at 11:25 am

      Ha….I live in Ga…..the State is packed full of these types….

      North Georgia Militia
      Oathkeepers

      They elected Nathan Deal as Governor…..Remember him ? He resigned from the House a couple days before the Healthcare vote due to a pending Ethics inquiry. Then he un-resigned so he could vote NO on the bill. Then he resigned again. He was also under investigation here for bribery of a State Legislator over getting some property re-zoned to his liking and funneling State money to his own business.

  33. December 18, 2011 at 11:22 am

    Is the DNC/Dems boycotting the Sunday Shows? The line-ups are getting more and more one-sided and if there isn’t a boycott than what in the hell is Wasserman Shultz and the rest of the Dem leadership doing by not demanding equal representation on the shows? They should boycott Gregory – he’s a hack who gives powerpuff interviews to the GOP and attacks everything a Dem may say. He’s a bigger Republican tool than you even find on Fox (outside Hannity).

    • 116 nintendowii10
      December 18, 2011 at 11:33 am

      There is no point to the Sunday shows. They just want to cater to Republicans, and what is the point in demanding equal representation when they just want a “Democrat” to bash President Obama and call him weak?

      Honestly I’d rather listen to the CSPAN press conferences the Dems give, without MSM talking points about what they said. The Dems are out there, just because they aren’t in the corporate MSM doesn’t mean they are sitting and twiddling their thumbs.

      • 117 Michele
        December 18, 2011 at 11:43 am

        And some of the supportive Democrats are on MSNBC because at the end of the day CNN and FOX both suck.. So for all the bashers of MSNBC on this site who don’t report fully what is discussed in detail on Up with Chris, or Al, Ed, Rachel, or Larry, MSNBC works for me and the deniers won’t sway me turn it off..

        • 118 Keith in C-bus, Ohio
          December 18, 2011 at 11:17 pm

          All the pundits you mentioned from MSNBC are fake and are not Progressives. Al is the only one I can give props. Michele…………HONESTLY 🙄

      • December 18, 2011 at 3:51 pm

        MTP gets over 3 million viewers. That may not seem like a lot, but people pass around what they hear. I tweeted Wasseman-Shultz @DWStweets and asked her why so few Dems on the Sunday political shows? Sure we blog, but more people watch TV than blog.

    • December 18, 2011 at 11:54 am

      It’s the weekend before Christmas…who cares who is or isn’t on the stupid Sunday Shows? It’s not like there’s anything monumental going on. Even the Iowa caucuses are going to be a snooze-fest.

      • 121 Left-Indie
        December 18, 2011 at 1:56 pm

        I second that Michelle, about MSNBC. I often defend people like Rachel and Chris not because I like what they say even 80% of the time, but I feel it’s foolhardy to beat up the few on TV that are on our side. With the media in general, I don’t know if it is the incumbent factor (we’re journalists, we don’t carry water for the adminstration)or whatever (I don’t believe the “they’re racist” angle, sorry) but there is a certain hardline against Obama. This might be due to an over reaction or defensiveness against the rethugs charges that they have been waaay soft on Obama in ’08.

        • 122 L3
          December 18, 2011 at 2:47 pm

          Or it might be because they are racists, Libertarians or Clintonites and they want him to fail just as much as the right.

          I think those of us who have come to despise many of MSNBC’s hosts do so because their criticism of PBO is usually based on lies. You would think they would have just as much access to the truth about PBO and his policies as we do but somehow they often fail to report the full story. They allow their guests to come on and spew lies unchallenged, they worship a racist like Ron Paul, they praise Huntsman as a moderate when he is embracing much of the Republican nonsense being spewed by other candidates and Ed, the idiot, told people not to vote in 2010 to punish PBO. They do not take the time to analyze these deals the way Deaniac from the People’s View does and instead make snap judgements before the ink is dry accusing the Dems and PBO of the c-word because they are too lazy to read and analyze the details. And days later when it turns out PBO got a good deal all you hear is crickets because they rarely admit they’ve done or said anything wrong and instead they just move on to the next outrage. They rarely or grudgingly give PBO any credit for his accomplishments but are quick to blame him for things that are mostly the fault of Congress. Hell, with friends like them, PBO doesn’t need any enemies.

        • 123 nathkatun7
          December 18, 2011 at 9:20 pm

          Left-Indie, you’ve continuously dismissed those who argue that the attacks on President Obama from the left/right has any thing to do with racism. I wish you would be kind enough to explain fully what you think constitutes racism. Have you ever personally encountered covert racism? Or are you of the opinion that racism only occurs through overt actions like those of the KKK? How extensively have you explored this problem of race that is deeply embedded in the American culture? Unless you can educate us on what you think constitutes racism, I don’t think you should easily dismiss those who see racism, based on their knowledge and experience, in the way President Obama has been treated by the media, by the so called left, and by the right. I also wish you would give some consideration to the sentiments of those who have been victims of both overt and covert racism.

          I hope you will seriously consider, in the future, posting your views about what constitutes racism. Simply dismissing those who ask us to examine the racial angle in the way President Obama has been treated, just because you don’t believe what they say, demonstrates a closed mind on your part when it comes to the issue of racism. May be for you racism is an abstraction, but there are many people on this site who know the intimate reality of racism.

        • 124 Keith in C-bus, Ohio
          December 18, 2011 at 11:21 pm

          They are not on our side Indie. You are the poster that believes there is no RACISM being exibited in the MSM or the Democratic party. Rachel, Lawrence, Ed, and Bill are all racist and want PBO to fail. This is a PBO support site. Not EMOPROG NATION!!! 😡

        • 125 Keith in C-bus, Ohio
          December 18, 2011 at 11:24 pm

          Wow, are you sure you want to continue posting here Indie? You look like you are a Huffington Post or DailyKos fan. MY GOD HELP US CHIPS!! 😯

      • 126 nospin
        December 18, 2011 at 8:37 pm

        good point

        • 127 Left-Indie
          December 19, 2011 at 11:35 pm

          Haven’t been on Dkos since ’09. Only online place I post is here. Obama supporter since jump. About race, yes sir, I have experienced the N-word both explicitly and implicitly. The thing about opinions here is that you say what you believe is going on and I do the same. Sometimes we disagree, but often agree. Seems to me the disagreement is one of emphasis. I see the hate as largely dirty politics and not often personal. I remember very well what the media and the rethugs have done to Clinton. Accused him of murder! Impeached him! Called him all kinds of names. Called Hillary a lesbian witch and all kinds of other things. Membership in the militia exploded…all this, mind you, when the economy was good. If that was Obama in office then, some might go to racism as explanation. I go to rethugs organized politcal assasination machine first and wonder how we can match it. It took them years to build theirs. We should do the same.

    • December 18, 2011 at 2:04 pm

      I’m guessing she has been asking for face time but it’s the same old problem.These Sunday shows are hard wired Republican. Look how many times John McCain is on. I’m surprised he didn’t do a guest spot this week. Dems can’t do anything if the network doesn’t book them. At least the ones who aren’t Obama bashing.

  34. 129 Don
    December 18, 2011 at 11:22 am

    Good morning T.O.D family, I hope all is well this holiday season. I need for you guys to pray for me, I need the strength to keep going to work every day surrounded by republicans that want less government and want to repeal the health care bill that was signed into law. I need strength because we are employed by the government, yep. And these are the same coworkers that take every goddamn government benefit that can get their hands on; you would be amazed at some of the benefits we get. It is becoming increasingly difficult to carry on conversations that start and end with “I hate the government.” We are paid very well, our health care is covered, sick days, vacations days, you name it we get it. We are in the middle of a pay freeze, I’m ok with it, and if we stay on a pay freeze for two more years I’ll except it and keep going my job. I thank god that I have a job. And these people fix their fucking mouths to talk shit about the government. Never mind that they bitch and moan when they get their obscene paychecks, they actually complain when government reaches out to help someone that truly needs help. I just don’t know anymore, how can you not want the best for your fellow man. How can you complain that the government is trying to insure that all its citizens have health insurance when the government pays for you are your family’s health insurance? Someone please explain that one to me? I have about one year of college and I make more than most people with Masters Degrees make, and that’s without doing one hour of overtime, but my work is very dangerous, I guess that’s the tradeoff. Still I’m at a lost to figure out my coworkers attitudes. I’m starting to question my own sanity; maybe I’m not seeing the same things they are seeing, maybe I’m the one that’s confused.

    • 130 jacquelineoboomer
      December 18, 2011 at 11:38 am

      Don – Obviously, I haven’t got the answer to your heartfelt questions. But – from my POV – you are the sane one!

      It’s human nature to bitch and moan, and the old saying “misery loves company” is why negativity is so catching. Please just #PressOn and know you are on the right side of this issue!

      I retired from the federal government, along with a friend of mine who worked at the same wonderful organization as I (we both loved it), for her entire career. Then she went to work for her state government, about 10 years ago. When she talks about work now, she constantly says that she hates working there, because “state workers” get too many holidays, too good of a health benefits plan, too much sick and vacation time, too good of a retirement plan, etc. I listen to her, but laugh to myself that SHE is also getting the same number of holidays and the rest of it that they are getting, yet she calls them parasites. It’s human nature, unless – like you – you see the value in having a job, doing good work, being grateful that you’re getting a good salary. I’d rather be YOU.

      • December 18, 2011 at 3:28 pm

        2nd Timothy, third chapter tells it all, plus when you are full of darkness (hate) it hard to see light (goodness) The root of the problem is racism ,You can close your eyes and see what you want to see but when you open your eyes you see the truth, Dont take my word look at historie. There is no black person in the USA that change history and did not go through racism, baseball, movies, education, the list go on, and now we can add the President to that list. Hate and Greed is what you see in the light, which come from fear of other

        Also, It not about big gov. every one want a piece of the Gov. for themselve or for themselves and other. About the Media the media have all way shown blacks in a negative way,one example Hip hop is a culture/tribal not a black thing but if you look at the media you think all black is into hip hop, more blacks in jail vs college, 99% of blacks are poor and are living off the GOV. Do you really think they going to change that image for the first black President, This is a battle not an election, A battle for the hearts and mind of the people, as in civil right, voting right, this is one of those very meaningful battle for the future of the USA, so to keep going forward.

    • 132 Frenchie08
      December 18, 2011 at 11:47 am

      Hang in there Don!

      You are dealing with people who are very afraid of change. Their lives as they understood them are being challenged by a new reality. They thought this election was a fluke. They thought this President would FAIL. They COUNTED on it! He is not only not failing, he is EXCELLING! I think they also know this President wil serve a second term despite all the hatred and anger aimed at him. They are like children who stomp their feet, yell, cry, call thier parents names. Yes even tell them they HATE them when they do not get their way.

      Feel sorry for them. Pity them. Do not let THIER weakness sap you of YOUR stength. They want to go back. They cannot. WE will not. The President will not. We will Press On! When the fog clears, you will realize that you ARE the sane one! Keep coming here for reinforcements. The TOD family will support you.

    • 134 desertflower
      December 18, 2011 at 11:50 am

      OH! I see…they suffer from the Republican syndrome! That would be the one that says: “I got mine, fu**you!”
      No, Don…it isn’t you that is confused.That is the destructive and inhumane mindset of RW’ers and a huge dose of FOX. Anyone that thinks like we do, are “The Others” and they manage to twist their evil, uncivilized thoughts into something acceptable…..somehow separating them from a connection they have to the very entity that makes it possible for them to house themselves and their family, keep their families healthy and strong, build a nest egg for their later years, and enjoy paid vacations. It’s the very same syndrome that effects every Republican running for office…they HATE GOVT, but yet they are RUNNING FOR A GOVT JOB!

      Tell you what. Why don’t you ask them to give up their cushy job, because they hate the govt SO much, and maybe, just maybe, my newly unemployed husband would be happy to take that job! I’ll send his resume. He is highly qualified. Spent 20 years serving his country in the US Navy. Submarines. Tough job.Though he quit high school to join the Navy, he managed to get his BS, an MBA, and complete all the coursework for his Ph.D. He has the most integrity of anyone I know. Is a great employee, and knows how to do his job. Never takes a sick day. Ever.He’s worked for the govt (Navy) and would LOVE to be able to have that kind of job security again.This is the second time in about a year that he’s lost a job.Frankly, I’m getting a little long in the tooth to be dealing with this shit at this time in my life, and would love the chance to be stable. So would my kids.

      So, ask the snivelling jerks you work with, why THEY feel entitled to trash the entity that pays their bills and affords them the secure lifestyle they enjoy! Get pissed, get educated, and throw the facts right back at them!If they don’t appreciate what they have…I know someone that would GLADLY take their spot!

      Bet they all will have a wonderful Christmas/holiday this year! For my family, we’ve decided to postpone it, until he gets a job! More important to try and keep my house that I fought 3 years to keep!

      Sorry, Don….not mad at you…feel your frustration….FACTS DON’T LIE….they need the facts. Keep talking to them..they are all in denial. And you can use my example of how utterly foolish they are.

      • December 18, 2011 at 12:06 pm

        Don – don’t just sit and seeth. that’s what I was doing. I went and joined up at my local OFA and I can’t tell you how much that helps -immensely! I am surrounded by people who are in the same vein as me – people who think PBO is the VERY person we need in the WH. It’s such a breath of fresh air I really look forward to my time there.

        I am also feeling more energized because I feel that it is imperative that we help get elected the people who are going to help PBO (like Nancy Smash). and the people at my OFA also feel this way. We are really hoping to turn MN back to solid blue.

        So take heart Don, there is something you can do to keep from going nuts. 🙂

        OK gotta go do chores. Later TOD

      • 136 JoJothecat
        December 18, 2011 at 1:24 pm

        Hi desertflower, my sentiments exactly. I would love for these GOP complainers to quit and go work in the private industry for the “job creators”, it’s their opportunity to see how the other side lives and let someone like your husband or people who have been unemployed recently or for the past five years to work and appreciate it and probably do a better job. I work for a state government and would hear the same crap from fellow employees how the government is no good and there are tons of good private jobs out there. Well now he is unemployeed..fired for doing a crappy job, given high expectations, and failed. I would tell him HE is the kind of person he’s always complaining about…now the tables have turned. One day the table will turn on them too.

    • December 18, 2011 at 12:12 pm

      Yes, I hear you on this; and it can ~crazy making~ to live in the environment you describe. I don’t think you should try to stand up against it. It is rather too toxic, as you describe it; and I believe the extent of it, as you describe it. It is important for you to find just one other person, either at work or in your assortment of friends, who shares some of your perspectives. If you can’t, then I recommend that you practice considering that these people are fraid and unconscious and are not looking for anything else other than strengthened their own dug-in position. This is what Barack obama deals with when he’s looking at the White House Press Corps, or, even worse, trying to work with Congress. It is insane, truly, not even trying to be dramatic about it. And I say ~don’t get dramatic~. Just get yourself clear. And practice silence, best you can. And when you get home, get to The Obama Diary as quickly and as often as you can. you are not crazy. I promise.

    • 139 Obama Grandmama
      December 18, 2011 at 12:28 pm

      It is sad how those who have a lot do not want anyone else to have anything or just are never satisfied with what they do have. Selfishness and greed seem to be predominate in our culture today. Living your life in an empathetic, sharing way can be an example to others. Not falling victim to the negative thoughts of others is important. Spend some quality time here with us on a positive blog to rejuvenate your spirits so we can fight to re-elect PBO.

    • 140 EDP4BHO
      December 18, 2011 at 1:35 pm

      Don, I can only add that these folks probably were very much okay in their positions, until the head of the government became an African American. Never before have I heard this amount of dissension about the reach of government, not in the everyday. They are showing the elements of Obama Derangement Syndrome. Roll with it knowing you are not confused, and have every reason to feel morally superior because you do not run on hatred of the black man in office.

    • December 18, 2011 at 2:03 pm

      No, Don, you’re fine…

      They’re hypocrites!

      And, those public workers, who are elected TeaPUBLICANS, at the local/state and federal-level, need to be “called out” on a regular basis for their hypocrisy….Grrr! 😡

      YES.WE.CAN…DO.(Much)More, Together!
      PRESS ON!

    • December 18, 2011 at 2:34 pm

      Don – I know the feeling. I work in a VERY Republican-friendly company (pharmaceutical) and we often have presentations to tell us of the horrors of the Health Care law and how it’s eating into our profits. There are many car stickers still with Bush/Cheney, Sarah Palin 2012, Ron Paul proudly displayed. And many more touting the evils of Socialism. People have posters of George Bush and Ronald Reagan (!) at their desks. And I live in California!!

      The way I get through it is that the company does good work. I’m proud to work for a company that helps people who need the treatments we make. The individual people who work at this company conveniently forget that “Obamacare” is bringing us more people who will actually be able to afford the life-saving treatments – allowing us to save more lives.

      I don’t know what industry you’re in, but I have to believe that there’s some good in what you do, otherwise you probably would have left already. There’s nothing wrong with making money, and it’s up to you to do the best job you can do – and to be grateful that you’re so fortunate. But, you can compartmentalize everything else. Don’t try to convert these people or talk sense to them – they are beyond your help. Just be the best example you can be of a decent person – and do the best job you can. God will take care of everything else – I’m a strong believer in karma. You don’t have to solve every problem, or convince every person to be decent, and to care for their fellow man. But, your example of being hard-working and a good person will go a long way to showing them that what they think of Democrats is wrong. You can’t do any more than that.

  35. 143 desertflower
    December 18, 2011 at 11:26 am

    Ron Paul is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF are those guys thinking? They have NO IDEA, do they? Or maybe they do.

    http://www.balloon-juice.com/2011/12/18/ron-paul-made-millions-from-racist-newsletter/

  36. 144 halo
    December 18, 2011 at 11:26 am

    IRAQ WAR IS OVER! WOOHOO~

  37. 149 halo
    December 18, 2011 at 11:37 am

    ZERO NEWS ON IRAQ WAR BEING OVER. MEDIA IS A SHAME

    • 150 L3
      December 18, 2011 at 12:57 pm

      Not true. I saw three reports on each network morning show (ABC, NBC and CBS)

    • 151 utaustinliberal
      December 18, 2011 at 4:39 pm

      That’s a categorical lie. ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, local news stations, and CNN had news coverage about the end of the Iraq war. CNN had live coverage of the troops leaving Iraq and arriving in Kuwait and the signing over of Camp Adder to the Iraqi government.

  38. December 18, 2011 at 11:57 am

    The Des Moines Register endorsed McCain and Clinton in 2008 http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-12-15-register-endorsements_N.htm Huckabee and Obama won. How much weight can we give to their endorsement of Romney? Clearly the people of Iowa didn’t give a fig about their endorsement 4 years ago.

  39. December 18, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    Thank YOU President Barack Hussein Obama

    Early this morning, the last of our troops left Iraq.

    As we honor and reflect on the sacrifices that millions of men and women made for this war, I wanted to make sure you heard the news.

    Bringing this war to a responsible end was a cause that sparked many Americans to get involved in the political process for the first time. Today’s outcome is a reminder that we all have a stake in our country’s future, and a say in the direction we choose.

    Thank you.

    Barack

    • December 18, 2011 at 2:42 pm

      The fact that he personally has to “make sure you heard the news” tells us plenty about the state of the media. Thank you, President Obama.

    • 155 nathkatun7
      December 18, 2011 at 9:59 pm

      I got the same e-mail from our magnificent President. I was overjoyed to hear the news directly from the President. That meant that I didn’t have to bother with the media trying to spin, filter, or totally ignore, this historical day.

      Yes Indeed! Thank you President Obama for keeping yet another of your promises.

  40. 156 Ladyhawke
    December 18, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    Republicans may yet kill middle-class tax cut

    ==================================

    This is what happens when American elect radical children to run a chamber of Congress.

    Some House GOP leaders say they want an extension. A few rank-and-file House Republicans don’t want to be on the hook for a middle-class tax increase. If Boehner wanted to reach out to House Dems on this, he probably wouldn’t have much trouble pulling 218 votes together.

    But that’s just not how the process works anymore. The Speaker isn’t calling the shots; he’s taking the orders. And as of yesterday, Boehner’s caucus told him this isn’t good enough.

    ================================

    http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_12/republicans_may_yet_kill_middl034176.php#

  41. December 18, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    Good Day Everyone..

    On my way out to volunteer….I am a little concerned about these #OW…

    DES MOINES, Iowa — Occupy Des Moines activists on Saturday vowed to shut down President Barack Obama’s campaign offices and set up a camp outside they plan to maintain around the clock.

    “We have every intention to keep this place closed down until we are satisfied,” said Frank Cordaro, an activist and founder of the Catholic Worker group in Des Moines.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/occupy-activists-set-up-camp-outside-obama-re-election-office-in-des-moines/2011/12/17/gIQAHpz70O_story.html?tid=sm_twitter_washingtonpost

    • 158 halo
      December 18, 2011 at 12:17 pm

      Typical Firebagger Behavior. TFB

    • 159 Linda
      December 18, 2011 at 12:21 pm

      These people are the fringe of the movement and need to be ignored.

      • December 18, 2011 at 12:36 pm

        I understand…but my thing is that..they are growing..and most that voted for PBO are now trashing him just like P/L, they are a distraction from progress…Media gives them time..just like they did Teaparty…and we end up with Teaparty/Congress..that are now disrupting PBO agenda. IMHO

        • 161 hopefruit2
          December 18, 2011 at 12:55 pm

          They are NOT growing (despite what the media claims) and they will NOT succeed. In fact, this is a desperate attempt on their part to get attention – as we have seen, if all else fails, try to drag the President into it. It’s no different from Donald Trump’s birtherism attention-seeking behavior. It’s just another variant of ODS (Obama Derangement Syndrome).

          • 162 Sankofa
            December 18, 2011 at 1:08 pm

            THIS….totally agree hopefruit2

          • 163 EDP4BHO
            December 18, 2011 at 1:43 pm

            You’re right hopefruit. Notice we haven’t heard much in the news in the past couple of weeks about these clowns, especially after many groups were shut down and shut out, told to move on. So what better way to get in the news again than to hitch a ride on the Bash-O-Bama (my new term) knowing full well the media would never miss the opportunity to shine light on negativity towards PBO. Not only this, but in no way will OFA allow them to halt their agenda.

          • December 18, 2011 at 2:49 pm

            So true, Hopefruit. Look at how the last few encampments have been disbanded with no violence or arrests – I think many of the OWS folks have been waiting for the police to shut them down. A movement with no clear goals cannot persist. They latched on to broad feelings of frustration, but had no idea what to do with them. They have forgotten that the President has a real multi-million person movement that was created by a “community organizer”, who knows how to set and achieve goals, and to inspire people to do the same. After all these months, I still don’t know what these people want, and every time I hear of their latest stunt, I get angrier. They refuse to join a movement that is actually and actively working for the things that they say they believe in – and then decide to close down an office that is doing real work until they’re “satisfied”? Their actions are those of people who’ve never actually done the hard work of making a difficult thing happen. And going into an election year, with so much at stake, they are a waste of time and a distraction if they’re not going to get on board with the actual people who are trying to do good.

          • 165 nathkatun7
            December 18, 2011 at 10:07 pm

            Hopefruit2, I totally agree with you. I also thank you for your foresight because, from its inception, you did your best to expose the lunacy of OWS!

        • December 18, 2011 at 12:57 pm

          Growing? Seriously? A large portion of them don’t vote, and many who did voted for fringe candidates. I’m not concerned at all about any number of them who claim they voted for the President (lesser of two evils is not support, btw) in ’08. We will more than make up for their defection with defections from the Republican Party. Iowa doesn’t have a Senator running for re-election either, and Ron Paul has to get his name on the ballot for these fringe folks to vote for him. Not exactly a winning hand that they’re holding. I suspect the people at the OFA office will find a way to diffuse this by making friends with them, the way the Boston Police did.

        • 167 hopefruit2
          December 18, 2011 at 12:59 pm

          Another thing – I doubt these people voted for PBO – I think they are misrepresenting themselves. I would wager that the majority of these folks in privacy of the voting booth voted for John McCain in 2008, or simply didn’t vote at all (like Keith Olbermann). That includes MUCH of the so-called PL contingent like Michael Moore, Bill Maher, Tweety, Glen Greenwald, Markos, Huffington, Ratigan, etc.

        • December 18, 2011 at 1:31 pm

          they aren’t growing and in fact I have been less and less about them. Could be because of the holiday and may return once election heats up but they are not growing.

        • December 18, 2011 at 4:26 pm

          I’ve read that some of these OWS admitted that they don’t vote. I dare say these folks in Iowa are Tea/Libertarians.I doubt if they will make a difference.

        • 171 Keith in C-bus, Ohio
          December 18, 2011 at 11:36 pm

          LMAO!! Honestly kasai. I know you are an activist and work for OFA like I do. You can’t seriously believe they are growing. They have no direction and are being put in place to disrupt and get attention. A boat without a rudder sinks. If anything the general public is losing interests. FOCUS ON THE PRIZE my friend.

    • December 18, 2011 at 12:48 pm

      What is it that they think they can do? A strip mall is private property.

    • 173 Desraye
      December 18, 2011 at 1:23 pm

      What will they do after they shutdown the headquarters? This is a dumb idea just like shutting down the ports was a dumb idea.Also the president volunteers can always find another place to meet.

      • 174 FiredUpInCA
        December 18, 2011 at 1:37 pm

        Many OFA volunteers call from home. Is OWS going to start occupying apartments next? I remain profoundly unimpressed with the directionless OWS.

        I am a 99 percenter and they do not represent me in any way, shape, form, solid, liquid, gas or WiFi.

        • 175 nathkatun7
          December 18, 2011 at 10:17 pm

          “I am a 99 percenter and they do not represent me in any way, shape, form, solid, liquid, gas or WiFi.”

          I totally co-sign your statement, FiredUpInCA! On top of that, I have absolutely nothing in common with Michael Moore, Glen Greenwald, Keith Olbermann, Dylan Ratigan, Cenk Uygur, Arianna Huffington and Adam Greene. More importantly, I have absolutely have nothing in common with the racist Ron Paul who still opposes the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.

      • 176 Janelle
        December 18, 2011 at 1:44 pm

        I totally agree with this. They can scream and yell, but OFA will just meet at another location. It’s meant for the cameras and attention. Remember the “Brooks Brothers” folks that were sent to storm in and scream, protest and intimidate those counting the 2000 votes? They weren’t regular folks, they were Tom DeLay aides. It scared a lot of people and took up a lot of the media’s attention. These Occupy people could be a combination of a lot of folks but if they’re targeting OFA only, they are truly suspect. There’s going to be a lot more distractions next year. Koch Bros. and other lobby interests will cook up a lot of schemes. Let’s not be fooled by them. When one scheme dissipates, another will be invented—-they will not give up. They will scream, holler, infiltrate townhalls and rallies and yes they can protest and scream, and the cameras will be on them and “Obama is doomed” meme will be repeated all year long, but they won’t win. This process is meant to wear folks down and chip away at the President’s support. That’s why PBO said this election will be close, between the pants on fire hysterics of the PL, the media reporting 24/7 negativity, voter suppression, some whining Congressional Dems, etc. He has forewarned us that it will be tougher this time and the election close. The President knows that distractions can pull people down unless they stay focused, and he also wants to remain the underdog—those of us that are impatient remember that the President is a 4th qtr player and wants to exceed expectations as the underdog. He works better that way even though some us get anxious . I really appreciate this place to read on positive, informative things. I hope we all remain tough and not get sucked into the negativity…..the other side is banking on that happening.

        • 177 CEB
          December 18, 2011 at 1:58 pm

          The president has said that he is a good counter-puncher. We have certainly seen this in his dealings with the repubs. in congress. They talk loud and he works around them or boxes them in and comes home with the bacon for the American people. A seemingly light-hearted example of this, is his stand-up at this year’s correspondents’ dinner; smart, edgy, and funny. Bitch-slapped Trump into silence. My money is always on PBO

  42. December 18, 2011 at 12:29 pm

    “I Take Some Time Off and…
    by BooMan”

    http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2011/12/18/84545/578

    On the Omnibus appropriations bill, the White House sent out some talking points about the things you and I might like about the overall deal. The thing is, pretty much everything on their list is an example of protecting something the Republicans wanted to defund or abolish or frustrate…

    you know, they saved NPR and Planned Parenthood, and AmeriCorps. They protected the EPA’s budget and prerogatives. Head Start kept the extra slots that were created by the Recovery Act. They prevented a forced regression on Cuba policy.

    These are all good things. But the midterm elections of 2010 created the problems we have now. The Republicans have far too much power in Washington and they’re exercising that power, almost without any conscience at all, to make the broadest possible attack on progressive ideals and principles.

    Not only does this put the Democrats in a defensive crouch, but its inevitable that they’re lines will occasionally be breached. It’s just wave upon wave of demented avengers, many of whom are not even controlled by their leaders.

    Elections have consequences, particularly when the winners of those elections appear to be suffering from the ill effects of the Rabies Virus.

  43. 179 desertflower
    December 18, 2011 at 12:48 pm

    Love these women 🙂 Love them! Funny stuff.

    http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/newt-got-fat-off-the-government-perry-hates-gays-cain-hates-women-republicans-hate-blacks/

    And so you have Willard Mitt Romney. Both of them. The Republicans really, really, really want to vote for the Romney who is tough on immigration, against abortion and can’t stand Obamacare. Unfortunately they have an issue voting for the Romney who is soft on immigration, votes pro-choice and believes in universal healthcare. And we can’t forget about that Mormon thing. Is he a Christian or isn’t he? Maybe one is and one isn’t. Maybe he could borrow one of Newt’s religions.

    But thank goodness there’s always Jon Huntsman. He’s still in it, right? Someone should research that. Is he still in it? Oh, but wait. Huntsman is a Mormon too. Darn those religious prerequisites. But wait, Newt still has one religion to spare.

    So really that just leaves us with Rick Santorum and Ron Paul. One is fascinated with a dog having sex with a man and the other looks like a dog had sex with a man. You know. I really don’t have a problem with that.

  44. 188 desertflower
    December 18, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Boner says no to tax cut.

  45. December 18, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    Can we have a photo of the year poll here? I’d like to see categories like Best PBO, Best FLOTUS, Best Family, Best Bo pics.
    Any nominations?

  46. 191 Ladyhawke
    December 18, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    NEWT’S DISGUST WITH THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY

    =========================================

    Just so we’re clear, this week, a leading presidential candidate articulated his belief that, if elected, he might (1) eliminate courts he doesn’t like; (2) ignore court rulings he doesn’t like; and (3) take judges into custody if he disapproves of their legal analyses.

    I hope it’s unnecessary to note that Gingrich’s vision is stark raving mad.

    I’ll just conclude with this observation: Newt Gingrich believes Barack Obama is a wild-eyed fanatic, guided by an extremist ideology, hell bent on overseeing a radical overhaul of the American system of government.

    The irony is rich.

    =========================================

    http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_12/quote_of_the_day_28034177.php

    • December 18, 2011 at 1:59 pm

      Because Dems were too quick to brag about their “win”.

      • 194 L3
        December 18, 2011 at 2:11 pm

        Who bragged about a win? The Democrats I saw were just trying to defend the vote from PL types accusing them of the c-word. I saw no one on TV bragging. I’m continuously shocked that everytime something negative happens, the Dems are blamed. How about placing the balme where it squarely belongs on a radical, racist right-wing republican caucus and its sorry, emasculated leader who by the way agreed to the deal until Cantor and the rest of the Tea Party nuts undercut him through him under the bus and accused McConnell of the c-word. That’s where the blame belongs.

      • December 18, 2011 at 2:28 pm

        Oh no no. There were media folks like Ed Henry, Major Garret and Spitzer (according to comments) I read that were calling it a win for Dems or Pres.Obama. I wouldn’t even blame the media or Dems for bragging. How did Boehner and the congressional GOP not realize how a 2 month extension or 2 mos. pipeline decision could play in PBO’s favor?

        Boehner lied to his caucus and he got busted.

      • 207 nathkatun7
        December 18, 2011 at 10:42 pm

        Go ahead and blame the Democrats! I wonder when intelligent people will soon wake up to realize that we are dealing with a bunch of depraved people, in the so called Republican party, who care less about the interests of ordinary people, but care more about destroying everything in order to defeat President Obama for a second term. Do you have any evidence to support your claim that if Democrats hadn’t been ‘too quick to brag about their “win,” ‘ these depraved people would have acted differently? Or is this one of your hunches?

  47. 208 Jessica
    December 18, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    Michelle and the girls might have to fly back to DC for Christmas. I can’t imagine that the POTUS is leaving without this payroll tax cut.

  48. December 18, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    Seen on Twitter

    @RepSteveIsrael
    Steve Israel
    It’s official: House GOP rejecting bipartisan middle class tax cut compromise. This is a partisan GOP mugging of the middle class.

    • December 18, 2011 at 2:04 pm

      Dems will have to push the fact that the bi-partisan deal in the Senate was passed 89-10 and how that’s not good enough for Boehner’s fringe caucus.

      Of course this could have all been part of the plan by McConnell – get the trillion dollar spending bill voted on and promise to work at the tax bill, knowing the GOP House would kill it.

      Dems should let it be known they could provide 100 votes for the Senate bill, meaning Boehner unable to get 119 votes out of his caucus for a plan that passed 89-10 in the Senate.

      • December 18, 2011 at 3:15 pm

        I wonder if he’s going to let the vote happen and ask Pelosi to bring about 50 votes for him. I don’t see how he (Boehner) comes out of this any other way.

  49. 218 Smilingl8dy
    December 18, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2011/12/nyt-editorial-police-harassment-through.html?showComment=1324233965033#c6280061048747599612 If this has already been posted, I apologize. Smarty Pants is one of the most insightful posters I know. This one brought tears to my eyes. As the mother of a military member, yesterday in Iraw brought tears, today different tears. As g/mother of 8 grandsons all of whom are in the danger zone of police actions, I recognize the truth of the video. I live it everyday. Those instructions-dont run, done every talk back, dont ever act demeaning or angry, always have your “papers” in order. This post is for all Americans of every stripe! We have so much work to do to keep my grandsons and your children safe. We must pray and act for a better America as we export our “values” around the world. Sorry for the rant.

  50. December 18, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    Good afternoon TOD!

    TransCanada VP tells CNN Keystone Pipeline won’t lead to many permanent jobs
    Monday, November 14, 2011 at 10:35 am
    By Ed Brayton

    Defenders of the Keystone XL pipeline have argued that the project is important for creating up to 20,000 new jobs in a struggling economy, but TransCanada, which owns the pipeline, said late last week that the number of permanent jobs would only number in the hundreds.

    This is video of an interview on CNN with Robert Jones, VP of the pipeline for TransCanada:

    http://cloudfront.mediamatters.org/static/flash/pl55.swf

    h/t The American Independent

  51. 228 desertflower
    December 18, 2011 at 2:14 pm

    Things just got a little tougher for Romney….

    http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/12/18/391570/romney-huge-middle-class-tax-cut/

    GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney has been touting his tax plan as focused on “the people in the middle, the hard-working Americans,” but on Fox News Sunday today, he acknowledged that “it’s not a huge tax cut” for the middle class:
    HOST: But the argument is, middle class people can’t afford, they don’t have enough money to have a lot of capital gains and dividends.
    ROMNEY: Look, I recognize that it’s not a huge tax cut. It is a tax reduction.

    • December 18, 2011 at 2:19 pm

      You know I gotta admit. Chris Wallace consistently ask some pretty good questions and follow up.

      • December 18, 2011 at 3:19 pm

        Other than the morning show idios (Steve Ducey, etc) most of the FOX guys have a much better knowledge of the political issues than the lightweights on CNN and MSNBC. And surprisingly, they often ask tough questions to the GOP Clown Car.

  52. 231 overseasgranny
    December 18, 2011 at 2:22 pm

    Gobrooklyn, How is your husband doing today?

  53. December 18, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    This is a gotta watch…last troops leaving Iraq …video via DRONE!!

  54. December 18, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    Homeland Security severs immigration-enforcement ties with Arizona sheriff
    By Marcos Restrepo
    Friday, December 16, 2011 at 9:23 am |

    The Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday it is immediately terminating its immigration-enforcement agreements with the office of Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Ariz.

    ~snip~

    The National Immigration Forum writes that the “Justice Department findings confirm what the American public had already suspected: Sheriff Arpaio has been more concerned with headlines than the Constitution and the law,” adding that they “also hail Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano’s prompt termination of the MCSO’s 287g agreement, which delegates authority for immigration enforcement to local officials, and restriction of the MCSO’s access to the Secure Communities program.”

    Read more: http://washingtonindependent.com/116684/homeland-security-severs-immigration-enforcement-ties-with-arizona-sheriff

    • 239 desertflower
      December 18, 2011 at 2:40 pm

      I live here. He’s a nasty piece of work. This is NOT even CLOSE to being over.

      • 240 jacquelineoboomer
        December 18, 2011 at 2:42 pm

        I can’t even imagine. So glad at least that DOJ and DHS have hit him. Won’t stop him, unless he and his cronies are put in jail.

      • December 18, 2011 at 3:12 pm

        I always picture him like the warden from Shawshank Redemption.

      • 242 desertflower
        December 18, 2011 at 3:25 pm

        Here’s the actual report from the DOJ…if you have the stomach.

        Click to access mcso_findletter_12-15-11.pdf

        his hatred for brown people made him above the law. The lawman that broke the law…and brags about it…then blames others…..while innocent people get their lives ruined, while 40,000 convicted felons roam the streets that he ignores,while 400+ child abuse cases get ignored and laughed about,because they were mostly Latinos. This is NOT over.

  55. December 18, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    So folks

    If Boner has killed the payroll tax cut, tomorrow we hit the phones, twitter, email and blast every Republican in the house, even if they are not in our district. We can also thank Senate Dems for supporting the plan and ask them to stay strong. We have not had a massive phone call day in a while, this is worth fighting for.

  56. December 18, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling said Sunday the White House is unlikely to approve the controversial Keystone XL pipeline project after only a 60-day review.

    The Canada-to-Texas pipeline has become a rallying cry for Republicans on Capitol Hill, and language included in a payroll tax extension approved by the Senate on Saturday would force President Barack Obama to make a quick decision on whether to allow the project to move forward or kill it.

    But Sperling indicated that the State Department, which is overseeing the Keystone permitting process, cannot complete an full review in that short time frame.

    http://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-live/2011/12/sperling-keystone-wont-be-approved-on-day-review-107909.html

    There ya go!

  57. December 18, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    Tens of thousands of Pakistanis rally against U.S.
    By Agence France-Presse
    Sunday, December 18, 2011

    Tens of thousands gathered in one of the biggest-ever protests in the Pakistani city of Lahore Sunday to condemn NATO and United States over the killing of 24 soldiers along the Afghan border. The protestors, mainly from Islamist groups and political parties, vowed they would march to the capital Islamabad if the government did not cancel agreements between the US designed to fight terrorism.

    ~snip~

    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/12/18/tens-of-thousands-of-pakistanis-rally-against-u-s/

    • December 18, 2011 at 2:55 pm

      A lot of them supported obl.

      • December 18, 2011 at 6:37 pm

        I’m not sure that your information is correct, Jovie. The fact is, when 24 people are killed mistakenly, people get angry and they have a right to protest. I just hope cool heads prevail and the country (Pakistan) can move forward on the right side of this – for the sake of the region and the world.

  58. December 18, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    Btw- OFA is being inundated with libertarian Ron Paul supporters.
    They apparently they do Not want the President to get any credit for the end to Iraqs war.
    They think it should go to Ron Paul. And with all of the Professional left backing Ron Paul, anything is possible. Meh!

  59. December 18, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    This story will bring a smile to your face

    Meeting the President :: Matt an OFA Volunteer from CA

    “My name is Matthew, I am nineteen years old, and I met President Obama…….”

    http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/12/meeting-president-matt-ofa-volunteer.html

  60. December 18, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    Go Dept of Energy!!

    Preventing The Next BP Oil Spill With Government-Funded Innovation

    http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/12/preventing-next-bp-oil-spill-with.html

    • 258 desertflower
      December 18, 2011 at 2:55 pm

      WiW…did you get the “Made in the USA” link that I put up for you on one of yesterday’s posts? Thank you for posting that on your site! Lots of great things there.

  61. December 18, 2011 at 2:46 pm

    No commonsense and no shame…a dangerous combination.~

    Romney says U.S. withdrawal from Iraq ‘precipitous’
    By Agence France-Presse
    Sunday, December 18, 2011

    Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney said in an interview aired Sunday that US withdrawal from Iraq is “precipitous” and blamed President Barack Obama for failing to leave some US forces behind.

    “I think we’re going to find that this president, by not putting in place a status-of-forces agreement with the Iraqi leadership, has pulled our troops out in a precipitous way and we should have left 10-, 20-, 30-thousand personnel there to help transition to the Iraqi’s own military capabilities,” Romney said in an interview with Fox News Sunday.

    Romney comments — his first appearance on a Sunday talk show in more than two years — airs after the last US troops crossed out of Iraq into Kuwait, nearly nine years after a US invasion that resulted in the deaths of 4,474 US troops and tens of thousands of Iraqis.

    ~snip~

    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/12/18/romney-says-u-s-withdrawal-from-iraq-precipitous/

  62. 263 defytheodds
    December 18, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    NEVER EVER GIVE UP IN LIFE !! ..Derek Redmond
    “Very inspirational!”

    • 268 desertflower
      December 18, 2011 at 3:00 pm

      In October and again in December, the GOP hopeful called a payroll tax cut of $1,000 to $1,500 for middle-class Americans just “a little Band-Aid.”

      Romney…If $1500 is “a little band aid” I wonder what his $ 167 is ? spit? A BIG MIDDLE FINGER??

      • 269 nospin
        December 18, 2011 at 8:54 pm

        “Romney…If $1500 is “a little band aid” I wonder what his $ 167 is ? spit? A BIG MIDDLE FINGER??”

        lol worth repeating. hah!

  63. 270 Alycee (@jazziz2)
    December 18, 2011 at 2:58 pm

    Coast Guard center in NJ likely to get $11M
    The Associated Press

    Rebuilding project originally slated for FY2017 moved to FY2012. What the article doesn’t say, but I will — JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!!!!!

    http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20111218_ap_coastguardcenterinnjlikelytoget11m.html

  64. 272 desertflower
    December 18, 2011 at 3:08 pm

    Can we somehow incorporate these blogs from all 50 states into our local pushback?? Ideas/suggestions?

    http://crooksandliars.com/kenneth-quinnell/50-state-blog-round-1

    • December 18, 2011 at 3:38 pm

      HI Desertflower

      If I understood your suggestion, we could ask folks to select at least one blog that is popular in their state and make sure we post to it with facts and accomplshments for the President. If that is what you are thinking, I am happy to add the URL for those blogs to the WIW site, it could go on the list of TOD members by state and it could go on the local media page. I just don’t want to have to decide what blogs are best to target, that would be done by the members of each state.

      I would love to have folks share state blogs – post here and I will put it on the site.

  65. December 18, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    Hamas moves away from violence in deal with Palestinian Authority
    Written by: Phoebe Greenwood
    Sunday 18 December 2011 14.57 EST

    Hamas has confirmed that it will shift tactics away from violent attacks on Israel as part of a rapprochement with the Palestinian Authority.
    A spokesman for the Hamas prime minister, Ismail Haniya, told the Guardian that the Islamic party, which has controlled Gaza for the past five years, was shifting its emphasis from armed struggle to non-violent resistance. “Violence is no longer the primary option but if Israel pushes us, we reserve the right to defend ourselves with force,” said the spokesman, Taher al-Nounu. On this understanding, he said, all Palestinian factions operating in the Gaza Strip have agreed to halt the firing of rockets and mortars into Israel.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/18/hamas-moves-from-violence-palestinian

  66. 275 desertflower
    December 18, 2011 at 3:40 pm

    http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2011/12/18/border-patrol-increase-in-drug-seizures-decrease-in-border-crossers-in-2011/ That’s certainly NOT what the Gov of AZ or the lawless sheriff of Maricopa County would have anybody believe!! OH NO! They are flooding the state, taking all your benefits, and jobs, and, and, and…..if the Feds just DID THEIR JOBS, we wouldn’t HAVE these problems!! Oh….

  67. December 18, 2011 at 3:48 pm

    Desertflower:

    I have posted the story from ABC on gift ideas Made in the USA. Thanks so much for finding and sharing this. I have also added it to a web page of links which anyone can reference as needed. Scroll down to the Made in America section.

    I really appreciate it when you folks send me links which I can add to the blog.

    http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/08/resources.html

  68. 278 defytheodds
    December 18, 2011 at 4:01 pm

    NC soldier, 23, was last US troop killed in Iraq

    As the last U.S. troops withdrew from Iraq on Sunday, friends and family of the first and last American fighters killed in combat were cherishing their memories rather than dwelling on whether the war and their sacrifice was worth it.

    Nearly 4,500 American fighters died before the last U.S. troops crossed the border into Kuwait. David Hickman, 23, of Greensboro was the last of those war casualties, killed in November by the kind of improvised bomb that was a signature weapon of this war.

    “David Emanuel Hickman. Doesn’t that name just bring out a smile to your face?” said Logan Trainum, one of Hickman’s closest friends, at the funeral where the soldier was laid to rest after a ceremony in a Greensboro church packed with friends and family.

    Trainum says he’s not spending time asking why Hickman died: “There aren’t enough facts available for me to have a defined opinion about things. I’m just sad, and pray that my best friend didn’t lay down his life for nothing.”

    http://news.yahoo.com/nc-soldier-23-last-us-troop-killed-iraq-145741944.html

  69. 281 Bobfr (aka Our4thEstate)
    December 18, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    Boehner has provided the Dems in the House a remarkable opportunity …

    Our4thEstate Bobfr
    @NancyPelosi @WhipHoyer Deliver the entire D Caucus vote for 2 mo tax extension per Senate bill. Put the spotlight on Koch servant Boehner.

    #PRESSOn

    • December 18, 2011 at 4:12 pm

      excellent bob off to retweet

      • 283 Bobfr (aka Our4thEstate)
        December 18, 2011 at 4:25 pm

        Thank you Alice!

        And:

        Our4thEstate Bobfr
        @SpeakerBoehner you are now fully exposed as a Koch servant willing to destroy water supplies and farms for dirty oil. #ZEROGOP2012

        #PRESSON

    • December 18, 2011 at 4:31 pm

      What is the path for doing this if Boehner won’t bring the vote to the floor?

      • 285 Bobfr (aka Our4thEstate)
        December 18, 2011 at 4:37 pm

        No path. The point I was trying to make – in 140 characters! 🙂 – is that it is an enormous political gift to the Dems, i.e., knowing that Boehner won’t bring the bill (at least that seems his current stance) to the Floor, Leader Pelosi and the Dems can claim to America that they will all vote in favor of the Senate bill, as odious as parts of it are, to benefit 160 million Americans. Pure political gold at this moment and video clips of the announcement will fit nicely in many Dem campaigns next year.

        Boehner knows he’s failed his Koch overlords. No language he can Constitutionally insert in the legislation will force the President to approve the permit. So, all he’s doing is demonstrating his vast capacity for delusion.

        #PRESSON

  70. 286 Alycee (@jazziz2)
    December 18, 2011 at 4:22 pm

    Interesting…


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