George Packer (New Yorker): In the tenth paragraph of a Times piece, Rick Santorum accuses Barack Obama of engaging in “absolutely un-American activities”. What are they? The article doesn’t say. The quote appears without explanation or comment ….
…. this kind of gutter rhetoric is so routine in the Republican campaign that it’s not worth a political journalist’s time to point it out…. once demagogy and falsehoods become routine, there isn’t much for the political journalist to do ….political journalism long ago stopped being about what is true or important…
The great puzzle of the Republican campaign is that, in an era of unprecedented ideological fervor, the party will almost certainly nominate the candidate who is the blandest …. Romney understands his situation acutely, and he’s telling anyone who will listen that he loves America … hates illegal immigrants as much as the next guy, and thinks that Obama has destroyed this country at home and abroad …. He’s doing a credible job playing an intellectual thug, because that’s the only way to win the nomination.
It would be a mistake, though, to believe that, if he’s elected, Romney could suddenly flip a switch, clear the air of the toxicity left behind by the Republican field, and return to being a cautious centrist whose most reassuring quality is his lack of principles. His party wouldn’t let him …. once a sellout, always a sellout; once a thug, always a thug.
Full article here
****
Chat away, will be back later 😉
The Obama Diary 
ohoooh, am I first?
Congrats on first, africa!
Thanks. LOL!!
Chips, I want confetti and all the trimmings that comes with being first!! LOL!!
You got it! Opening champagne, well, maybe not, but YaY for africa!
😆
Chipsticks, you are too much! Take heed, all in the race for first, you will never be taken for granted by this lady!
Chipsticks, you are something 😀 😀 😀 I love your energy and humour 😀
so funny! chips did you have these images all lined up and ready to go?
Where else can you find dedication and superb intellect in our leader, Ms. Chip? Where else can you find truth, no nonsense in how this site is run daily; intelligent persons daily contributing; news worthy articles that inform the readers; respect in our conversations; a ‘fun naughty mat(s)’ ; awards, and acceptance speeches; and a family who loves our President, Barack Obama and VP, Joe Biden; and love, and respect our beautiful and intelligent FLOTUS, Michelle Obama, and our SLOTUS, Dr. Jill Biden?
Where, Where? “The Obama Diary” Ms. Chipsticks. We love you, appreciate you in everyway, and we respect this beautiful space that you have created here for all of us.
We are the most blessed children in the world. Yes, I said children because they are so precious, honest, fun-loving and tell it like it is for the human spirit. ((((((((Hugs to my TOD Family and our President ))))))))HZ
Amen HZ. You have put into words exactly how I feel!!! We love our Chips, the TOD family and especially our first & second family!!!!
DITTOOOOOOO…..
I am so pumped for 2012….and so ready to be one the many boots on the ground…workimg for the re-election of the President….NO Enthusiasm gap here…
Presssssssssss ON!!
Hi Chip! Could you please add this new blog to your blog roll: http://timtpost.com It belongs to a former DailKos blogger, TiMT, who finally left the sewer over there and created his very own blog. He’s an ardent Obama supporter and a truth-teller. 🙂
Thanks, Hachiko 🙂 I asked her that on the last thread…nice site from our friend, TiMT 🙂
Oh, I’m sorry love. Haven’t had a chance to read through the last thread yet. Hope you’re well! 🙂
I am so pleased he finally left the sewer. He fought the good fight for a very long time, so great on him for his own blog. Yippee.
I am too!
Will do right now, thanks Hachikō.
Chips, you are amazing, with the right cartoons etc. I love It 🙂
Hooray. Thanks, Chips!!
Yeaaah! I have out all day picking fruits for the needy with my group, “Yes We Can Pensacola.” Just stopping by to check in and got first, Yeaaaaaaaah!!
Was Morning Joe with you in Pensacola or is he hanging out on the Upper West Side today?
Probably out on the Upper West Side. I ran into him once when I went to renew my tags downtown. Must have been about three years ago.
Thank you Africa for your generous heart <3,
a fellow African 🙂
Thanks!! I miss home so much!!
africa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s your lucky day!
Thanks so much, africa. What a blessing to all of us. We thank you for your generous and loving heart.HZ
Thanks, HZ. You are so kind and your words of widsom always fills my soul. Hope you are doing well.
Yeah!! Great day and the weather was spectacular, too.
Well, if President Obama is un-American, then I am, too.
I agree jacquelineoboomer, I am also un-American and so are most of my friends! Glad to see someone in the msm finally take them to task.
So am I.
I certainly am, if he and all of y’all are!
Me too I’am a 3rd generation Mexican American, thas my brothers and I had served our country
so Mitt Fuck you. The MSM is traying to play the race card one group against the other, and is not
going to work we are smarter than them I’am proud to be American I was borned here so was Willard.
GOTV with our Mexican American brothers and sisters, Mel !!
Viva Obama!
Love it.
thank you jacqueline, best campaign song ever, only problem is once I start playing it I can’t stop!
Yes Viva Obama all the way in talking witj all my Latino brothers and Sisters they will support Obama
Big time Mitt Fucking Romney will not know what’s coming to him so Mitt bend down the big enchiladas
are coming at you and they will be BIG. I love the Mariachi song it’s just perfect I watched it in 2008
thanks all of you, We must stand together and do not let the MSM pendejos divide us press on, TOD people.
I’ve been hoping to see this again! This time I downloaded it, so I can see it whenever I have the need!
Thanks so much, jacquelineoboomer!
Hey, that was great! Thanks for sharing it!
I am an un-American blah.
Ha! Glad to meet you! As was formulated on Twitter, I’m an un-American whah.
🙂
Bill and JOB, I’m LMHO in front of my laptop. My family just 🙄
Pleased to meet you too. un-Americans are fired up.
LOL!
I’m definitely an un-American, PBO loving why.
😆
A blah here from Africa.
You all know that un-American is also code for “other” and EXOTIC. Hubba, hubba. I’m on a thread with a bunch of “exotic” ladies. Where is the cocoa butter and my naughty mat. 😀
Throw my name in the pot too, if Obama is un-American then so am I.
This reminds me of the campaign of ’08 when Obama’s middle name of Hussein was being smeared as anti-American and many on OFA took his middle name as their own in their online name. Hee hee
Happy Saturday everyone! So much news I have a hard time keeping up with it all and getting my work done. I really think it is the Repubs that are un American. They really don’t believe in freedom for all.
Read this story which sounded like progress
Syria releases 500 political prisoners
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-01-05/syria-political-prisoners/52387422/1
Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Democratic Party?
Exactly.
Abso-friggin’-lutely!
Getting lots done, putting away Christmas is the worst art, all the red and silver goes away, dark short days… Oh well, plenty of Loght here inside TOD,
Hi Pamela,
I received your priceless present! I got my own Obama calendar…YeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaa!
Thank you so much sweetie ❤ ❤
Oh! oh! oh! CanuckJoyce! Can it have arrived already! See, the USPS told me 7-10 days for delivery, but I put a little whisper on it and sent it off after telling her, well, it might be sooner! Ha! Yay! I am SO glad you like it, are you wearing your pin and button too?
A pin and a button too? Santa’s visiting too early this year 😀
Be right back…Running to the post office!!
Joyce, where are you located? I’m in Steveston (outskirts of Vancouver).
Hi CB4O,
I’m in New West. Small world, heh?
Lucky you!!
Yes, but now that we’ve passed the solstice, it gets a tiny bit lighter every day, so we are literally moving toward the light.
Yes, and at our latitude (47N) it starts to become evident quickly! And thankfully!
People around the world are really laughing at the GOP candidates. That there is no one in their party to step and tell these guys to stop making fools of themselves and making the country look bad is the shame for the GOP.
At least, around the world – finally – people are not currently thinking the Democrats are nuts. Only because of President Obama’s world standing, of course!
Oy! Plenty of LIGHT!
That was a wonderful gift you gave to CJ…:)
She sounds tickled, but I am a bit puzzled that she did not find the campaign button and lapel pin taped to the wrapping before she opened the calendar! Mystery will be resolved soon, I hope! Those were just some extras I always buy to give away!
A shout out to TrumpDog! I’m overjoyed to hear that I inspired you to sign up with your local OFA office. You should be proud of yourself. How was your first training last night?
I replied to your post but in case you missed it, thank you for OFA contact info.
My TOD family, for someone who has been born and grow up under a king/dictator, I don’t take democracy for granted and would never sit on the sidelines while America-the beacon of hope- is threatened by the dark forces on the right and left.
For our sons and daughters future, please do all you can to reelect PBO and give him a Dem majority to work with. I’ll be right there beside you on the front lines.
Love you all ❤
We are on it, Coach CanuckJoyce! You hang right here to urge us on! Bring all those lovely Canadian friends along too! 😉
Yes! I get a great deal of personal inspiration, too, from CanadaBarb! Love our Canadian friends, and all of the others!
I truly blush! You are my inspiration!
It’s funny you say that because one of my friends would like to help too if she can find a cheap flight & hotel. She said she was also inspired by me giving up my vacation time to volunteer. I told her I’m not giving up anything as I’m being selfish and doing this for my sake too 😀
I would have never thought my intention would inspire 2 people? I’m humbled and always inspired by the deep commitment of PBO supporters
Awesome 🙂 We appreciate all your help!
I’m here. Will be in New jersey in April, have to find an office there. I think its East Orange area not sure but will be finding out.
Hi sweetie. First night was good. The regional director(?) trainer was really nice, patient and helpful. I think I will do just fine (once I overcome my bad case of shyness)
You really were an inspiration. I must confess; I was in absolute AWE of you that you would consider taking the time and effort and come here to help. To ALL of you that put such dedication into a cause, THANK YOU. Without people like you on the front lines, I don’t know where we (as a people) would be. Thank you. A million times, thank you.
Kisses, hugs and terror fist bumps to you from Arizona, my sister.
Oh and I forgot to wish you good luck on the contact with OFA. Please let us know how it goes – this would be great info to pass around to others who want to volunteer as well but don’t live in the U.S.
Again, thank you for all you do. Keep us posted 🙂
How does a journalist, if he is a good one, allow someone to make such a comment with zero follow up for explanation. Why does he allow it to just stand. Shame on the reporter, editor and for Santorum and rest of GOP, they say whatever they think will appeal to their audience. No core. Shame!!
Because these media folks aren’t worth anything.
“…political journalism long ago stopped being about what is true or important…..”. From the lead article at the top of the page.
With the exception of Bill Moyers.
Got punked by Freddie Mac, eh Newt? 🙂
Freddie Mac Lets Gingrich Release His Contract — Will He?
By Alex Seitz-Wald on Jan 6, 2012 at 3:40 pm
GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich has come under fire for his ties to mortgage giant Freddie Mac, which paid him $1.6 million to do “strategic advising,” which many charged was lobbying in everything but name. Gingrich has insisted he did not lobby for the company and was merely employed as a “historian.” One way to settle the issue would for the former speaker to publicize his contract with Freddie Mac.
Gingrich has not done thus far, saying he would like to, but is bound by a confidentiality agreement. A campaign lawyer contacted Freddie Mac, the campaign said, to request the waiver from the agreement. “They wouldn’t do it,” Gingrich said this week of the prospect of Freddie Mac allowing him to break the contract.
However, Bloomberg News reports today that Freddie Mac is okay with releasing the contract:
Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/01/06/399311/freddie-mac-lets-gingrich-release-his-contact-will-he/
Eat that Leroy!
It seems Iran thanked us for rescuing their 13 sailors. At least theirs is a more generous note of gratitude than Repugs will ever extend to PBO under any circumstances whatsoever. Sad, really that foreign adversaries treat this President with more respect than the so-called loyal opposition (I prefer to call them the greedy traitors!)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=144830288
If they had lambasted us, it would be all over the media and lefty blogs!
Mittens is just flipping awkward. This moron was talking about who he would donate all of his money to in front of a crowd in NH…long conversation with himself about first his sons…then he decided his grandkids. Like who gives two scoops? To a woman who asked about 8% interest on her kids’ student loan this imbecile has the cojones to say maybe your kid should join the military. WHHHHAAT? No siree bob, no military for Williard I, Willard II, Willard III, Willard VI, or Willard V. How weak are the candidates if they can’t dethrone Jethro?
http://swampland.time.com/2012/01/07/how-to-trip-mitt-rhetorical-pitfalls-for-the-gop-front-runner/
No. He. Didn’t.
Wow.
She still plans to vote for him though. She is as stupid as him.
what a fool! Are these people real? It’s looks and sounds like a bad movie 😈
Yeah, like really!! Unbelievable 😦
But yet…here he is…warts and all…the frontrunner. We had two outstanding picks in 08. Most of the taint from Hillary was from her husband.
This is petty but I am amazed at how disengenuous Willard Mitt Romney looks campaigning in jeans. I have the feeling he never normally wears them and now he can’t take them off.
Seriously, no one voting for him believes a word of his bullshit. They are just scared of the other candidates and scared of the word “liberal”. So they vote for the disengenuous Romney, Inc.
So, by this jackass’s standards, I should have joined the military instead of going to graduate school and getting my Masters in Social Work? I have the fortune to work for a very good medical group here in Miami where I serve the elderly population. I, too, pay 8% on my school loans….
Ricky Santorun at a NH rally live on C-SPAN just said PBO does not believe Americans can handle freedom.
Appalling. Beyond appalling – I just don’t have the word for it.
They really need to get a new playbook. That shit didn’t work on 2008, why would it work now?
Ya know, on second thought, maybe he should keep it up…
Trump, you’re right. Let them keep talking, hanging themselves a little more each day. There will always be a few fools who believe everything they say, but more people listening will begin to see these people as soulless idiots with stale ideas and an overabundance of hate.
THIS!!
Rick Santorum is a liar. Doesn’t it bother these men that they are lying.
Damning New Letter from NY State Insider: ‘Hydraulic Fracturing as It’s Practiced Today Will Contaminate Our Aquifers’
By Karen McVeigh| January 6, 2012
A former staffer at a state government agency responsible for regulating hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has warned that allowing the controversial gas drilling method in New York would lead to contamination of the state’s aquifers and would poison its drinking water. Plans to remove a statewide ban on fracking advanced by New York governor Andrew Cuomo and the DEC have sparked a wave of opposition from environmental, health and activist groups.
The New York state DEC released its recommendations in July, saying that proposals to remove the ban “struck the right balance between protecting our environment, watersheds and drinking water and promoting economic development.” But opponents of the plans, which would allow thousands of new wells to be drilled across the state with the exception of New York City and Syracuse, have criticised the DEC for not properly assessing health risks and for failing to include measures to protect water supplies.
Read more: http://www.alternet.org/water/153684/damning_new_letter_from_ny_state_insider%3A_%27hydraulic_fracturing_as_it%27s_practiced_today_will_contaminate_our_aquifers%27/
Or… You could just grow effectively unlimited amounts of algae, flow them through a biodigester (basically a lined trench covered with a plastic sheet), recycle your wastes and exhaust back into the system, and have an effectively inexhaustible source of natural gas and organic fertilizer. Something that could be done at the village level (mostly with scrap) or the industrial level, and which is already completely open source (free for anyone to use).
http://futureimperative.blogspot.com/2011/07/amazon-introduction-to-future.html
And, from the NEW YORKER article relating to Romney, “Once a thug, always a thug.”
#PRESSON, guys!
that line is great!
Kissing the ring: Germany reporters capitulate to politicians
Sumi Somaskanda| January 7, 2012 08:19
BERLIN — A shady loan. A furious voice mail. And an outraged tabloid editor. There’s a firestorm swirling around beleaguered German President Christian Wulff. It’s making for juicy headlines, and is threatening the future of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government.
But just it has done more than call into question the ethics of a politician and his party. It has also exposed the all-too-chummy relationship between Germany’s media elite and politicians.
Read more: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/germany/120106/kissing-the-ring-germany-reporters-capitulate-politician
Gee, why does that sound familiar?
Massachusetts high court orders health coverage for legal immigrants
Freya Petersen| January 6, 2012 18:08
Massachusetts cannot bar legal immigrants who’ve lived in the US for less than five years from a state health care program, according to the state’s highest court. The Supreme Judicial Court said a 2009 law that cut legal immigrants from the subsidized Commonwealth Care insurance program “violates their rights to equal protection under the Massachusetts Constitution,” the Boston Globe reported.
Massachusetts in 2009 cut about 26,000 immigrants from Commonwealth Care — a program created in 2006 under the state law that required most residents to have health coverage — to save $130 million during a budget crisis.
Read more: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/health/120106/massachusetts-high-court-orders-health-coverage-legal-immigrants
Wow….Doen’t Mass have a Democrat as Governor ?
Yes, his name is Deval Patrick, and he is a very good one. Very close friend and support er of POB.
Just perfect! http://www.news.daylife.com/photo/0cHr0XP8CK5hG?__site=daylife&q=new%20hampshire
Hilarious
“while his parents were attending a Ron Paul rally…” Seriously?
Found this comment over that great orange satan, in a diary written by some emoprog who had their eyes opened now:
A careful look at each of those compromises shows that, despite an arsenal of money, media, and vote totals assembled against him, they were necessary and that he got more that could have been expected. Take the extension of the tax cuts for the wealthy. He and no other true Democrat didn’t want that piece but without that compromise scores of Americans would have lost their unemployment benefits right at the holiday season. Obama knew that those tax cuts would expire soon and that they’d go away on their own with his lack of signature or veto pen. You tell me ANY way that he could have gotten us through that period without making the compromise he did (and remember he got even more than we expected in other areas) and I’m all ears.
Unless we want a king, Congressional vote tallies count in passing legislation. You can fight til you’re blue in the face, pound your shoe on the bully pulpit (which by the way in our current media would be horribly spun) and at the end of the day, bills go nowhere if you don’t have the votes. The House since 2010 has been worthless. The Senate has been a blockade since Obama got into office because we NEVER had 60 votes to override filibusters with Joe Lieberman in office. When Ted Kennedy died and was replaced with a Republican it got worse. Even “moderate” Republicans such as Susan Collins towed the party line and couldn’t be persuaded to cross over on even extremely reasonable and non-partisan bills.
Disappointed? Why? What the hell could he have done differently under those circumstances? It’s so easy to sit back out here and type away outrage but the mood behind those closed doors was anything but cordial and accommodating “negotiating” with what amounts to traitorous oligarchs bent on taking down the nation to gain back power. That we’re still standing today and not in a depression that would make 1929 look like a walk in the park is a testament to those compromises. We elected the brightest and most ethical President I’ve seen in my 58 years and a bit of trust in his ability to govern would go a long way right now. This is a war.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/01/07/1052396/-Wherein-I-come-back-into-the-Obama-fold
May the turn around begin. May their minds, hearts and eyes be opened to reality.
Fauxgressives are slowly jumping back on the band wagon. Whatever. As long as they keep their ignorant mouths shut and vote, I’m cool. Still don’t forgive them for all the crap they’ve pulled the last 3 years though.
Ditto
Nope. I will NEVER EVER forget how they denigrated this president. It was bad enough he was being shit on by the entire right and they fucking piled on too….?
I’ll just leave it at that because just thinking about it gets my blood boiling.
They will all come back. They got nothing.
Amen!
The original post wasn’t bad either. I hope more and more find their way back home. Took them long enough….but its better than never realizing that before its too late.
Wow, wow, BWD, that’s the biggest bucket of truth I’ve seen out of that site in months. If this person was an emoprog and finally saw the light, then there’s hope for at least some of them. Maybe the sight of the hapless Romney, the nasty Santorum and the venom-spewing Gingrich sobered them up. There’s nothing like a stark choice to clarify the mind.
Like the Prodigal Son, they return…
A Canadian judge OKs massive tobacco lawsuit to recoup cost of healthcare
News Desk| January 6, 2012 19:10
A judge in the Canadian province of Ontario has green-lighted a $49 billion (C$50 billion) lawsuit that provincial authorities have brought against 14 tobacco companies, Reuters reported. Ontario filed the suit in 2009 seeking to recoup the cost to taxpayers of tobacco-related illnesses treated by the state healthcare system since 1955. Canada’s health system is publicly funded and free at the point of delivery but has imposed soaring financial burdens on provincial governments, taking up 40 percent of local spending in 2009 for a total cost approaching $175 billion, according to Reuters.
Read more: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/canada/120106/canadian-judge-oks-massive-tobacco-lawsuit-recoop-cost-
“From Andy_Boro.witz
“From now on, please join me in referring to a “sweater vest” as a “do.u.c.he_holster.”
I am throwing mine out.
On behalf of, well, everyone, Bill – thank you.
Make it into a dog sweater…OH! That was funny! Considering we’re talking about Man On Dog Santorum 🙂
i mentioned to my husband the other day when he was heading out to work in a sweater vest that anyone following politics may tease him about the sweater vest because of santorum. i hope santorum hasn’t ruined sweater vests forever because i think my husband looks pretty darn cute in a sweater vest! 😉
Whew! I am a very petite woman, and sweater vests look great on me, too! I would be cold and shivery if I had to stop wearing them in winter. Maybe it is the twisted and sour attitude of certain people that makes them look repulsive?
I think it is his shape that makes them look repulsive on him…..he does not look very muscular to me.
His blob shape and his blob mental attitude, never mind his total lack of consciousness! Imagine if PBO were to don a good looking merino vest, stocks would shoot through the roof! Just like lovingandlaughing is proud of her handsome husband!
He needs to work out, lift some weights.
I like them also……
Best Defense
Written by Matt Osborne| Jan 6, 2012
I don’t know why the folks who like to call Obama “warmonger” aren’t jumping up and down with praise for his decision to do away with the “two war strategy.” If you’re actually interested in seeing America spend less on defense, this is huge. If, on the other hand, you are a clueless leftie who lets Glenn Greenwald do all your thinking, this will mean nothing to you:
The review sets forth potentially big changes in U.S. strategy, including, the official said, removing up to 4,000 troops from Europe and downsizing the overall ground forces even further. The 2012 budget request already called for cuts of 27,000 soldiers and 20,000 Marines in the next four years, and those numbers could increase. The military would not maintain its ability to wage two large conflicts at the same time, such as it did in Iraq and Afghanistan, the official said.
Read more: http://www.osborneink.com/2012/01/best-defense.html
Which is why the right wing is freaking out, they have their eyes set on Iran. Banging that drum of War. Can’t you hear it?
THAT’S ALL THE HAWKISH REPUGS KNOW HOW TO DO..PICK UP THEIR WAR TOYS AND SWAGGER WITH A COMPLETE LACK OF COMMON SENSE OR INTELLIGENT THINKING!
And the public buys it for tge first two years, then they come to their senses.
The GOP knows the electorate has a knee jerk reaction to everything
The President should hire a bunch of psychologists as advisers, because the GOP has!
That’s because the repugs like to fling their weight around with their high powered artillery/weapons etc. They are Intimidators, they like to make people shiver, It makes them feel like BIG people 😦
Who remembers that incredible poster from the 60’s: “War is good business, invest your son”? I had one on my wall. Now it is reissued to say invest your son AND daughter. But nothing is new… They still love to make money off killing.
Excellent article creolechild, thank you.
Tweeted this earlier today:
Our4thEstate Bobfr
America – Please thank #PresObama for ending the era of GOP #NEOCONSTER exceptionalism – http://t.co/dwD3Zz5t #LandslideOBAMA2012
Though many may have missed it, the folk at AEI and throughout the MIC undoubtedly understood the significance of President Obama quoting President Eisenhower. President Obama has a thorough grasp of the substance of Ike’s final radio address to the Nation in Jan 1961. Our President is making major changes and has the Republicans and #Neoconsters in a very big vice that each day screws tighter because they know he’s not going to allow them to tamper with the automatic cuts set to trigger in Jan 2013.
#PRESSON
Why the President has not closed Getmo-
http://m.miamiherald.com/mh/db_42946/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=YueM6VnZ
It’s Congress stupid!
Not once when someone mentions PBO not closing Gitmo, sometimes even saying he lied about it, have I heard someone explain why. It is left unchallenged.
First Lady Of The Nation, Last Resort Of A Scoundrel
by Zandar
read the rest at the link…
Somebody needs to write a real story of the First Lady..and drown out the lies by wannbes.
Michelle Obama will do that. We just have to wait several years.
Idk she seems more private. But I hope she will.
Jodi Kantor and Sam Stein and all the others can KMA.
I would still like to know who were the 33 WH staff who spoke to the writer and why. Here’s AP’s review that is being sent out across the land. There’s one nice sentence in there—–that the Obamas are good parents and haven’t lost perspective. But in all the accounts I’ve read there is confusing conflicts in all the author’s premises. Either Michelle is making all the decisions in the WH, or she doesn’t want to be there at all. Etc. etc. etc. And it’s curious that all the focus of the released text seem to be about Michelle. Looks like the author was just trying to stir stuff up. Guess she had to do something for that reported 7 figure pay off.
http://www.nwherald.com/2012/01/07/book-depicts-tensions-between-first-lady-aides/a4jqtjx/
You mean to tell me that that Kantor bitch didn’t talk of what bad parents the Obamas are.
Now this is interesting–in reference to your question about who spoke to the writer, dotster. I went back and read Jodi Kantor’s first, and only, interview with the Obamas in 2009. Actually, I thought it was a good article because it allowed the President and the FLOTUS to express themselves quite candidly with the author inserting her preconceptions and assumptions. In addition, the individuals inside the administration, for the most part, were named and spoke on the record. What I find interesting is the fact that it seems as though Kantor has omitted context and backstories to paint an unflattering picture of the FLOTUS. After reading the 2009 interview, my admiration for the Obamas deepened from getting a glimpse into their lives, knowing how politics has impacted them, and watching them successfully navigate the bumps in the road and grow to become a positive force that is thoroughly committed in making the lives of all Americans better than what it was before they arrived at the White House– even though many people in this country don’t appreciate their efforts. Makes me think that perhaps Kantor tweaked the material she gleaned from the article to pique the public’s interest in her book…because there was nothing negative that I could see from the interview which could be used to criticize them, unless you made something up or slanted the material that you already had in your possession.
I’d be interested to hear what what others think about that interview. Here’s the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/01/magazine/01Obama-t.html?pagewanted=all
s/b express themselves quite candidly WITHOUT the author…
Prostitution has many forms. Ask Jodi.
I HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH A GREAT PRESIDENT RECEIVE SO MANY COMMENTS ACCUSING HIM OF BEING ‘UN-AMERICAN.’ TIS’ THE ONES WHO GENERATE THOSE INSULTS AGAINST HIM THAT I FEEL ARE EXTREMELY ‘UN-AMERICAN!’
In other words, he is black. Good grief! You would think the Country would rally around him, with all this blatant racism. Instead…
There are many in this country who are rallying around him, just not as obviously as the blatant racists. I’m convinced of that.
Have you noticed? He’s blah. His wife is blah too. His children are blah. And Blah people are ‘un-american’ by definition.
Sadly! All eyes need to be on taking down the tea party.
They are dangerous and need to be defeated, handily in 2012!
We’ve been donating automatically $100 a month to OFA since December 2009. I knew that wasn’t enough, contributing to OFA alone, because of the need to get a Democratic House to back up the President.
At the dinner table today, we decided we’ve got to do an automatic contribution to SpeakerforLife Pelosi, too. We’ll just have to go vegetarian or something. We’ve got to do more than TALK about getting rid of the TP Republican House.
I know most of TODrs are as strapped as Alan and I are, but come along with me, could you? Those of you who aren’t donating already? $25 a month? There was a spot on the Pelosi email last week. l’lll see how it goes, we might be able to go higher.
There is so much corporate and Citizens United money pouring in to keeping these anarchists in the House. I’m just afraid that all hat money is going to overwhelm us all and our president is going to go through another four years with his hands tied behind his back.
Utah is hopeless and anyway, I can’t walk well enough to do much more than sit here and donate, but damn it, I’m not going to let the thugs get away with again electing a goon-filled House.
Chipsticks, can we have a donation page up for the House? Or is there one up there already?
From what I can gather, the news is saying that these two debates tonite and Sunday a.m., are Newts last chance.
They are saying, if he does not bring it, Romney cakewalks to the GOP nomination.
Basically, they are saying Santorum is running hard to the tea bagger right and does not pose as much a threat, as they thought!
Lol! It’s all up to Newt! Lol!
So all the other states fall in line and vote for Mitt? I still don’t see how a NH win for Romney means that Super Tuesday and other primaries don’t matter. He will eventually win, but this notion is that he is going to easily get all his delagets is interesting. Like someone said, it’s Romeny’s turn to win the primary, too bad he’ll lose in the general. I cannot wait for POTUS to do the job the media fails to do on Romney.
Please tweet these guys our support. They deserve to know we are behind them!
That is all!
THE BRILLIANCE OF CONGRESSMAN BARNEY FRANK
I just watched Charlie Rose interview Congressman Barney Frank and he just blew me away. He is brilliant, brutally honest, and he has a wicked sense of humor. I highly recommend this interview to everyone on this blog. He was just amazing. He kept Charlie Rose in line when he lapsed into GOP talking points or interrupted him while trying to respond to his questions. And as a special treat at the end of the interview, he gives his opinion of Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney. Very informative and enlightening. An absolutely riveting 30 minutes.
I am really sorry to see Barney retire, but as he says he thinks he can do more outside of government. Also, he said what he really wants to do is write. He wants to write a book about liberalism and LGBT rights. He said it is just hard to write while trying to govern because there are too many distractions. I really enjoyed watching his hearings on cspan when he was chairman of the Banking Committee. They were very informative and entertaining.
http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/12070
Thanks Ladyhawke for posting the link to Barney Frank’s interview with Charlie Rose. You are so right. It was well-worth the 39:26 minutes to watch. I especially like the analogy of why Congress cannot get along, the Senate elected in 2006, the President in 2008 and the House in 2010. Makes so much sense.
I would love to see Barney Frank help during the campaign before retiring.
The first few comments over New Yorker are bad. Please go over there and respond to them.
I adore Hill Harper! Thanks kasai~
I adore, adore Hill Harper also. Thank for this one kasai. Keep them coming. HZ
Love her!! She’s Prince, James Brown and Andre3000 all rolled into a young woman who knows how to put on a show. I happened on an online concert of her with the wonderous!!! Stevie Wonder (I think it was in Brazil, but don’t quote me)
She brings it in concert!!! That show will be a blast!!!
I love…love her too Isonprize:-) Her massage is clear and simple spread it far and wide (Matt Damon??? Who)
for those that might not link her Facebook message.
Felt it in my heart to share just a FEW
reasons why I support President Obama and truly believe he deserves a second term.
If you are not a supporter that’s fine, I will never allow politics to divide or end a relationship, but here are the facts to help you make your decision. 🙂
Current President Obama supporters: here are tools to help you if you ever have to have a “loving” conversation with someone opposed or undecided.
Honestly, I am not a fan of politics… never truly wanted to be politician either… Lol but as an artist, woman, auntie, American, and friend I believe our President is the best person to elect this 2012.
CHANGE
· When people say to you “Where’s the hope or the change?” I need you to remind them that change is getting delivered each and every day.
· Change is making America a more tolerant place.
Change is the very first bill the President signed into law, which that says an “equal day’s work deserves an equal day’s pay”. It says every woman can’t be paid less than the men here just because they’re women.
Change is finally saying you can serve this country that you love regardless of the person you love.
Change is a law that recognizes that crimes based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race or disability aren’t just any crime – they’re hate crimes that deserve justice.
· Change is making America a fair place where everyone plays by the same rules.
Change is reforming the financial system so that credit card companies can’t charge you hidden fees.
· Change is making America a safer and healthier place.
Change is doubling fuel-efficiency standards on cars and trucks. That doesn’t just make us less dependent on foreign oil. It doesn’t just take pollution out of the air so you can breathe easier. It also saves you money at the pump.
Change is the one million young adults who didn’t have health insurance before President Obama passed health reform – but today they have it.
Change is the 32 million Americans who are finally going to be able to get coverage.
Change is historic reforms that don’t let insurance companies discriminate against those who have a pre-existing condition.
· Change is helping the next generation pay for college.
President Obama doubled Pell Grants, took on the banks and the lenders, and took out the middlemen. That’s change.
Change is giving college students a tax break to help them afford their tuition.
Change is making it easier for young Americans to repay their student loans, and eventually forgiving them if they pay on time and serve our country as a teacher, as a nurse or in the military.
· Change is keeping promises.
Change is getting our troops out of Iraq.
Change is bringing them home for the holidays.
· So when people say to you, “He said ‘change,’ but what’s changed?” – We’ve got to remind them that a lot’s changed. This country is changing for the better. We should be proud of that record.
· The other guys want to change everything back.
o They want to take away these rights.
o They don’t believe in out-educating, out-innovating or out-building other countries – they believe in outsourcing American jobs to other countries.
o They want to re-open the doughnut hole and keep open tax loopholes.
o They ask too much of those who have the least and ask nothing of those who have the most.
o They want to reward wealth, not work.
o And they don’t have a single new idea to create jobs or restore middle-class families’ security.
*and a lot more has not been mentioned.
President Obama is not finished. Let. the. man. finish.
I am leaving my studio on Jan. 11th and flying to Chicago to help w/ President Obama’s fundraiser. I am inviting you to come and support along with me:
http://tinyurl.com/6toawor
Apologies for the length. Nothing but Love.
God Bless,
Jane.
Excellent points.
A black woman Supreme Court Justice. I could feel it coming through my bones.
I mean that’s why I want him re-elected!
Amen! Btw, I love Janell Monae too. She’s a brilliant artist and an outstanding performer. Love her even more knowing that she’s a strong and vocal supporter of PBO.
That’s a great post. I always find it curious when people say Pres.Obama hasn’t brought hope and change. I have to wonder what exactly is their definition of “hope and change” and did they really think that it was going to happen overnight.
He’s the one who wrote..So That Ignorance Won’t Be The Reason Why “progressives” Throw The President Under The Bus”.. Categorized with Links.. 111 Accomplishments for the first two years in Office of the Obama Admin..
http://www.thepeoplesview.net/2011/09/so-that-ignorance-wont-be-reason-why.html#comment-302015019
My above post was suppose to be a comment for Hachiko’s post on requesting blogroll for .. http://timtpost.com/
Thought I should clarify that.. 😛
Obama Grandmama…..I’ve been thinking the same thing about Willard and his jeans…..they don’t fit him…..he just looks phony in them. It’s some way an adviser told him to “be a regular guy.” I looked at his belt……it’s about a $200 belt…….he’d be better off wearing his regular suit and tie….at least that looks normal for him. The jeans just look like total condescension on his part. One more way he’s a phony Ken doll.
Mitt is not “natural.” His whole demenour and image is manufactured, it’s so obvious.
It is commonly referred to as being a poser, at least in Australia, why not here. Same thing.
There is something so fake about this man. He will be exposed.
Totally fake and hopefully he will be exposed daily. He and brother Huntsmans need to toss the jeans. It is not a pair of jeans men, it is what is inside of the jeans. That is the essence of “jean wearing,”. Can’t copy our POTUS because POB looks good in everything.
So lay off Willard and Jon. We do not need the fakes when we have the “Real Man.” Got that! Our POTUS even looks great in a fine suit when it is wet. Now go try that you tow.. Can’t be done.HZ
😉 😉 😉
Phil Griffin comments on Keith Olbermann and Pat Buchanan:
http://www.deadline.com/2012/01/keith-olbermann-is-off-limits-at-msnbc-tca/
phil.griffin@nbcuni.com
DIRECT LINE to Phil Griffin’s Office: 212-664-2456
He also said he’s proud to be associated with a show where “people know they can come on and not be browbeaten and humiliated.
I laughed at that line…..Doe Joe hear himself or review the tape of his show ? When someone disagrees with him he gets louder and louder and sometimes walks off.
Also….Who has a 3 month book tour ? Buchanan hopefully is gone forever…. I noticed his sister has not been on TV also….hmmm
His sister looks like Pat with a wig, and she moves her hands in the same manner. Strange family.
January 07, 2012
The Pseudoconservative Shuffle
George Will:
[Liberal] government constantly expands under the unending, indeed intensifying, pressures to correct what it disapproves of — the distribution of wealth produced by consensual market activities.
Thus barks the monumentally flawed premise of the Willean worldview: that society’s assorted rankings of wealth arise from “consensual market activities.” If you’re born into a dilapidated home and attend dilapidated schools and you then inexorably enter the workforce woefully unprepared in comparison to the fellow who is born into a gated community and attends private prep schools and receives a first-class legacy university education, you aren’t underprivileged or disadvantaged. No. You may not be aware of it, and you likely don’t recall having signed the agreement, but you are mostly the product of “consensual market activities.”
Feel better?
http://pmcarpenter.blogs.com/p_m_carpenters_commentary/2012/01/the-pseudoconservative-shuffle.html
Maybe they will do a follow-up question in the debate tonight.
Sighed… un-american blah
Have you all seen the actual video of Rick Sanctimonious saying the PBO had such Hubris and Snobbery ? His body language is amazing.
http://www.mediaite.com/online/rick-santorum-is-outraged-at-president-obamas-snobbery-in-claiming-every-student-should-go-to-college/
And Ed Shultz practically endorsed this guy?
Almost everything Santorum says is headbangingly stupid. Yes, it’s pure snobbery for President Obama to aspire that all students be able to attend college. What??? Man, these Repubs hate smart, educated people. It’s Crazy Time at the OK Corral.
I hope his out of touch ass knows that with all these new high tech cars out on the street, that his kid would need an ASE certification before becoming a mechanic. But, then again, this is Rick Santorum, were talking about, where he and only he has the authority to tell our kids what to do.
Isn’t she great? Tireless and smart!
For all who watch the Barney Frank interview with Charlie Rose, the last 20 minutes with Senator George McGovern are also excellent. If ever anyone was lied about and demeaned by the Republican machine, he was the man. Did you know he was a bomber pilot in WWII? Well, neither did anyone else in 1972. He was accused of being unpatriotic, the typical Republican slam against Democrats. He gives good solid reasons about What it means to be a Democrat, and again directs Charlie and keeps him from going off subject on a tangent. Charlie asked him if LBJ ever asked him about what to do in Viet Nam, and he said no, but said he thinks his campaign had a strong effect on ending that awful war, even though he was made fun of at the time. As we all know now, McGovern was right about that.
Seems like Newt is living on a different planet:
What’s next from ringling/barnum& Bailey circus?
Quotes from Robert E. Lee, Benedict Arnold?
They are going to lie and those lies will continue to go unchallenged. Plus, they’ll continue to spread their hate for gays, minorities, and the poor/middle class.
Also, women and seniors, tend to be the subject of the GOP hate fest.
Yet, they profess they know Gods will?
That is hilarious yet accurate
ABC News—-Romney’s history of hiding money in offshore accounts to avoid U.S. taxes:
POPCORN PLEASE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Not to worry – President Obama will once again win tonight’s debate. Just as he will win tomorrow’s debate on NBC. Just as he will win the NH primary on Tuesday. I’m not worried. Don’t worry!
Dunno if someone posted “When Mitt Romney Came to Town”. Gingrich’s people bought a bunch of these videos from a disgruntled former Romney person.
This is the trailer..there are a couple more on youtube
This is so sad
Romney and all the rest of the candidates are thugs. All American thugs. They could have blackjacks in their fists, it would suit them better.
These ads are so sad. These will be DEADLY on the campaign trail.
These ads will crucify Romney in a general election.
While ABC World News is “bigging up” Romney, giving him a free pass, etc..they plan to push Kodi’s nasty book about FLOTUS.
Just a heads up. Be prepared to blast ABC News on Twitter if they try to pull any BS with this drama fiction.
ABC has the opportunity to ask Willard anything they wish at the debate tonight. Will they take advantage of it?
The short answer is No.
Lolololololol!!!!
….. (gasping for breath)….
Wait; that was a joke, right????
You betcha, but a bad one.
Ok, breaking my weekend downtime to bring you this brilliant letter from a reader to TPM.
Excellent letter, the media thinks the public doesn’t realize that this contest is decided by delegates.
I’m leaving the Republican Party. No longer can I say with a clear conscience that the Republican Party is focused on solving problems will benefit average Americans.
believe in smart government that effectively does what it should and leaves the rest to the private sector, while still recognizing the legitimacy of the existence of government. I believe in equal rights for all Americans, whether gay, straight, female, male, immigrant or naturally born. The Republican Party no longer believes in any of that.
No longer should the American people stand for the weak leadership and intellectual bankruptcy of the Republican Party. I’ll be voting for President Obama’s re-election.
http://jeffwartman.com/why-im-leaving-the-republican-party-and-endorsing-president-obama/
OBAMACON….I believe we are going to see a lot of this in the fall. As Romney veers further to the right, there will be a flood of sane Republicans coming aboard.
I agree. The cognitive dissonance is becoming unbearable for the reasonable folks in that party. Their vote for President Obama is also a vote for peace of mind and you can’t put a price on that.
Hey Donna, thanks for the link. Against my better judgement, I read some of the comments and some were quite interesting and in agreement with Jeff.
Like it; thanks for posting!!
Santorum Campaign Aide Was Convicted In Abramoff Scandal
One of Rick Santorum’s top aides in South Carolina is a former lobbyist convicted of bribing a Senate aide in connection with the Jack Abramoff scandal. James Hirni avoided prison by working as an informant, according to a Daily Beast profile in 2010. Now, Buzzfeed reports, he’s working on the Santorum campaign, though whether he’s a paid staffer or not is unclear.
TPM
Thank you for that link, df. Tried to make the most of it 🙂
Our4thEstate Bobfr
America – Remember Abramoff http://t.co/BFfn82Qm ‘Santorum Campaign Aide Was Convicted In Abramoff Scandal’ http://t.co/MF5SxZYn
#PRESSON
WOW!
thinkprogress Australia’s minimum wage: $15.51 an hour. Australia’s current unemployment rate: 5.3%. (via @BetseyStevenson)
17 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite
Yeah, but they have about 23 million people. By contrast California has 37 Million. Apples and oranges.
CSPAN2 is running a show highlighting this guy Justin Frank’s book: “Obama on the Couch: Insinde the Mind of the President” (taped in Oct 2011). Anybody familiar with this? Another hack job?
So all these pseudopsychologists are now coming out of the woodwork …I guess looking to make a quick buck in an election year huh.
He wrote a similar book on George W. Bush.with mixed reviews.
hello?
Hi Cookemom!
Hiya DonnaO! OK it worked! I’ve been lurking for awhile. I couldn’t remember my screen name and couldn’t figure out how to use my old cookemom moniker. So now that I’ve got the hang of it, I’ll have to visit and post more often
Hi cookemom. I’ve missed you but couldn’t hang with OFA anymore. Welcome. The more, the merrier 😀
hi cookemom; glad you are here
Hello cookemom 🙂 I remember you from when I was exclusivelly on the OFa blog. LURKING. Now I do my main lurking here. Yes, I see you with your original OFA name. I know you posted a few days ago under a temp name, glad to see you as cookemom.
Debbie better have trademarked that – “Job Cremator” Haha
Commit to Defeat Republicans in 2012
No matter who Republicans pick to run against President Obama, Democrats must stand united to defeat him or her and Tea Party Republicans nationwide in 2012.
Help us reach 100,000 supporters before the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday.
Add your name today and commit to defeating Republicans across the country in 2012.
http://www.dccc.org/pages/committo2012
Hi everyone, new post here:
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/01/07/that-thing-tonight/
You recall Tavis Smiley was disinvited to the MLK luncheon in Peoria, IL. The group that was hosting the event at the Peoria Civic Center was called Public Employees for Community Concerns (” … made up of African-American employees in management and administrative positions within city government”).
They were responding to members of what apparently is an influential local group called the Colored Ladies Book Club. Here’s how members of the club felt, upon saying that instead of paying $40 to attend the luncheon, they’d donate that to PBO’s re-election campaign – if Smiley were going to be the guest speaker:
http://www.pjstar.com/opinion/spotlight/x1895999822/In-the-Spotlight-Tavis-Smiley-doesnt-speak-for-black-community
Obviously, I didn’t find any evidence that everyone locally from the AA community agrees with the book club members’ decision to shut him down (found a few negative comments, after I did a search locally, such as from the Peoria Journal Star newspaper), but some definitely do:
http://emergepeoria.blogspot.com/2012/01/michael-eric-dyson-purveyor-of.html
Hi Job. I read your comment over at pjstar. Good for you. Did you check out this one?:
“It would be nice if people realized that NO one person speaks for the ‘black community’. Tavis Smiley has his opinions. Ms. Penelton has hers. Dr. Thomas Sowell has yet another.
As for Obama ‘helping’ the black community by extending unemployment….. wouldn’t it be better for the black community to help them by implementing policies that encourage job growth rather than unemployment growth? I’d much rather help people by making JOBS available to them than by giving them an extra few weeks of handouts. If we improved the economy and improved job growth we wouldn’t need so much unemployment extension. Instead he’s killed any bill that includes growth in energy production, causing energy prices to rise (your CILCO bill isn’t going down is it?) and increasing the cost of doing business. He’s proposed new regulations that inhibit hiring causing unemployment to increase. He’s passed the health care reform bill that is so full of holes that even his own HHS director has said some provisions are unsustainable and may not be possible to implement (the CLASS program). The effect of THAT bill has been to limit the growth of small businesses who won’t expand because they don’t want to get enough employees to trigger the more onerous provisions. IE: No JOBS.”
Apparently this person has his own facts and/or doesn’t read. These energy and health care costs have been on a rising streak for atleast the last ten years. And we all know how jobs have been created. This mofo acts like black unemployment was better when? Last time black folks were fully employed was during slavery, sadly. I can’t stomach stupid people.
Did someone mention that they hadn’t see Buchannon on MSNBC? This is why:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/01/07/pat-buchanan-out-indefinitely-at-msnbc/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Wonder what took so long? Did they actually think he would change his racist ways?
Thank you for the Obama Diary family for the shout out. Much appreciated. Again to those who may not read the thread http://timtpost.com/ is my new blog. See you there sometimes. Cheers!
Best of luck TiMT, looking forward to reading your fine work!
Thank you Chip. I appreciate it.