****
1:05: PBO delivers remarks at a campaign event in Corona Del Mar, Calif.
2:45: Departs Los Angeles, California en route San Francisco
3:30: Arrives San Francisco
5:00: Attends a campaign event
10:10: Delivers remarks at a campaign event
****
AP: The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell to the lowest point in almost four years last week, the latest signal that the job market is steadily improving.
The Labor Department says weekly applications for unemployment benefits dropped 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 348,000. It was the fourth drop in five weeks and the fewest number of claims since March 2008.
More here
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USA Today: General Motors earned its highest profit ever last year. The 103-year-old company made $7.6 billion in 2011, up 62% from 2010. Full-year revenue rose 11% to $105 billion.
More here
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ABC (Devin Dwyer): Fact Check – Obama and the Resurgence of American Manufacturing
President Obama is this week heralding the resurgence of American manufacturing as a leap toward an “economy built to last,” and a sign that he deserves a second term. …. Obama’s claim is corroborated by government statistics, which show an undeniable rebound for manufacturers during his term, both in terms of productivity and employment of American workers.
When Obama took office in January 2009, unemployment in the manufacturing sector stood at 10.9 percent and spiked to 13 percent a year later, according to the Labor Department. But in the two years since, unemployment has fallen precipitously, now holding at 8.4 percent in January 2012.
In terms of raw manufacturing jobs, the trajectory is similarly positive …. U.S. manufacturers have also increased production by 15 percent since the recession officially ended in late 2009….
More here
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New York Times (Editorial): There’s nothing like a deadline – and the prospect of acute political embarrassment – to concentrate the mind. With Congress about to go on recess, and with Republicans fearing a voter backlash, negotiators on Wednesday were putting the finishing touches on a deal to extend the payroll tax cut and federal jobless benefits through 2012.
The agreement is imperfect but sound. It will help struggling Americans and the struggling economy. It is also a political win for Democrats and President Obama, who had made extending the payroll tax cut and the jobless benefits a centerpiece of his jobs agenda. We hope that it gives them the courage to stick to that agenda if they face another round of Republican obstructionism…..
More here
See Steve Benen here
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LA Times: ….. President Obama was expected to raise a total of more than $3 million during two events at the expansive Holmby Hills estate of “The Bold and the Beautiful” producer Bradley Bell and his wife, Colleen. The outdoor event, with tickets priced at $250 and $500, featured a performance by the Foo Fighters and appearances by comedian Jack Black and actress Rashida Jones.
Obama spoke later to a more intimate gathering inside the Bells’ Spanish-style home, which about 80 supporters each paid $35,800 to attend. Among those present were George Clooney, Jim Belushi and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who on Wednesday was named chairman of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.
More here
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Washington Post: …. If Obama is suffering any lingering Hollywood blowback after his administration failed to get behind a pair of high-profile Internet piracy bills championed by the entertainment industry, it wasn’t apparent …. The two Tinseltown events were expected to reap more than $3 million….
“Anything we can do to help,” said Andy Spahn, a political consultant to DreamWorks chief Jeffrey Katzenberg, one of Obama’s top campaign bundlers and staunchest Hollywood supporters. “The events are sold out,” Spahn said of Wednesday’s concert and dinner at the home of Bradley and Colleen Bell, producers of “The Bold and the Beautiful.” “I expect the president to continue to enjoy strong support.”
More here
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****
2006:
Oh boy.
****
SF Gate: …. this week, The Chronicle has learned that the Obama campaign has, for the first time, opened a new type of campaign office in San Francisco: A Technology Field Office. It is believed to be the first such type of campaign office for a presidential campaign.
“We learned from 2008 that using the talents and skills of our supporters was a key to building the most effective organization,” said Obama campaign deputy press secretary Katie Hogan. “We’re taking the next step by providing tools and space for supporters in the technology community to help the campaign extend our current tools like BarackObama.com and our mobile applications.”
…. instead of cold-calling independents, a techie who wants to help Team O can come in and help develop something new for the website, etc…..
If you want to get involved, contact techvolunteers@barackobama.com.
More here
****
The Guardian: …. Obama has critics and doubters. Maya Angelou, the sage of black America, now 83, has no time for them. “I think he has done a remarkable job, knowing how much he has been opposed,” she says. “Every suggestion he makes, the Republicans en masse fight against him or don’t vote at all.”
…. “I was hoping for the best. And I think I have gotten the best from him.” What of his detractors? “Those are people who didn’t see the morass into which he stepped.”
….. “His physical self, just being there, his photograph in the newspapers as president of the United States; that has done so much good for the spirit of the African American. We see more and more children wanting to be like President Obama, wanting to go to school.”
…. More recently, her presidential link has been via the first lady, Michelle Obama. “She’s the grand dame,” says Angelou. “I wrote her a note a few months ago because I was in a gathering. The president and his party were there, but I had to leave early. I know that’s a gaffe because no one leaves the building before the president so I wrote and apologised. I got a letter from her in her own handwriting. She said: ‘I have only one regret – that I didn’t come over and hug your neck.'”
More here
****
Morning everyone 😉 I’ll catch up with more news later, see you then.
The Obama Diary 
Ha.
GM folks.
You have the best seat in the house amk 🙂 Good morning everyone.
I really don’t like that new Twitter layout….it’s annoying.
Ohhh Georges Clooney was at the event…..nice!
And I have been sitting on that damned ‘best’ seat for too long a damned time for the damned act to open. 🙂
GM Christi.
I know! It’s awesome. Whenever I hear the media gasping ad nauseam about how PBO has lost Hollywood and their money, I laugh in the face of their stupidity. Hollywood ( the sane ones) knows how much PBO has accomplished despite unprecedented and appalling obstruction.
SECOND!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Good day to all.
Good morning, Chips & TOD fam.
Social apps ‘harvest smartphone contacts’
Twitter has admitted copying entire address books from smartphones and storing the data on its servers, often without customers’ knowledge.
Access to the address book is enabled when users click on the “Find Friends” feature on smartphone apps.
Two US congressmen have written to Apple asking why the firm allows the practice on its iPhone, as it contravenes app developer guidelines.
Twitter has said it will update its privacy policy to be more explicit.
The practice came to light when an app developer in Singapore, Arun Thampi, noticed that his contacts had been copied from his iPhone address book without his consent by a social network called Path.
Dave Morin, CEO of Path, apologised and said Path would ask users to opt in to share their contact information.
However, he noted separately that it was an “industry best practice” to upload or import address book information.
iPhone apps by social sites including Facebook, FourSquare, Instagram, Foodspotting and Yelp are also reported to access the address book.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/technology-17051910
Good Morning Chips & TOD!
Good Morning.
Has anyone confirmed that Democrats agreed to drug testing the Unemployed.?
What was the source of that info?
Dems OK Unemployment Insurance Drug Testing—in Some Cases
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/02/15/dems-ok-unemployment-insurance-drug-testingin-some-cases
I am very disappointed ..
From that NYT editorial:
Democrats successfully blocked Republican demands to impose uncalled-for conditions on applicants for jobless benefits, including drug testing and requiring them to be high school graduates or working toward an equivalency degree. (A fig leaf requires applicants to be drug-tested if they lost their job because of a failed drug test or if they are seeking a job that generally requires a drug test.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/16/opinion/a-rare-payroll-tax-deal.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1329398338-O7pS0PfnZLdEeV9SWESsWA
Steve Benen: The GOP is not leaving completely empty handed, though — states will be allowed to conduct drug tests on those who lost their jobs for failing a drug test (states can already do this)
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/16/10424337-congress-strikes-a-deal-on-payroll-cut
PS Morning everyone 😉
Thanks for setting the record straight Chips. I think this illustrates why it is so vital for all of us to first consider the source, then read the ENTIRE article, not just the headline. Many times, the GOPmedia writes a sensational headline to generate outrage (usually among Dem supporters) when the article says something completely different – in fact many times, the opposite of what the headline implied.
Gooood Morning everyone…GM Chipsssss and DF….
Thanks Chips for that all too important clarification….
and DF….truer words have not been spoken…
i think that we have to do the investigative work and gather info….now for me…i am not always sure where to go to look for the truth…but there are extremely informative…intuitive…and knowledgeable folks on this blog….and i thank God for this…that has help me find that oasis in the wilderness…
and indeed i know that sometimes we would like to think that news pundits and company are not deliberately distorting the news but i have learned thru the years that is what they do…and in some cases have outright lied…it is a pity but it is so…
on another note….
a discussion came up on Morning Joe about Santorum…about him having the right to his veiws…and i suppose one can say that everyone is entitled to their own belief systems…however when one wants to translate that belief system into public policy…one enters into treacherous waters…and this is where we are with Santorum…altho many of his views are outside of main stream thinking, the media and the Repubs want to make him main stream….
We Willlll Not Go Backkkk…
Presssssssssss ON!….
i should put on my glasses….i meant to say …HOPEFruit….mercy…..
I have not problem with someone who lost their job because of drugs, being tested if they seek unemployment benefits. Like you say we do have to consider the source anytime we read something.
This is just another reason why I like coming here, because Chipsticks will do her best to give us the facts. Thanks Chips.
Thanks, Chips…..
Morning everyone! I see this morning, that we still have work to do.
In other news, the Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, lead by Chuck Grassley, are blocking the approval of the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act because provisions recently added to the bill grant existing protections to members of the LGBT community, immigrants, and Native American tribes.
From Bob Cesca
Not entirely accurate. The bill did pass out of committee on a party line vote. Can it be blocked by filibuster? I assume so. But it is set to go to the Senate for a full vote.
I guess repubs don’t want the women’s vote. Bring it on, assuage.
“Asshats “
I don’t know how to post the cartoon here 🙂
http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2012/02/15/cartoon-of-the-day-separation-of-church-and-reality/
Good cartoon – except it doesn’t speak to the fact that the church now wants to eliminate general access to affordable contraception for ALL women under the ACA. They can’t control women in the Catholic church, so now they want to control ALL women. This only seems to be a phenomenon in the United States. Has anyone else heard of this kind of poutrage happening anywhere else in the world? Someone mentioned last week that women in Rome even have their birth control covered in their insurance policies.
As a woman of faith I find it important when we talk about all this we call it the “Catholic Church” and not just “The church.” Not all churches are the same. My church has come out strongly in favor of supporting women’s choice. Just saying.
GM TOD Family & Chipsticks 🙂
Good morning Chips and TOD family. So much great news! Love the Milwaukee headline. At least they didn’t put Walker there.
So much work to do this year. They Repubs will be brutal but we are strong. Off to work. Have a great day everyone.
Loved it too. An image like this can have more influence than days of campaigning. President Obama connecting with ordinary working folks. President Obama smiling. He just ooozes optimism, empathy and focus on the future. A total contrast with republicans, who offer nothing except fear, division, bigotry, and doom and gloom.
Good morning everyone. . . Hope you all have a wonderful day!
GOOD MORNING TOD FAMILY…GET THIS…YESTERDAY AFTERNOON I GOT A CALL FROM COLORADO OFA FOR A DONATION. WHEN I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I HAD JUST SPENT WHAT I COULD AND WOULD MORE SOON…HE SAID:..’CLARIFY SOON.’ NEEDLESS TO SAY I GOT TICKED OFF AT HIS RUDENESS. I ENDED THE CALL WITH A ‘BLESS YOU’ AND HE STARTED LAUGHING. I HOPE THERE AREN’T MANY MORE LIKE HIM OUT THERE…THAT WE DON’T NEED. PRESSURE SELLS LEAVE A BAD IMPRESSION! I’M STILL MAD…WISH I HAD HIS NAME.
I’VE GOT THE PHONE #…303-293-2726.
Sue, I received a call on my cell phone yesterday morning from a private number. The guy was young, and spoke at lightning speed. He asked for a donation of $250 and I said no, that I had already donated what I could through OFA and he would not take no for an answer. I continued, foolishly, to try to explain to him that I also try to support other candidates such as Elizabeth Warren and some Arizona dems trying to gain seats here. He could have cared less. Finally, I said to him that if he was seriously interested in helping our President get re-elected, he would slow down his speech so that he could be understood, and that when someone said no, to be gracious and thank them for their support. It is that kind of call that can turn someone on the fence away from voting for the President and for democrats.
Jackie, Sue, I’ve had that experience, too. When I told a fundraiser that I had just made two contributions to OFA, he said that he was calling for the Obama campaign and OFA was different. I said I know what OFA is and that it’s dedicated to the re-election of the president and that’s where I chose to make my donation. Then some other caller told me I hadn’t made a contribution in several months when I had been making one just about every week in response to an appeal from Michelle Obama or Joe Biden or the president’s fundraising manager or on TOD. It really irritated me when he said his records were right. I’m getting very leery of phone solicitations and will stick to online or mailed requests. There are so many people making phone calls for the president’s campaign, DNC, DSCC and DCCC as well as the state party and individual candidates that some of them are a little less than professional or congenial. It happens.
Good morning TOD. To add to your discussions here, I received a call from the Democratic National Committee last evening, after receiving mail from them for membership renewal, which I initally tossed out. I am an independent though prefer the term Obot or Obamacrat now. Anyhow, I interrupted her greeting by humorously stating that if she’s asking for donations, I have nothing at all to give right now. I stated that I do give directly to PBO’s coffers but that I would be inclined to donate to the Dems in the near future. She was kind and understanding, and did not pressure me as some others have. So, there are some who know how to do their job. She graciously thanked me for my future intended support. Incidentally, great news on the site today. Keep on pushin 😀
My donation goes to the Obama for America in Chicago Ill., that’s the campaign office.
The same thing happened to me but in my case it was an adult. Even after I told him that I am 100% Obama supporter and that I’m well informed of the democratic issues, he kept on talking non stop and insisting on a donation. I informed him that I donate monthly through BarackObama.com and when he wouldn’t listen I just hang up on him. I hated doing that but his phone manners were off putting to say the least. I know we are all enthusiastic about PBO and want to re-elect him but some of the volunteers need to be re-trained!
I NEVER GIVE ON THE PHONE…I MAKE THEM MAIL THE REQUEST AND THOROUGHLY CHECK IT OUT. NOONE SHLD. GIVE THEIR CREDIT CARD OVER THE PHONE! NOTTA! BLESS YOU!..:)
Nor do I. I donate to Donna and Chips here, and then to each candidate through their direct websites.
Hearing these reports, I suspect the GOP might have gotten hold of some DNC phone lists, and are out to cause trouble. If you go into the white pages and use reverse lookup, you can sometimes trace a call. I do not answer my cell phone unless the caller is in my contact list. Let it go to voicemail but many calks choose not to leave a message. They get deleted, no attention from me at all.
I agree. I often run up against some of the OFA paid workers. I do think they are under a lot of pressure. My worry is that they will alienate supporters in their zeal. I do know that once we start really hitting the neighborhoods we will have many volunteers that will be stepping forward. In the meantime I just tell everyone to be patient.
I too got a phone call about a week or two ago from a young man I believe from the DSC not sure the acronym is correct but the Senatorial branch of the Dems. I responded immediately with how did you get my phone number as I am unlisted on a tribal phone system and don’t normally give out my number? However I do donate semiregularly to OFA, and the House and Senates along with the DNC on occasion. I donate as I can afford it and only through the mail. I do not on internet or the phone. I also requested he take me off the call list. This young man continued to try to get some sort of commitment out of me regardless as I repeated they could send me a request and I would look at my budget and expenses and see if it were a possibility for me at that time. We both talked of the importance of controlling the Senate and the House. I thanked him for his work. He again pressed and I said I had an upcoming surgery in March (which I do have) and he said do you want me to check medical expenses or some such thing. I said I will have to choose when I can and cannot donate myself and rethanked him for his work as well as reminding him to take me off the call list and hung up. I think it was a legitimate Democratic fundraiser but the inspired sometimes come off like used car salesmen not able to take not now for an answer. I do get turned off by too high of pressure. It is weren’t for knowing myself the importance of this election I would decide to forget giving to the party with that kind of pushiness.
EVEN THO’ I TOLD HIM I WORK WITH OFA INDIANA…HE WAS STILL AN ASS!
HE CALLED IN THE LATE AFTERNOON AROUND 3:30-4P.M. ET.
Sue, I’m so sorry this happened to you. Please call OFA HQ and tell them about this rude behavior. It’s outrageous and should be reported. It almost sounds like a Republican has infiltrated the phonebank system in Colorado.
OFA HQ: 312-698-3670
Hey Sue – I volunteer at OFA too and we’re not doing any calls for money. we’re calling for volunteers and for people that might be on the fence. I see you are working at OFA in Indiana – are you doing any pitches for dough? I wonder if this guy was for real. I would give that number that Meta gave you a jingle and let them know.
That’s exactly right, a4alice. OFA volunteers are not phonebanking for money. We’re calling to seek out more volunteers, setting up 1-on-1s and GOTV for early primaries. So that call does sound bogus.
THANK YOU FOR THE INFO…I WILL CALL HQ AND REPORT IT! BLESS YOU FOR THE INFO!
AM ON ‘HOLD’ W/ OFA HQ. RIGHT NOW…
WAS ON HOLD AT HQ A REALLY LONG TIME…WILL HAVE TO CALL BACK LATER.
Charles Pierce of Esquire Magazine asks a very pertinent question:
GOING PROBE
By Charles Pierce
==================
Where in the hell are the doctors? Where in hell is the AMA?
Women are being required to undergo a medically unnecessary, personally violative procedure without their consent. (An amendment to require consent unsurprisingly failed in the legislature.) Doctors simply should refuse to conduct this procedure as a violation of their duties as physicians. The AMA should back them legally all the way up to the five wise souls in the big marble building. It should also sue the Commonwealth of Virginia, and McDonnell, until their eyeballs bleed. Doctors should speak out boldly, and without fear, about being used as middlemen in the relentless war on women being waged on several fronts by the anti-choice communities. It’s time for being a physician to mean more than the fact that you get a new Lexus every year. Any doctors in the peanut gallery who think I’m wrong about this should chime in down in the comments.
===================
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/virginia_doctors_forward_march
IN MY CURRENT HEALTH SITUATION I HAVE LEARNED THAT MANY DOCTORS ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT TAKING IN A HUGE VOLUM E OF PATIENTS AND NOT GIVING THE HEALTHCARE THEY DESERVE. I CAN’T STAND MY PRIMARY AND I GO TO THE IMMEDIATE CARE WHERE THERE IS A GREAT DOC. HOWEVER…I HAVE ASKED AND CAN’T HAVE HIM AS A PRIMARY. THE HCR FIELD IS FILLED WITH GREED AND UNFORTUNATELY…A LACK OF COMPASSION! ALL MONEY AND DON’T ASK QUESTIONS. THERE ARE WONDERFUL DOCS OUT THERE BUT THESE DAYS FEW AND FAR BETWEEN BECAUSE OF GREED!
THIS! Let’s call this what it is. RAPE. The state of VA. is advocating rape for any woman seeking a LEGAL medical procedure!
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/16/10421869-commemorative-bob-mcdonnell-vaginal-ultrasound-probes
Good questions ? Tweeted.
Pierce is absolutely right about this. And frankly, where are the insurance companies? This is a separate procedure requiring extra time by medical personnel and additional use of equipment. I certainly have never gotten that time and use for free, so somebody must be paying for it. And over and above all these voices, the women of Virginia should be screaming in outrage and building such a massive level of support that they vote every one of these legislators and their ass of a governor out the door. Virginia governors serve only one term. Where is the Democratic challenger? He/she should be out on the road now taking a stand. Republicans have showed their hand–there’s no veil to hide behind any more, no weasel words to disguise their real meaning. They have shown they have nothing but hatred and contempt for women and take pleasure in humiliating and controlling them. I, for one, think is more than time to show them that the contempt is mutual. No woman in the US should vote for a Republican for state or national office. They have shown us what they are and it’s ugly.
Good damn question. I am so mad at Virginia, I see red every time I think about it. I’m right across the river in Maryland. Virginia went “teabag” and elected these nuts to their legislature, Governor and AG. They are anti-women, anti-minority and anti-gay. It’s just disgusting. You are correct. Where the hell are doctors? Why are they not all over the TV protesting this abuse of women? If a woman is raped and becomes pregnant and wants an abortion, she’s going to be raped again because some doctor has agreed to violate her again by inserting a probe into her uterus.
#LandslideOBAMA2012
#LandslideDEMS2012
Yes We Must
The Guardian: …. Obama has critics and doubters. Maya Angelou, the sage of black America, now 83, has no time for them. “I think he has done a remarkable job, knowing how much he has been opposed,” she says. “Every suggestion he makes, the Republicans en masse fight against him or don’t vote at all.”
…. “I was hoping for the best. And I think I have gotten the best from him.” What of his detractors? “Those are people who didn’t see the morass into which he stepped.”
….. “His physical self, just being there, his photograph in the newspapers as president of the United States; that has done so much good for the spirit of the African American. We see more and more children wanting to be like President Obama, wanting to go to school.”
…. More recently, her presidential link has been via the first lady, Michelle Obama. “She’s the grand dame,” says Angelou. “I wrote her a note a few months ago because I was in a gathering. The president and his party were there, but I had to leave early. I know that’s a gaffe because no one leaves the building before the president so I wrote and apologised. I got a letter from her in her own handwriting. She said: ‘I have only one regret – that I didn’t come over and hug your neck.'”
More here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/feb/15/maya-angelou-barack-obama-remarkable-job?CMP=twt_gu
HOW BEAUTIFUL…I LOVE MAYA ANGELOU WITH A PASSION…GOD HAS BLESSED HER AND BLESSED US WITH HER GIFT!
So I’ve been seeing lots of (rightfully) disapproving diaries on OLD ORANGE about “Operation Hilarity” a lousy idea put forth by none other than Markos Moulitas (former Repub and questionable Obama “supporter”). According to Markos, Democrats should vote in the GOP primaries for Rick santorum to prolong the GOP primary as long as possible to weaken the eventual candidate. This is a similar tactic to “Operation Chaos” pushed by the likes of Rush L back in 2008, when PBO and Hillary Clinton were battling it out in the Dem primary.
Why would Democrats need to stoop to the level of Republicans ? PBO is doing quite fine already – the economy is improving and PBO is currently beating both Santorum and Romney nationally. Why does Markos want to give the Right Wing a new talking point that their GOP primaries are being interfered with by Democrats? It seems like he wants to create problems for the president and the Democrats by making it seem as though they are stooping that low just to win an election? PBO doesn’t need Markos’s “help” in that regard. He already has a good ground game, and his TRUE supporters are registering new voters, making use of the democracy as it’s supposed to. We don’t need frauds like Markos muddying up the waters pretending to be helping when he’s actually hurting PBO’s cause and the Dems credibility.
I’m glad that that idea is getting a lot of pushback on Old Orange. I hope the pushback continues and Mr. Markos abandons this stupid plan completely.
“We don’t need frauds like Markos muddying up the waters pretending to be helping when he’s actually hurting PBO’s cause and the Dems credibility”
This and all This!! When have his strategies ever actually worked?
He is such a fool. He did that stupid mess during the 2008 primary. He had Dems voting Repub in the Michigan primary. Apparently Michigan and Florida went early with their primaries and were penalized by the DNC. The delegates were not counted so Hilary lost those delgates. He told people that since the votes wouldn’t count for the Dems to go and muck up the Republican Primary and some people did just that. For a while there was talk about a re-vote for those states. When that happened people realized that if they voted Republican in the orginal primary they would not have been able to vote Dem in the re-vote. Therefore messing up the opportunity for them to vote in favor of PBO in that primary. It was eventually settled at a meeting here in Washington by the Dem Party that summer and no re-vote was necessary but Markos could have caused a really big problem had there been a re-vote for the Dems and they would not have been able to participate.
You’d jave thought he would have learned…I guess not!
It’s hard for me to believe that guy still has any credibility whatsoever. You would have to be a fool to follow his advice and surrender your working brain cells to DK. Instead of playing games with Republican primaries they need to get up off their rears and work to get voters to the Dem primaries. Even if they think the presidential primary vote is “pro forma” there are lots of congressional and senate seats being challenged. Focus on supporting good candidates. That’s what grownups do as opposed to immature game players.
Hey thanks for the info Hope…….I think Rachel mentioned it last night but I’m not sure if it was that in particular because I just saw a few sec of it.
I hope she didn’t endorse it
Juvenile idiot game player. I wish he’d freakin’ grow up.
I don’t think anyone needs to interfere with the strategy set forth by PBO’s campaign team. It’s obvious their knowledge is far superior to those who think they are smart and know everything. I have found their strategy to be multi-tiered with outcomes that no one ever thought of. So I’m opposed to listening to this person’s idea.
I totally agree. I think I would do just about anything to make sure our President is re-elected, but that being said I should remember the reasons why he is the best. It would not reflect well on our President to lower ourselves down into the mud with the gop. We have the classiest President ever-we should reflect this in our actions. Thanks for the reminder.
I hated it when Rush Limbaugh pushed the Operation Chaos Republicans register as Dems and vote for Hillary to prolong the fight in the ’08 Primary. There are some things needed in order to compete such as even though we do not like or believe in the Citizens United ruling not partaking in it when the other side is would be political suicide. In that case we need to go by the current laws and change them when we are able to change them. Choosing to create a chaos ourselves is different than that. It involve more and I feel two wrongs don’t make a right in this case. Just cuz they did it doesn’t make it right for us to do it. It is not a current law but trickery. We can win without stooping to tricks that upset the freedom of letting our voices be heard through voting. When you lower yourself to doing what you do not think is right you are no better than those you criticize.
Wow….more good news!…thanks for the info meta.
My pleasure!! We are on a very good roll right now. I think PBO plays an amazing long game.
I also want to encourage everyone out there who is looking for a job to be encouraged. Our thoughts are for your success.
🙂 🙂 🙂
INDEED…I TWEETED MY BEAK OFF! SPEAKING OF…I HAVE TO GO AND FEED MY BIRDS…THEY’RE WAITING…BBL! WILL GET TO SEE PBO TODAY…AGAIN…AWESOME FOR ME!
Thanks meta! Retweeted. Republican heads are exploded everywhere. They did not count on the economy turning around. They had their plastic candidate (Romney) all lined up to convince the public that he was the answer to our economic troubles. I’m praying that we continue to recover because if we do….Mr. Romney (or whoever the Republican flavor of the day) is TOAST!
THIS
”They did not count on the economy turning around”.
They did everything to stop the recovery……..they were ecstatic last year when the US was downgraded by S&P.
The corrupt media didn’t help…
They have nothing
“Nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.” ― President Obama
!!!!
Pure bliss, thank you Meta!
Feb. 16, 2012, 8:30 a.m. EST
U.S. weekly jobless claims drop 13,000 to 348,000
// WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) – Weekly jobless claims in the U.S. fell by 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 348,000 in the week ended Feb. 11, the Labor Department said Thursday. That’s the lowest level since March 2008, when the U.S. was in the early stages of a recession. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch estimated claims would total 368,000. Claims from two weeks ago were revised up to 361,000 from 358,000. The four-week average of claims, meanwhile, fell by a smaller 1,750 to 365,250, keeping it near a four-year low. //
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-weekly-jobless-claims-drop-13000-to-348000-2012-02-16?siteid=bnbh
Yes, yes, yes!!!! Take that GOP! Take that Mitt!!!
You go, Mr. President!
Oh, and good morning TOD family.
BEAUTIFUL PIC. OF FLOTUS AND MAYA…EVERY TIME I SEE THE FIRST LADY SHE ALWAYS HAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL NEW HAIR-DO! LOVE IT!
Chips, this deserves a billing ?
Thanks a million amk, just added it! You know, I’m feeling kind of angry with PBO this morning – I’m trying to get some work done, but he keeps providing good news that I have to add to the post. I wish the fella would slow down with all this goodness 😆
LOL. That kenyan, muslin. dang.
😆
Go easy on the guy Chips, I want him in top form tomorrow! 😉
“We hope that it gives them the courage to stick to that agenda if they face another round of Republican obstructionism.”
Where has the New York Times been? The President has stuck to his agenda and successfully pushed back since his inauguration? Why does the media have weekly memory loss?
Beautiful graph 🙂
http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/independent-voters-on-the-run-from-romney-chart.php?ref=fpa
isn’t it funny that a graph can be beautiful, but it is!
It is a beautiful graph. I am thankful that independents are finally waking up. I just wish they would pay better attention early on. It would be easier on my heart.
RACHEL MADDOW EVISCERATES THE GOP VAGINAL PROBE LAW
I don’t think anyone has pulled back the curtain on this hideous law like Rachel Maddow. This segment should be required viewing for every woman in American and any man who loves and supports her. The depravity of the Republican Party knows now bounds. Also, as Charles Pierce of Esquire asked, where is the medical community?
VIDEO: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/46406410#46406410
Commemorative Bob McDonnell vaginal ultrasound probes!
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/16/10421869-commemorative-bob-mcdonnell-vaginal-ultrasound-probes
she has done a superb job reporting on this.
RM has done a very good job on this issue kudos to her.
ok i just had to tweet that.
In fact, for every woman who’s forced to endure a transvaginal probe to get an abortion, a man should also have to endure some meaningless humiliation – since it does take two to make a baby. Get both of them involved. It’s only fair.
Seriously, though, this latest move by the GOP should make every woman (and every tea partier who is crying about their “freedom” and every person who thinks) furious and outraged. Real outrage, not the nonsense from the Catholic church kind of outrage.
Chips, thanks for posting that article on Maya Angelou. Maya was on the Tom Joyner show talking about how FLOTUS’ letter impressed her and she said Mrs. Obama was “pure class”. Maya was referring to her having to leave the cathedral early for Dorothy Height’s funeral because she has to receive oxygen every 2 hours and had been in the church over 2 hours and had to leave quickly before the Obamas. But I didn’t realize that Maya didn’t know that the First Lady would be presenting on the BET Honors show.
Good Morning all. Just popped in to say have a great day. Read about the provisions in UE bill. First, if you are FIRED you are NOT eligible for UE insurance. UE insurance is just for Lay-offs. Second, I would NEVER pee in a cup to get UE. This is an unconstitutional invasion of privacy. One other issue that I DO agree with is…job training or GED equivalent for getting unemployment. The job market today requires education, good jobs go to those that are trained or AT LEAST have a GED or High School diploma.
On the last little rant…I propose that we change the name of “Virginia” to the state of “Vagina”.
Never stay home for an election. This is what we get.
proud….
I think it is if you QUIT your job, you are not eligible…..if you are fired the waiting period is longer. ( At least that is how it was in New York State )
Yup – I’ve heard of cases where folks were fired (also in NY) and were eligible for UE insurance. I don’t know if this is a state specific policy or it it’s at the federal level.
Frequentrly depends on the reaswon for the firing. If it is a performance issue, usually you can get UE. However, if it is for violation of company rules not related to performance (stealing, etc.) then no UE. Some states do allow it under extreme circumstances and there is always a delay.
it is my understanding… if you are fired …you can be denied unemployment insurance…that exists now….
if you lost your job…you need money to live…right now…not many workers have a rainy day fund..however i would add a job training/retraining component to unemployment insurance….
Oh snap, Pres Obama smashing Mitt and Rick in New Mexico. And this is from Rasmussen!
A new telephone survey of Likely New Mexico Voters finds the president earning 55% of the vote against both Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney. Santorum picks up 37% support. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate, and four percent (4%) more are undecided.
Romney earns a similar 36% against the president, with five percent (5%) going for another candidate and five percent (5%) more undecided.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/new_mexico/election_2012_new_mexico_president
tweeted.
But Greece, the Eeeconomy, contraceptives, Iran blah blah blah.
Their always has to be something the media says, you see?
Personally, I am loving seeing them all squirm like worms.
The reason the Companies are making a decision to hire, even with growth only at 2%, is because they made a lot of money the first three years of the recession, cash reserves.
And they see the opportunity to make MORE.
I wonder who the President will name for the World Bank?
I know Sec. Clinton is being mentioned along with Summers. Are there indications she wants it?
No. Me thinks she has her eye on 2016!
“It has been an open secret in Washington for a long time that Hillary Clinton wants to become the next president of the World Bank,”
http://www.businessinsider.com/report-hilary-clinton-looking-to-take-over-the-world-bank-2012-2
Very interesting. I clicked through on the associated article and there’s also denials. Should be quite a history making event if it happens given the IMF head is also female. Thanks, blondgrrl.
I didn’t think about it that way. If Hillary got it – or some other equally qualified and dedicated woman – we’d probably start to make strides in the world to elevate the role of women in developing countries. I know both the President and Hillary have spoken about how the measure of progress in a country can be seen by the way they treat their women. (Important point as the US slides into Taliban country with these GOP measures). It’s even more important that women are presented globally in the two big economic powerhouses that support developing countries, because maybe a global shift in gender power can help save the world from the next world war, climate change disaster and general global catastrophe that the GOP seem determined to bring about.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-16/summers-clinton-said-to-be-leading-contenders-for-world-bank.html
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former White House economic adviser Lawrence Summers are two leading candidates to succeed World Bank President Robert Zoellick when he leaves in June, said two people familiar with Obama administration discussions.
The U.S. promised a candidate “in the coming weeks” for the post that has always been held by one of its citizens, while officials from Brazil and Mexico vowed to make the selection process open to emerging markets.
“It is very important that we continue to have strong, effective leadership in this important institution,” Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner said in an e-mail yesterday, four hours after Zoellick, 58, announced he will leave at the end of his five-year term. The U.S. choice will have “the experience and requisite qualities to take this institution forward,” Geithner said.
While Summers has expressed interest in the position and has supporters inside the administration, the position would be Clinton’s if she sought it, according to the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity about the private conversations.
Clinton, who said previously she doesn’t plan to remain in her post if President Barack Obama wins a second term, repeatedly has denied having an interest in the World Bank job. State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland repeated those denials yesterday.
Yeah, I don’t see Hilary taking the job. She’s been on the go since the 90s—First Lady, Senator, Presidential candidate, and now SoS. If anyone deserves a break it’s her.
I hope it goes to a woman, but I also wouldn’t have a problem with Geithner getting the role, as a reward for leading the world out of financial crisis and enduring the stupidity of GOP opposition. He already has good relationships with world financial leaders, he’s done service work around the world, he’s got strong relationships with the Chinese (doesn’t he speak Mandarin?) and other Asian countries – and he knows his stuff.
Great getting up morning once again in OTown! Keep your eyes on the picture in this link, amazing: http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj112/iconreese3/holidays/AMLK4.gif
Good morning, cookemom!! Wow, that photo is really a trip.
Spooky.
Wow, the movement of independant voters from january to february is pretty impressive. No doubt that Romney’s gaffes helped but I think it’s the job reports. The good news made the front page on newspapers all over America.
People sense that Barack Obama is a good man and is on their side; they simply have been discouraged and disappointed that things were not improving fast enough. Hence after receiving good news, many of them came back into the President’s column. Look at the president’s numbers in Michigan for example. For a couple of years, people were doubtful about the auto bail-out ; but now that it has proven to be an unmitigated success and that jobs have come back in thousands, voters are finally rewarding President Obama with their support.
I think lots of independant voters base their support mostly on results, not on good policies nor good intentions. KInd of short-sided but it’s the unfortunate reality.
Another smiling baby with Mitt Romney…poor little thing
Heh. Romney is certainly not “the baby whisperer” like our PBO.
Good Morning TODers and thanks for all the good news, Chipsticks.
….and the poor secret service guy, he looks so bored like “no one is gonna hurt him, he’s doing a good job all by himself”.
lol I know,.
Hee! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Why does he always hold the kids backwards? Notice….he does it more often than not. I don’t think he like kids. It would have been one of his kids on that car roof, it the dog hadn’t gotten the short straw.
tweeted that lovely pic. 😉 😉 Also. Too,
Eat it mitt
Robney penned an op-Ed saying that Obama is a supplicant to the Chinese.
What is he talking about?
Who knows? Who cares? Willards’s opinions are barely a footnote in the court of public opinion. What he says today won’t matter tomorrow, so……….
There you go.
He hasn’t a clue what he’s talking about …. Just thinks he SHOULD be yakking about something, anything, nothing.
Romney doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Five months from now he will say the complete opposite. Willard is broken.
You are being generous by giving him five months. I give him two days.
Nonsense as usual. Lies as usual. Trying to peddle fear as usual. People are afraid of China, so you say that President Obama is weak in defending America against China, hoping that low info voters will believe you. It’s not important that what you say is completely false, since you know the media won’t call you out for it.
The point is Jovie, Mitt lies so much he doesn’t even know what he is talking about. Considering 95% of what comes out of his mouth are lies.
Gah, Chips! So many goodies, so little time! 😀
I know Lisa, it’s insane. If it was The Romney Diary there’d be no goodness to report 😆
:lol:——– “The Romney Doary”!!!! Hahahahahahaha!! Seriously, Chips. Uproarious laughter at 9:30 in the morning in a public place? Doesn’t really reinforce the idea that I’m not unhinged.
That reminds me …. how did, um, things finish up with Spock last night? 😕
It would have to be named The Romney Diarrhea.
Woooooooooooot!!!!! 😆
Good Morning, Everyone 🙂
Good morning, guys.
Ah here, MORE good news???
Thank you BWD! This Rise and Shine is about to become longer than the Great Wall of China.
I’m simply enjoying this Rise and Shine! 🙂 🙂 Our West Coast folks are just about to get out of bed and by the time they get to TOD, Rise & Shine will be over 100 comments!!!
That’s so right, HF, we are stretching and reading as fast as we can before the new thread opens up! IPad still SO much better than a newspaper, and TOD all Pulitzer material! Hugs to you Chips!
Hopefruit, at this rate we’ll need Rise and Shine Part 1, Rise and Shine Part 2, Rise and Shine Part 3, Rise and Shine Part 4 ….. repeat to fade.
😉
Bring it on, Chips! 😉
The Knickerbockers Jeremey Linn responds to having the President as a Fan-
“I’m very, very honored and very humbled,” Lin said. “I mean, wow, the President. Nothing better than that.”
here’s the link for the jeremy lin quote (thanks Jovie)
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/11931/lin-on-president-obama-watching-wow
Sweet! Their stories are pretty similar. Over the last 3 years, PBO has been overlooked by the media, sold short by Dems and sidelined based on appearances ie: who’s winning/who’s losing. ‘oh, the Great Compromiser in Chief,” oh, the Repugs got 98% of what they want,” “oh, nobody loves PBO!” “oh, he’s doomed for failure and won’t win a second term, look at his polling numbers!” PBO and Lin were underdogs, no one – except the people who loved and believed in them the most- thought that they could much more than warm a bench. Good for Lin and PBO. Don’t ever count them outta the game.{{{ for that last line I got my grumpy Clint Eastwood sneer on…….yeah, head nod}}}} Don’t e-vah count ’em out. {{extra sneer}}
Lisa, I just love the way you think and talk.
Me2;)
hahahahahaha..
Gooo Lisaaaaa…Gooooo Lisaaaaa….Go Lisaaaaaaa….
I love this! I was wondering what his reaction would be. And it even tickled me that the press was eager to get the President’s opinion on this – and that it was played all over the tv last night. Everybody knows.
Political AnimalBlog
February 16, 2012 8:30 AM
Michigan Microcosm
By Ed Kilgore
We’ll obviously be hearing a lot from and about Michigan over the next twelve days, thanks to the state’s February 28 presidential primary, and the focus it will bring to Michi-centric issues like the relationship of the federal government to the auto industry.
A Michigan focus will also inevitably lead to greater scrutiny of Mitt Romney’s personal story as a Michigan native whose father was not only an auto executive in a very different era, but later the prototypical moderate Republican politician—precisely the kind of politician Mitt set out to be when he started running for office in the 1990s.
Mitt’s roots in the state, his ambivalent relationship with “Detroit” as a city and as a cultural symbol, and the sense you get that Michiganders are kind of “on to his game” having watched him more closely than most Americans others in his permutations, are all factors that could magnify the impact of the primary’s results here. That’s particularly true if Romney, with all his advantages, manages to lose.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_02/michigan_microcosm035445.php
Our Basketball loving President had something to say to the bball phenom 🙂 And vis a versa 🙂
And finally: Yesterday, a spokesperson said President Obama is a big fan of Jeremy Lin, the New York Knick. Lin responded very graciously last night, “I’m very, very honored and very humbled,” Lin said. “I mean, wow, the President. Nothing better than that.”
From TP
Opps! Sorry, Jovie…didn’t see that you had already posted 🙂
Actress apologizes for appearing in Hoekstra’s Super Bowl ad —
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/02/15/actress-apologizes-for-appearing-in-hoekstras-super-bowl-ad/
http://motherjones.com/politics/2012/02/what-war-religion-obama-catholic-charities
For months, Catholic religious leaders have waged a PR campaign criticizing the Obama administration for allegedly infringing on their religious liberties. They’ve blasted, among other things, an administration requirement (since rescinded) that institutions affiliated with religious organizations offer contraceptive coverage in their health insurance plans. Religious conservatives are also fuming that the administration declined to renew a contract with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to provide services for human trafficking victims, because the group refused to provide referrals for contraception and abortion to sexual assault victims.
/snip/
But all the outrage about religious freedom has overshadowed a basic truth about the Obama administration: When it comes to religious organizations and their treatment by the federal government, the Obama administration has been extremely generous. Religious groups have benefited handsomely from Obama’s stimulus package, budgets, and other policies. Under Obama, Catholic religious charities alone have received more than $650 million, according to a spokeswoman from the US Department of Human Services, where much of the funding comes from. The USCCB, which has been such a vocal critic of the Obama administration, has seen its share of federal grants from HHS jump from $71.8 million in the last three years of the Bush administration to $81.2 million during the first three years of Obama. In fiscal 2011 alone, the group received a record $31.4 million from the administration it believes is virulently anti-Catholic, according to HHS data.
What if I don’t want my tax dollars going to the catholic church?
And thank you for posting this link, df, I had been thinking a lot about this topic yesterday, found some answers to my questions here.
I’m glad that you found what you needed:) I understand your not wanting to give to the Catholic Church…just like people don’t like giving $$ to war or anything else they are opposed to….but, it all goes into the big kitty…this is not the President’s fault, as I know you know….just how the whole thing was set up.
Yes, we do know, but just after I wrote that, while getting ready for work, I thought: Hmmmm, second term. Well, WE all understood there were simply too many critical concerns, which needed to be prioritized, and we know PBO has done a STELLAR job mastering those priorities. Second term, we must, we will!
That’s the point. Exactly, Pamela.
From 2006:
How bizarre…
Does he think his wife was not having sex out of marriage when she lived with a man for 6 years ?
Maybe they had separate rooms Linda? 😕
I think there should be a ban on the procedure known as and billed as
” Foreign body Removal”
I did billing for 4 area emergency rooms ( All in the Catholic Health System of WNY )
You would not believe the kinds of things people insert into their orifices .
“You would not believe the kinds of things people insert into their orifices.”
Gulp. Lunch is cancelled.
Oh dear, only halfway through breakfast when that one caught me……yikes.
I love your clever sense of humor!
whoops! humor compliment directed at Chips; although most of the posters here are wonderfully articulate and clever, imaginative.
“Politicians and media have long known this, but the perception remained that there was a “Catholic vote” one the bishops could deliver, even if those voters ignored the bishops’ backward sexual edicts. But the events of the past week reveal that the bishops command no one, not even the leaders of Catholic institutions.
In offering the bishops an “accommodation” they refused to accept on a contraception provision of the new healthcare law, the Obama administration effectively exposed the powerlessness of the bishops when the rest of the church rose to accept the offer. Any perception of the bishops’ power that remains in the halls of Congress or the annals of news stories exists solely because that perception serves the aims of its purveyors: right-wing politicians and news producers in need of spectacle.”
http://www.alternet.org/news/154166/has_obama_exposed_the_powerlessness_of_the_us_bishops/
Thank you also, blondegrrl, I am learning much this morning, and have a busy day ahead, good stuff to think about!
Thank you, Pamela – appreciate your note.
Ah, all you clever ones with the little magic wordpress boxes, your capacity to reply is enviable!
I also haven’t noticed any of the media talking about what the bishops have been doing these past ten years that this same provision has been on the books in 28 states, and in some cases, without exemption for Catholic churches.
That’s it, that was the last big fight for PBO this year. He won’t even speak to Congress from now on. 🙂
Yup. Now he can go on full
campaignpoetry mode. 🙂I like that. Poetry, indeed.
Seattle. President Obama. Tomorrow (Friday) can it get much better? Woot! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Rest up, Mr. President. Pamela and the whole state is waiting for you in Seattle! They won’t give you a break while you’re there 🙂
Oh, I will put the billy on the fire, and he shall enjoy a cup of my famous green jasmine tea with a touch of stevia, before he shakes the place up! Ginger cookies too, if he likes those! 😉 Feet on he ottoman, I wonder if he likes Maine Coons? 😉
GM TOD family..love love Dr.Maya Angelou she is truly phenomenal !
Good Morning TOF family
What great news all around.
Sorry I have to be at work all day today.
Saw this trailer of a show which will be shown tonight on PBS
US Health Care: The Good News – PREVIEW
Airing February 16, 2012 at 9pm EST on PBS
echoes many of the concepts PBO and ACA promote
The President’s budget is full of good ideas. Even though “experts” predict it will never get passed, we can still spread the news about what it asks for. The budget is a preview of what he will do if re elected with a Dem. controlled Congress.
Obama Unveils Budget That Includes Billions To Rebuild Nation’s Infrastructure, Create Jobs
http://www.whatisworking.com/2012/02/obama-unveils-budget-that-includes.html
Here is yet another reason to promote “clean energy”
Report: Green Jobs Are Twice As Recession Resistant
http://www.whatisworking.com/2012/02/report-green-jobs-are-twice-as.html
Headline: New GM plant will bring jobs from Mexico to Baltimore County.
// Workers peered through safety goggles as they fitted together parts of the electric motors they were building on a General Motors assembly line in White Marsh. For now, the parts are made in a factory in Mexico and then shipped to Baltimore County for assembly. But not for long.
By the end of the year, motors for cutting-edge electric vehicles will be built from scratch in a sprawling $244 million plant under construction next to GM’s factory, now called General Motors Baltimore Operations. //
http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-gm-plant-visit-20120215,0,7402134.story
This is what happens when you have a President that works with other countries, instead of saber rattling.
American Jobs Act :: 5 European Nations Agree to Help U.S. Crack Down on Tax Evasion
http://www.whatisworking.com/2012/02/american-jobs-act-5-european-nations.html
What is Working…
i must thank you so very much for your website..
the information that you provide is invaluable…i frequent a website call paltalk…there is a music room that i frequent there …on Wednesdays they host a public forum on current affairs and other topics….yesterday’s forum was on the voter suppression…i posted a link to your website regarding the voter id laws of each state…i love the interactive page that you provide….i cannot tell you how invaluable that page is…so many folks who do not pay attention to what is happening in their state and in their local communities…YES they are voting for the President and YES they are major supporters of the President…but when it comes to local politics they do not have much awareness….
so last night led to a discussion of local politics and the importance that can play on a national level….
once again thank you…
Presssssss ON!….
]ps…i also turned folks on to the Obama Diary….smilin
That video about the auto industry was great, except for one thing, they should have gave POTUS some credit.
I’m a person who is a personal sprinkler on many occasions and watching this video was one of those occasions. This is beautiful. I love the story of the friends moving from TN to Flint, at their core is that great American can do spirit.
Looks like Cape Wind got their Power backing from NSTAR.
Now, they can start construction ti feed over 500k Cape Cod residents…
MSM ignores it!
I swear the Barack Obama store is off the chain. They have shirts with Bo on them that you can color.
http://store.barackobama.com/featured/bo-diy-tee-with-markers.html
And I just got my Beyonce Runway to Win shirt in the mail yesterday. It’s cute.
Cutest shirt ever!!!!!!! 😆
What was the Catholic Charities organization position on the birth control issue and are they on board now?
My friend’s father died and they have listed Catholic Charities for donations. He had Alzheimer’s amongst his many ailments and his daughter, my friend, makes quilts for the Alzheimer’s Foundation so I could certainly donate to them.
I’m a very un-practicing Jew. I don’t mind donating to Catholic Charities but my preference is something secular. I read earlier today that Catholic Charities has benefited greatly from the Obama administration; so if they were pissy about BC I will make a donation elsewhere.
I’m off to work and can’t research it myself right now. I can check in and out, however. Any insight would be appreciated.
Oh, 57andFemale! I was just thinking about you yesterday and his much I have missed you (we share the tiny keyboard typo dilemma) and today here YOU ARE! Tomorrow, PBO for tea, I love my life! 😉
Pamela, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I had vowed to only read and no longer comment, but read I do because the energy is so wonderful here. Because of people like you.
I’ve made a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation in memory of my friend’s dad. I’m more comfortable with it.
Well, I am so pleased your silence is no longer, as I LOVE your comments very much! Welcome home! 😉
One thing I’ve heard from many actual Catholics is that the thing they are most proud of is the Church’s dedication to poor and underprivileged people, working with them and providing for them. So, while the bishops are on the wrong page with their flock, the flock seems to be intent on doing good. I wouldn’t let the birth control saga limit you from donating to the church. However, that said, we need more work in the Alzheimer’s area – so that is a perfectly good cause, too, as more and more people are being diagnosed with that horrific disease.
MAJOR CLIMATE NEWS — The United States will join five other countries and the U.N. Environment Programme to launch a climate change and clean air initiative aimed at reducing pollutants identified as quick-fire global warming threats, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will announce this morning. The initiative will focus on so-called “short-lived” climate pollutants — methane, black carbon and some hydrofluorocarbons — in an effort to make inroads on climate change and public health internationally. The announcement is at 9:30 this morning, but you don’t have to wait, as Martinson has the story for Pros: http://politico.pro/z2gyyp
The oil Companies all told the President that he better approve Keystine or else.
Bam!!! 1 month later oil and gas prices are going up, despite the CFTC rule to limit speculation.
Coincidence???
– A rare bit of good news for the California high-speed rail project, which is looking to integrate with local rail systems. California Watch: http://bit.ly/zxlwna
February 16, 2012 10:08 AM
Garry Wills on the Contraception Mandate
By Ed Kilgore
At several points during the administration’s ongoing struggle with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops over contraception coverage, I’ve found myself thinking: “Wonder what Garry Wills would have to say about this?” For those unfamiliar with Wills (one of my idols, from my first reading of Nixon Agonistes back in the 1970s right on up to the 2009 book What the Gospels Meant) he’s the author of an entire array of remarkable books about Christianity, Catholicism, the Founders and U.S. politics.
Turns out we don’t have to wonder any more, because Wills has at least initially weighed in on the subject at the New York Review of Books’ blog. He certainly doesn’t mince words:
Pusillanimous Catholics—Mark Shields and even, to a degree, the admirable E. J. Dionne—are saying that Catholics understandably resent an attack on “their” doctrine (even though they do not personally believe in it). Omnidirectional bad-faith arguments have clustered around what is falsely presented as a defense of “faith.” The layers of ignorance are equaled only by the willingness of people “of all faiths” to use them for their own purposes.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_02/garry_wills_on_the_contracepti035449.php
I just saw a tweet that FLOTUS and Bo are going to assist giving a White House tour at 11 AM!!!!!!!!!!!!! We can watch it live at whitehouse.gov!
She is so cute! Bo is being such a good boy! 🙂
Heads up!!!!!
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live?utm_source=wh.gov&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=shorturl
Live now!!!
How rude….some guy is wearing a Ron Paul 2012 shirt.
FLOTUS is working hard on those crunches. She looks better than she did 4 years ago.
I’m worried about Stephen Colbert, his show abruptly cancelled last night’s taping due to “unforseen circumstances” and Stephen’s twitter feed has gone silent. Hope everything is ok.
Yes, it’s very curious.
By Ben Geman – 02/16/12 09:50 AM ET
The White House Office of Management and Budget has begun vetting upcoming Interior Department rules that will toughen regulation of the controversial natural gas drilling method called hydraulic fracturing.
Interior’s rules are already under fire from GOP lawmakers who allege the plans – which President Obama touted in his State of the Union address – will slow development.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has promised that the rules, which will govern “fracking” on public lands, will be proposed very shortly.
Interior sent the proposal that requires disclosure of fracking chemicals to OMB for review on Wednesday, according to OMB’s website.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/211093-white-house-begins-fracking-rule-review
Flotus greeting people at the White House. Spotted a kid in a RP tshirt. LOL. Too funny.
I saw him, too. What a little punk. I’m sure he thought he was being so ironically funny. FLOTUS was as gracious with him as with everyone else. I would have suggested something he could do with that shirt…
A kid just rubbed his nose and then shook the First Lady’s hand. Germs.
He may as well have a t-shirt advertising a cockroach.
Oh the beautiful Maya Angelou. I cried when I read her words. She speaks the truth and if anyone can put our collective frustration and pain into words it would be this amazing women. Thank you Maya for all you do.
“When followers of a particular sect enter into commercial activity as a matter of choice, the limits they accept on their own conduct as a matter of conscience and faith are not to be superimposed on the statutory schemes that are binding on others in that activity. Granting an exemption from social security taxes to an employer operates to impose the employer’s religious faith on the employees.”
— Antonin Scalia
Mrs. Obama is such a beautiful ray of sunshine. And Bo! Such a gentle, sweet dog.
Choking up, look at how much it means to everyone to meet her.
The faces on the visitors, every time she does this, are priceless. I’ve only been to the WH once, many years ago, and Hillary was nowhere to be found. lol
Ha QC, much as I admire Hillary, I just can’t see her doing this kind of thing!
Very nice dress FLOTUS has on. And I don’t know what kind of work out regimen she’s been on, but she is tiny!
POTUS mentioned at a fundraiser a few months ago that she’s on the P90X workout. It’s really hardcore and intense. If you’re not someone who regularly exercises to begin with, don’t even think about it! LOL
wow…folks are in such awe of the First Lady…i love it…one woman kissed her hand and cried a bit…….what an awesome Frist Lady,,,,,
I saw that. She was so sweet.
(MIR ALI, Pakistan) — Pakistani intelligence officials say a U.S. drone has fired two missiles at a house in northwest Pakistan, killing six people.
The officials say Thursday’s attack occurred in Spelga village in the North Waziristan tribal area, the main sanctuary for Taliban and al-Qaida militants in Pakistan.
(See photo gallery: Militants Attack NATO Convoy in Pakistan)
The identities of those killed were not known. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.
President Barack Obama has significantly ramped up drone attacks in Pakistan since he took office. He recently acknowledged the covert CIA-run program in Pakistan for the first time in an interview.
But he and other U.S. officials refuse to discuss details of the program openly.
Time-
The Senate will likely work at least part of an extra day on Friday in order to complete work that has piled up due to filibusters and inter-party strife.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) noted Thursday morning that a cloture motion on the pending highway bill will ripen Friday morning and that that the Senate must vote on the payroll tax cut conference report and vote on an Obama judicial nominee before leaving for a 10-day break.
“We are doing our utmost to work through the matters that we still have to do here in the Senate,” said Reid, speaking from the floor.
Another break?
The Unbelievable Lameness Of The GOP’s Favorite Joke
Jill Lawrence is amazed that “the mockery of Obama as incapable of expressing a thought without a cue card won’t die”:
The Republican nominee, whoever he is, will have to rely on a teleprompter, and at least one candidate — Mitt Romney — already uses one regularly. … Romney has used a teleprompter for at least three caucus and primary-night speeches. The teleprompter jokes … suggest a GOP mindset that could be counterproductive. It’s reflected in Romney’s constant allusions to Obama as “in over his head” and Sarah Palin’s sarcastic implication that he is an “idiot.” Do Republicans want to lull themselves into thinking Obama is an incompetent who can’t speak coherently or win a debate without a teleprompter?
Lull themselves? A core, ugly minority of the GOP base assumes that Obama is an affirmative action candidate who didn’t write his own book, and is too black to be smart. The joke, I fear, relies in part on racism. So does the absurd condescension from someone like Palin of all people! In the end, of course, the joke is on the bigots. What does it say that a man they think is this dumb is beating them in the polls? Weigel, meanwhile, gleefully photographed the presence of teleprompters at CPAC.
http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/
First lady Michelle Obama (along with first dog Bo) surprises tourists visiting the White House. Watch the livestream above.
“He’s gone. I’ve got some time on my hands,” Obama said about her husband. President Obama is visiting Wisconsin, California and Washington this week.
LOL!
Watching the WH tour on my laptop….doing this on my iPad. Can hardly type for sobbing. This group of AA women……she’s hugging all of them and encouraging them to stay focused and strong. I think I understood they are in an AA group…..one lady told her how long she had been sober. And, that 14 yr. Old boy that keep thanking her and the President for all they do……she said “we’re doing it for you…..there is more to come…more to do.” What a role model! Amazing…..I don’t have the expressive ability to write what effect this is having on me.
Is Romney Dole?
Well, first off, Dole had a dry sense of humor and fathomless sense of irony that Romney would not and could not even comprehend. But Steve Kornacki draws the parallel:
Like Obama, Bill Clinton began the 1996 cycle on the heels of an epic midterm election defeat and with the opposition party convinced it had found the formula to defeat him. But the Republican Party’s image plunged in 1995 and early ’96, the product of overreach by its new congressional majority and the toxic antics of a House speaker named Newt Gingrich, while the economy — and Clinton’s approval scores — improved. By the time Bob Dole, who suffered an embarrassing series of early primary season defeats (including to Pat Buchanan in New Hampshire), finally secured the GOP nomination he was running far behind Clinton. And despite predictions throughout the spring of ’96 that the race would ultimately tighten, it never really did. After his defeat, Dole was known to lament that the election had come two years too late. Obama’s recent gains are tenuous, but it seems a lot more likely now than it did a few months ago that the 2012 Republican nominee will end up saying the same thing.
http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/
This whole WH tour is a MAJOR tear jerker!!!!
The reaction of those girls was fantastic! But when those older women, especially, start crying …. I’m in tears too. This is just lovely.
fantastically lovely!
I can’t move, I’ve been watching since it began. This whole thing is downright hypnotic. I can’t wipe the smile and the tears off my face. The reactions from the visitors is so moving. FLOTUS is beautiful, warm and amazing. And she gives the best hugs.
YESSSS…..it touches me…how much they feel the First Lady….
Gah! Stop it – I’m at work here and people keep asking me if something’s wrong. Nope. Nothing. Wrong. Everything. Just. As. Fine. As. Can. Be.!
I missed it all. Loser.
Hang in there, hopefully the video will appear soon 😉
Yes, it is. I continue to be transfixed and keep sobbing. Oh my!!!!’!!!!!
I do not remember when ANYTHING has “hit” me this profoundly.
I feel the same Tnmtngirl, it’s just wonderful to see her showered in all this love!
crying throughout
I am transfixed as well, smiling through my tears. My heart is overflowing…..we are so blessed.
Loving this tour! FLOTUS has truly made her home the “People’s House!”
She just talked to kids in “Close-Up;” I participated in that program in 192 and 1973…
Most touching — the group from AA — FLOTUS offering words of encouragement and celebrating their sobriety!
1972
i’m amazed she is still shaking hands and hugging. it has been over an hour! Wow! FLOTUS absolutely rocks!
She’s such a natural, the way she chats so easily with everyone is a joy.
WATERWORKS!!!
Maloney asks, ‘Where are the women?’
By Steve Benen – Thu Feb 16, 2012 11:36 AM EST.
Following up on an earlier item, here was the witness table at the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, as discussion about contraception access and health care got underway.
You’ll notice, of course, that all of the witnesses are men. What you can’t tell from the photo is that the second panel will feature four more men, and the combined total of the nine witnesses will include no women, no experts on contraception, no experts on health care, and no experts who might say something Republicans disagree with.
As ThinkProgress noted, this proved to be a bit too much for some of the Democratic woman on the committee. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) asked a sensible question under the circumstances: “Where are the women? When I look at this panel, I don’t see one, single woman representing the tens of millions of women across the country who want and need coverage for basic preventive health care services.”
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/16/10425952-maloney-asks-where-are-the-women
CHIPS, PLEASE POST THE ACCOMPANYING PICTURE AT THIS POST. IT WAS OUTRAGEOUS 😦
The Democrat Men should have walked out also…
I think this is along the same vein got it from little green footballs.
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/39929_Republicans_Bar_Woman_From_Hearing_on_Contraception
several were guys as well.
Oh lord the lady who just kissed FLOTUS’ hand.. would be me- I would completely lose it to meet her.. and POTUS for that matter.. I’m sitting her dripping tears viewing this.
You mean POTUS might sing again. That’s cool.
i could not stop watching! that was such a treat! thank you FLOTUS!
I was right with you, I so enjoy FLOTUS greeting the visitors. I tell you if I had went there and walk in and saw FLOTUS standing there, oh my gosh, I probably would faint. To stand there and greet all those people, Wow. I know she is tired. But I just love FLOTUS.
=) i really want to go on a white house tour during these times of the Obamas. i really hope to go, so i’d better just start making plans!
I could never risk taking a White House tour while the Obamas are there, if I turned a corner and saw FLOTUS looking at me …. well, there’s no point me kidding myself that I’d stay calm and just thank her for everything. I’d obviously:
– and in doing so would create quite a scene. I’d probably be included in West Wing Week bloopers and outtakes. 😳
YESSSSSS…The TOD fam…should plan a road trip to the White House…meet the First Lady…and have lunch….Oooooo weeeeee….wouldn’t that be great!!!!!!
HA!
Bo is cool too.
Bo is unbelievably behaved and calm!
Alex Wagner, Alex Wagner shut the F>>>>>>>>k up President have difficulties with blue collar workers!!!! what the hell is she talking about. Can she explian to me if Union Workers on the GM line not blue collar workers, all this groups that support the President from Teachers union SIEU, Hospitality workers and the hourly workers. I am just astonished how she even have a show.
I think Rev. Al need to talk to Alex.
How can you even watch her. Even my son calls me and says ” Mom” that stupid woman is on TV again.
The only demographic PBO struggles with is white males; particularly white males without a college degree. That’s about it.
She’s stuck on that talking point. The other night, when the contraceptive non-troversy was at its zenith, she was saying that issue would cost PBO with white, blue collar workers. It was ridiculous. She obviously has no analytical ability — just a valley girl stuck on trite points.
Where did that meme come from…that the President has trouble with white male blue collar workers…..
MSNBC is the anybody but Romney network. First it was Cain, then Perry, then Bachman, then Speaker Newton Leroy with Paul somewhere in the middle, and now Senator Santorum. But now it seems like everyone except CNN is with Senator Straight-Lace Santorum.
I’m so glad I have never watched a full Alex Wagner show – can only take about four minutes. The one pundit whom I absolutely love is Krystal Ball. Her analysis is deep, she’s interesting to listen to, she defends Democrats whole-heartedly and passionately, and she’s smart. I haven’t been disappointed yet.
I am so sorry I missed FLOTUS — I looooove when she and Bo greet the visitors. Wah! 😥
Good morning all! I hope everyone has a great day ! 🙂
By the way, did you catch Jon Stewart on David Letterman?
He had a great quote about President Obama, he said that President Obama must get tired of the the [stupid] media. He compared President Obama to a 6th grader who did a book report ,but who read the book when he was in the 1st grade 🙂 contrast that to Bush who was stumbling over a book report he hadn’t read! LOL!
It was a hilarious segment as they talked about Mitt Romney, and how no one likes him!
DARN…GUESS WE DON’T GET TO SEE PBO TODAY…I HAVE TO FINISH MAKING MY MOST AWESOME SOUP…CABBAGE,HAM AND BLEU CHEESE! IT’S AMAZING…STOLE IT FROM A RESTAURANT!..BBL…:)
Hiya Sue, I saw this listed on CNN’s live streaming schedule:
11:59: America’s Choice 2012: Obama in San Francisco
President Obama will deliver remarks at a campaign event at Nob Hill Masonic Center in San Francisco.
Chips, is that 11:59 tonight which would be what 8:59 ET?
Hiya Proud, oh crikey – I’m not sure.
This is the CNN listing:
11:59 PM: President Obama will deliver remarks at a campaign event at Nob Hill Masonic Center in San Francisco.
http://live.cnn.com/
But this is the White House schedule:
5:00 pm : The President attends a campaign event (Local Event Time: 2:00PM PST) – San Francisco Intercontinental Hotel
10:10 pm: The President delivers remarks at a campaign event (Local Event Time: 7:10PM PST) – CA, Private Residence, San Francisco
I presume CNN are referring to the first event (because the second is in a private residence), but I can’t make sense of the times.
Wow that would mean it would air at 2:59am ET since the west coast is 3 hours behind us.
It makes no sense at all Collegekay, I’m guessing CNN’s schedule is very wrong!
Thanks, Chips. Guess we’ll find out later.
We had an OFA training session this past Saturday and people were sharing why they support POTUS. One guy said he supported PBO because he is the man he himself wants to be. He said he’s got the swagger he wants, the intelligence and he’s got the right woman. Watching First Lady greet people at the WH with such genuine affection just under scored that for me. POTUS and FLOTUS are just perfect for each other. They compliment each other so well. It’s so easy to see why they fell in love with each other. And as I recall they fell in love on the first date.
They are just a marvelous couple.
Pelosi To GOP: ‘Duh!,’ Women Should Be Included In A Hearing About Contraception
PELOSI: What is it that men don’t understand about women’s health and how central the issue of family planning is to that? Not just if you’re having families but if you need those kinds of prescription drugs for your general health, which was the testimony they would include this morning if they had allowed a woman on the panel. I think the fact that they did not allow a woman on the panel is symbolic of the whole debate as to who is making these decisions about women’s health and who should be covered.
http://bobcesca.com/blog-archives/2012/02/cock-blocking-the-almighty.html
As if folks can stand any more awesomeness today: http://m.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/11/national-geographic-photo-contest-2011/100187/ Amazing pictures.
WOW – absolutely breathtaking. The spider web trees are incredible! And apparently Mother Nature’s clever way of keeping the mosquitoes at bay!
thanks for the link tien le! such great images.
New post everyone:
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/02/16/chat-away-26/
Okay, so I’m listening to CSPAN3 who’s rerunning Ray LaHood addressing the budget committee Wednesday, on PBO’s 2013 transportation budget. Well, once again the Bozo’s have escaped the circus and are now sitting on the budget committee. LaHood is a feisty critter and he is trying his best to herd this group back into the clown car. Next up, Tim Geithner will try and knock some sense into these people. Earlier they tried to box in Homeland Security’s budget, but wasn’t much they could do with that, since it was established under their compassionate cowboy.
Tien Le the photographs are absolutely breath taking. Reminds me of what an awesome God we serve! Thank you for sharing.
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