…. with U.S. Ambassador to Republic of Korea Sung Kim aboard Marine One during an early morning flight from Osan Air Base to the landing zone at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan in Seoul, Republic of Korea, March 25
….. greeting troops the dining hall at Camp Bonifas, Republic of Korea, March 25
….. signing a bar in the dining hall at Camp Bonifas
…. briefed by Lt. Col. Ed Taylor as he views the DMZ from Observation Post Ouellette at Camp Bonifas
…. greeting members of the audience following his remarks at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul
…. with President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China at a bilateral meeting at the Coex Center in Seoul
….. talking with National Security Advisor Tom Donilon during a break in the Nuclear Security Summit
….. in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani of Pakistan
People wave along President Obama’s motorcade route to the landing zone at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan in Seoul
…. waving from the top of the stairs before boarding Air Force One at Osan Air Base
Photos by Pete Souza and Chuck Kennedy
More here
The Obama Diary 
First?
Gratz L3!! 😀 😀 😀
Yay me!
Yay L3!! Congrats.
Damn y’all are FAST. Congrats L3 on #1.
Thank you kindly.
Winner!
Check him out! 🙂
I will simply view the picture calmly and gently comment that it’s a nice picture of President Barack Obama. That’s all I will say at this time.
Ah jeez Hopefruit, don’t go all restrained on me – I want the old Hopefruit back!!!!
HF2 being restrained? Am I hallucinating?
I know UT: weird!
It’s those hidden cameras from the party last Friday…
Yeah, right, Hopefruit, sure, sure, sure! (I say, holy cow! That photo of AF1 against the darkening sky BLOWS MY MIND!) I like it, too!;) 😉 😉
L3 – you landed a WINNER!!!!!
HUBBA HUBBA 🙂
Whoa!!!
I know Donna, I know!
It should be illegal for him to look that good.
Sweat beading up on my brow. Yep, that one gave me a hot flash. Gee!
Donna dem 4 obama, it is illegal for him to look that good, but we will take the illegal and go on to jail anyway. Cuff me now, officer. Just let me have the photo that Chipsticks gave us to put in my cell.
Lawd, Have mercy, Chips. I was out of pain meds, and it has taken up residence all over this colon today, but thanks for the Best Meds. yet, Chips. I feel no pain now. A life saver indeed.
Glory, what a fine President we have. I mean, fineeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! We love you, our beautiful FLOTUS.
Can any of us imagine not being able to see this wonderful man in front of us each day? How can we look at these other men who want to cloud our eyes every morning with their mugs? Oh, no. Pain or no pain, I have to keep working. Worked some this morning with 6 one on one informing them on why he deserves another term.
The cards came in handy, as well as many files on POB’s accomplishments. Shared the site of Whitehouse.gov and showed how to get information on their own. These people did not even know this site was available. It was very productive. Much to be grateful for in our work to re-elect our wonderful POTUS.HZ
{{{{{{Hugs HZ}}}}}}}
Thank you so much for the work that you are doing to help get our President re-elected. It’s people like you that will make the difference in this campaign!!!
HZ, you are an OBAMA Angel 🙂
I know!! by the way, there is a day of action this saturday in VA, are you going?
No I have to work. After April 15th (corp tax return deadline) I’ll be free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
gotcha!! we’ll cross paths sooner or later 😉
*clears throat*
😆
He is just too freaking cool.
One of a kind 😆
I keep pinching myself to see if it’s real.
Wowza! Very nice!
I like it. I like it A LOT:)
My, my, my……that’s one fine looking man. 🙂
😀
Thank you, thank you very much.
3rd?
Hopefruit, lets get it on. Same time stamp. Who’s it gonna be?? 😡
I’m not even going to fight you on this sabreen. I will happily let you be 3rd, while I humbly take 4th place. I’m just enjoying some lovely pictures here, so it’s all good.
4th? Kinda looks more like 31st! Well, never mind, if I didn’t sneak up on people like this I would be the rear guard in number 148, at this late time of day, a quick tea break, then I am signing off… To do errands… See you after I reach the far shore! My kitty is waiting….
Geez hf, I was only kidding!
I know 🙂 I was joking as well…I had just finished looking at a pic of PBO and was literally floating 🙂
Chipsticks – I just want to say that you are HEAD and SHOULDERS above any and all other blogs in bringing your people the most extensive coverage EVER!!!!
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You have said a mouthful there GGail. I can remember back in 2007-2008 when the Official Obama Blog (now OFA) used to cover then Candidate Obama with the same zest and zeal that Chips does today. Whoever decided it was a good idea to change that site was just plain crazy.
Where would we be without Chips coverage???? Little lost souls roaming around the internet looking for any good news that we could find about PBO.
I echo GGail’s Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Donna, I would truly be lost because I’m not as savvy as most of you guys are and would have no clue how to unearth these gems and valuable information. Plus, TOD brings together some very very smart people.
My cup runneth over!
Amen. There is no other place that offers so much information plus so much satisfaction for the eye. This is just the tops!
Aw, thank you GGail!!!!!
Great to have you back Chips. I just love looking at the photos and cartoons. I see the real death panel has surfaced. What a beautiful photo of Mrs. Obama. Could she look lovelier? I don’t think so.
President Obama looks so tired.
Sonjiaduncan, He also looks unhappy with whatever the Ambassador was telling him. You think? He has that look in his eye. Don’t mess with me. 🙂
I don’t think that is unhappy look, more of a “I am taking everything you say seriously and giving it my full attention” look. This is a man who never wants to be caught unprepared and insists upon full knowledge of things. I have heard that, in meetigns, whether full groups or one-on-ones, he asks totally pertinent and penetrating questions, and you better be prepared to answer them.
That’s what I thought, too, japa. He is so present every waking moment.
I also saw that japa21, sonjiadunca, and Roberta in MN. After reading again “Dreams From My Father”, and another great book written about his father (well written), President Obama is a very intense thinker. He is so brilliant that he is thinking about what is really making sense and what is not making smart sense from the conversation at hand.
I remember reading about how his father was so brilliant that he would be able to have such a presence when he entered the conversation with his knowledge. His father also had a brilliance about him that would make others in the room stop dead in their tracks and listen to his baritone voice that was so captivating. Every day that I see and hear our President, I can see these traits of his father in him.
We are so blessed to have such an intelligent , compasssionate, and “not a show-off” as our wonderful POTUS. I am very grateful.HZ
After much consideration (because I cannot stand Mark Halperin) I downloaded the book Game Change to my kindle and read that book in 2 days. It was riveting but one of the things that PBO kept saying during that grueling campaign was how all he wanted to do was sleep. He just couldn’t get any rest because they had him going places all the time.
I see him now on some of these busy days and trips and think to myself, “the poor guy probably just wants to get some sleep”.
Hopefully he can on his way back stateside.
Donna, I always imagine him sighing in relief when AF1 closes its doors and he can take off his jacket and tie and relax and sleep. There are probably bunches of people around giving him reports and speeches to read, but there must be a time when he can close the door and and shut it all out.
Great pictures. I’ll be glad when he lands at Andrews AF Base. He has to be exhausted.
See my comment above about his exhaustion.
Also, Congrats on leading that leaderboard. We will try and do our best to keep you there.
and to think you were nervous about asking for donations….. 😉
lol I kinda still am. I am thankful for everyone on this blog.
I swear if you tell family and friends that you are leading in a contest to speak with PBO they will do everything they can to help you win. I got $3 and 5.00 donations from practically every Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, Sister, Brother, Facebook Friend and Real Friend I have. They became just as excited as I was. Send them the link to the leaderboard showing you at the top and watch and see their reaction.
I am such a wimp, DD4O.. I set up my page long long ago, don’t know to post the link, not sure I even know my password anymore. Am thinking of it, though… Might ask for coaching at some point… Meanwhile I make my Team 2012 monthly donation, send goodies from the store all around the world, hand out stickers and buttons like candy… And my car is gorgeous with O logos, my yard and porch are undeniably Obama~Biden2012! Oh yea, we will kick some GOP booty to the curb in November!
You’re not a wimp! You just need a little TOD angel dust sprinkled on you to gain that confidence. After we get CollegeKay that phone call from PBO we’ll have to start working on you my friend and I am willing to assist anyway I can with your fundraiser.
If you ask they could say yes, if you don’t it will always be no. So ask.
POTUS wore some boss jackets on this last trip. This leather bomber is quite nice — there’s also a dark/black jacket he debuted that is I really liked. He wears the Presidential gear very well.
I noticed that also. The Presidential gear doesn’t look awkward on him. He has a very nice frame that allows clothing to fit very well. Same with FLOTUS.
PJ and UT – Your two comments made me smile, they were so respectful. Like you were auditing his clothes for GQ, in a dignified fashion.
I just wanted to say, when I saw how he looked: Yeehaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You’re the better people, methinks. 🙂
Chips and TOD family: thank you thank you for concise reporting of the news. .This is the BEST blog out there.Truly brillant political minds here and true compassion that leaves me speechless at times..and laughing out loud at other times..hugs all around
In order to save my sanity, I haven’t been watching the punditing about the ACA arguments — these supremes will rule how they will rule (and we’ve seen how horrendous they can be).
I am prepared for any decision, but I have to say that for them to overturn a law that was enacted by the two legislative bodies of a duly-elected, representative Congress would be truly radical. They have a very high legal hurdle to leap over to pull this off — for example, the law would have to be burdensome and/or discriminatory in some manner — not merely inconvenient or not liked by some people. It would take legal contortions of the highest order to nullify the Affordable Care Act.
We shall see. We will press on, regardless.
Exactly. Not only that but it has so much precedent. From the Militia Act under George Washington to the interstate commerce clause. In addition to that, lower courts with more conservative judges upheld the entire law. They saw nothing wrong with the individual mandate because the government wasn’t being discriminatory or burdensome, it was just compelling you to do what it has always done in the past. The government compels people to pay into SS, Medicare, 401K, buy auto insurance, home insurance etc. Healthcare in this country is a business and crosses along state lines. People can purchase health insurance from other states while living in another state so that in effect is interstate commerce. The government under the interstate commerce clause compels private businesses to serve African-Americans because private businesses also falls under the interstate commerce clause and you cannot discriminate against a group of people whom you don’t happen to like for whatever warped reason. Under ACA if you cannot meet the requirements to purchase insurance, the government will assist you in finding a plan that works for you and will assist you in purchasing insurance so, at the end of the day, the mandate itself is not punitive.
I just have this to say: Benfica 0-1 Chelsea
GO BLUES!!
Hell Yes! Go BLUES! Hopefully this winning streak continues.
Wow the photo of AF1 the same color of the sky is awesome. All photos of our wonderful POTUS are perfect, love that man.
Stunning, isn’t it! Can’t pick which ones to keep. I love them all.
I hope Pete stays for PBO’s second term, I know that the job is stressful and he probably doesn’t have a life, but he is the best.
I also like #9 in the slideshow where he’s coming down the grand staircase with President Lee and the entourage. Goodness, he just commands every room he’s in.
That is an awesome picture – I’ve never seen a sky that blue, and I’ve lived in Africa!
First thing I saw was the president’s head showing ABOVE that bullet-proof glass looking over at North Korea! I hope the perspective is what makes it look that way, because a bullet to the head is just as deadly as one to the heart!
And Chipsticks, I’d like to lend my voice to the many others here today — this IS the best blog anywhere on our first family’s activities and accomplishments. Thank you.
Joanshaw, if it wasn’t safe, the Secret Service would not have allowed him to be there.
You’re incredibly kind Joan, thank you so much.
Joan, I’ve been missing in action lately – how is your husband?
He’s going down to Murray, Utah, to the Sorensen Lung and Heart complex for an ablation — a process by which the nerves that are creating the atrial fibrillation are neutralized. He stays two days. Our daughter is taking him down and bringing him back.
Thanks for asking GGail!
Joanshaw, thanks for sharing an update with us. I am praying for the best to surround you and your family at this time. I had this, and I will pray that your husband will have the best specialist, and the best team to perform this procedure.
I had a great doctor and his teams worked like a team that you would want to have especially when they are treating your heart. My most gentle and deeply sincere prayers will be with you, Joanshaw. A candle will be lit in my home for you and your husband and daughter.
((((((((((((( Be surrounded with healing angels))))))))))))))) HZ
Joan,
Prayers and positive thoughts for continued improvement for Alan and strength to you all during this trying time.
I can see that if the Court overturn this law, it will be for pure political purpose, and not what is best for the country, The conservative justices want to bring down President Obama as well.
They won’t bring him down, because we will fight even harder for his re-election. We can not give up.
They will not bring him down. President Obama did the right thing, and we will believe for victory, and I do believe that we will get victory.HZ
Marsha. fear not. The onus will be on the justices and the GOP. All it will do is draw positive karma to the President if they do anything drastic. The man takes lemon and make lemonade. Nothing sticks to him. He has his parents, his grand-parents and all of his ancestors taking care of him. He is going to be re-elected and there is nothing the GOP, the conservative Justices or the teabaggers can do about it.
President Obama reminds me of the “The Godfather” with the lighting on the photo of him and the US Ambassador to Korea in Marine One.
Yes, it does have that cinematic,brooding quality. I imagine him saying, “Let’s make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
🙂
Go. Read this.
Justice Scalia: Let Them Die.
My goodness. That’s horrific. He basically eschews social norms, values, beliefs, and contracts that are engrained in every American – and Catholicism of which he purportedly practices – and delights in tossing the downtrodden to the wolves.
Yes. And I think I have a new piece to write. “Variation on a them: The banality of evil.”
Coward Fineman and his ” Sources” say this is a ” lose…lose ” for President Obama.
Yawn…..Snoooze…..ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Tell Coward Fineman that I said that I love My President.
I heard that bastard and immediately switched channels. What a bore this dude is.
Howard Fineman also said that POTUS would lose Iowa to Hillary because he asked for orange juice instead of coffee because orange juice is supposedly elitist.
He’s a stone idiot. Don’t listen to a word that bitch says.
wtf?? smh!
Totally with ya, itgurl_29 !
His “sources” where? He already knows the verdict and he knows how it’ll play out? What a dumbass.
Totally. He’s the laziest dumbass “journalist” out there.
Does this alleged Democrat have any Democratic sources?
PBO looks like he has a mustache in the picture w/ the binoculars! lol
The President does look somewhat tired…..crossing time zones and datelines is wearing. However, I also remember him from the 2008 campaign saying he had learned to sleep any time he had a chance. He knows how to turn off what’s going on in his mind and sleep. He will have a long flight home on Air Force One, and I know the accomodations are wonderful. Let’s pray for him to be able to sleep peacefully and deeply on his way home. He has a full schedule when he gets home.
This man does indeed have the weight of the world on his shoulders, and realizes it. The previous resident of theWhite House didn’t have a clue! Of course, we now know he was President in name only; Cheney was the actual chief executive. and the weight of the world didn’t affect him at all.
I a mrefusing to get emotionally invested in all the sound and fury going on now. I know that the actual work of the Supreme Court goes on behind closed doors, out of the view of even the network pundits. This hullabaloo will die down, and I firmly believe the cooler, saner heads in the Supreme Court will prevail. We know Thomas and Alito are lost causes. Scalia can swing wildly, and is in love with himself. However…..Roberts is Chief Justice, and as such the court is known as the Roberts Court. I am not sure he wants his court to be known throughout history as the court that struck down guaranteed and affordable medical care for all Americans. That would give his court a black name forever, and if he’s as smart as he should be, he will know this. Also, I don’t think Alito and Thomas are smart. They are petty, vengeful, empty men. Neither one should ever have been approved for the Supreme Court. Why do justices live so long?????
One reason I rest comfortably about the President is his “Circle of Protection”….probably you all have read about this. It is a group of friends who have known hi ma long time, who make it their business to always surround him and his family with deep prayer. These people are not famous, but they are deeply concerned and active in their care for him. They know what he faces.
Carolyn, add me to that prayer circle. I pray for him constantly and I know that he is protected. So I don’t worry about the naysayers and the bad-mind and the hoping he fails because I know that All things work together for good for those who love the Lord. Thats the Word and that’s what I believe.
And add me, I daily light a vote for his protection and wisdom, keep Light around him throughout the day. And for his beloved family.
When has Coward Fineman ever been right???
I’ll get back to you on that one.
Love the smackdown the Russian President gave Mitt today. Thank heaven everyone else is not on the level of the GOP. What a disgrace to human matter!
You and me both geeja!!! I don’t recall a presidential candidate ever being handed his head by a foriegn dignitary before–much less the pres of Russia. Basically telling him to sit down and STFU and let the adults talk. I guess they don’t have etch a sketches in Russia! HA!!!
It got even better when Boner had to go on record and tell the other boneheads to watch what they say when the President is out of the country.
Now ain’t that the truth, 🙂
That was the best. Hope all other world leaders speak up! 🙂
If this is ruled Unconstitutional and the Republicans take over ( nightmare ) and privatize SS and , or Medicare….they could both be challenged as a Government mandate to buy something from the private sector.
I think this law will be upheld or it will open up a can of worms so big..the country will be in court forever….
My only hope is that they will realize that this could come back to bite their corporate masters in the ass with all manner of other situations. Because not everyone will eat broccoli but EVERYONE will use health care. You use health care before you’re born, for God’s sake.
I will say this again and again, I love my President.
I love my President too.
Me three.
Me 4.
count me in for number four.
I’ll be five or six.
You and me, no spin, 44… Like that! Nice number, eh?
Truly.
David Axelrod and Brad Woodhouse have some fun with Romney’s new mansion in La Jolla having a car elevator …
#PRESSON
Ha! David Axelrod is too funny 😆
lololol David was funny. lol
Tweeters! Please this needs to go viral…that a Justice on the Supreme Court would actually say something like this out loud.
http://www.thepeoplesview.net/2012/03/justice-scalia-let-them-die.html
LHM, What a selfish, inhumane piece of flesh he is.
it’s simply hideous that he is siting on the highest court of the land.
I don’t know how he was ever appointed — he’s, unfortunately, a thug. He’s always been a thug. And Clarence Thomas is another one. I wish there were some way to impeach them both.
Along with Alito.
Thomas did not ask one question again today, keeping his record intact. What a waste of a Sup. Ct. pick. Absolutely shameful. And his wife is running around preaching hate to the tea party. And all the conservative judges have attended the “secret” Koch Bros./corporate gatherings. Didn’t the Supreme Ct. used to at least try to maintain some semblance of neutrality/objectivity? Other than the 4 sane ones, I don’t trust the integrity of this court at all.
Joan, how is your Hubby doing? I haven’t had a chance to read all the posts. My daughter had this same procedure & I have been thinking of you all & sending healing.
See above, aqua, he’s going in tomorrow early for his ablation. This will be his second one after ten years of no fibrillation. I wasn’t too worried about the first one, but he’s ten years older now, he’s 78, and I AM worried. In fact, nail-chewing frightened. Melanie is taking him down, will stay with him and sleep overnight, then bring him home the day after. I’ll be so glad to see him when all we have to worry about is the recovery. Thanks for asking.
#PRESSON
Thanks, Bob!!!
aloha chips, and welcome home! love the photos–you are simply the best.
i’ve been away from the blog a lot lately. my mother, who will be 95 in may, has had pneumonia, so i’ve been at her side, and my youngest son is getting married in april, and my third grandchild is being born in may. whew! after the recent deaths here, i’ve had my heart so wide open, the love just flows in and out with every breath. thank heaven for deep sleep!
but i check in here any chance i get, and i’m always glad i did. the uplifting chat, the great pix, the real news–this blog is such a gift. thank you again, chips!
I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts, susanne! Take care of everybody – and continue to try for the deep sleep at night, to take care of yourself, too. Sending you love.
Thinking about medical bills and insurance is frightening. We are so glad we are old enough to be on Medicare! Our secondary is Tricare for Life because my husband retired from the Air National Guard. Without this, we would be facing bankruptcy, or perhaps losing our house. We saw the bill for his heart stent surgery this past December: Friday 10:00 a.m. to Monday noon…..Emergency room services and doctor, two heart stents put in, ICU for two days, and all that implies, one regular room for one night: $112,000. There would be no way for us to pay for that, and no regular insurance company would pay enough of that. Fortunately, for us with Medicare and Tricare for life, we will be fine. I don’t know what we will actually have to pay yet, but it will be miniscule compared to that total.
Then, my husband has had two cataract surgeries in the past three weeks. We won’t see the bill for that for a month or two probably. Once again, Medicare and Tricare will come through. Every time I buy a prescription, I know that what I pay is much different than what many others have to pay. In addition, we each got the shingles vaccine, and were able to go to Tinker Air Base and get it for free, and it costs much more outside. Everyone in the country should have what we have!!!
Hi Carolyn,
So glad your husband is doing better. I took my mom to emergency because she hit her head and was dizzy. The five hour emergency care, blood work, MRI,emergency attendents, doctors came to over $6k. She only has to pay $100. A friend of mines mother got shingles and shes well into her 80’s and he was talking about how much it took out of her. She was still in pain after several months. I looked into getting the shot and it’s over $200. I don’t think my insurance pays for it. I have insurance through work but I still have to pay so much out of pocket including my deductible.
Carolyn, we have the same & I bless Tricare everyday. Hubby spent his 20 in the Navy & there were times I just hated when he was away or we were moving around but I bless it now. Tricare is a wonderful supplement to Medicare. I wish every American could have what we have. Maybe some day soon.
You can’t beat military coverage. My hubby was in service for 4 years. I got pregnant 9 months prior to his discharge. I remember hoping that my #1 daughter would be born before his discharge, cause after that neither of us would have insurance. Thankfully she was born on Aug 30th, one day before his last day, the 31st. Luckily, they continued care that covered my and her hospitalization (stayed in for a week in those days) after she was born.
Great story, and I’m sure your #1 daughter has brought you lots more luck after that! I remember staying in the hospital for five days when my son was born, too. That was wonderful! Oh, and if you don’t mind a joke, I can just picture your driving your car over potholes on Aug. 30th, to make sure you hurried that birth along a little bit – or is that just something I would have done?
By the way, this is how “old” I am. My son just turned 43. I keep a lot of mementos about my sweet baby’s birth, including hospital records and receipts, even those seem like sentimental treasures! I can tell you that the hospital stay (not including the obstetrician cost) when he was born – he and I in the hospital for what was then the normal FIVE-day stay – was … ready for this … $500.
Today, it would be a gazillion.
That’s how far our health care costs have skyrocketed in four decades. Not sure how much a five-day stay would be today, but it wouldn’t be $500.
Lawd luv a duck! I thought I was the only one driving all over Great Lakes railroad tracks and base obstacle courses tryin’ to shake one loose. She’s 46 now. 6′ tall and 2 kids of her own. Ahhh those were the days.
I had a “friend” (I think) who drove me over a pothole as big as the Grand Canyon. Well, I’m exaggerating, of course, but it felt like it! Love your story.
Welcome back Chips. Did any of you guys have a chance to watch Stephanie Miller this morning on Current Tv? It was nice and hilarious, I was LOL when they played this on board plane announcement thanking their passengers of flying by Trans Vaginal Airlines which went on and on. It was quiet brilliant and funny . I encourage those that can to catch her show. Aisha Taylor was on too, and she was good too, nice comments abt Trayvon and mocking the gop haters.
Do you mean Aisha Tyler?
My bad, yes, UT, I meant Aisha Tyler.
I’ve been streaming Stephanie’s show for a long time and when I’m in the car, listen on XM. They pretty much keep me in stitches. Al Gore was on this morning…..funny exchange between them. Love her! I sent a message to Current this morning…..thank you for the two new morning shows.
I’m mad now. I just got rid of the upper channels of my cable, CurrentTV included. With Cenk there I didn’t think I would miss much, then they spring Stephanie on me. Damn! Back to Comcast.
I can’t tell you how even more enjoyable her show is when you watch them. I’m loving it.
What? PBO was in South Korea?? When was that???
LOL!! Good one.
THIS HAS BEEN A ROTTEN DAY FOR ME…BUT ASIDE FROM THAT I MUST SAY…HOW CAN ANYONE EXPECT A RIGHTEOUS DECISION ‘FOR THE PEOPLE’ FROM THESE SAME SUPREME COURT JUDGES WHO APPROVED THE CAMPAIGN FUNDING LAW? OTHER THAN JUDGES KAGAN AND SOTOMAYOR…THE REST ARE CROOKED AND THEY ARE POLITICALLY SLANTED…IT’S DISGUSTING. I FEEL FOR OUR PRESIDENT…HE HAS A CONGRESS AND A SUPREME COURT BENCH OCCUPIED BY TRASH!
Sorry you had a rotten day. Hopefully, looking at these pictures will make you feel a little better.
Sue,((((((((( These come from my heart and home to your heart and home.)))))))))) Please get some rest and take your time to relax.
We will continue to pray for all of us who will be affected by this ruling. That is one of the reasons that we must make sure that we work as hard as we are able to get POB re-elect on Nov. 6, 2012.
We need additional justices on this court appointted by POB and confirmed during his second term. Let us make sure that this is one that is surely on our list of those imperatives to pray for and mediate upon for a good and perfect victory.HZ
BLESS YOU HZ…YOU ARE SO SWEET, A BEAMING LIGHT IN THIS DARK WORLD!
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is also a great justice and also Justice Breyer and Justice Stevens (Can’t remember which one retired).
I just want to send some love to Obama Grandmama and Fred. ((((((((((((((((((Hope all is going well for you all and your families)))))))))))))))HZ
Rubio still supportive of Stand Your Ground law, which he co-sponsored at the NRA’s behest.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0312/74558.html
I mentioned this on the last thread, but now I’m reading up-thread about Carolyn’s hubby’s medical cost. From the last lthread:
“Jackie 4 Obama, I read your story up-thread about your sinusitis and the related costs. I hope you’re feeling much better. We should all consider sending stories like Jackie’s to the White House, maybe it’ll be one of the 10 letters PBO personally addresses. Also, don’t forget to send it to your congresscritters as well. For instance, I’m taking credit for the new initiative by the White House to embrace ObamaCares. I wrote them to do just that to defuse the Luntz negative spin on the ACA. It’s working too. This morning a commenter on FOX corrected himself to call it ACA when he first called it ObamaCare. I thought I would roll on the floor laughing and stay there. Too funny. So, while I’m sure there were greater minds than mine already working to roll out ‘I like Obamacare’ , I’m still silently giving myself props.”
Please go to whitehouse.gov site and let them know on their contact us page.
OT Rev. Al about to give a tribute to his mom after this current commercial break.
Beautiful tribute by Rev. Al about his mom. She’s proud of him, I’m sure.
That exchange with the Pakistanis looks a little tense. He also looks tired in the picture with the Chinese President. I’m glad this trip is over, but he’s coming back to the circus… From the frying pan, into the fire.
I KNOW THEO…THERE IS NO REST FOR PBO…I PRAY FOR HIS STRENGTH AND FOR GOD TO COMFORT HIM WITH ALL THESE CHALLENGES HE IS FACING. I THANK GOD FOR HIS GIRLS…A RESPIT FROM THIS DC INSANITY.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/218411-epa-unveils-long-awaited-climate-rules-for-new-power-plants
First ever EPA Regulation of greenhouse gas emissions!
Does anybody ever get the feeling, that the Republicans have better Lawyers than we do?
Shouldn’t be the case. We should have a bigger pool from which to choose. Most lawyers are Dems.
More ruthless and vicious for sure, which is probably what you need. This guy today was very bad.
Wish all 9 of them were this competent. Good for them
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/03/liberal-justices-pick-up-obama-lawyers-slack-in-defense-of-mandate.php?ref=fpa
Even Scalia was in agreement……
I listened to that long press confernce in Korea. Much information about what has been accomplished since the Nuclear Security Summit two years ago in DC. The progress being made in safeguarding dangerous materials, in order to keep them out of the hands of terrorists, is vital to world safety. Countries are working collectively world wide to accomplish this goal. First question from reporters–Ann Crompton about the open mic!!!!!! I haven’t seen anything in local papers about this conference.
The Obama administration asked the SC to hear this ruling now instead of later. I wondered why considering the conservative tilt to the court.
But, at the same time, I reasoned that the administration had a purpose for their request. PBO knows that he has only four liberal Judges, so I feel that today’s questions, while infuriating, were not unexpected. I don’t know their game plan, but I don’t think they were caught flat-footed today.
There are some heavy-weight brains in and around the Oval Office, and there is even more power in our prayers. Because I believe that PBO is fighting for what is good for all the people, I believe our side is right.
And for those who claim he is not a Christian, they need to take a course in reading comprehension, and go back and read Jesus’ directives concerning healing the sick. Then they can tell me who is the Christian, and what the Christian stance should be.
eveingeorgia, now I like the way you think. I’m on the exact same page with you, reading Jesus directives, YES! 🙂 🙂
Wow, I just heard some of Kennedy’s questions and comments. No matter what he said later that there was an economic impact, he has decided that, after supporting government overreach through the Commerce Clause of decades, this is where he decides to draw the line. I don’t see how this bill survives. Especially since there is not one expert who was in that courtroom today that believes Verilli was anything but abysmal. When Kennedy said, in essence, that he had decided the mandate was unconstitutional, and it was up to the government to convince him otherwise, it was chilling. I don’t think it was hyperbole on Toobin’s part to assume dire consequences for ACA.
The implications for the entire federal government should inflame any decent American and should certainly inflame progressives. Unfortunately they are no ill-informed on the bill itself how do we get support for what could end the federal government as we know it? It might get in the way of American Idol or watching a damned basketball game. We’ll see.
I never saw and still don’t see how the bill makes it out of the SC.
BILL? The ACA is law, friend :). And it will be law in June also. Mark my word. I remember just a few weeks ago, there was much angst over the issue of birth control and the Catholic Church.
If the supreme court declares this unconstitutional don’t you know what can of worms they’re opening?
By the way Toobin wasn’t hysterical or anxious. He was giddy – with excitement. There’s a slight difference there.
I was hopeful but not so much anymore.
Try this.
http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/healthlawprof_blog/
Also check out Bill R’s post below. Don’t throw in the towel 57. We got until June.
Friends, what happened today in public hearing of the Supreme Court was the surface, it was kabuki and predictable. The real negotiating and communication will happen behind the scenes, most likely with Elena Kagan being the go-to person to make any kind of a deal to happen. PBO saw this day coming and I believe he put her on the court so she could be in a position to deal with Roberts and Kennedy. She was the Solicitor General and has argued cases herself, so she knows these people. The loss of insurance mandate means the end of private insurance and the sure and eventual implementation of single payer. The Repub judges know that and I believe Roberts and Kennedy, who are corporatists, will want to find a way to keep the mandate.
Hi Bill R. Could you explain how we would get to single payer if the Court strikes down the individual mandate?
I believe Bill means that if they strike down the individual mandate then it opens up a pathway to fight for single payer or in our (America) case Medicare for all which would be way way way harder to challenge in any court because that option has even more legal precedent than ACA.
Couldn’t agree with you more, Bill. And, Kagan is central to the outcome.
The President pushed for the hearing now.
From the outset I’ve thought it was because he knows not just Roberts and Kennedy but Scalia, Thomas and Alito are truly between the proverbial ‘rock & hard place’ on the mandate. They, and the insurance company execs & board members that they hang with at the country club, know that the mandate is the last shot they have to survive.
I certainly don’t begin to have the strategic genius, knowledge of the law, etc., that the President has but if I wanted to craft a way to accelerate Medicare for every US person I’d have those #KOCHSTERS on SCOTUS just where they are – approaching the ramp of my re-election, having already rained the horror of Citizens United on America, facing enraged millions of voters whom they denied ACA. To then be able to campaign on – I and the Democratic super majorities in the House and Senate that you elect on 6 Nov 2012 will take as our first and highest duty to expand the option of Medicare to every US Citizen. We will also legislatively overturn Citizens United, create jobs, pass the Dream Act and destroy DOMA in our first 100 days 🙂
Roberts already knows his legacy as Chief Justice sucks. Now he gets to consider is his legacy going to be the worst CJ ever – as fitting as that would be given that the worst President ever nominated him.
#PRESSON
Thus …
#PRESSON
Thank you so much for this pragmatic comment Bill R. All the hand wringing today even on TOD has been insufferable. The Justices asked hard questions. So fuck what? They always ask hard questions. If they’re not doing that, they wouldn’t be doing their jobs. Kennedy asked hard questions. So fuck what? That doesn’t mean he’s made up his mind. Scalia asked hard questions that seem to suggest he’s narrowing his previous broad application of the commerce clause. So fuck what? That doesn’t mean he’s 100% made up his mind. They all have to go behind the scenes and from there a decision will come forth. Listening to cable chatter and panicking like headless chickens has never been productive as evidenced by how many times people on the blog panic and at the end of the day their panicking was worth shit. Back away from the pundits and let the decisions fall where they may. If the law is upheld in its entirety then good for us; we can campaign on that victory. If the law is struck down, then good for us. We can go round the country, explain the law brick by brick and run against a rightwing court. In these matters one has to have a spine of steel and stop being a weather vane.
I’ve never met you utaustinliberal and yet I think I’m in love. It really is a many splendored thing. I think.
Preach UTAL.
I refuse to partake in the handwringing and panicking. It’s just so counterproductive, and it feeds right into what PBO’s detractors, critics, and enemies want — for people to roll around in fear and confusion. You could have 99 pieces of good news, but people will congregate like moths to a flame to the 1 piece of bad news — pick it up, fondle it, pull their hair out over it, and then repeat this whole process again and again.
Not me. Life’s too short, and I won’t enjoy any of the Obama Presidency if that’s my approach.
PJ–you got it right. The right would like nothing more than to discourage us. They try to sow division and promote despair. I’m not going there. The November election is literally about the very future of democracy in the United States. We need to keep our eyes on on the goal of re-electing the president and giving him a Congress he can work with and we cannot let one single obstacle get in our way. Not one.
I’ve read a few comments here and there today, glanced over a few headlines and just kept it moving. I knew from TPM’s headline that the entire MSM and political blogosphere was going to lose its mind. I’m not allowing anyone to make me worry about this.
ut, I agree with every word in your comment. We are kindred spirits. Thank you for bringing such clarity and pragmatism to the discussion.
What say you about Clarence Thomas, who NEVER ASKS A QUESTION? 😯 😆
UT, these are words of wisdom. There will be crap raining down on us from all sides in the months ahead and we have to stand tall and keep marching forward. We have millions of people to call and talk to, miles to walk and thousands of messages to deliver. Keep focused and move forward. I trust our president to find the best solution for the country. He knows what he’s doing. Our job is to get people at our local level engaged and committed to volunteer and vote. No one every got a single person to the polls or recruited a single volunteer by panicking.
Agree.
I’m with you Bill R. No matter what the decision is eventually, what is playing out in the court before the public has very little to do with the outcome. That’s why I’m not reacting to it or watching/reading others reacting to it.
I keep hearing this: without the mandate, that’s the end of private insurance and we will magically get single payer. Not if the case is deemed unseverable, first of all. And certainly not with this Congress.
And if it is severable and all of of the other regulations survive? The insurance companies, in order to pay for preexisting conditions and the other provisions, will charge whatever they have to. There is no guarantee to coverage in this bill, there was just the belief that with the mandate the private market would be more affordable. I’m pretty sure that a great many of the regulations placed on insurance companies only apply if they want to be part of the exchanges, but if you’re not expected to buy insurance, do the exchanges have any teeth?. I may be wrong about that and will accept any correction if the provisions apply no matter what. I believe things will be worse than ever, with far less people insured.
Think back to when this bill was being formulated. PBO believed that taking Republican ideas would gain Republican and Blue Dog support. The Democrats were so afraid of adding a ‘tax’ they called the mandate penalty anything BUT a tax. This would be a serious rebuke of PBO will require a great deal to fix.
‘Eventual implementation’ of single payer doesn’t help the uninsured now. And I seriously question that anything will be attempted for the next generation if this bill goes down.
I hate to say it but in photo #7 he looks beautifully tired.
There is nothing like being home in your own bed to sleep. So POTUS is back home, with his family. Get some rest Mr. President. I imagine the girls ( Michelle, Malia, and Sasha) are happy to see him home. And Bo too.
Wow, look at the layers of SS around our Dear President as he shakes hands at Hankuk U. That’s as many as I’ve seen anywhere.
I’m neither a priest, a lawyer, nor a doctor, so I have no burden of confidentiality. And this story is funny as hell.
This just happened. One of my semi-regular patrons—who I know by sight but not by name—came in to use the computer. He fiddled around a bit and then asked for help.
His first question was “Are you blocking political documents?” I said, “Um, no,” then went to his computer to see what the problem was. He was trying to download a PDF, which our library system allows. (The evil, Los Angeles Public Library system does not. And yet they still get customers. Odd.)
So, I click on the link. I got a bad feeling when seeing where it was from. Explorer came up with a message saying it was preventing downloading the file for safety reasons. I clicked on the button to allow download anyway, but nothing happened.
He said “See??!”
I responded, “Well, it should work. It’s just a PDF.”
He said “But see where it’s from?!?” *spittle*
It was from the Sanford PD, a burglary report.
“I know why we can’t download it. It’s the damned liberals. I’ve read ‘1984’. It’s all coming true!”
He then stormed out.
All of this will end up in my second novel.
Hahahahahahahahahahaha……..well a’int that a bitch. He probably wanted to read crap from the Sanford PD and the “liberal alien gobbledygook computer wizards” stopped him. 😆
You missed a line. The second to last sentence should be: “He then stormed out, as he adjusted his tin foil hat….angrily.” 😆
Oh LL! Laughing but shaking my head at the same time.. Criminey! When your second novel is subsequently made into a movie, Gary Oldmen, Kevin Spacey would be on my “short list” to play the part of your semi-regular patron. 🙂
It’s a lib conspiracy I tell you!!!!!!
It will be a must read!
😆 😆 😆
What a maroon!
IT WON’T BE LONG AND PBO WILL BE HOME…I HOPE WE HAVE A BIG PIC OF HIM WALKING ON THE LAWN TO HIS DOOR…OH HAPPY DAY! EVENING ACTUALLY!
He’s back in DC!!
I hope he gets some rest.
yay!!!
Fox and CNN viewership make sharp declines but Hardball is on the rise and so is Al Sharpton: http://www.politicususa.com/fox-news-march-ratings/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+politicususa%2FfJAl+%28Politicus+USA+%29
Go AL! Go AL!!
Ditto.
I was interested in Martin Bashir too—-I think it’s the best show on the msnbc lineup—–and it was up 41%!
Martin is the best, followed by Rev. Al. Everybody else is a has-been-never-was-wannabe. Martin wins because of his rapier wit – he and his producers have me laughing every day! Rev. Al is a very close second.
Bobfr…you and I are on the same page with regard to Roberts’ legacy. This will always be knows as the Roberts Court decision….and if it goes against the ACA, his position on the wrong side of the ledger is set in stone. Chief Justices don’t like to be known for bad decisions. I had mentioned his “legacy” upthread…..
There is nothing Roberts would like more than to open the door to reversing progressive decisions since the New Deal. I don’t give him as much credit as you do. I think he would think that destroying the EPA and all other agencies that look out for the public good would be his wet dream.
My hope is that this business-friendly jackass considers the implications that could restrict the making of money by his cronies. Do you honestly see John Roberts standing up to conservative derision? You really think he would the “5” in a 5/4 decision?
Kennedy is our only hope, who sent some mixed signals. But the signals I hear disturb me.
PBO should be touching down on the WH lawn any moment now.
He can’t wait to meet FLOTUS, girls, Bo, Mom-in-law etc..
That’s my President!
How does he get the energy to still be jogging down the steps of Air Force 1? I don’t know how he can handle his schedule—and always perform and conduct himself at the highest level. He is one in a billion. He’s a miracle. And I’m not kidding.
In that 12-hr flight he must have gotten a solid 8 hrs of sleep – I hope! 🙂
My grandmother used to say one never has trouble sleeping if one has a clear conscience. Yep, like PBO has!
Daddy’s home; all is well.
Get some rest, enjoy your family, and get in a round of pick up b’ ball.
Welcome home, Mr. President. Well done, Sir; we are so proud of you.
Daddy’s home. Love that. 🙂
Hooray! He’s home!!! Superb job in Korea! We are SO proud of you and love youo SO much!!!
TOD family – are you guys aware of this movement? I know sometimes I’m a half step behind most of you guys 🙂
GGail,
Thanks for signing the petition!
We must send a message to the Supreme Court that Americans stand behind Health Care Reform.
Please forward the email below to 3 of your friends right now and encourage them to add their name to our petition at
http://dccc.org/Support-HCR.
You can also share the petition on Facebook and Twitter.
With your help, we can hit our 100,000 signature goal.
Thanks for your support!
Right now, the Supreme Court is deciding whether or not to strike down President Obama’s Health Insurance Reform law.
At this critical moment, let’s show the world that we are united and strong behind President Obama’s law and that every American deserves access to quality, affordable health care.
Send a message to the Court: Help us reach 100,000 strong standing up for Health Care Reform before tomorrow’s final day of arguments.
I’m proud to support health care for all Americans. I’m proud that thanks to all of our efforts, millions of Americans can no longer be dropped from their coverage when they get sick. And I’m proud that when the law takes full effect, being a woman will no longer be classified as a “pre-existing condition.”
Let’s stand proud for health care reform:
http://dccc.org/Support-Health-Reform
Thanks for standing with us,
Kelly
Kelly Ward DCCC
Political Director
Signed and Forwarded!!
Greeting all!
I just saw the HUNGER GAMES and it gave me a chill up my spine. It was a true glimpse of what a world of HAVES vs. HAVE-NOTS could evolve to. We already live in a society of the “privileged.” It has not evolved to the electric fences yet…but make no mistake…poverty and ignorance is a death sentence. WE MUST NOT LOSE THIS FIGHT FOR EQUALITY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOM OF, FOR and FROM RELIGION.
Make no mistake. A lot more is at stake here than a Presidency or a political candidate. What is at stake is our right to live as intelligent, passionate human beings who have a moral obligation to leave the world a better place than we were born into. We, as Democrats, must have a greater vision than new cars and fat financial portfolios. We are the custodians of HOPE.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/03/after-rough-day-in-court-an-optimistic-view-for-supporters-of-obamacare.php?m=1
An optimistic viewpoint from Clintons Solicitor General(wished he defended it).
Welcome home, Mr. President!
He’s home.
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/us-president-barack-obama-slideshow/
Yay Thank You Lord!!!! I could imagine Malia and Sasha holding on to him and telling him how much they missed him. 🙂
If I know kids, they were probably telling the leader of the free world more about their day than asking about his! Which is why I love kids! 🙂
Is he back? I thought he was not due back for another hour or so. I hope he is back already. Please Chips, is he there?
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/us-president-barack-obama-slideshow/u-president-barack-obama-waves-press-returns-white-photo-002809298.html
I haven’t made too many comments today. Been busy preparing for Dr. visit tomorrow. I know times are serious but I thought I’d leave the ‘naughty mat’ candidates with this chuckle, enjoy:
I LOVE THE PRAYER AT THE END.
THE SHOEBOX
A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.
For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said She would not recover.
In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife’s bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was In the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls And a stack of money totaling $95,000.
He asked her about the contents.
‘When we were to be married,’ she said, ‘ my grandmother told me The secret of a happy
marriage was to never argue. She told me that If I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll.’
The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two Precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two Times in all those years of living and loving.. He almost burst with Happiness.
‘Honey,’ he said, ‘that explains the doll, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?’
‘Oh,’ she said, ‘that’s the money I made from selling the dolls.’
A Prayer…… .
Dear Lord,
I pray for Wisdom to understand my man; Love to forgive him; And Patience for his moods;
Because Lord, if I pray for Strength, I’ll beat him to death, Because I don’t have the freakin time to crochet.
Hope your visit tomorrow goes well, YA, and that you are taking one of your uplifting/funny stories along with you to take your mind off whatever while you wait.
Yardarm, thanks for the chuckle.
May your doctor appointment be encouraging.
LOL…funny funny.
All the best for you, Yardarm. Take it easy, whatever is to be will be.
Check in tomorrow or whenever you feel up to it. We’ll be waitin’ for ya.. 🙂
Hahahahahahahaha. Thanks Yardarm. Hope your visit to the Dr. goes exceptionally well.
🙂 🙂 🙂
wimmin ….
BTW, if friggin’ wp allows you to post only by logging in into their wp/fb/twitter account, shouldn’t the silly e-mail and user name box be removed now ?
amk, there you go, asking logical questions. The WordPress gods WILL SMITE you, you do know that, right? RIGHT??? 😎
Thank you for the gift of laughter, Yardarm. I hope your appointment tomorrow goes well. Try to get a good night’s sleep.
Thanks Dudette. I’ll go crash after the news and I finish me tot of rhum. 😀
Yardarm, you are a character but in such a good way. 😆 Laughter truly is the best medicine; I hope your doctor’s visit goes well and brings you good news…
Thks babe. I don’t anticipate any problems.
Excellent, excellent, yardarm! I’m sending that around to a bunch of my (original) baby boomer friends!
[Hope you don’t mind a little digression. Remember I mentioned my son was “looking up” his half-sisters and brothers, and his dad? Well, he’s been in touch with three of his sisters, non-stop, for a couple of months, and is planning to meet them in June – at their invite! Also, they are inviting their dad to be there – my son hasn’t seen him since ’81. Their dad is 77, undergoing chemo, and has other medical problems, so fingers crossed for him. I have recalled your advice that the only thing I can do is “stand back and watch.” Boy, is that hard! But all of the kids are in their 40s and one is now 50, so they’re adults. I’m cheering him on and them on, and praying every day that the grand reunion goes well for all in June, and my son’s “dream woman” has promised to videotape the hugs and kisses for me, since she and some of my son’s kids are going. Oh, my, it will be like seeing Paris for me – even from a distance – if it all goes well!]
I got carried away, yardarm, and forgot to wish you well at your doctor’s appointment!
No negative thoughts allowed. Sit back and smile. You did good and raised him up proper. Get ya a glass of wine, put yo feet up and wiggle your toes. 🙂
Think I’ll copy what you just wrote onto a Post-it, and refer back to it from now through June! So funny. Thanks, sugar! (P.S. You did good, too, as I’m recalling your “dad” story! Oh – I wrote a “letter” to my son’s dad, think I told ya back in February, which turned out to be an 85-pager – which I may turn into a book, and ask Meryl Streep to play me! The book started as a three-page letter to my son, providing some details, etc. Turns out I’m “still in love” with his dad “as he was” from 1965-1971, and not afraid to admit it – ha – which I shouldn’t post on an Obama blog, but what the heck: PBO’s a dreamer, too.)
Love is a hurtin’ thing sometime. I recommend a book by Kahlil Gibron, “The Prophet”. ‘When love beckons you follow him;though his ways be hard and steep.’
I don’t think Meryl has enough spice. How about a young Sophia Loran or maybe Joan Collins.
The title for the book……….how about “Clearing the Tracks of the Exit Tunnel.”
My title is “What loving a wild-eyed handsome man can cost ya” and the subtitle is “The heart wants what the heart wants” – I like your title a lot (it’s great); kind of reminds me of one of my chapters called “The final scene,” which turned out to cover decades. Not sure I ever made it to the “exit tunnel,” since, apparently, I could “cough up” and write about all the love I had for him, in a New York minute! Fun writing all of it – I used humor plus words I would never have said back in the ’60s! I appreciate the comment that Meryl wouldn’t have enough spice – Ha!
I hope and pray that all will go well with your medical procedure today. Thanks for the laugh yardarm.
Yardarm…..I love that story! And the best to you with your dr. appointment. My husband (and I also) gets very nervous the night before a dr’s app’t, so I know what you’re going through. As we get a little older, doctors’ appointments seem a little more serious, which is why we sometimes put the off when we shouldn’t. Glad you’re going.
Believe it or not carolyn I’m one of those strange type dudes that will go to the Dr. with a hangnail. I’m not one of those shake it off macho types. If so, I would not be here to post this now.
Six years ago I was awakened by a twitching in my arm. Two days later it happened again and moved to my leg while driving a school bus.
Straight to the Doc and then to MRI……..As the story goes, walk in to a hospital and come out in a wheelchair. Brain tumor the size of a damn potholder. A cranial resection and 8 hours cleared a benign tumor. Though it left me partially paralyzed, I’m still here.
Hopefully someone will hear about this, that has a minor persistent twinge, will go get it checked out. Better talked to than eulogized!
Wow, what a story, Yardarm! I’m so glad you got checked out and, of course that you’re still with us. You’re quite a treasure. {{{hugs}}}
I always breathe a sigh of relief when I know that PBO is safely back in his home.
Me, too, donna dem 4 obama xoxox sweet dreams, everybody.
and my dear goodness, Chips, it makes such a difference when you are around. xxox
Agree, Donna, Sara, and Chips (especially!).
These kinds of things need to stop:
Wow, just wow!! Evil goes to dinner.
I agree with LL’s earlier post. The framers made stupid mistake of making life-time judges along with first and second amendments.
Life time judgeships are idiotic; not subject to democratic control. The 2nd Amendment, at the time, was revolutionary, in that in Europe the rabble were not allowed to own weapons, and thus easily suppressed. Plus, the US was, how shall we say it, poor. It didn’t want a large standing army, as it was seen as a gateway to authoritarianism, nor could it afford one. We relied heavily on militia for decades; again, states didn’t have the money to outfit the militia, so people had to own their own weapons. That the Founders didn’t foresee the NRA and Trayvon Martin just means that they weren’t prognosticators. I’ll have to disagree with you on the First Amendment; the fact that every democracy that has followed the American Revolution has adopted freedom of speech, freedom of association, and freedom of religion should say something. Aside from the 2nd Amendment, the Bill of Rights still holds up pretty well.
Every other democracy hasn’t followed american example of freedom of speech (ridiculously limitless) and they are doing just fine.
We just have to agree to disagree on it.
I’m with you on this amk. Most democracies in Europe, at least, have absolutely not followed America’s blanket approach to ‘freedom of speech’, thankfully taking the approach that with rights come responsibility.
Eg: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iCJcGIcRWIPxjSZBiikAVxUAJmSQ?docId=N0128331332842185806A
I hope one day America will catch up with the rest of world on this.
Doesn’t the 2nd say something about a well regulated militia in conjunction with keeping and bearing arms? If so, it seems that the National Guard and Reserves would satisfy those requirements. Hmmmm.
That would be my argument. Want a gun? Join the NG. When states no longer have militias, which they don’t, then the part about bearing arms should become a dead letter. The courts, sadly, disagree, as if they’re blind to the militia part of the amendment.
It’s all about the gun. I believe a lot of this thing with guns is phallic more than anything.
Almost like their Lawyer knew all the questions, before hand! Hmmm!
That’s just revolting. How can anyone in this country have any kind of confidence in the “integrity” of this court. They don’t even care any more. They’re just flaunting it. Those 2 are despicable. You can throw Alito in there too. And– I suspect—Roberts too. He couldn’t even swear in the POTUS decently.
When you hear stuff like this it leaves you to have no faith in the Supreme Court at all.
Why do we even need them?
I find myself unable to get too worked up about the mandate being struck down. I was never really for the mandate, and if folks will recall, neither was candidate Obama. It was Hillary who wanted it. If it is struck down…oh well. It made some sense to have it and would probably work, but the Patient Protection and Affordable Care parts of the law will still be intact. Doing away with pre-existing conditions, having young people still able to stay on their parents’ policies, free wellness check-ups for seniors, closing the doughnut hole etc. etc. etc. will still be the law of the land. I just don’t see them ruling that the entire law is unconstitutional.
As noted previously, the irony in the attack on the mandate is that it is the one provision of ACA that I’ve always thought of as ‘protection of an endangered species’ – specifically, the US medical insurance industry. Roberts, Scalia, Thomas, Alito all must be pondering that reality as I’m sure the execs and board members that join them in fancy restaurants and on the golf course have likely shared their concerns. Killing the mandate will enable President Obama and the DEMS to fast track Medicare for all just at the time that everyone will be intensely focused on how Ryan, Boehner, Cantor et al have tried to kill Medicare.
Just love the timing of the decision – June – and think it no accident that the President’s team pushed for an early hearing rather than stalling until 2014.
#PRESSON
Somebody could sue about car insurance, flood insurance, home insurance, boat insurance, etc…
Bobfr and Tien, this is what most people are overlooking : if no mandate then the patients are in charge
Yep!
#PRESSON
In all of this what we are learning is that it is absolutely critical that we re-elect the President so he can pick someone to replace Justice Ginsberg when she retires. Even better would be if he can replace someone else, too. An Obama court would suit me just fine, thank you very much.
I agree.
March 27, 2012, 8:12 pm
Senate adjourns for the night
By Josiah Ryan
The Senate adjourned on Tuesday night after setting up votes for 6 p.m. on Wednesday for two of President Obama’s judicial nominees and passing a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that top executives from the bankrupt brokerage firm MF Global ought not to receive bonuses until the roughly $1 billion in missing customers’ money is found.
The Senate is scheduled to return at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
Miche to give award to Taylor Swift on Saturday at Kids Choice. She’ll be there in person!!!!!!!!!
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2012/03/michelle-obama-kids-choice-awards.html
TOD Family our very own CollegeKay stepped outside her comfort zone and setup a fundraising thermometer to help with the Presidents reelection. She represents the very youth that is so important to the future of this Nation.
There is only 5 days left in this contest. So if you can make a small donation or a couple of small donations to her fundraiser it will help to get her one step closer to hearing those magic words, “This is the White House Operator Please Hold for President Obama”.
https://donate.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/2012/KayKay
thanks ma’am!! by the way, I’ve been bothering some of my fb friends and I managed to get like 4 more on my own! woo hoo lol
“This is the White House Operator Please Hold for President Obama”
^^ that sends ripples in my tummy just reading it. oh god
I know 8)
how long did he talk to you? i remember how you said you were shopping at the time lol
About 10 or 15 minutes. It goes by so fast….
Hey Collegekay,
I just donated….good luck. How cool would it be to have TWO lucky people to get a call from PBO.
See there! I told you…all you gotta do is ask.
You make us so proud!
Rachel just reported that Politico says Gingrich is cutting his staff by a third and is “focusing on Tampa (convention)”. Campaign manager has stepped down.
why doesn’t he just drop out?
his campaign is about making money for himself – do not forget that
and vengeance
WELL DONE TODAY CK!!!!
As to your query – He’s looking to drive himself into the VP slot on Romney’s ticket. Mitt knows that the person Newt is hurting most by staying in is Pope Surge I. So etcha-sketcha elevator man will owe Newt more and more the longer Newt hobbles His Highness the Surge …
Just idle thoughts on a Tuesday evening 🙂
#PRESSON
Special prosecutor appointed in Martin case asks for patience—-she just got the case last Th.—–and said it is possible the state will bring charges and not wait for the grand jury. Know nothing about her—–my reservations are that she was appointed by Kooknut Gov. Scott and the most horrible Fl. Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi—–saw her tonight on Piers Morgan and she was way too much for me to tolerate—–speaking on this case and more disgustingly on the Sup. Ct. case—–rt. wing conservative off the charts. She made me want to throw a bucket of ice water at her face—–but I’m non-violent :)—-and it would never work trying to go thru my TV—-afraid only my TV would suffer.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/la-na-nn-trayvon-martin-case-special-prosecutor-pleads-for-patience-20120327,0,2642546.story
Worried about the ACA Mandate Nullification? Take heart because: death of the mandate = death of the insurance industry = one option left (Medicare for all).
Damn. Lawrence is already on fire. He’s asking questions that other pundits haven’t asked and Joe Oliver is stuttering over his BS lies. Awesome!
Joe Oliver is a turncoat asshole. That’s all I have to say about his bullshit.
He’s a hustler and pimp that’s in the same club with Smiley and Corny.
yep.
Big time. He got called out tonight.
New post everyone:
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/03/27/home-13/
Daaaaaamn Lawrence and Charles Blow are on fire. They’ve already got Oliver admitting that he’s not that close of a friend with Zimmerman. Didn’t know about Zimmerman’s violent past. Doesn’t know jackshit about Zimmerman’s character. Wasn’t at the scene of the crime but has a gut feeling that it was Trayvon who attacked Zimmerman. Lawrence called him out on that BS.
Joe Oliver is a poor excuse for a human being. I don’t know if he just wants his mug on teevee, grabing his 15 minutes of fame for a murderer of a 17yr old. Joe Oliver has a 17yrs old daughter, I wish someone would have asked him how would you feel if someone like Zimmerman gunned her down because she was wearing a hoodie at night unarmed?
A couple quick points relating to the ACA case before the SC.
I mentioned on an earlier thread that it’sortant to see where the money is going. I followed all the major insurance stock prices today. By mid-day, when all the conjecture was that the mandate was going to be tossed, all the stocks were heading downward. By the end of the day, all of them ended up ahead. Wall Street isn’t all knowing, but it sure sounds like some people are pretty confident mandate stays.
It would be difficult to throw out most of the othr requirements placed on insurance companies, such as no pre-existing conditions, coverage of children to 26, no lifetime caps, etc. as Congress has already passed many laws in the past that put coverage requirements on insurance companies and they have all sed the constitutionality test.
In regards to the blurb up thread about Scalia and Thomas having dinner wiht the attorneys for the plaintiffs, I would do something extreme tomorrow morning if I were the SG and pleading the case for the government. I would stand before the court and respectfully request that those two justices recuse themselves from this case. I would not accuse them of colluding with the plaintiffs (although there is no doubt in my mind that they are) but rather, in a case of this magnitude, with all the ramifications involved, it is essential that the American people have full faith in the integrity of any decision made. I know this would not really change anything, and they would not recuse themselves, but if the case is presented strongly enough, it will virtually have to be part of the coverage of the case and it might even convice either Roberts or Kennedy to side against those two plus Alito.
Either way, those two will be dogged for the rest of their lives with questions of their integrity.
Does anyone know what the deal is with C. Thomas? I know his little lady is a Tea Party bitch, but he hasn’t said anything for 6 years??? He just sits there like a rock–is he brain dead?
He never does. Might as well be asleep and just wake up and agree to Scalia tells him.
Welp, I’ve made it through all the comments and the links so far tonight. Breathe, breathe, breathe. 🙂 Deep, deep, breaths. For those feeling the need to freak out, allow yourself an alloted time to do so (for me 30 seconds of primal screaming does the trick :lol:), get it out of your system, then come back to us and BREATHE. Succumbing to the pundits/talking heads is counterproductive and distracts from the goal–doing everything within our own control to get PBO re-elected. We’ve been at these “do or die” moments on so many issues in the past during our illustrious Prez’s campaign and presidency, non? Just think where we’d be if, at any of those prior freak out moments, we’d folded up our tents and went home. And if I can provide one anecdote… I am an attorney. My worst court experience to date involved being part of team arguing a civil case on appeal. The appellate judges were merciless, particularly so, I thought, when it was my turn to argue my portion of the case. I thought for sure, we’d lose..we didn’t. Oral argument is just one piece of the appellate review process–it’s not the deciding factor. Welcome back Ms. Chips! Thanks for keeping us up to speed even while you were on the road.. 🙂
Amen, prupleshoesla! And, I want to thank Chips, too, for all she done for us while on her roads trips. Brilliant~
Here is the White House push back perspective on today’s SCOTUS hearing. It matches what several others I have read say:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/27/supreme-court-health-reform-obama_n_1384055.html
What I was saying upstream is that, mindful that during the Health Care debate there were huge majorities in favor of the public option and Medicare expension, in the event the five Repub judges take down the ACA, private insurance will collapse as a viable economic option, and the public pressure for single payer as Medicare for All or another form to bring us to universal coverage will be massive. It will be the critical issue in the election.
Lawrence just killed it! Damn. He has just proven that Joe Oliver does NOT in any way know anything about Zimmerman and his character. First Oliver said Zimmerman took anger management classes, then he denied he said that. Then he said Zimmerman doesn’t drink. Then he denied it. Then he says Zimmerman had a broken nose courtesy of Trayvon, then he denies it. He quit his job to defend Zimmerman from point A to Z; how is he financially solvent with a family he has to provide for? First he referred to himself as Zimmerman’s very close friend; now he says he’s not. That he’s more like an “uncle” How sweet “Uncle Joe.” 🙄 Lawrence, Charles, and Jonathan Capehart proved that Oliver is a LIAR.
My guess is Oliver is being paid my Zimmerman’s father to act as though they are friends to shield him from the charge of being a racist. There’s always some “handkerchief head” more than willing to defend the plantation.