Thank you thank you thank you! Remember you can vote from more than one device, but only once from each device, that is not considered unfair! It’s looking good for Denea to move into the final selection process, where she gets a chance to demonstrate why she is the best pick for the job. She did a podcast interview with a group of fresh water divers in the Mid-west, who explore for wrecks in the Great Lakes region… It was very interesting, there might be a link on the rabbit earth blog.
And with deep thanks from us both! having never been to the French Riviera, I would sh*t myself if I had to go there, but my girl will make it look like a ballet recital, she is so graceful and talented! Anyway, I need to get moving here, have some errands to do before work! Have a good one, back later!
Go Dudette! I did too, tho have only 3 devices! Am handing out sticky notes with the blog address today…. Fired up! Can any of us imagine diving on the French Riviera, at the tender age of 25? I am in awe!
{{{{{{{{{{{{Chipsticks}}}}}}}}}}}}}. Do we think this is the 10,000,000 day? It could be, you know, and if it is, there’s a PAR-TAY on at my house! Cheesy puffs for one and all! 😆
Well, to honor everything happening here, as well as all the hits on TOD, I picked up a bag of cheesy puffs today at Trader Joe’s, will confess there have been no cheesy puffs in our house since Denea left home, and pleased to report I had the option of buying LOW FAT ones, so of course did that. Does low fat count in cheesy puffs? Hope so, now, do I dare to eat them?
What a nice way to soothe your previous viewing frustrations, Symmetry! Way to go! 😆
Hey you, Pamela, I was answering you while you sneaked off to come hold Symmetry’s hand! You deserter you, you could at least have yanked me along with you!
Seems as though, after receiving the benefits of coming to America and receiving benefits here, the co-founder of FACEBOOK, Eduardo Saverin renounced his U.S. citizenship and is living in Singapore. Evidently the billionaire doesn’t want to pay taxes. It is my understanding that he owes the government millions of $$$ made prior to renouncing his citizenship and intends to pay that. However, he will no longer give the USA government a dime after renouncing his citizenship.
Thanks Sabreen, I did know this, but I would never have thought of protesting against FB as a result. I just thought he was a user. and forgot about him. That’s one of the good things about being a member of a community – you get exposed to ideas that on your own might not have occurred to you.
So, if this is going to be a major statement, I AM IN! kinda fed up with FB in the past few months anyway….. There are ways to speak to shiesters. Our voices can be very loud.
Greetings from Las Vegas! Great news from NV….unemployment has gone from 12″% to 11.7%…do u think Mittens will take credit for it? 😉 Also great news from the Silver State…republicans are imploding over Ron Paul supporters hijacking their convention and winning the majority of the delegates. PBO CAN win NV!! Never give up!
The Democratic National Committee has launched a new attack on Mitt Romney over his work at Bain Capital.
In a two-minute video titled “The Bane of Romney’s Existence,” the DNC chronicles media coverage of Bain Capital interspersed with clips of David Axelrod and Joe Biden criticizing the Republican candidate.
The video comes directs viewers to the Obama campaign’s “Romney Economics” website for more Bain-themed attacks, featuring a map with state-by-state summaries of the alleged harm done by Romney’s former firm.
The attacks are meant to serve as a counterweight to the Romney campaign’s release of its first general-election television spot Friday, a 30-second ad titled “Day 1.”
57, when mentioned to you yesterday how much easier it is to think like a Republican, I didn’t realize you’d be so good at it. Stop it; you’re scaring me. 😉
I watched the video. Am I the only one who thinks the last reporter to speak from St Petersburg looks like George Clooney. Come on–If I was in his viewer area I would buy a TV. OMG!
Oil under $92/barrel. Gas prices are going down. This will help the economy. Republicans are trying to figure out how to jack the prices up again, I am sure.
I heard this morning the president was releasing fuel from the reserves into the market to reduce prices for the memorial day weekend when prices usually spike up. Here in California where they are reducing refineries prices are still climbing.
Kathy Griffin Scolds Elisabeth Hasselback Over Obama Question: ‘Take It Down A Notch, B*tch!’ 9:19 am, May 18th, 2012
During a segment on Bravo’s Kathy on Thursday, Kathy Griffin tore into Elisabeth Hasselbeck‘s critical question to President Obama on The View about gay marriage, where Hasselback asked the president how he would “move things forward any more than Mitt Romney.”
Hi, Hachikō, How are you doing up in Maine? How is spring up there? Alan’s digging up and repairing irrigation pipes. Thank the Rain Goddess this morning it was pouring gently down. Our flower beds and lawns were really, really dry.
Hi Joan! Tucker and I are doing well. I’m trying to get us into Portland, because it’s so isolated where I am. Spring is lovely here except for the bugs. My goodness. They make being outside almost unbearable.
So glad you got some much-needed rain! Enjoy your garden and the spring! 🙂
I was born and raised in Miami, the politics down there are to put in kindly, third world banana republic style. If you ain’t grifting you ain’t trying. In other cities you get praised for trying to make your citizens life better, in Miami you get praised by how long you can serve without being indicted. Rubio had better hope getting vetted is outlawed by the time he runs in 2016.
Top of the morning all you O’s!!! What a greeeaaat getting up morning again TODdies!!!! Happy BD tomorrow PRETTYFOOT58!! I read what your granddaughter asked you on the last thread LOL!!. My BD is 6/9, last night my grandson asked me how old I’ll be. I told him 63, after which he announced, “then I will stop calling you Ganna. I will call you something that won’t make you sound as old as you really are, like by your first name”. I’m like, “Ummm, no…but thanks for trying to keep me young”
So sweet. A little 7-y/o girl who’s my “honorary” granddaughter told me once that she saw a neighborhood “granny girl – a girl with grey hair” walking a dog down our street. And, after I called her 35-y/o mom the term of endearment, “girlie girl,” one day, which apparently she didn’t appreciate, who knew, she told me she thought she’d start calling me “old lady lady,” as a … you know … joke. This is all good, when you have decisions to make. So, bottom line, I’m going back to auburn with dark highlights next week, methinks.
Yeah. Funny how people in their 30s have also told me they really “love” the wonderful silvery streaks in my hair, in the front (it’s dark everywhere else; kind of like mother nature’s idea of a freakin’ joke), and that they’d “pay” to have that done. But I think it’s time for me to pay to have it undone!
I don’t know if it’s true but TD Ameritrade has been catching hell the last 24 to 36 hours. Why the owner of Ameritrade would get involved with Romney and Rove is beyond me, and to top it off Rahm Emanuel refuses to answer any of Ricketts phone calls. Ricketts is shitting bricks right about now seeing was they want the city of Chicago to kick in one hundred million in tax breaks to fix up Wrigley Field.
In “socialist” Europe, team owners are on the hook for any stadium improvements or the building of a new stadium. And there’s no profit sharing in European professional sporting leagues, like there is in every US league. Who are the real socialists?
He’d rather spend his billions instigating vicious and hateful stories in the media about PBO….and paying the pundiots on corporate cable to spew GOP anti-Obama propaganda to the masses.
On the Up with Chris Hayes blog, there’s a request –” Have you pulled your money from TD Ameritrade? Send us your stories.” So evidently, it’s going on. The piece on Chris’ blog was written by Sal Gentile
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Fri May 18, 2012 9:56 AM MDT
I knew all the Chicago stuff — I live in Chicago. I had heard though that people were withdrawing their accounts from Ameritrade and I wanted to know if it was true.
I, for one, will be furious if tax dollars are used for Wrigley Field. Wrigley packs in the people, no matter how bad the team is or what the difficulties are in getting to the game. Tearing down longstanding buildings for parking isn’t going to bring more people to Wrigley; it’s going to make more money for the Ricketts family. There is no advantage to the city except renovation employment, which will happen whether it’s paid for by the taxpayer or the asshole billionaire and his cronies. I am sick of welfare for the rich.
I understand the line that Emanuel has to walk. When he got elected I told my husband that he will do things we will love and he will do things that we hate. That has borne out to be true. I get the complexity of balance in running this city.
But I have seen city sticker fees for our cars skyrocket and other fees and sales tax. I have not seen a push for a sales tax on trades at the Board of Trade but mental health facilities are being closed. I would like to see the people who have not had a moment’s discomfort throughout the recession of their making, make one single adjustment to help this town. Just threats to leave, and support for Romney even though PBO bailed out their asses and got precious nothing in return.
You don’t think there is a conspiracy between the media and the pols? In Milwaukee, the Journa’s first headline was “State loses 6,200 private sector jobs in April”.
Scott Walker didn’t like it.
The Journal changed it to:
“Controversial Survey shows estimated April job losses of 6,200”.
Scott Walker didn’t like that one either, so it became:
“Disputed survey shows estimated April Job losses of 6,200”.
For those of you who are in DC or will be in DC tomorrow (Saturday), and have kids, this is a fun event. And if you don’t have kids, just go ahead & borrow one or two for a couple of hours! Adult companions are free.
Corcoran Gallery
Painting the Sun
May 19, 2012 from 10:30 a.m. – noon
Family Workshop
Ages 8-12
Discover how artists depict the effects of the sun without actually showing the sun through various methods like shadow and color manipulation. In the galleries, families study the sunlit work of old masters and sketch their own shadowed landscapes. Afterwards, participants head into the studio to perfect their works.
All workshops are $8 per child, Corcoran members at the family level and above and $10 per child, public. Adult companions do not need to purchase a ticket for the workshop and re-entry to the collection after the workshop is permitted.
In the weeks since then, Bennett said, Hawaii officials have forced him to provide proof that he is who he says he is. They asked him to send them copies of the Arizona laws that prove the secretary of state really is the person in charge of handling the ballots.
Way to go HI. Treat these birther nutjobs with their own medicine.
As I mentioned on the thread about this at BJ, they must really be afraid that PBO is going to win AZ. If they kept him off the ballot, it would drive up the GOTV eve3rywhere else and he would probably win AZ through a write-in campaign. I am sure he will be on the ballot, but just this story may put him over the top in AZ.
Even if they keep him, the duly elected President of the United States, off the ballot, can’t people just write in his name? This is the most undemocratic, crazy nonsense ever!
I know that all this birther B.S. is not about Barack Obama being born in the United States or not. It is about the color of Barack Obama’s skin. Barack Obama is a black man and they don’t like that we have a black man as President.
Yup. They are the real black hearts. Let’s see if this nutjob has the real balls to carry out his threat. The courts will smack him down and will probably strip of him of his post.
I may be wrong (and someone can correct me), but when you cast a ballot for President, you are in fact casting a ballot for the ‘electors’ in the ‘electoral college’ who pledged their support of PBO, who then votes for President Obama.
When we take about quality of life issues, please remember our seniors…they need us to fight for them.
Wall Photos
LETTER FROM A MOTHER TO A DAUGHTER
“My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”… Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way… remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day… the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad… just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you… my darling daughter.
These congressional reps should be getting some virtual hugs from their constituents AND us:
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, introduced by Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Susan Davis (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA), would “ensure that pregnant women are not forced out of jobs unnecessarily or denied reasonable job modifications that would allow them to continue working,”
I am still trying to recuperate and make progress on my recent knee replacement surgery. This last week has been hard as my Mom fell and has been in the hospital and now a skilled nursing center. I feel relieved she is getting good help but it involves long hours in keeping her company as she has very short term memory. Therefore I have not been here much and have only had time to read the emailed headings.
I received a most unwelcomed gift in the mail a few days ago and have been puzzling how my name was on their list. Wondered if the Romney campaign sent any other OFA member a signed photo with thanks of support? I have in no way supported them. I did get a questionaire from the GOP earlier in the year. I wondered then why I got it. I filled out the answers all in a snarky, mean voice such as I would never vote for any GOP again. I wrote in or checked all the opposite boxes of their plans or added nasty comments then sent it in with no postage so they had to pay for it. I have also sent in completely empty envelopes with no postage. Guess I should just toss them as they think all those nasty things said mean I am a supporter. Did anyone else get a photo of Romney with thanks for supporting him? Guess I will cut off the part about supporting him and include it in my Obama album for who PBO ran against or use it for a dart board.
OG, I hope your healing goes quickly. Glad to hear that your mom is getting the care she needs. We just placed a cousin with advanced
Alzheimers in an assisted care facility too. It’s been tough, but we know it was the right thing for her given that she requires 24×7 care. Luckily she likes the other patients and the staff there and it’s less than 5 miles away. She seems happy and well-care for, which is truly a blessing.
Can’t say I’ve received any Romney materials, but I like your dart board idea!! 😀
Iit may be slow for the MSM and “pundits” but the President is working and getting results…important meetings with world leaders.
I’m glad all this Rev. Wright stuff and various other stupidities have come out now…..they are all nine-day wonders, and disappear. I know this Rev. Wright stuff was meant to blast forth during the convention, but the effect is over now. Let the pundits and talking heads yammer on today. They should be going to Chicago for the NATO summit for real news. He is always working where the MSM can’t see him, so they just make stuff up and fill time. Yawn!
Jovie, I run around sthe house hollering Fired up! and want my daughter to holler back “ready to go!” All she does is say in that don’t care tone .. “Meh”.. and shrug her shoulders. She thinks it’s no use getting excited becaue the President is going to win.
REPUBLICANS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR POLITICAL DYSFUNCTION AND SO IS THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA
REPORT: Who? Media Turns Its Back On Experts Who Blame GOP For Political Gridlock
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Thomas E. Mann, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Norman J. Ornstein, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, are well-respected centrist congressional experts who are often cited by the media. But their recent conclusion that Republicans are responsible for political dysfunction — laid out in an April 29 Washington Post op-ed and their recently released book — has been largely ignored, with the top five national newspapers writing a total of zero news articles on their thesis.
This weekend, the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Russia will join President Obama at Camp David. The G8 is a gathering of eight of the world’s leading economies, which meets annually. This will be the first meeting in the United States since 2004, and it will be the largest gathering of world leaders ever to assemble at Camp David.
Their agenda for this weekend includes talks on growing the world economy, the nuclear situations in Iran and North Korea, and energy and climate issues. We’ll broadcasting a number of events from the weekend live on WhiteHouse.gov. Check out the schedule below:
Tonight at 7:40 PM – The Leaders Greeting
Saturday at 10:45 AM – The Family Photo
Saturday at 5:45 PM – A Statement from President Obama
This has been an exciting week for Let’s Move! On Monday, First Lady Michelle Obama joined Team USA to announce new programs that will help connect more than 1.7 million kids with athletic opportunities in their communities.
Today, we launched a new section on LetsMove.gov dedicated to helping schools, communities and families start their own gardens. Find out how you can get started on a garden of your own with checklists for schools, communities and kitchens.
Do you have questions about the Let’s Move! initiative or how to get your garden growing this spring?
On Friday, May 18th at 1:00 pm ET, we’re holding a special session of White House Office Hours with Sam Kass, White House Chef and Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives, to answer your questions on Twitter.
Join Sam for Office Hours at 1:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 18th. Here’s how it works:
•Ask your question on Twitter with the hashtag #WHChat
•Sam Kass, Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives, responds to your questions in real-time via Twitter from @LetsMove
•Follow the Q&A through the @WHLive or @LetsMoveTwitter accounts
•If you miss the live event, the full Q&A will be posted on LetsMove.gov and Storify.com/LetsMove
Unemployment rates fall in two-thirds of US states
By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER, AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Unemployment rates fell in two-thirds of U.S. states last month, evidence that modest economic growth is boosting hiring in most areas of the country.
And in many states, unemployment has fallen well below the national average, which was 8.1 percent last month. Rates were lower than 7 percent in 22 states in April. That compares to only 13 states in April 2011.
The Labor Department said Friday that unemployment rates dropped in 37 states in April, the most in three months. Unemployment rose in 5 states and was unchanged in eight.
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ Global Agricultural Development Initiative holds a symposium on global agriculture and food security “Beyond L’Aquila: Advancing Food Security at the 2012 G-8 Summit.” President Obama delivers the opening keynote to the Symposium. Bono spoke about his aid organizations and about the proper use of resources already in Africa.
Later Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will speak at the symposium.
According to the White House, with the G8 summit set to begin Friday night, “the President’s remarks will highlight the G-8’s efforts to promote food security, improve nutrition and alleviate poverty.”
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CSPAN Coverage of the Conference Resumes at 4PM Eastern
This has to be what sheer desperation looks like. Apparently, Mitt Romney will use the backdrop of an historic restored bridge (see before and after pictures in the link below) in New Hampshire to mock stimulus funding. The bridge actually looks beautiful. There’s water running under the bridge. And it looks like a structure the town would be very proud of. My guess is that the Romney campaign didn’t think this one through. All they are doing to drawing more attention to the stimulus benefits and the growth charts at whitehouse.gov. The stimulus money used for the restoration of the bridge created jobs. What’s wrong with that?
Mitt Romney heads to New Hampshire to blast historic bridge renovation project funded by stimulus
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In 2010, Hillsborough’s planning director defended the project from outside critics:
“It’s an oversimplification to call it a bridge to nowhere, in my opinion,” said Shane O’Keefe, Hillsborough planning director.
O’Keefe said the historic stone arch bridge was falling apart. The town had been trying to fix it for years but never had enough money. He said the town wants to turn the area into a public park.
“It’s an historic transportation structure,” O’Keefe said.
Romney will appear at the bridge Friday afternoon. Presumably he won’t literally say that New Hampshire would be better off if the bridge were falling apart and if nobody had ever been put to work fixing it, but that’s the logical extension of the case he’s going to make. And it doesn’t take great political mind to realize that’s really not the best argument to make if you want to win over voters.
Getting the picture here? As economists and health policy experts have said all along, the only way to make coverage available to everybody, short of creating a single-payer system, would be to recreate Obamacare or something similar to it. And that’s not going to happen. According to follow-up that Sherman filed with Politico on Thursday, conservatives were furious that House leadership would contemplate replacing the Affordable Care Act with anything that looked remotely like it. In response, aides to Boehner quickly communicated the Speaker’s intention to “knock down” the rumor of such intentions.
For more on this story, by the way, see Jonathan Bernstein and Brian Beutler, both of whom were all over it on Thursday.
So, they basically want to kill the law, but have no ideas on how to recreate the benefits. The President said in his inauguration to the dictators and other such lowlifes that “know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy”.
Powerful words from our profound and prophetic President!
At the time, who would’ve thunk it was really the Rethugs in Congress that statement would really apply to almost 4 years later?
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius spoke at an awards ceremony for Georgetown graduate students in the university’s public policy school. Her appearance has met with criticism from some who object to what they see as conflicts between Catholic doctrine and some Obama Administration policies. The university established a protest area outside the building in which the speech will take place.
In recent days on the Georgetown University campus and in the larger American Catholic community, concerns have been expressed by some who object to an invitation to Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to participate in a Public Policy Institute awards ceremony during the University’s commencement weekend.
Last fall, public policy students expressed preferences for potential speakers who could participate in the program. Given her role in crafting the landmark legislation that will make health care more accessible to 34 million Americans who are currently uninsured, Secretary Sebelius was identified by students as a leading policy maker in our country who could contribute to this event. Secretary Sebelius has a long and distinguished record of public service, including two terms as governor of Kansas before beginning her service in April, 2009, as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. She is also the spouse and the mother of Georgetown graduates.
In early January, an invitation was extended to Secretary Sebelius and she accepted. In the weeks that followed, elements of the legislation, specifically terms covering contraception, dominated our public discourse and impacted our Georgetown community very directly.
In different contexts over the past three months, including a March 14 “Statement on Religious Freedom and HHS Mandate,” the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed strong opposition to the position put forward by the Obama Administration. Some have interpreted the invitation of Secretary Sebelius as a challenge to the USCCB. It was not. The invitation to Secretary Sebelius occurred prior to the January 20th announcement by the Obama Administration of the modified healthcare regulations.
The Secretary’s presence on our campus should not be viewed as an endorsement of her views. As a Catholic and Jesuit University, Georgetown disassociates itself from any positions that are in conflict with traditional church teachings.
We are a university, committed to the free exchange of ideas. We are a community that draws inspiration from a religious tradition that provides us with an intellectual, moral, and spiritual foundation. By engaging these values we become the University we are meant to be.”
I’m glad they’re sticking to their guns and still honoring her, despite their religious disagreements. She’s deserving of the honor. Not sure where contraception is mentioned in the bible, anyway…
Sometimes i find some interesting pieces in my email. This week’s unexpected email offering is familiar, though it was shared in 1883 by Frederick Douglass, a black man, former slave, who was an active abolitionist (per wikipaedia)
‘Many people wonder why Republican legislators are so hard on President Obama. Frederick Douglass gave us the answer many years ago.
“Though the colored man is no longer subject to barter and sale, he is surrounded by an adverse settlement which fetters all his movements. In his downward course he meets with no resistance, but his course upward is resented and resisted at every step of his progress. If he comes in ignorance, rags and wretchedness he conforms to the popular belief of his character, and in that character he is welcome; but if he shall come as a gentleman, a scholar and a statesman, he is hailed as a contradiction to the national faith concerning his race, and his coming is resented as impudence. In one case he may provoke contempt and derision, but in the other he is an affront to pride and provokes malice.” ‘
Frederick Douglass – September 25, 1883
Rosa sat so Martin could walk,
Martin walked so Obama could run,
Obama ran so our children could fly!!
Thanks for sharing this, vcprezofan2! The Great Frederick Douglass, who had struggled for almost thirty year against slavery, was so optimistic following the end of the Civil war and the abolition of slavery. He witnessed Black folks make progress during the ten years period after the Civil War that is known in history as the Reconstruction period. But lo and behold things began to go backwards. By 1880’s the progress made by blacks were systematically being reversed, White supremacy was in the ascendancy. In the 1880’s, his sons, who were veterans of the Civil War, could not get jobs because they were Black. By the time Frederick Douglass died in 1895, Jim Crow (actually white supremacy had triumphed). A year after he died the Supreme Court issued its infamous “Plessy v. Ferguson” decision which legalized Segregation and white supremacy. I am afraid, if this country allows the current Republican ideology to triumph, and President Obama and the Democrats are defeated, we may be in for a modernized repeat of what took place in this country in the first five decades of the 20th Century. Besides the overt and covert racist attacks on the President ( so similar to the way Black elected officials were attacked during Reconstruction) we know have all these schemes to suppress the votes that appear to be particularly aimed at Black and Latino communities. It would be a shame if our country went back instead of forward.
I love the fact that Camp David will be the backdrop for the G8 summit before it moves to Chicago. And to add insult to injury President Obama has invited several African leaders to Camp David to participate, gotta love the fact that President Obama invited them but not any of the Republicans, it must burn their asses.
Statement by the President on the Passing of Donna Summer
Michelle and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Donna Summer. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Donna truly was the “Queen of Disco.” Her voice was unforgettable, and the music industry has lost a legend far too soon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Donna’s family and her dedicated fans.
For Immediate Release May 18, 2012
President Obama to Deliver Commencement Address at Joplin High School’s Graduation Ceremony
WASHINGTON, DC – On Monday, May 21, the President will travel to Joplin, Missouri, where he will deliver the commencement address at Joplin High School’s 2011-2012 graduation ceremony. After devastating tornadoes ravaged the Joplin area nearly a year ago, the Joplin community’s resilience and selflessness in the face of tragedy continues to inspire our nation. The President looks forward to joining Missouri Governor Jay Nixon at Joplin High School’s graduation ceremony and addressing this year‘s graduating seniors and their families
Safety is the number one priority at the US Department of Transportation (DOT), so National Transportation Week is the perfect time for DOT to help launch the Obama Administration’s critical Safety Data Initiative–an historic effort to make government data relating to every aspect of safety, from transportation to crime to consumer products, much more accessible, and to stimulate the development of innovative apps and services fueled by those data.
We know that helping Americans gain access to practical information can help them make smarter, safer choices. So, coordinated by DOT, this new collaborative effort involving Federal agencies and the public aims to unleash Americans’ entrepreneurial spirit by encouraging participants to build a range of innovative digital tools and mobile applications to enhance public and product safety.
To help kick off the Safety Data Initiative, today we are announcing two app challenges that take advantage of more than 700 open government datasets now available on Safety.Data.gov.
DOT has launched the Motorcoach Safety Data Student Challenge, which asks developers to use public performance data about interstate commercial bus companies found on Safety.Data.gov to help consumers make smart safety decisions about their bus travel…
[Lots more details on the blog]
Wow, this Administration is so outstanding!!!
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National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease (from Sec of HHS, Kathleen Sebelius)
“Today, as many as 5.1 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s. As the baby boomers march past age 65, that number could more than double in just a few decades.
We’ve made considerable progress in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementias, but much more needs to be done right away, because people who face the challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s need help now.
The Obama administration has announced an historic $156 million commitment to address what is needed to confront Alzheimer’s disease. The National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease is a roadmap that will help us meet our goal to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease by 2025. This is a truly national plan, based on a strong partnership with every part of the Alzheimer’s community, including scientists, patient advocates, and people living with the disease.
This plan lays out a blueprint for expanding research in prevention and treatment and getting the most-promising drugs from discovery into clinical trials. We will also figure out ways to move best practices out of the research journals and into exam rooms as soon as possible.
As we asked for input on the plan, it was crystal clear that our nation couldn’t wait until the strategy became final to start taking action. Thanks to the President’s commitment, work is already underway, including exciting new clinical research projects that may yield breakthroughs in just a few years.
To help those who are dealing with Alzheimer’s today, we have launched a targeted awareness campaign to help people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers find resources that can help them manage the disease.
We’ve launched http://www.Alzheimers.gov, a website that caregivers told us they need. This site is a one-stop shop for information about a range of questions that people helping people with Alzheimer’s often face…” [more on the blog]
BAIN WAS ABOUT MAKING MONEY FOR INVESTORS NOT CREATING JOBS
Romney Backer Defends Bain’s Money Making Mission
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A top surrogate to Mitt Romney said making money — rather than creating jobs — was the primary goal of the presumed Republican Party presidential nominee when he was running Bain Capital LLC, saying he “acted responsibly” as chief executive officer of the private-equity firm.
“The role of private equity as fiduciaries is certainly to make money,” said Tom Stemberg, the founder of Staples Inc. (SPLS), in an interview on Bloomberg Television’s “Political Capital.” Bain also helped businesses grow, so “these things had redeeming social value, in addition to making Mitt and his investors a lot of money.”
Stemberg appeared with a top backer of President Barack Obama, Lawrence Fish, the former chief executive officer of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., who questioned Romney’s record at Bain while recognizing that the private-equity industry plays a positive role in the economy.
“The question about private equity — and this applies to Mitt Romney and his partners — specifically is,” when jobs are eliminated, “whether they have behaved fairly and whether they’ve behaved responsibly. Was fair and complete severance provided to displaced workers? Were their pensions honored?” he said.
There are two types of equity groups. There is venture capitalism, which is basically investing in new companies and not getting involved in the actual management, and vulture capitalism, which is what Bain was. In both cases, the intent is to make money. But in the former, there is also the understaqnding that risk is involved and money can be lost. In vulture capitalism, things are riggexd so there is almost no risk at all to the investors, who take their earnings out of the life of the company, leaving thousands potentially ruined. It should actually be called vampire capitalism.
// The Obama campaign launched a national effort to counteract voter-identification laws on Friday, rolling out a bilingual online portal, Gottavote.org, and a fifty-state system for educating and turning out Obama supporters.
This is an unusually early time for a presidential campaign to focus on voter education, reflecting the concern among Democrats about new challenges to voting access in several key states. “We want to start as early possible,” explained Michael Blake, the campaign’s deputy director of Operation Vote, on a press call announcing the initiative. //
Yup! I knew they weren’t going to stand by and watch the GOP subvert democracy while the MSM distracted with all the “foolishness” of Rev Wright and other such nonsense!
Great news! Thanks for sharing this hopefruit2. Now it’s our turn to step up. The President’s supporters in states that requires all these IDs should focus on helping people get the IDs. We have a window of four to five months to help people get IDs.
Chronicling Mitt’s Mendacity, Vol. XVIII
By Steve Benen – Fri May 18, 2012 2:52 PM EDT.
Back in February, Paul Krugman argued that Mitt Romney is “running a campaign of almost pathological dishonesty.” Was this an intemperate analysis? Perhaps. Three months later, does it seem fair? Put it this way: take a look at the 18th installment of my weekly series, chronicling Mitt’s mendacity.
1. Romney promised in a speech this week, “I will lead us out of this debt and spending inferno.”
Given that his stated agenda would add trillions to the debt, and Romney refuses to say how he’d pay for his tax cuts and increased Defense spending, the claim seems pretty misleading.
2. Romney claimed in the same speech that Obama has “bailed out the public-sector.”
DETROIT (AP) — An attorney claims a judge and two lawyers involved in a long-running dispute over civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks’ estate conspired to drain the estate’s cash.
Attorney Stephen G. Cohen said in court papers Tuesday that Wayne County Probate Judge Freddie Burton Jr. conspired with John Chase Jr. and Melvin Jefferson Jr. to rack up more than $507,000 in mostly unnecessary legal fees. Cohen claims the estate is $88,000 in debt.
Chase and Jefferson’s lawyer Alan May denies any conspiracy. Jefferson told The Detroit News the court action was a “great fabrication.” Burton declined to comment to the Detroit Free Press.
A hearing is May 22.
Parks left almost all her estate to the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute, which Cohen represents. Relatives challenged Parks’ will after her 2005 death.
NEW YORK (AP) — Grammy award-winning singer Chaka Khan will perform a tribute to the late Whitney Houston at the Apollo Theater’s gala and awards ceremony. The historic Harlem theater in New York confirmed Friday that the “I Feel for You” singer will perform in her friend’s memory.
Lionel Richie and the late Etta James will be inducted into the theater’s hall of fame during the June 4 gala. Soul Train creator Don Cornelius and songwriter Nick Ashford will also be honored posthumously. Past inductees include Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin.
Richie’s first Apollo appearance was in the early 1970s. James performed at the Apollo in 1957 and again in the 1960s.
Here is the ‘complete’ job creators video that we really need to push into full circulation. It’s in ‘simple’ language that everyone can understand, and the speaker is an honest and real venture capitalist
Seattle—Nick Hanauer toddled through his early years in a cramped Greenwich Village apartment. His mother waited tables at the Bitter End. His father worked low-level jobs on Wall Street and as an editor at a publishing house. When Nick was 5, his folks left New York to join a family pillow-making business in the Pacific Northwest. They raised their three sons in a three-bedroom house in the suburbs and sent them to public schools. After Nick, the eldest, earned a philosophy degree at the University of Washington, he went to work for his father. In his 30s, he scraped together $45,000 to invest in a small start-up that sought to revolutionize American retail. It was called Amazon.com.
In the last two months, sixteen companies and other institutional supporters of the American Legislative Exchange Council announced that they would part ways with the organization — likely costing the conservative group hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual funding. Similarly, several dozen lawmakers broke ties with ALEC due to a progressive campaign highlighting the organization’s harmful impact on state lawmaking. ALEC drafts and promotes “model” conservative legislation, including bills disenfranchising thousands of student, low-income and minority voters, and the so-called “stand your ground” laws that may shield Trayvon Martin’s killer George Zimmerman from justice.
Today, eleven more state lawmakers announced that they would no longer associate with ALEC. According to an email from the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, the ex-ALEC lawmakers are:
•8 Pennsylvannia legislators (Sen. Lisa Boscola, Sen. Leanna Washington, Sen. Anthony Williams, Rep. Nick Kotik, Rep. Ted Harhai, Rep. William Keller, Rep. Joseph Markosek, Rep. Joseph Petrarca)
•2 Illinois legislators (Rep. Mary Flowers, Rep. Brendan Phelps)
•1 Iowa legislator (Rep. Brian Quirk)
All eleven of these lawmakers are Democrats. In total, 39 Democratic lawmakers have dropped ALEC.
[more in the article]
Got the email from Sarah Jessica Parker, who is hosting the First Lady in her home. You can donate to campaign for a chance to get an invite.
I love Sarah!
Okay Pamela I have voted for your daughter from my kindle fire, my office computer, my home laptop and my cell phone. I’ll hit my husbands laptop when I get home. 🙂
Follow-up: http://www.aclu.org/blog/prisoners-rights/all-dressed-and-no-prison-ceo-debate
Last week, we challenged Damon Hininger, the head of Corrections Corporation of America – the world’s largest for-profit incarceration company – to a debate on the merits of prison privatization. Today, Mother Jones reported that the company is shrinking from the challenge.
We invited Hininger to tell us, in a 90-minute public debate with equal time given to each side, why he thinks we’re wrong to call for the elimination of for-profit incarceration. As we wrote to Hininger: “If you truly believe that private prisons are right for our country, we see no reason why you would be unwilling to defend that position in a public debate.”
These are the views we invited CCA to refute in a public forum:
• Evidence that for-profit prisons save taxpayer money is mixed at best, and privatization cannot fix the nation’s binge spending on incarceration. Indeed, the industry’s business model depends on extracting as much public money as possible by locking up the maximum number of people.
• Private prisons have incentives to maximize profits by cutting corners at the expense of decent conditions and public safety. Empirical research supports the view that private prisons pay correctional officers lower wages, resulting in higher turnover and less experienced staff.
• New prisons, whether public or private, deliver few benefits to local communities.
And here from CCA to answer the challenge, debate these assertions, and expose them as bunk is . . . Well, no one.
A divided panel of judges on the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act – which requires certain states to have changes to their voting laws approved by the Justice Department – on Friday, setting up a likely hearing on the topic before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Congress, the majority ruled, “drew reasonable conclusions from the extensive evidence it gathered and acted pursuant to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, which entrust Congress with ensuring that the right to vote—surely among the most important guarantees of political liberty in the Constitution—is not abridged on account of race. In this context, we owe much deference to the considered judgment of the People’s elected representatives.”
Law school professor Rick Hasen says he expects the case, brought by Shelby County, will end up in the Supreme Court in short order. [more in the article]
President Obama today endorsed California Rep. Pete Stark (D), according to Roll Call:
The 20-term Congressman and Dublin City Councilman Eric Swalwell (D) are likely to advance to the general election in the solidly Democratic 15th district. But Stark’s path to re-election has become less certain in recent weeks after some odd gaffes. Stark has apologized for falsely accusing a San Francisco Chronicle columnist of contributing to Swalwell’s campaign and for claiming that Swalwell had accepted bribes.
Condoleezza Rice won’t be Mitt Romney’s running mate, she said Thursday in Chicago.
Rice firmly opposed rumors about her potential to run alongside the presumptive Republican presidential nominee during a speech to 1,500 at the Executives’ Club of Chicago. “Not going to happen,” she told the audience. “I love policy, I don’t really love politics. … One can do a lot with policy not in Washington.”
Last month CNN pollsters asked Republican voters their opinions on seven rumored VP candidates. Rice led the poll with 26 percent of those surveyed preferring her. Rice has denied any interest in the position since her name emerged.
The former Secretary of State was invited to the Chicago luncheon to speak about her stance on foreign and domestic economic crises. During the presentation she touched on Russia’s lack of cohesion in the European financial agenda, political instability in the Middle East, and even domestic education issues.
GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney took some time, in an interview with National Review published Thursday, to praise Hewlett-Packard chief executive Meg Whitman, who lost her 2010 bid to become governor of California. If Whitman, a Republican, had defeated Democrat Jerry Brown, Romney argued, California’s finances wouldn’t be in such dire shape now and an $8.5 billion tax hike wouldn’t be on the table:
The governor [Brown] is taking them in the wrong direction. I wish Californians had elected Meg Whitman. She would have been more successful and explained to Californians the need to cut back on spending and eliminate unnecessary programs. There are other states that have very different records. I think it’s interesting that the state with the highest or among the highest tax rates in the nation also has the worst or near the worst deficit.
Romney, like Whitman, has contended that his successful record in the private sector means he would know how to increase employment and balance the books while in high public office. But given all the talk of jobs losses and offshoring in this campaign, his praise for former eBay CEO Whitman’s cost-cutting chops came at a less-than-fortuitous time. The same day Romney’s National Review interview ran, The New York Times reported that Whitman plans on slashing at least 30,000 jobs at HP next week through layoffs and early retirement, while likely sparing its presumably cheaper work force in China:
I’ve never heard of Presidential candidates dissing sitting governors like this. It might have happened, but I’ve never heard of it. What’s also crass about this is that Romney is clearly ruled by money. Instead of concern for those about to be laid off, Romney just sees dollar signs, deficits. He doesn’t compare California to those states with the lowest job growth or lowest education and health scores – mainly found in the South. He could care less about the fact that Gov. Brown took over the state of California from a Republican governor, who ran it further into the ground. Just dollars and sense and meaningless attacks. He’s horrible.
I loved the example that no matter how rich someone is they can’t but 3,000 tv ‘s (not sure it was tv ‘s but something similar) but 3,000 people with jobs will create demand for 3,000 tv ‘s.
Italy dedicates 1,400-year-old olive tree to Michelle Obama
A province in southern Italy has dedicated a 1,400-year-old olive tree known as “The Queen” to US First Lady Michelle Obama because of her commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles.
Lecce province in the farming region of Apulia said that the roughly 100 litres (26 gallons) of extra-virgin olive oil made from the fruits of the giant tree would be sent to the White House every year starting this fall.
On the tarmac, David Beckham used a London 2012 torch to take the flame from the transportation lantern and lit a cauldron to celebrate its arrival on UK soil. [Photo included? Yesss! You’re welcome!]
🙂
—————————
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) hosted its annual Food Policy Conference in Washington on Friday.
The conference focused on two pieces of legislation, the Food Safety Modernization Act along with the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act. President Obama signed the Food Safety Modernization Act in January 2011. The bills shift the focus of federal food regulators for from responding to food contamination to preventing it.
In the keynote address, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deputy Food Commissioner Michael Taylor said the FDA is out to give the public the “best bang for the buck.” He made the comment in response to questions on the Food Safety Modernization Act.
He also stressed that the new rules are only one piece of the puzzle. Adding that “the FDA is fundamentally changing the way it approaches food safety.” Later in the day, officials from a variety of federal food agencies held a panel discussion on key nutrition initiatives
The Senate’s filibuster rule (Rule XXII) was designed to encourage full and careful debate, preventing the majority from steamrolling bills into law. In practice, the rule allows a minority – just 41 of the 100 senators — to stifle debate, not just slowing down the majority but blocking it altogether.
Once a rarely used maneuver to allow extended debate, the filibuster is now routinely used to block debate on hundreds of critical issues and nominations. Federal action on the major issues of the day – from tackling the student loan debt crisis, to revitalizing the economy, to requiring disclosure of campaign spending and filling court vacancies – being held up in the U.S. Senate by a filibuster rule that is unconstitutional and was never contemplated by the nation’s founders.
Common Cause believes filibuster abuse is a big reason why most Americans are frustrated with Congress and believe that the “government no longer works” for average citizens. Common Cause has filed a lawsuit charging that the Senate’s filibuster rule violates the core American principle of majority rule that lies at the heart of the U.S. Constitution.
These people are unbelievable! This is how Romney plans to run foreign affairs? By insulting people/countries? I thought Cameron was rolling out the red carpet for Romney, his fellow Conservative. Why is Romney now insulting the whole country? And are world leaders supposed to trash the President simply because his opposition is crazy and racist? I’m sure they are simply trying to ensure that Cameron will be effusive in his praise of Romney when he goes out there, to ensure “equal footing” – it won’t hide the fact that Romney is a greedy, ignorant, empty bugger who has no business trying to determine the fate of the world. It’s insulting that he thinks he can. It’s like these GOP really don’t realize that the whole world is watching, not just the yahoos in their base.
Are they serious? They are a laughing stock, a gossip house. From the article:
“Criticism from Romney’s camp is unusual. It prides itself on being extremely disciplined, careful in its dealings with the press, and averse to controversy.”
Oh, thank you Donna. I love Maria Shriver. (Plus, she’s the one who brought the Hopi “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for” to the ’08 Obama campaign, which I’ll never forget. Started crying when she read it out at the one event.)
Chgo Trib reports the smallest crowd ever for the city series at Wrigley today for the Cubs/White Sox game. Included in the story was the rumor that PBO would be attending a Cubs game this weekend. hmmmm. Wonder if that plan is on hold now—–or not.
I wish POTUS would show up there. POTUS like the White Sox, FLOTUS like the Cubs, because that was her father favorite team. You don’t think they would boo him like some of those idiots at the Red Sox game did.
I don’t want PBO doing anything that would put $ in that Ricketts jerk’s pocket.
No PBO ticket sales or tv ratings bump for you, Ricketts. And no taxpayer-funded stadium for you either.
Facebook Will Avoid Paying $16 Billion In Taxes After Going Public |
As ThinkProgress has noted, Facebook’s initial public offering will help both CEO Mark Zuckerberg and the company itself avoid billions of dollars in taxes. With Facebook’s offering now in the books, as Bloomberg’s Paula Dwyer wrote, the company is set to officially save $16 billion in taxes by deducting the cost of stock options granted to owners and employees.
“The tax windfall will be the largest ever claimed by a company for stock option awards,” Dwyer wrote. “Facebook is an American success story. Its ability to use a stock option loophole to zero out its U.S. tax bill, despite ample profits, makes no sense. It also isn’t fair to the rest of American taxpayers who will have to pay more because Facebook pays nothing,” said Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI).
The Democratic National Committee is aggressively pushing back against the idea that it is not doing enough to help the effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker in Wisconsin, insisting that the party is marshalling its considerable grassroots and turnout operation to aid Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
The DNC has directed $1.4 million to Wisconsin so far in the 2012 cycle with $800,000 of that coming since November, according to figures provided to the Fix. Nearly a quarter million of those dollars have been directed to the state party.
I am getting emails everyday from the Dem Gov Assoc asking for funds to support this recall campaign. They are doing their part.
This was the latest request:
Donna,
We have to make the call on our TV ad buy before 5 p.m. today. According to the clock on my wall, that’s 6 hours away — and we’re still $11,028 short of what we need to keep the ad running.
It’s resonating. It’s working. And we’ll put every dollar we get behind it. Every single dollar will go to defeating Scott Walker in Wisconsin.
He has been an unmitigated disaster. Fortunately, on June 5, we can be done with him for good.
Winning or losing is decided in moments like this. Will you give right now so we can keep our group’s ad on the air and fight back against Walker’s lies?
Donate $20 or more to the DGA right now so we can defeat Walker and elect Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett as Wisconsin’s new governor.
Thank you for all that you do.
Mark Giangreco
Deputy Communications Director
Democratic Governors Association
P.S. This isn’t just about defeating Walker. It’s also about replacing him with a Democratic governor who will lead us forward on jobs and education. Click here to help us out by giving whatever you can
I just don’t get how 3 polls were taken this week and walker is ahead by 5-9 points.
This is mind boggling.
Why get a recall if you are going to vote for Walker?
And walkers approval rating is 50% +. Madness!
Also, the democratic primary soured the Union voters. 4 in 10 union voters now support walker.
Me thinks, as a result, Barrett is the wrong Guy.
Methodology is in question using traditional voting patterns. It was why even a decent pollster like ppp was way off on the WI primary.
However, repubs are VERY motivated for the election and we need to work extra hard. It will all be about turnout and repubs in WI have a good ground game a d Walker has been running ads for a year and a half.
Yes – that statement, and the expression on his face, should have been looped even more than the Rev Wright nonsense, since Rev Wright isn’t running for President, and never has, but Romney’s signature will create laws that will require action by the Supreme Court to overturn (which will be stacked with Republican loons).
I’m watching Tweety right now and I’m about to tear my hair out. He opens with Rev Wright. I like David Corn, but Eugene Robinson annoys me to no end.
I caught the tail end of Tweety’s “Let Me Finish” on the early broadcast. It’s really good. His disdain for Romney is so obvious. Anyway, he calls Romney a W-Dittohead. I cracked up. It was hilarious. He was basically saying that Romney is the same as Bush. His agenda will be no taxes, no regulations, stay out of my way so I can do what I want to do. A free for all. We all know what that got us.
Thanks LH. I confess Eugene is one guest i have never been able to listen to, even when I used to watch Rachael faithfully. I found his manner and voice quite irritating, and he never seemed to add anything to the discussion so I muted him all the time. If OUR guys ever started to be fair and balanced in the real sense we’d get very, very little, if any, repub faces in our programming.
This is just a horrible story—-14yr. old kid attending a military school in Kansas breaks leg under hazy but obviously horrific circumstances on first day at school, breaks the other leg on 3rd day at school. Instructors then demand that he stand on his broken legs as he cries out in pain, and other cadets laugh, then drag him away and kick and beat him. Parents are suing and so have other past parents. Kansas authorities refuse to file charges. The problem is that the demand that he stand on broken legs was caught on cell phone video. And for this the parents are paying $30,000/yr. The most vile case of bullying by adults. What is wrong with people? http://globegazette.com/news/national/apnewsbreak-video-depicts-alleged-abuse-at-school/article_de08ea3c-1916-50ad-88b9-bb73e613176e.html
In Virginia, Gov. Bob McDonnell runs TV ads hailing the state’s business growth. Ohio Gov. John Kasich tells anyone who will listen that 100,000 jobs have been created or retained on his watch. And Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder promotes a state budget that’s on solid ground for the first time in a decade.
All that optimism from Republican governors in key presidential election battlegrounds conflicts with the pessimistic message that Mitt Romney is spreading. The GOP presidential candidate is focused on the nation’s fragile economic rebound as he works to persuade Americans to dump President Barack Obama.
Michigan’s economy is getting better because Snyder was not stupid enough to reject stimulus money, and President Obama saved the car companies. All Snyder did was destroy our public education system, draining every extra drop of revenue and transfer it to his corporation cronies.
Our President will be meeting the G8 leaders at ~ 7:30PM this evening at Camp David. I don’t see it anywere on CSPAN or CNN, but it’s will be livestreamed here
Found this on Jack and Jill Politics (Go Rikyah!). You gotta listen to this young girl from Canada about the banking system. I want to adopt her, really!
12-Year Old Child Reveals One of the Best Kept Secrets in the World
Ooooppsssssie Doodle. Romney not having such a chipper day:
Mitt Romney chides stimulus spending at N.H. ‘bridge to nowhere’
[snip]
As Romney spoke, protesters stationed across the road at the outdoor event taunted him by chanting “Obama! Obama! Obama!” throughout the speech — a distraction that may have led Romney to keep his speech very short. (It clocked in at under eight minutes).
What were they thinking? In their haste to criticize the stimulus they have only brought more attention to the good it did all across New Hampshire. And I can’t wait to see the response to this in an ad. They are just making it too easy. The ads write themselves. As Steve Benen so aptly said today these guys are looking like amateurs. And don’t get me started with Romney’s first day on the job ad. He’s going to increase the debt, jeopardize the environment and throw people off of healthcare on his first day in office. Brilliant.
Undermining the ‘competence’ theme
———————————-
This guy really needs a new research team.
Last month, Romney blamed President Obama for a closed drywall plant in Ohio, but the facility was shut down during the Bush era. This week, the Romney campaign released a video showing a closed Electrolux plant in Iowa, but the company has added more American jobs than it had lost.
Then it released a video of a steel plant that benefited in part from an investment by Bain Capital, but which thrived thanks to government assistance Romney opposes. Now it’s new evidence of wasteful spending that isn’t an example of wasteful spending.
These are amateurish unforced errors that undermine the “competence” theme the campaign is so fond of.
// HILLSBOROUGH, N.H. — Mitt Romney rounded out a week focused on what he views as overspending by the federal government with a critique of President Obama’s stimulus program during a speech in front of what opponents call New Hampshire’s “bridge to nowhere.”
As Romney spoke, protesters stationed across the road at the outdoor event taunted him by chanting “Obama! Obama! Obama!” throughout the speech — a distraction that may have led Romney to keep his speech very short. (It clocked in at under eight minutes). //
While I love that someone shut Romney up (he should be fined for his lies – I can’t stand listening to his voice or anything he says), I’m hoping the right don’t start doing that to President Obama. It seems that apart from Joe “you lie!” Wilson, the only people who have heckled President Obama are people from the left. I’d hate to see that change to include the unruly ones from the right.
For all you know, they may have planted folks in the past, but PBO’s crowds are typically too large for any effect like this. Furthermore the security is so tight for PBO that protesters are usually kept quite a distance.
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
Delicious! 🙂
Yu and me!
Hee! YOU, first, let’s roll!
Good morning, Pamela!
No explanation for how that happened, just delighted to be here… waaaaaayyyyyyy upthread, with you! Maybe I’ll post the link now:http://www.the-french-job.com/videos.php?show=4fb253e3f01c9 I love my iPad!
I voted.
Thank you thank you thank you! Remember you can vote from more than one device, but only once from each device, that is not considered unfair! It’s looking good for Denea to move into the final selection process, where she gets a chance to demonstrate why she is the best pick for the job. She did a podcast interview with a group of fresh water divers in the Mid-west, who explore for wrecks in the Great Lakes region… It was very interesting, there might be a link on the rabbit earth blog.
I will vote again when I get home.
Yes. She. WILL! 🙂
Just voted! 🙂
Rockin’ it! Thank you CTGirl!
Congratulations Denea has moved up to 3rd, come one people we can do this for our Pamela (and Denea).
And with deep thanks from us both! having never been to the French Riviera, I would sh*t myself if I had to go there, but my girl will make it look like a ballet recital, she is so graceful and talented! Anyway, I need to get moving here, have some errands to do before work! Have a good one, back later!
I’ve voted from 4 different devices. 🙂
Go Dudette! I did too, tho have only 3 devices! Am handing out sticky notes with the blog address today…. Fired up! Can any of us imagine diving on the French Riviera, at the tender age of 25? I am in awe!
😉 See you all later.
{{{{{{{{{{{{Chipsticks}}}}}}}}}}}}}. Do we think this is the 10,000,000 day? It could be, you know, and if it is, there’s a PAR-TAY on at my house! Cheesy puffs for one and all! 😆
I bet we get to 10M by the Memorial day weekend.
Today is the day, 20,000 to go. Within 5 hours. However, Pamela, Chips already agreed to skip the Cheesy Puffs.
She may have agreed to that, but I haven’t! 😆
May I have the cheese without the puffs? Those can be a little too salty.
Well, to honor everything happening here, as well as all the hits on TOD, I picked up a bag of cheesy puffs today at Trader Joe’s, will confess there have been no cheesy puffs in our house since Denea left home, and pleased to report I had the option of buying LOW FAT ones, so of course did that. Does low fat count in cheesy puffs? Hope so, now, do I dare to eat them?
Does anyone know where you can get the relative sizes of other sites? Is there a link to a blog stats sites that anyone knows?
I think we will definitely hit 10M by this weekend. I just contributed my 10$. 🙂
I think it is just so tender how much we miss you when you go away from us for a while.
Good leadership. the best. xoxo
Agree. We are lucky!
What a nice way to soothe your previous viewing frustrations, Symmetry! Way to go! 😆
Hey you, Pamela, I was answering you while you sneaked off to come hold Symmetry’s hand! You deserter you, you could at least have yanked me along with you!
Amk, that Bombay sapphire has me veeeerrrrry worried….
Ps: do you get the feeling Chips is watching you, somehow, in her mysterious way?
I know, shes watching us from the two “a’s” in Obama….. 🙂 🙂 🙂
AhHa! So, that is the secret window… Very clever, Our Chipsticks! She knows us well, good thing she loves us too! Byeeeeeeee!
I just go out to get my daughter from her class and all hell breaks loose and I am on a watch-list ?
A thimble full of Bombay Sapphire has never hurt anybody.
Of course, my measure of thimble might differ from what is commonly accepted.
What’s a watch-list, amk?
Had to log in again. Deleted my Facebook. I have to take a stand somewhere.
Hi Proud!
Why? What did I miss? And yes, I have to keep refreshing screen every few seconds.:roll:
Good morning/almost afternoon TOD.
Seems as though, after receiving the benefits of coming to America and receiving benefits here, the co-founder of FACEBOOK, Eduardo Saverin renounced his U.S. citizenship and is living in Singapore. Evidently the billionaire doesn’t want to pay taxes. It is my understanding that he owes the government millions of $$$ made prior to renouncing his citizenship and intends to pay that. However, he will no longer give the USA government a dime after renouncing his citizenship.
Thanks Sabreen, I did know this, but I would never have thought of protesting against FB as a result. I just thought he was a user. and forgot about him. That’s one of the good things about being a member of a community – you get exposed to ideas that on your own might not have occurred to you.
So, if this is going to be a major statement, I AM IN! kinda fed up with FB in the past few months anyway….. There are ways to speak to shiesters. Our voices can be very loud.
Biden is on span 2!
Hi Jovie!
Hey there!
Greetings from Las Vegas! Great news from NV….unemployment has gone from 12″% to 11.7%…do u think Mittens will take credit for it? 😉 Also great news from the Silver State…republicans are imploding over Ron Paul supporters hijacking their convention and winning the majority of the delegates. PBO CAN win NV!! Never give up!
GM Kari! Yes! to those RP fools making a mess for the GOP!
The Democratic National Committee has launched a new attack on Mitt Romney over his work at Bain Capital.
In a two-minute video titled “The Bane of Romney’s Existence,” the DNC chronicles media coverage of Bain Capital interspersed with clips of David Axelrod and Joe Biden criticizing the Republican candidate.
The video comes directs viewers to the Obama campaign’s “Romney Economics” website for more Bain-themed attacks, featuring a map with state-by-state summaries of the alleged harm done by Romney’s former firm.
The attacks are meant to serve as a counterweight to the Romney campaign’s release of its first general-election television spot Friday, a 30-second ad titled “Day 1.”
http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/05/dnc-goes-statebystate-in-bain-attack-123849.html
But but but we are not allowed to talk about Bain.
Well corporations are people. Mittens is Bain. Therefore, to criticize a corporation is character assassination. Duh, Jovie.
57, when mentioned to you yesterday how much easier it is to think like a Republican, I didn’t realize you’d be so good at it. Stop it; you’re scaring me. 😉
The better to defeat the Evildoers, my friend! But maybe that’s why I have a migraine today. Hmmmm……..
I watched the video. Am I the only one who thinks the last reporter to speak from St Petersburg looks like George Clooney. Come on–If I was in his viewer area I would buy a TV. OMG!
Check out this video on YouTube:
“The Bane of Romney Existence”
Didn’t Romney say he love to fire people? He sure fired enough of them, while he and his buddies walked away filthy rich.
Great Ad. It has other people exposing the dismal business record of Romney and the lie that he created jobs.
I wonder how many there are out there buying up companies and driving them into the ground like Romney Bain? I hope they’re getting scared. to. death!
Looking good, Mr. President. Show him love, DC!
Oil under $92/barrel. Gas prices are going down. This will help the economy. Republicans are trying to figure out how to jack the prices up again, I am sure.
In my area, gas is about 50 cents/gallon cheaper than it was just a few weeks ago. Keeping my fingers crossed that it will stay down over the summer.
I heard this morning the president was releasing fuel from the reserves into the market to reduce prices for the memorial day weekend when prices usually spike up. Here in California where they are reducing refineries prices are still climbing.
We are not so lucky here in San Diego. Gas prices are still quite high, between $4.30 and $4.60 a gallon.
Kathy Griffin Scolds Elisabeth Hasselback Over Obama Question: ‘Take It Down A Notch, B*tch!’ 9:19 am, May 18th, 2012
During a segment on Bravo’s Kathy on Thursday, Kathy Griffin tore into Elisabeth Hasselbeck‘s critical question to President Obama on The View about gay marriage, where Hasselback asked the president how he would “move things forward any more than Mitt Romney.”
With Hasselback’s “attitude to the president, who was a Harvard Law professor, I’m, like, take it down a notch, bitch,” Griffin said. More here: http://www.mediaite.com/tv/kathy-griffin-scolds-elisabeth-hasselback-over-obama-question-take-it-down-a-notch-btch/
But, but but Rev Wright…
Hi Hon! Are you on twitter? If so, what’s your handle?
Hi, Hachikō, How are you doing up in Maine? How is spring up there? Alan’s digging up and repairing irrigation pipes. Thank the Rain Goddess this morning it was pouring gently down. Our flower beds and lawns were really, really dry.
Hi Joan! Tucker and I are doing well. I’m trying to get us into Portland, because it’s so isolated where I am. Spring is lovely here except for the bugs. My goodness. They make being outside almost unbearable.
So glad you got some much-needed rain! Enjoy your garden and the spring! 🙂
Hey there – I’m @aspirational12 🙂
So that’s you! 🙂 I love your tweets. Thanks for following and for posting mine here. 🙂
Did you see Letterman last night? Conan O’Brien was on, and he was talking about performing at Christmas in Washington last year for President Obama and he told a hilarious story about his son meeting PBO. Here’s the video http://stillmyhungerturnstogreed.tumblr.com/post/23291646022/hilarious-conan-obrien-talks-to-david-letterman
that was hilarious, thanks 🙂
That’s for posting that, Squarepeg…hysterical!! 🙂
Too cute!
By the way, I couldn’t get the tumblr video clip to work, but I found this one:
In case anyone is interested in the Rubios—–sure sounds like they expect and/or are preparing for a VP pick
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/a-candid-interview-with-marco-and-jeanette-rubio/1230774
I was born and raised in Miami, the politics down there are to put in kindly, third world banana republic style. If you ain’t grifting you ain’t trying. In other cities you get praised for trying to make your citizens life better, in Miami you get praised by how long you can serve without being indicted. Rubio had better hope getting vetted is outlawed by the time he runs in 2016.
Sounds like ex mayor Daley in Chicago!
So, Don, is he going to be Mittens’ running mate?
Top of the morning all you O’s!!! What a greeeaaat getting up morning again TODdies!!!! Happy BD tomorrow PRETTYFOOT58!! I read what your granddaughter asked you on the last thread LOL!!. My BD is 6/9, last night my grandson asked me how old I’ll be. I told him 63, after which he announced, “then I will stop calling you Ganna. I will call you something that won’t make you sound as old as you really are, like by your first name”. I’m like, “Ummm, no…but thanks for trying to keep me young”
That’s so sweet.
yes, it was thoughtful of him. I must admit though, I did actually consider his suggestion (just kidding of course).
So sweet. A little 7-y/o girl who’s my “honorary” granddaughter told me once that she saw a neighborhood “granny girl – a girl with grey hair” walking a dog down our street. And, after I called her 35-y/o mom the term of endearment, “girlie girl,” one day, which apparently she didn’t appreciate, who knew, she told me she thought she’d start calling me “old lady lady,” as a … you know … joke. This is all good, when you have decisions to make. So, bottom line, I’m going back to auburn with dark highlights next week, methinks.
I remember browbeating my mother to keep her beautiful salt and pepper hair and not dye it.
Yeah. Until I got my first gray hairs. It’s mahogany auburn for me.
Yeah. Funny how people in their 30s have also told me they really “love” the wonderful silvery streaks in my hair, in the front (it’s dark everywhere else; kind of like mother nature’s idea of a freakin’ joke), and that they’d “pay” to have that done. But I think it’s time for me to pay to have it undone!
hahahah…i just love them,,,,cook….
Does anyone know if it’s true the millions were withdrawn from TD Ameritrade yesterday?
Million were withdrawn from Greek Banks.
LOL. You’re cruel jovie.
I don’t know if it’s true but TD Ameritrade has been catching hell the last 24 to 36 hours. Why the owner of Ameritrade would get involved with Romney and Rove is beyond me, and to top it off Rahm Emanuel refuses to answer any of Ricketts phone calls. Ricketts is shitting bricks right about now seeing was they want the city of Chicago to kick in one hundred million in tax breaks to fix up Wrigley Field.
In “socialist” Europe, team owners are on the hook for any stadium improvements or the building of a new stadium. And there’s no profit sharing in European professional sporting leagues, like there is in every US league. Who are the real socialists?
I’m not from Chicago, but if that Ricketts guy is a billionaire, why don’t he pay to fix up Wriggly Field?
He’d rather spend his billions instigating vicious and hateful stories in the media about PBO….and paying the pundiots on corporate cable to spew GOP anti-Obama propaganda to the masses.
On the Up with Chris Hayes blog, there’s a request –” Have you pulled your money from TD Ameritrade? Send us your stories.” So evidently, it’s going on. The piece on Chris’ blog was written by Sal Gentile
–
Fri May 18, 2012 9:56 AM MDT
I knew all the Chicago stuff — I live in Chicago. I had heard though that people were withdrawing their accounts from Ameritrade and I wanted to know if it was true.
I, for one, will be furious if tax dollars are used for Wrigley Field. Wrigley packs in the people, no matter how bad the team is or what the difficulties are in getting to the game. Tearing down longstanding buildings for parking isn’t going to bring more people to Wrigley; it’s going to make more money for the Ricketts family. There is no advantage to the city except renovation employment, which will happen whether it’s paid for by the taxpayer or the asshole billionaire and his cronies. I am sick of welfare for the rich.
I understand the line that Emanuel has to walk. When he got elected I told my husband that he will do things we will love and he will do things that we hate. That has borne out to be true. I get the complexity of balance in running this city.
But I have seen city sticker fees for our cars skyrocket and other fees and sales tax. I have not seen a push for a sales tax on trades at the Board of Trade but mental health facilities are being closed. I would like to see the people who have not had a moment’s discomfort throughout the recession of their making, make one single adjustment to help this town. Just threats to leave, and support for Romney even though PBO bailed out their asses and got precious nothing in return.
You don’t think there is a conspiracy between the media and the pols? In Milwaukee, the Journa’s first headline was “State loses 6,200 private sector jobs in April”.
Scott Walker didn’t like it.
The Journal changed it to:
“Controversial Survey shows estimated April job losses of 6,200”.
Scott Walker didn’t like that one either, so it became:
“Disputed survey shows estimated April Job losses of 6,200”.
http://www.uppitywis.org/blogarticle/journal-sentinel-changed-headline-and-first-paragraph-following
Totally ridiculous. They (GOP & media) have made a mockery of every trusted institution in this country.
For those of you who are in DC or will be in DC tomorrow (Saturday), and have kids, this is a fun event. And if you don’t have kids, just go ahead & borrow one or two for a couple of hours! Adult companions are free.
Corcoran Gallery
Painting the Sun
May 19, 2012 from 10:30 a.m. – noon
Family Workshop
Ages 8-12
Discover how artists depict the effects of the sun without actually showing the sun through various methods like shadow and color manipulation. In the galleries, families study the sunlit work of old masters and sketch their own shadowed landscapes. Afterwards, participants head into the studio to perfect their works.
All workshops are $8 per child, Corcoran members at the family level and above and $10 per child, public. Adult companions do not need to purchase a ticket for the workshop and re-entry to the collection after the workshop is permitted.
https://getinvolved.corcoran.org/paintingthesun
teh crazy in Az never seems to stop. Now sos has gone birther.
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/arizona_ken_bennett_obama_birth_certificate_birther.php
Moneyquote
In the weeks since then, Bennett said, Hawaii officials have forced him to provide proof that he is who he says he is. They asked him to send them copies of the Arizona laws that prove the secretary of state really is the person in charge of handling the ballots.
Way to go HI. Treat these birther nutjobs with their own medicine.
As I mentioned on the thread about this at BJ, they must really be afraid that PBO is going to win AZ. If they kept him off the ballot, it would drive up the GOTV eve3rywhere else and he would probably win AZ through a write-in campaign. I am sure he will be on the ballot, but just this story may put him over the top in AZ.
Even if they keep him, the duly elected President of the United States, off the ballot, can’t people just write in his name? This is the most undemocratic, crazy nonsense ever!
I know that all this birther B.S. is not about Barack Obama being born in the United States or not. It is about the color of Barack Obama’s skin. Barack Obama is a black man and they don’t like that we have a black man as President.
Yup. They are the real black hearts. Let’s see if this nutjob has the real balls to carry out his threat. The courts will smack him down and will probably strip of him of his post.
He’s the Secretary of State and he’s trying to throw an election? Wow, AZ is a real hive of anti-American rage.
I may be wrong (and someone can correct me), but when you cast a ballot for President, you are in fact casting a ballot for the ‘electors’ in the ‘electoral college’ who pledged their support of PBO, who then votes for President Obama.
That’s how I understood it to work, AT.
This is hilarious Conan Obrien talking abt his son meeting the president.
When we take about quality of life issues, please remember our seniors…they need us to fight for them.
Wall Photos
LETTER FROM A MOTHER TO A DAUGHTER
“My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”… Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way… remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day… the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad… just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you… my darling daughter.
By: 5z1 Production Ecclesia
This is lovely, and an important reminder.
the President looks mighty good!!!
Good Morning TOD family
War FOR Women: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Protects Mothers-To-Be
http://www.whatisworking.com/2012/05/war-for-women-pregnant-workers-fairness.html
This is what we need more of.
These congressional reps should be getting some virtual hugs from their constituents AND us:
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, introduced by Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Susan Davis (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA), would “ensure that pregnant women are not forced out of jobs unnecessarily or denied reasonable job modifications that would allow them to continue working,”
CFPB takes on “for profit” student loan program
http://www.whatisworking.com/2012/05/cfpb-takes-on-for-profit-student-loan.html
go Richard Cordray
Tweeted both,wiw.
That’s what the banks were afraid off – a STRONG advocate for consumers.
Oh yeah!
I am still trying to recuperate and make progress on my recent knee replacement surgery. This last week has been hard as my Mom fell and has been in the hospital and now a skilled nursing center. I feel relieved she is getting good help but it involves long hours in keeping her company as she has very short term memory. Therefore I have not been here much and have only had time to read the emailed headings.
I received a most unwelcomed gift in the mail a few days ago and have been puzzling how my name was on their list. Wondered if the Romney campaign sent any other OFA member a signed photo with thanks of support? I have in no way supported them. I did get a questionaire from the GOP earlier in the year. I wondered then why I got it. I filled out the answers all in a snarky, mean voice such as I would never vote for any GOP again. I wrote in or checked all the opposite boxes of their plans or added nasty comments then sent it in with no postage so they had to pay for it. I have also sent in completely empty envelopes with no postage. Guess I should just toss them as they think all those nasty things said mean I am a supporter. Did anyone else get a photo of Romney with thanks for supporting him? Guess I will cut off the part about supporting him and include it in my Obama album for who PBO ran against or use it for a dart board.
OG, I hope your healing goes quickly. Glad to hear that your mom is getting the care she needs. We just placed a cousin with advanced
Alzheimers in an assisted care facility too. It’s been tough, but we know it was the right thing for her given that she requires 24×7 care. Luckily she likes the other patients and the staff there and it’s less than 5 miles away. She seems happy and well-care for, which is truly a blessing.
Can’t say I’ve received any Romney materials, but I like your dart board idea!! 😀
Press On!
This is one of the slowest news days, of his Presidency…
No good news, only Rev Wright as News.
Meh!
Iit may be slow for the MSM and “pundits” but the President is working and getting results…important meetings with world leaders.
I’m glad all this Rev. Wright stuff and various other stupidities have come out now…..they are all nine-day wonders, and disappear. I know this Rev. Wright stuff was meant to blast forth during the convention, but the effect is over now. Let the pundits and talking heads yammer on today. They should be going to Chicago for the NATO summit for real news. He is always working where the MSM can’t see him, so they just make stuff up and fill time. Yawn!
Plenty of news jovie, hun — scroll down. 🙂
Jovie, I run around sthe house hollering Fired up! and want my daughter to holler back “ready to go!” All she does is say in that don’t care tone .. “Meh”.. and shrug her shoulders. She thinks it’s no use getting excited becaue the President is going to win.
REPUBLICANS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR POLITICAL DYSFUNCTION AND SO IS THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA
REPORT: Who? Media Turns Its Back On Experts Who Blame GOP For Political Gridlock
————————————————
Thomas E. Mann, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Norman J. Ornstein, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, are well-respected centrist congressional experts who are often cited by the media. But their recent conclusion that Republicans are responsible for political dysfunction — laid out in an April 29 Washington Post op-ed and their recently released book — has been largely ignored, with the top five national newspapers writing a total of zero news articles on their thesis.
————————————————-
http://mediamatters.org/research/201205180007
Watch the G8 Summit Live This Weekend from Camp David
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/05/18/watch-g8-summit-live-weekend-camp-david
This weekend, the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Russia will join President Obama at Camp David. The G8 is a gathering of eight of the world’s leading economies, which meets annually. This will be the first meeting in the United States since 2004, and it will be the largest gathering of world leaders ever to assemble at Camp David.
Their agenda for this weekend includes talks on growing the world economy, the nuclear situations in Iran and North Korea, and energy and climate issues. We’ll broadcasting a number of events from the weekend live on WhiteHouse.gov. Check out the schedule below:
Tonight at 7:40 PM – The Leaders Greeting
Saturday at 10:45 AM – The Family Photo
Saturday at 5:45 PM – A Statement from President Obama
I’m so excited!
AWESOME!! Thanks, Dudette!!
Dang… missed this!! Did anyone catch it?
White House Office Hours: Let’s Move! with Sam Kass
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/05/17/white-house-office-hours-lets-move-sam-kass
This has been an exciting week for Let’s Move! On Monday, First Lady Michelle Obama joined Team USA to announce new programs that will help connect more than 1.7 million kids with athletic opportunities in their communities.
Today, we launched a new section on LetsMove.gov dedicated to helping schools, communities and families start their own gardens. Find out how you can get started on a garden of your own with checklists for schools, communities and kitchens.
Do you have questions about the Let’s Move! initiative or how to get your garden growing this spring?
On Friday, May 18th at 1:00 pm ET, we’re holding a special session of White House Office Hours with Sam Kass, White House Chef and Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives, to answer your questions on Twitter.
Join Sam for Office Hours at 1:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 18th. Here’s how it works:
•Ask your question on Twitter with the hashtag #WHChat
•Sam Kass, Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives, responds to your questions in real-time via Twitter from @LetsMove
•Follow the Q&A through the @WHLive or @LetsMoveTwitter accounts
•If you miss the live event, the full Q&A will be posted on LetsMove.gov and Storify.com/LetsMove
They were on Jennifer Granholm last night……
http://current.com/shows/the-war-room/videos/money-equals-speech-billionaires-and-corporations-drown-everything-out
oops….this is in response to Ladyhawke
Good Afternoon TOD and Happy Friday!
Unemployment rates fall in two-thirds of US states
By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER, AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Unemployment rates fell in two-thirds of U.S. states last month, evidence that modest economic growth is boosting hiring in most areas of the country.
And in many states, unemployment has fallen well below the national average, which was 8.1 percent last month. Rates were lower than 7 percent in 22 states in April. That compares to only 13 states in April 2011.
The Labor Department said Friday that unemployment rates dropped in 37 states in April, the most in three months. Unemployment rose in 5 states and was unchanged in eight.
http://democratsforprogress.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=15691
Good stuff! Thanks donna!
From CSPAN — Today’s Food Security Summit Keynote Address by President Barack Obama
VIDEO OF REMARKS FROM BONO AND THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS ARE HERE:
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Conference-Looks-at-Global-Agriculture-and-Food-Security/10737430797/
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ Global Agricultural Development Initiative holds a symposium on global agriculture and food security “Beyond L’Aquila: Advancing Food Security at the 2012 G-8 Summit.” President Obama delivers the opening keynote to the Symposium. Bono spoke about his aid organizations and about the proper use of resources already in Africa.
Later Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will speak at the symposium.
According to the White House, with the G8 summit set to begin Friday night, “the President’s remarks will highlight the G-8’s efforts to promote food security, improve nutrition and alleviate poverty.”
—————-
CSPAN Coverage of the Conference Resumes at 4PM Eastern
CSPAN Video of PBO’s meeting with French President Francois Hollande
http://www.c-span.org/Events/G8-and-NATO-Summits-Bring-World-Leaders-to-US/10737430808/
Some photos:
http://www.daylife.com/photo/01rvdfI77A9ow?__site=daylife&q=obama
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0c9z0oFbtbcSQ?__site=daylife&q=obama
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0eN19OA79U4Lq?__site=daylife&q=obama
A BRIDGE TO A PARK?
This has to be what sheer desperation looks like. Apparently, Mitt Romney will use the backdrop of an historic restored bridge (see before and after pictures in the link below) in New Hampshire to mock stimulus funding. The bridge actually looks beautiful. There’s water running under the bridge. And it looks like a structure the town would be very proud of. My guess is that the Romney campaign didn’t think this one through. All they are doing to drawing more attention to the stimulus benefits and the growth charts at whitehouse.gov. The stimulus money used for the restoration of the bridge created jobs. What’s wrong with that?
Mitt Romney heads to New Hampshire to blast historic bridge renovation project funded by stimulus
—————————————
In 2010, Hillsborough’s planning director defended the project from outside critics:
“It’s an oversimplification to call it a bridge to nowhere, in my opinion,” said Shane O’Keefe, Hillsborough planning director.
O’Keefe said the historic stone arch bridge was falling apart. The town had been trying to fix it for years but never had enough money. He said the town wants to turn the area into a public park.
“It’s an historic transportation structure,” O’Keefe said.
Romney will appear at the bridge Friday afternoon. Presumably he won’t literally say that New Hampshire would be better off if the bridge were falling apart and if nobody had ever been put to work fixing it, but that’s the logical extension of the case he’s going to make. And it doesn’t take great political mind to realize that’s really not the best argument to make if you want to win over voters.
————————————–
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/18/1092739/-Mitt-Romney-heads-to-New-Hampshire-to-blast-historic-bridge-renovation-project-funded-by-stimulus
Write NH off the list, Mitt. It wasn’t looking good before this, but it is totally out of reach for you now.
This isn’t getting anywhere near the coverage it deserves:
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/05/17/romney-jpmorgan/
More on the 3rd ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM ON GLOBAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
Event website with livestream, speaker biographies and additional details
http://www.thechicagocouncil.org/globalagdevelopment/gad/Events/Symposium_2012.aspx
Photos of PBO at the Food Summit:
http://www.daylife.com/photo/09mScjj1wXcn4?__site=daylife&q=obama
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0aYmbDa57j5no?__site=daylife&q=obama
http://www.daylife.com/photo/03xhfzP0fV1oJ?__site=daylife&q=obama <—- Swoon!
http://www.daylife.com/photo/09UQ0nr7b59iT?__site=daylife&q=obama
http://www.daylife.com/photo/00Qx0YncJi1ux?__site=daylife&q=obama
Repeal and Replace, Without the Replace
By Jonathan Cohn
————————-
Getting the picture here? As economists and health policy experts have said all along, the only way to make coverage available to everybody, short of creating a single-payer system, would be to recreate Obamacare or something similar to it. And that’s not going to happen. According to follow-up that Sherman filed with Politico on Thursday, conservatives were furious that House leadership would contemplate replacing the Affordable Care Act with anything that looked remotely like it. In response, aides to Boehner quickly communicated the Speaker’s intention to “knock down” the rumor of such intentions.
For more on this story, by the way, see Jonathan Bernstein and Brian Beutler, both of whom were all over it on Thursday.
———————–
http://www.tnr.com/blog/jonathan-cohn/103422/republican-repeal-replace-obamacare-pre-existing-condition-guarantee
So, they basically want to kill the law, but have no ideas on how to recreate the benefits. The President said in his inauguration to the dictators and other such lowlifes that “know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy”.
Powerful words from our profound and prophetic President!
At the time, who would’ve thunk it was really the Rethugs in Congress that statement would really apply to almost 4 years later?
Yeah – I can’t believe how anti-country and unpatriotic these power-hungry people on the right have turned out to be. Hate is blinding; greed, too!
This guy was great last night! LOD maybe? I don’t remember where I saw him, but spread this around:
Yes, definitely! Everyone of voting age in the U.S. should see it!
I saw this last night. Excellent.
🙂
G8 Summit Website
http://www.chicagog8.com/
U. S. State Department page on the G8 Summit (there’s a link to get livestream broadcasts in English and French)
http://www.state.gov/e/eb/ecosum/2012g8/
Roughly 15,000 to go.
Not that anybody is keeping track.
I’m doing my part! 😀
Secretary Sebelius Addresses Georgetown Grads Amid Controversy (CSPAN VIDEO)
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Secretary-Sebelius-Addresses-Georgetown-Grads-Amid-Controversy/10737430809/
—————
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius spoke at an awards ceremony for Georgetown graduate students in the university’s public policy school. Her appearance has met with criticism from some who object to what they see as conflicts between Catholic doctrine and some Obama Administration policies. The university established a protest area outside the building in which the speech will take place.
Statement by Georgetown University President, John J. DeGioia, on the 2012 GPPI Tropaia
http://www.georgetown.edu/GPPI-Tropaia-2012.html
“May 14, 2012
In recent days on the Georgetown University campus and in the larger American Catholic community, concerns have been expressed by some who object to an invitation to Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to participate in a Public Policy Institute awards ceremony during the University’s commencement weekend.
Last fall, public policy students expressed preferences for potential speakers who could participate in the program. Given her role in crafting the landmark legislation that will make health care more accessible to 34 million Americans who are currently uninsured, Secretary Sebelius was identified by students as a leading policy maker in our country who could contribute to this event. Secretary Sebelius has a long and distinguished record of public service, including two terms as governor of Kansas before beginning her service in April, 2009, as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. She is also the spouse and the mother of Georgetown graduates.
In early January, an invitation was extended to Secretary Sebelius and she accepted. In the weeks that followed, elements of the legislation, specifically terms covering contraception, dominated our public discourse and impacted our Georgetown community very directly.
In different contexts over the past three months, including a March 14 “Statement on Religious Freedom and HHS Mandate,” the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed strong opposition to the position put forward by the Obama Administration. Some have interpreted the invitation of Secretary Sebelius as a challenge to the USCCB. It was not. The invitation to Secretary Sebelius occurred prior to the January 20th announcement by the Obama Administration of the modified healthcare regulations.
The Secretary’s presence on our campus should not be viewed as an endorsement of her views. As a Catholic and Jesuit University, Georgetown disassociates itself from any positions that are in conflict with traditional church teachings.
We are a university, committed to the free exchange of ideas. We are a community that draws inspiration from a religious tradition that provides us with an intellectual, moral, and spiritual foundation. By engaging these values we become the University we are meant to be.”
I’m glad they’re sticking to their guns and still honoring her, despite their religious disagreements. She’s deserving of the honor. Not sure where contraception is mentioned in the bible, anyway…
Sometimes i find some interesting pieces in my email. This week’s unexpected email offering is familiar, though it was shared in 1883 by Frederick Douglass, a black man, former slave, who was an active abolitionist (per wikipaedia)
‘Many people wonder why Republican legislators are so hard on President Obama. Frederick Douglass gave us the answer many years ago.
“Though the colored man is no longer subject to barter and sale, he is surrounded by an adverse settlement which fetters all his movements. In his downward course he meets with no resistance, but his course upward is resented and resisted at every step of his progress. If he comes in ignorance, rags and wretchedness he conforms to the popular belief of his character, and in that character he is welcome; but if he shall come as a gentleman, a scholar and a statesman, he is hailed as a contradiction to the national faith concerning his race, and his coming is resented as impudence. In one case he may provoke contempt and derision, but in the other he is an affront to pride and provokes malice.” ‘
Frederick Douglass – September 25, 1883
Rosa sat so Martin could walk,
Martin walked so Obama could run,
Obama ran so our children could fly!!
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Game.Set.Match
x 1,000,000
Thanks for sharing this, vcprezofan2! The Great Frederick Douglass, who had struggled for almost thirty year against slavery, was so optimistic following the end of the Civil war and the abolition of slavery. He witnessed Black folks make progress during the ten years period after the Civil War that is known in history as the Reconstruction period. But lo and behold things began to go backwards. By 1880’s the progress made by blacks were systematically being reversed, White supremacy was in the ascendancy. In the 1880’s, his sons, who were veterans of the Civil War, could not get jobs because they were Black. By the time Frederick Douglass died in 1895, Jim Crow (actually white supremacy had triumphed). A year after he died the Supreme Court issued its infamous “Plessy v. Ferguson” decision which legalized Segregation and white supremacy. I am afraid, if this country allows the current Republican ideology to triumph, and President Obama and the Democrats are defeated, we may be in for a modernized repeat of what took place in this country in the first five decades of the 20th Century. Besides the overt and covert racist attacks on the President ( so similar to the way Black elected officials were attacked during Reconstruction) we know have all these schemes to suppress the votes that appear to be particularly aimed at Black and Latino communities. It would be a shame if our country went back instead of forward.
White House Fact Sheet: G8 Action on Food Security and Nutrition
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/18/fact-sheet-g-8-action-food-security-and-nutrition
I love the fact that Camp David will be the backdrop for the G8 summit before it moves to Chicago. And to add insult to injury President Obama has invited several African leaders to Camp David to participate, gotta love the fact that President Obama invited them but not any of the Republicans, it must burn their asses.
I love it, too!
Statement by the President on the Passing of Donna Summer
Michelle and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Donna Summer. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Donna truly was the “Queen of Disco.” Her voice was unforgettable, and the music industry has lost a legend far too soon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Donna’s family and her dedicated fans.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/17/statement-president-passing-donna-summer
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release May 18, 2012
President Obama to Deliver Commencement Address at Joplin High School’s Graduation Ceremony
WASHINGTON, DC – On Monday, May 21, the President will travel to Joplin, Missouri, where he will deliver the commencement address at Joplin High School’s 2011-2012 graduation ceremony. After devastating tornadoes ravaged the Joplin area nearly a year ago, the Joplin community’s resilience and selflessness in the face of tragedy continues to inspire our nation. The President looks forward to joining Missouri Governor Jay Nixon at Joplin High School’s graduation ceremony and addressing this year‘s graduating seniors and their families
That’s awesome.
I hope the right wingers among them behave.
Administration Safety Data Initiative Challenges App Developers
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/05/18/administration-safety-data-initiative-challenges-app-developers
Safety is the number one priority at the US Department of Transportation (DOT), so National Transportation Week is the perfect time for DOT to help launch the Obama Administration’s critical Safety Data Initiative–an historic effort to make government data relating to every aspect of safety, from transportation to crime to consumer products, much more accessible, and to stimulate the development of innovative apps and services fueled by those data.
We know that helping Americans gain access to practical information can help them make smarter, safer choices. So, coordinated by DOT, this new collaborative effort involving Federal agencies and the public aims to unleash Americans’ entrepreneurial spirit by encouraging participants to build a range of innovative digital tools and mobile applications to enhance public and product safety.
To help kick off the Safety Data Initiative, today we are announcing two app challenges that take advantage of more than 700 open government datasets now available on Safety.Data.gov.
DOT has launched the Motorcoach Safety Data Student Challenge, which asks developers to use public performance data about interstate commercial bus companies found on Safety.Data.gov to help consumers make smart safety decisions about their bus travel…
[Lots more details on the blog]
Wow, this Administration is so outstanding!!!
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National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease (from Sec of HHS, Kathleen Sebelius)
“Today, as many as 5.1 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s. As the baby boomers march past age 65, that number could more than double in just a few decades.
We’ve made considerable progress in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementias, but much more needs to be done right away, because people who face the challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s need help now.
The Obama administration has announced an historic $156 million commitment to address what is needed to confront Alzheimer’s disease. The National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease is a roadmap that will help us meet our goal to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease by 2025. This is a truly national plan, based on a strong partnership with every part of the Alzheimer’s community, including scientists, patient advocates, and people living with the disease.
This plan lays out a blueprint for expanding research in prevention and treatment and getting the most-promising drugs from discovery into clinical trials. We will also figure out ways to move best practices out of the research journals and into exam rooms as soon as possible.
As we asked for input on the plan, it was crystal clear that our nation couldn’t wait until the strategy became final to start taking action. Thanks to the President’s commitment, work is already underway, including exciting new clinical research projects that may yield breakthroughs in just a few years.
To help those who are dealing with Alzheimer’s today, we have launched a targeted awareness campaign to help people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers find resources that can help them manage the disease.
We’ve launched http://www.Alzheimers.gov, a website that caregivers told us they need. This site is a one-stop shop for information about a range of questions that people helping people with Alzheimer’s often face…” [more on the blog]
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Full plan details here:
Click to access NatlPlan.pdf
“I have such a crush on Michelle Obama,” he giggled.
“Does the president know this? He could probably have you killed!” Jimmy joked.
Matthew attended the recent White House Correspondents’ dinner and has also sung for US President Barack Obama and his family.
In all he has met the famed politician seven times, with Matthew admitting he “pandered” to Obama.
Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/matthew-morrison-labour-was-otherworldly-16160718.html?r=RSS#ixzz1vFR9VaRL
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/matthew-morrison-labour-was-otherworldly-16160718.html?r=RSS
BAIN WAS ABOUT MAKING MONEY FOR INVESTORS NOT CREATING JOBS
Romney Backer Defends Bain’s Money Making Mission
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A top surrogate to Mitt Romney said making money — rather than creating jobs — was the primary goal of the presumed Republican Party presidential nominee when he was running Bain Capital LLC, saying he “acted responsibly” as chief executive officer of the private-equity firm.
“The role of private equity as fiduciaries is certainly to make money,” said Tom Stemberg, the founder of Staples Inc. (SPLS), in an interview on Bloomberg Television’s “Political Capital.” Bain also helped businesses grow, so “these things had redeeming social value, in addition to making Mitt and his investors a lot of money.”
Stemberg appeared with a top backer of President Barack Obama, Lawrence Fish, the former chief executive officer of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., who questioned Romney’s record at Bain while recognizing that the private-equity industry plays a positive role in the economy.
“The question about private equity — and this applies to Mitt Romney and his partners — specifically is,” when jobs are eliminated, “whether they have behaved fairly and whether they’ve behaved responsibly. Was fair and complete severance provided to displaced workers? Were their pensions honored?” he said.
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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-18/romney-backer-defends-bain-s-money-making-mission.html
There are two types of equity groups. There is venture capitalism, which is basically investing in new companies and not getting involved in the actual management, and vulture capitalism, which is what Bain was. In both cases, the intent is to make money. But in the former, there is also the understaqnding that risk is involved and money can be lost. In vulture capitalism, things are riggexd so there is almost no risk at all to the investors, who take their earnings out of the life of the company, leaving thousands potentially ruined. It should actually be called vampire capitalism.
Given that the companies went bankrupt, I’m sure the employee pensions were not honored.
Today’s the last broadcast of the Jeopardy Power Players 2012 competition:
Anderson Cooper, Thomas Friedman and Kelly O’Donnell are on the show tonight.
Anyone see Chris Mathews get spanked the other night (and my Gibbsie win)?
Was equally rewarding to see Dana Perino on Tuesday get the same treatment. Grand total of zero in the end.
HEADLINE: Obama Campaign Launches Huge Voter Protection Effort, Countering Voter-ID Laws
// The Obama campaign launched a national effort to counteract voter-identification laws on Friday, rolling out a bilingual online portal, Gottavote.org, and a fifty-state system for educating and turning out Obama supporters.
This is an unusually early time for a presidential campaign to focus on voter education, reflecting the concern among Democrats about new challenges to voting access in several key states. “We want to start as early possible,” explained Michael Blake, the campaign’s deputy director of Operation Vote, on a press call announcing the initiative. //
http://www.thenation.com/blog/167961/obama-campaign-launches-huge-voter-protection-effort-countering-voter-id-laws
YESSSSSS!
Yup! I knew they weren’t going to stand by and watch the GOP subvert democracy while the MSM distracted with all the “foolishness” of Rev Wright and other such nonsense!
Great news! Thanks for sharing this hopefruit2. Now it’s our turn to step up. The President’s supporters in states that requires all these IDs should focus on helping people get the IDs. We have a window of four to five months to help people get IDs.
Chronicling Mitt’s Mendacity, Vol. XVIII
By Steve Benen – Fri May 18, 2012 2:52 PM EDT.
Back in February, Paul Krugman argued that Mitt Romney is “running a campaign of almost pathological dishonesty.” Was this an intemperate analysis? Perhaps. Three months later, does it seem fair? Put it this way: take a look at the 18th installment of my weekly series, chronicling Mitt’s mendacity.
1. Romney promised in a speech this week, “I will lead us out of this debt and spending inferno.”
Given that his stated agenda would add trillions to the debt, and Romney refuses to say how he’d pay for his tax cuts and increased Defense spending, the claim seems pretty misleading.
2. Romney claimed in the same speech that Obama has “bailed out the public-sector.”
I really wish that were true. It’s not.
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/18/11758220-chronicling-mitts-mendacity-vol-xviii?lite
PLEASE TWEET
SMDH!!!
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Judge, lawyers drained Rosa Parks estate says attorney
http://www.thegrio.com/black-history/judge-lawyers-drained-rosa-parks-estate.php
DETROIT (AP) — An attorney claims a judge and two lawyers involved in a long-running dispute over civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks’ estate conspired to drain the estate’s cash.
Attorney Stephen G. Cohen said in court papers Tuesday that Wayne County Probate Judge Freddie Burton Jr. conspired with John Chase Jr. and Melvin Jefferson Jr. to rack up more than $507,000 in mostly unnecessary legal fees. Cohen claims the estate is $88,000 in debt.
Chase and Jefferson’s lawyer Alan May denies any conspiracy. Jefferson told The Detroit News the court action was a “great fabrication.” Burton declined to comment to the Detroit Free Press.
A hearing is May 22.
Parks left almost all her estate to the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute, which Cohen represents. Relatives challenged Parks’ will after her 2005 death.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
Ooooo, what I wouldn’t give to be at this one…
Chaka Khan to perform Whitney Houston tribute at Apollo
http://www.thegrio.com/specials/remembering-whitney-houston/chaka-khan-to-perform-whitney-houston-tribute-at-apollo.php
NEW YORK (AP) — Grammy award-winning singer Chaka Khan will perform a tribute to the late Whitney Houston at the Apollo Theater’s gala and awards ceremony. The historic Harlem theater in New York confirmed Friday that the “I Feel for You” singer will perform in her friend’s memory.
Lionel Richie and the late Etta James will be inducted into the theater’s hall of fame during the June 4 gala. Soul Train creator Don Cornelius and songwriter Nick Ashford will also be honored posthumously. Past inductees include Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin.
Richie’s first Apollo appearance was in the early 1970s. James performed at the Apollo in 1957 and again in the 1960s.
Good article on Donna Summer’s musical legacy
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Donna Summer was so much more than the ‘Queen of Disco’
http://www.thegrio.com/entertainment/remembering-donna-summer.php
Here is the ‘complete’ job creators video that we really need to push into full circulation. It’s in ‘simple’ language that everyone can understand, and the speaker is an honest and real venture capitalist
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/05/18/the-job-creators-myth-shattered-nick-hanauers-ted-talk/#.T7aaeCdEvXs.twitter
And here is some written background on the speaker – Nick Hanauers,
http://nationaljournal.com/features/restoration-calls/the-1-percent-solution-20120517
Seattle—Nick Hanauer toddled through his early years in a cramped Greenwich Village apartment. His mother waited tables at the Bitter End. His father worked low-level jobs on Wall Street and as an editor at a publishing house. When Nick was 5, his folks left New York to join a family pillow-making business in the Pacific Northwest. They raised their three sons in a three-bedroom house in the suburbs and sent them to public schools. After Nick, the eldest, earned a philosophy degree at the University of Washington, he went to work for his father. In his 30s, he scraped together $45,000 to invest in a small start-up that sought to revolutionize American retail. It was called Amazon.com.
Eleven More Lawmakers Drop ALEC
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/05/18/486883/breaking-eleven-more-lawmakers-drop-alec/
In the last two months, sixteen companies and other institutional supporters of the American Legislative Exchange Council announced that they would part ways with the organization — likely costing the conservative group hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual funding. Similarly, several dozen lawmakers broke ties with ALEC due to a progressive campaign highlighting the organization’s harmful impact on state lawmaking. ALEC drafts and promotes “model” conservative legislation, including bills disenfranchising thousands of student, low-income and minority voters, and the so-called “stand your ground” laws that may shield Trayvon Martin’s killer George Zimmerman from justice.
Today, eleven more state lawmakers announced that they would no longer associate with ALEC. According to an email from the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, the ex-ALEC lawmakers are:
•8 Pennsylvannia legislators (Sen. Lisa Boscola, Sen. Leanna Washington, Sen. Anthony Williams, Rep. Nick Kotik, Rep. Ted Harhai, Rep. William Keller, Rep. Joseph Markosek, Rep. Joseph Petrarca)
•2 Illinois legislators (Rep. Mary Flowers, Rep. Brendan Phelps)
•1 Iowa legislator (Rep. Brian Quirk)
All eleven of these lawmakers are Democrats. In total, 39 Democratic lawmakers have dropped ALEC.
[more in the article]
Got the email from Sarah Jessica Parker, who is hosting the First Lady in her home. You can donate to campaign for a chance to get an invite.
I love Sarah!
Wait a minute. This is for a chance to meet FLOTUs. I am so in.
I am so not surprised, japa! 😀
Hey TrumpDog, I got it too and was so stoked to see it was SJP!
Okay Pamela I have voted for your daughter from my kindle fire, my office computer, my home laptop and my cell phone. I’ll hit my husbands laptop when I get home. 🙂
Here’s another huge barrel of corruption and greed that doesn’t get enough media coverage — the prison industrial complex
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ACLU Challenges Corrections Corporation of America CEO to Public Debate About Prison Privatization
http://www.aclu.org/prisoners-rights/aclu-challenges-corrections-corporation-america-ceo-public-debate-about-prison
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Follow-up:
http://www.aclu.org/blog/prisoners-rights/all-dressed-and-no-prison-ceo-debate
Last week, we challenged Damon Hininger, the head of Corrections Corporation of America – the world’s largest for-profit incarceration company – to a debate on the merits of prison privatization. Today, Mother Jones reported that the company is shrinking from the challenge.
We invited Hininger to tell us, in a 90-minute public debate with equal time given to each side, why he thinks we’re wrong to call for the elimination of for-profit incarceration. As we wrote to Hininger: “If you truly believe that private prisons are right for our country, we see no reason why you would be unwilling to defend that position in a public debate.”
These are the views we invited CCA to refute in a public forum:
• Evidence that for-profit prisons save taxpayer money is mixed at best, and privatization cannot fix the nation’s binge spending on incarceration. Indeed, the industry’s business model depends on extracting as much public money as possible by locking up the maximum number of people.
• Private prisons have incentives to maximize profits by cutting corners at the expense of decent conditions and public safety. Empirical research supports the view that private prisons pay correctional officers lower wages, resulting in higher turnover and less experienced staff.
• New prisons, whether public or private, deliver few benefits to local communities.
And here from CCA to answer the challenge, debate these assertions, and expose them as bunk is . . . Well, no one.
Color me surprised.
Ruling On Voting Rights Act Sets Up Supreme Court Showdown
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/ruling-on-voting-rights-act-sets-up-supreme?ref=fpb
A divided panel of judges on the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act – which requires certain states to have changes to their voting laws approved by the Justice Department – on Friday, setting up a likely hearing on the topic before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Congress, the majority ruled, “drew reasonable conclusions from the extensive evidence it gathered and acted pursuant to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, which entrust Congress with ensuring that the right to vote—surely among the most important guarantees of political liberty in the Constitution—is not abridged on account of race. In this context, we owe much deference to the considered judgment of the People’s elected representatives.”
Law school professor Rick Hasen says he expects the case, brought by Shelby County, will end up in the Supreme Court in short order. [more in the article]
Obama Endorses CA Rep. Pete Stark
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/obama-endorses-ca-rep-pete-stark
President Obama today endorsed California Rep. Pete Stark (D), according to Roll Call:
The 20-term Congressman and Dublin City Councilman Eric Swalwell (D) are likely to advance to the general election in the solidly Democratic 15th district. But Stark’s path to re-election has become less certain in recent weeks after some odd gaffes. Stark has apologized for falsely accusing a San Francisco Chronicle columnist of contributing to Swalwell’s campaign and for claiming that Swalwell had accepted bribes.
Condi Puts Romney Veep Rumors to Rest
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Condoleeza-Rice-Will-Not-Be-Mitt-Romneys-Vice-President-151947795.html
Condoleezza Rice won’t be Mitt Romney’s running mate, she said Thursday in Chicago.
Rice firmly opposed rumors about her potential to run alongside the presumptive Republican presidential nominee during a speech to 1,500 at the Executives’ Club of Chicago. “Not going to happen,” she told the audience. “I love policy, I don’t really love politics. … One can do a lot with policy not in Washington.”
Last month CNN pollsters asked Republican voters their opinions on seven rumored VP candidates. Rice led the poll with 26 percent of those surveyed preferring her. Rice has denied any interest in the position since her name emerged.
The former Secretary of State was invited to the Chicago luncheon to speak about her stance on foreign and domestic economic crises. During the presentation she touched on Russia’s lack of cohesion in the European financial agenda, political instability in the Middle East, and even domestic education issues.
Willard will have to find his own Condi Rice – this one is already Dubya’s, and no way she’s leaving him for another man.
I thought Willard had one – what about that woman who said that PBO should be tried for treason and the camera wouldn’t show her face?
I still think if he wants someone who won’t “outshine” him, he’d better go for Gary the Snail from Sponge Bob Squarepants.
Mitt stepped in it again.
—
GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney took some time, in an interview with National Review published Thursday, to praise Hewlett-Packard chief executive Meg Whitman, who lost her 2010 bid to become governor of California. If Whitman, a Republican, had defeated Democrat Jerry Brown, Romney argued, California’s finances wouldn’t be in such dire shape now and an $8.5 billion tax hike wouldn’t be on the table:
The governor [Brown] is taking them in the wrong direction. I wish Californians had elected Meg Whitman. She would have been more successful and explained to Californians the need to cut back on spending and eliminate unnecessary programs. There are other states that have very different records. I think it’s interesting that the state with the highest or among the highest tax rates in the nation also has the worst or near the worst deficit.
Romney, like Whitman, has contended that his successful record in the private sector means he would know how to increase employment and balance the books while in high public office. But given all the talk of jobs losses and offshoring in this campaign, his praise for former eBay CEO Whitman’s cost-cutting chops came at a less-than-fortuitous time. The same day Romney’s National Review interview ran, The New York Times reported that Whitman plans on slashing at least 30,000 jobs at HP next week through layoffs and early retirement, while likely sparing its presumably cheaper work force in China:
But he stands by what he said, whatever it was (and no matter how stupid).
Yeah, no wonder Romney loves Meg Whitman, she’s about to lay off 30,000 workers at HP.
HP had a NET profit of 7.1 billion in 2011….
OMG, this makes my blood boil.
I’ve never heard of Presidential candidates dissing sitting governors like this. It might have happened, but I’ve never heard of it. What’s also crass about this is that Romney is clearly ruled by money. Instead of concern for those about to be laid off, Romney just sees dollar signs, deficits. He doesn’t compare California to those states with the lowest job growth or lowest education and health scores – mainly found in the South. He could care less about the fact that Gov. Brown took over the state of California from a Republican governor, who ran it further into the ground. Just dollars and sense and meaningless attacks. He’s horrible.
Arizona official may keep Obama off ballot
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2012/05/barack-obama-birth-certificate-arizona-ballot-ken-bennett-/1#.T7aqn8X0_4s
Way too many slimeballs and crazies in AZ for it to be a coincidence. Do they hatch them in underground farms or something?
Nurses (yes, nurses) lead charge for Wall Street financial transaction tax
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/18/11757222-nurses-yes-nurses-lead-charge-for-wall-street-sin-tax?lite
Nick Haneuer’s segment on Lawrence O’Donnell last night
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45755883/vp/47470921#47470921
Consumer demand is what creates jobs, not rich people
I loved the example that no matter how rich someone is they can’t but 3,000 tv ‘s (not sure it was tv ‘s but something similar) but 3,000 people with jobs will create demand for 3,000 tv ‘s.
Ha.
Facebook stock closed at $38.23….
How’s this for great karma?
Italy dedicates 1,400-year-old olive tree to Michelle Obama
A province in southern Italy has dedicated a 1,400-year-old olive tree known as “The Queen” to US First Lady Michelle Obama because of her commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles.
Lecce province in the farming region of Apulia said that the roughly 100 litres (26 gallons) of extra-virgin olive oil made from the fruits of the giant tree would be sent to the White House every year starting this fall.
Rest of story here:
http://news.yahoo.com/italy-dedicates-1-400-old-olive-tree-michelle-182517945.html;_ylt=A2KJ3CXGTbVPCTAAlgzQtDMD
How sweet is that!
Very cool!
Let’s make sure Willard doesn’t get his hands on the Queen’s Oil! 🙂
Queen Michelle
I love this story!
Soccer Hunk Alert!!!
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Olympic torch: Flame arrives in UK for 2012 torch relay
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18093410
On the tarmac, David Beckham used a London 2012 torch to take the flame from the transportation lantern and lit a cauldron to celebrate its arrival on UK soil. [Photo included? Yesss! You’re welcome!]
🙂
More photos here: http://www.london2012.com/
Full video of the 2012 Olympic Flame Handover Ceremony (1 hr 15 mins)
http://www.olympic.org/london-2012-summer-olympics?articleid=160499
Video recap of of the flame handover ceremony (2 mins 26 secs)
Under 12,000 to go.
Consumer Federation Holds Annual Food Policy Conference (videos accompanying the article)
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Consumer-Federation-Holds-Annual-Food-Policy-Conference/10737430811/
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The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) hosted its annual Food Policy Conference in Washington on Friday.
The conference focused on two pieces of legislation, the Food Safety Modernization Act along with the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act. President Obama signed the Food Safety Modernization Act in January 2011. The bills shift the focus of federal food regulators for from responding to food contamination to preventing it.
In the keynote address, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deputy Food Commissioner Michael Taylor said the FDA is out to give the public the “best bang for the buck.” He made the comment in response to questions on the Food Safety Modernization Act.
He also stressed that the new rules are only one piece of the puzzle. Adding that “the FDA is fundamentally changing the way it approaches food safety.” Later in the day, officials from a variety of federal food agencies held a panel discussion on key nutrition initiatives
COMMON CAUSE: “FIX THE FILIBUSTER”
===================================
The Senate’s filibuster rule (Rule XXII) was designed to encourage full and careful debate, preventing the majority from steamrolling bills into law. In practice, the rule allows a minority – just 41 of the 100 senators — to stifle debate, not just slowing down the majority but blocking it altogether.
Once a rarely used maneuver to allow extended debate, the filibuster is now routinely used to block debate on hundreds of critical issues and nominations. Federal action on the major issues of the day – from tackling the student loan debt crisis, to revitalizing the economy, to requiring disclosure of campaign spending and filling court vacancies – being held up in the U.S. Senate by a filibuster rule that is unconstitutional and was never contemplated by the nation’s founders.
Common Cause believes filibuster abuse is a big reason why most Americans are frustrated with Congress and believe that the “government no longer works” for average citizens. Common Cause has filed a lawsuit charging that the Senate’s filibuster rule violates the core American principle of majority rule that lies at the heart of the U.S. Constitution.
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http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=5958583
http://www.commoncause.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4773613&ct=11712195
Remarks by Secretary of State Hillary Clintion at today’s Food Security Summit
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Conference-Looks-at-Global-Agriculture-and-Food-Security/10737430797/
Warning,: You might want to skip the nauseating 9 minute introduction by Lindsay Graham
Dudette, thanks for the WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My First Job Video from White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2012/05/18/my-first-job-white-house-executive-chef-cris-comerford
Solar Eclipse Visible From California to Texas this coming Sunday Afternoon
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/solar-eclipse-2012-annular-eclipse-visible-california-texas/story?id=16377743
Almost enough to make me wanna hop a plane to Texas and… Nahhhh, never mind! It’s freakin’ Texas!
The last two paragraphs of that article ruined it.
These people are unbelievable! This is how Romney plans to run foreign affairs? By insulting people/countries? I thought Cameron was rolling out the red carpet for Romney, his fellow Conservative. Why is Romney now insulting the whole country? And are world leaders supposed to trash the President simply because his opposition is crazy and racist? I’m sure they are simply trying to ensure that Cameron will be effusive in his praise of Romney when he goes out there, to ensure “equal footing” – it won’t hide the fact that Romney is a greedy, ignorant, empty bugger who has no business trying to determine the fate of the world. It’s insulting that he thinks he can. It’s like these GOP really don’t realize that the whole world is watching, not just the yahoos in their base.
Are they serious? They are a laughing stock, a gossip house. From the article:
“Criticism from Romney’s camp is unusual. It prides itself on being extremely disciplined, careful in its dealings with the press, and averse to controversy.”
New Obama campaign ad-
http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/05/obama-camp-debuts-new-ad-about-education-123904.html
O/T – Maria Shriver gave an excellent commencement address today at USC Annenberg School of Communication. It’s worth the watch.
Maria Shriver to USC grads: Focus on now, not what’s next.
Oh, thank you Donna. I love Maria Shriver. (Plus, she’s the one who brought the Hopi “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for” to the ’08 Obama campaign, which I’ll never forget. Started crying when she read it out at the one event.)
Please consider signing up to volunteer tomorrow for the OFA National Day of Action.
We really do need ALL hands on deck this election year. Your volunteer service may make the deciding difference in this campaign.
Oh., Va. and Ia. are the key states, according to this writer anyway:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/la-pn-analysis-three-states-stand-out-in-opening-presidential-ad-match-20120518,0,4794616.story
Chgo Trib reports the smallest crowd ever for the city series at Wrigley today for the Cubs/White Sox game. Included in the story was the rumor that PBO would be attending a Cubs game this weekend. hmmmm. Wonder if that plan is on hold now—–or not.
I wish POTUS would show up there. POTUS like the White Sox, FLOTUS like the Cubs, because that was her father favorite team. You don’t think they would boo him like some of those idiots at the Red Sox game did.
I don’t want PBO doing anything that would put $ in that Ricketts jerk’s pocket.
No PBO ticket sales or tv ratings bump for you, Ricketts. And no taxpayer-funded stadium for you either.
Ricketts daughter is co owner of the team and she is an avid PO supporter and bundler for PO’s fundraising campaign.
She got unfairly caught up in the mess.
Facebook Will Avoid Paying $16 Billion In Taxes After Going Public |
As ThinkProgress has noted, Facebook’s initial public offering will help both CEO Mark Zuckerberg and the company itself avoid billions of dollars in taxes. With Facebook’s offering now in the books, as Bloomberg’s Paula Dwyer wrote, the company is set to officially save $16 billion in taxes by deducting the cost of stock options granted to owners and employees.
“The tax windfall will be the largest ever claimed by a company for stock option awards,” Dwyer wrote. “Facebook is an American success story. Its ability to use a stock option loophole to zero out its U.S. tax bill, despite ample profits, makes no sense. It also isn’t fair to the rest of American taxpayers who will have to pay more because Facebook pays nothing,” said Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI).
The Democratic National Committee is aggressively pushing back against the idea that it is not doing enough to help the effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker in Wisconsin, insisting that the party is marshalling its considerable grassroots and turnout operation to aid Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
The DNC has directed $1.4 million to Wisconsin so far in the 2012 cycle with $800,000 of that coming since November, according to figures provided to the Fix. Nearly a quarter million of those dollars have been directed to the state party.
DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz
http://mobile.washingtonpost.com/rss.jsp?rssid=633&item=http://www.washingtonpost.com/Fragment/SysConfig/WebPortal/twpweb/rss/mobile/blog-entry.jpp?id=1000.4.1478762481&cid=-1&fullSiteUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fblogs%2Fthe-fix%2Fpost%2Fdnc-pushes-back-on-wisconsin-recall-criticism%2F2012%2F05%2F17%2FgIQABcstWU_blog.html
Where is Omalley in this Wisconsin thingy? He is the Head of the DGA.
They are!
I am getting emails everyday from the Dem Gov Assoc asking for funds to support this recall campaign. They are doing their part.
This was the latest request:
Donna,
We have to make the call on our TV ad buy before 5 p.m. today. According to the clock on my wall, that’s 6 hours away — and we’re still $11,028 short of what we need to keep the ad running.
It’s resonating. It’s working. And we’ll put every dollar we get behind it. Every single dollar will go to defeating Scott Walker in Wisconsin.
He has been an unmitigated disaster. Fortunately, on June 5, we can be done with him for good.
Winning or losing is decided in moments like this. Will you give right now so we can keep our group’s ad on the air and fight back against Walker’s lies?
Donate $20 or more to the DGA right now so we can defeat Walker and elect Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett as Wisconsin’s new governor.
Thank you for all that you do.
Mark Giangreco
Deputy Communications Director
Democratic Governors Association
P.S. This isn’t just about defeating Walker. It’s also about replacing him with a Democratic governor who will lead us forward on jobs and education. Click here to help us out by giving whatever you can
Who is the DGA?
Forget that – I saw the spelled out acronym at the end of the email. Didn’t hit “cancel” fast enough!
I just don’t get how 3 polls were taken this week and walker is ahead by 5-9 points.
This is mind boggling.
Why get a recall if you are going to vote for Walker?
And walkers approval rating is 50% +. Madness!
Also, the democratic primary soured the Union voters. 4 in 10 union voters now support walker.
Me thinks, as a result, Barrett is the wrong Guy.
I’m not sure I believe those polls.
Me neither.
Methodology is in question using traditional voting patterns. It was why even a decent pollster like ppp was way off on the WI primary.
However, repubs are VERY motivated for the election and we need to work extra hard. It will all be about turnout and repubs in WI have a good ground game a d Walker has been running ads for a year and a half.
The Democratic Governors’ Association?
Thanks Joan!
Keep it coming TOD…..
Obama Campaign ends April with 115 Million cas on hand.
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/obama-campaign-ends-april-with-115-million
President Obama brings in $115 million in April. Romney brings in $40 million. I guess some of those rich folk are tapped out.
http://t.co/ofOBXcye
Not quite. President Obama brought in 43 Million in April and has 115 Million in cash on hand.
And Robney /RNC has 70 million COH total!
House Democrats propose online voter registration
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/05/17/house-democrats-propose-online-voter-registration/
Seven Reasons Why Obama Is the Obvious Choice for Women
http://www.politicususa.com/reasons-obama-obvious-choice-women.html
“I’m not Scott Walker”:State Republicans are terrified of pushing anti-union legislation — and becoming targets like Wisconsin’s governor
http://www.salon.com/2012/05/12/im_not_scott_walker/singleton/
House GOP Kills Proposal to Block Indefinite Detention of US Citizens
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/05/republicans-ndaa-detention-terrorist
I can barely contain myself…….
MITT ROMNEY: “I STAND BY WHAT I SAID, WHATEVER IT WAS.”
Yes – that statement, and the expression on his face, should have been looped even more than the Rev Wright nonsense, since Rev Wright isn’t running for President, and never has, but Romney’s signature will create laws that will require action by the Supreme Court to overturn (which will be stacked with Republican loons).
House Dem who supports Keystone XL “tar sands” pipeline predicts it will be dropped from final highway bill
http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2012/05/17/house-dem-who-supports-keystone-xl-tar-sands-pipeline-predicts-it-will-be-dropped-from-final-highway-bill/
EPA scientist who warned of caustic dust from Ground Zero wins job back
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/05/07/epa-scientist-who-warned-of-caustic-dust-from-ground-zero-wins-job-back/
I’m wearing out the mute button watching Rev Al, he keeps showing clips of Mitt Romney.
Ha ha! I just switched back to video of Hillary’s speech on CSPAN for the same reason.
Ladyhawke, I did the exact same thing, Rev. Al is showing to much of Mitt B.S., I decided to take a break from Rev. Al.
I wish our friends in the media, few as they are, would not give free air time to the opposition.
This sentiment would make a good tweet, Dotster.
Excellent tweet. Nicely done VC.
I’m watching Tweety right now and I’m about to tear my hair out. He opens with Rev Wright. I like David Corn, but Eugene Robinson annoys me to no end.
I caught the tail end of Tweety’s “Let Me Finish” on the early broadcast. It’s really good. His disdain for Romney is so obvious. Anyway, he calls Romney a W-Dittohead. I cracked up. It was hilarious. He was basically saying that Romney is the same as Bush. His agenda will be no taxes, no regulations, stay out of my way so I can do what I want to do. A free for all. We all know what that got us.
Thanks LH. I confess Eugene is one guest i have never been able to listen to, even when I used to watch Rachael faithfully. I found his manner and voice quite irritating, and he never seemed to add anything to the discussion so I muted him all the time. If OUR guys ever started to be fair and balanced in the real sense we’d get very, very little, if any, repub faces in our programming.
Mitt Romney and Ann Romney each donated $75,000, the maximum allowed, to the Romney Victory Fund earlier this week, according to CNN and ABC.
The Romney Victory Fund, announced on April 4, is a joint fundraising effort by the Romney campaign and the Republican National Committee.
That’s chump change for them. I wonder what they’ve anonymously donated to their PAC(s)?
Pa. Repub. Supreme Ct. Justice charged with campaign corruption, which will make the court now evenly divided with key reapportion matters expected to come before the court. Her Repub senator sister faces similar charges. Corrupt Republicans all over the place.
http://globegazette.com/news/national/top-pa-judge-charged-with-campaign-corruption/article_9c9a11ce-be5a-5632-a4d0-33ff7128893f.html
This is just a horrible story—-14yr. old kid attending a military school in Kansas breaks leg under hazy but obviously horrific circumstances on first day at school, breaks the other leg on 3rd day at school. Instructors then demand that he stand on his broken legs as he cries out in pain, and other cadets laugh, then drag him away and kick and beat him. Parents are suing and so have other past parents. Kansas authorities refuse to file charges. The problem is that the demand that he stand on broken legs was caught on cell phone video. And for this the parents are paying $30,000/yr. The most vile case of bullying by adults. What is wrong with people?
http://globegazette.com/news/national/apnewsbreak-video-depicts-alleged-abuse-at-school/article_de08ea3c-1916-50ad-88b9-bb73e613176e.html
Goodness gracious. Can we really expect kids to behave well when the adults around them are so vile? This is horrible!
That is outrageous! I hope the names of the people who did this get plastered all over the media. They’ll wish the charges went through anyway.
Romney, GOP guvs have differing takes on economy
By BOB LEWIS, AP Political Writer
————————————————-
In Virginia, Gov. Bob McDonnell runs TV ads hailing the state’s business growth. Ohio Gov. John Kasich tells anyone who will listen that 100,000 jobs have been created or retained on his watch. And Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder promotes a state budget that’s on solid ground for the first time in a decade.
All that optimism from Republican governors in key presidential election battlegrounds conflicts with the pessimistic message that Mitt Romney is spreading. The GOP presidential candidate is focused on the nation’s fragile economic rebound as he works to persuade Americans to dump President Barack Obama.
————————————————-
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/05/18/national/a104009D00.DTL&type=business&ao=all
Michigan’s economy is getting better because Snyder was not stupid enough to reject stimulus money, and President Obama saved the car companies. All Snyder did was destroy our public education system, draining every extra drop of revenue and transfer it to his corporation cronies.
Tomorrow is Armed Forces Day (3rd Saturday in May) – Hug a Vet or Active Servicemember, won’t you?
Presidential Proclamation:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/18/presidential-proclamation-armed-forces-day-2012
(((Virtual hugs to Jovie and any other vet/service member out there))))
🙂
{{{Yay Jovie!}} {{{Yay Yardarm!}}} 🙂
Thank you for your service!!!
And Mr. Desertflower:)
Heads up, TODville! Livestream has opened at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/
for the Official Greeting of G8 Leaders at Camp David!!
Hope everyone is having a great Friday!
LOL 🙂 Meta you and I are sharing a blog-brain…
Again? You must be a long lost twin!
Thanks Meta! I almost forgot.
You are most welcome! Looking forward to seeing POTUS.
Our President will be meeting the G8 leaders at ~ 7:30PM this evening at Camp David. I don’t see it anywere on CSPAN or CNN, but it’s will be livestreamed here
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/official-greeting-g8-leaders
Found this on Jack and Jill Politics (Go Rikyah!). You gotta listen to this young girl from Canada about the banking system. I want to adopt her, really!
12-Year Old Child Reveals One of the Best Kept Secrets in the World
Ooooppsssssie Doodle. Romney not having such a chipper day:
Mitt Romney chides stimulus spending at N.H. ‘bridge to nowhere’
[snip]
As Romney spoke, protesters stationed across the road at the outdoor event taunted him by chanting “Obama! Obama! Obama!” throughout the speech — a distraction that may have led Romney to keep his speech very short. (It clocked in at under eight minutes).
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-romney-new-hampshire-bridge-stimulus-20120518,0,1956872.story
Whoever it is that stages his appearances is a real idiot. Just look at that photo. Pathetic!
Oh.My.Goodness…
Here we go again!!! 🙂 🙂
OK, this is starting to get kinda weird!
WHO’S ON FIRST, I DON’T KNOW, THIRD BASE ……..
What were they thinking? In their haste to criticize the stimulus they have only brought more attention to the good it did all across New Hampshire. And I can’t wait to see the response to this in an ad. They are just making it too easy. The ads write themselves. As Steve Benen so aptly said today these guys are looking like amateurs. And don’t get me started with Romney’s first day on the job ad. He’s going to increase the debt, jeopardize the environment and throw people off of healthcare on his first day in office. Brilliant.
Undermining the ‘competence’ theme
———————————-
This guy really needs a new research team.
Last month, Romney blamed President Obama for a closed drywall plant in Ohio, but the facility was shut down during the Bush era. This week, the Romney campaign released a video showing a closed Electrolux plant in Iowa, but the company has added more American jobs than it had lost.
Then it released a video of a steel plant that benefited in part from an investment by Bain Capital, but which thrived thanks to government assistance Romney opposes. Now it’s new evidence of wasteful spending that isn’t an example of wasteful spending.
These are amateurish unforced errors that undermine the “competence” theme the campaign is so fond of.
———————————
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/18/11757706-undermining-the-competence-theme?lite
HAHAHA!
// HILLSBOROUGH, N.H. — Mitt Romney rounded out a week focused on what he views as overspending by the federal government with a critique of President Obama’s stimulus program during a speech in front of what opponents call New Hampshire’s “bridge to nowhere.”
As Romney spoke, protesters stationed across the road at the outdoor event taunted him by chanting “Obama! Obama! Obama!” throughout the speech — a distraction that may have led Romney to keep his speech very short. (It clocked in at under eight minutes). //
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-romney-new-hampshire-bridge-stimulus-20120518,0,1956872.story
While I love that someone shut Romney up (he should be fined for his lies – I can’t stand listening to his voice or anything he says), I’m hoping the right don’t start doing that to President Obama. It seems that apart from Joe “you lie!” Wilson, the only people who have heckled President Obama are people from the left. I’d hate to see that change to include the unruly ones from the right.
For all you know, they may have planted folks in the past, but PBO’s crowds are typically too large for any effect like this. Furthermore the security is so tight for PBO that protesters are usually kept quite a distance.
Infographic on world hunger:
http://50.usaid.gov/infographic-how-to-feed-the-future/feedthefuture-1000/?size=infographicMedium
New post everyone, will catch up soon
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/05/18/heads-up-official-greeting-of-g8-leaders/