First Lady Michelle Obama reads a Christmas story as her dog Bo sits on her lap and 5-year-old AJ Murray (L), and 5-year-old Jordyn Akyoko sit nearby at Children’s National Medical Center on December 14
Thank you JER
15
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12
257 Responses to “Cherish the Children”
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Troubling news.
Geez, the hits just keep coming. I hope she’s okay.
Oh dear.
Oh, no..
My prayers and love go forth for our SOS. Get some rest, Sec. Clinton.HZ
do get well soon!
Bo is adorable!
so fluffy 🙂 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZWwNlKn8xE
😀 😀 😀
Thanks 😀 Didn´t know how to embed it.
Oh, nothin’ to it niliathiel…
While watching the video on youtube, between the video and the comments, you’ll see the word “Share”. Click on that and it opens a box with the direct URL for the video. Select that URL, copy it and paste it in your comment here. Poof there it is!
Still sad today!
I LOVE THOSE PICTURES!!! YEAH BO!!!! (What a lucky, lucky doggie!!!!)
SoS fail and is suffering from affects of the fall, MSNBC is reporting.
SoS Clinton fell not fail. I have got to do better with all my typos.
Quite a while ago, Chips was kind enough to post something I wrote entitled, I think, “Consider the Children”. It spoke to the whole lie of the GOP when they talk about how they are concerned for future generations of children, specially when they talk about burdening them with debt. Yet they will stand by in the face of tragedies like yesterday’s and find excuses not to change things. There are times I hate what our country has become, and then I can come here and see what this country is still capable of being. And it is up to all of us to see that it does become what we all know it can become.
I have said before that my avatar, who is my youngest grandchilde is the reason why I support this President and his party, because they are the only party in this country right now that cares about her.
Ah Japa, that post means even more now than it did then – thank you for the reminder:
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/04/18/a-word-from-japa-think-of-the-children/
This very thing is the biggest reason for my angst. Among other things. Thank you, japa
Children are Indeed our future…..let them laugh and enjoy all life has to offer. Mrs. Obama is always excellent with all, especially, with the little ones.
Mrs. O has said in the past that Bo thinks he’s a little lap dog. He’s so adorable, with his big self.
I was out of USA in March and April in 2009 when the First Family got Bo. But ever since, I have always wondered how Bo’s name came about?
POTUS has BO for initials. Any connections?
As I remember there was a contest opened up to the country for coming up with a name for BO. It was the winner and was the initials of Barack Obama. There were some other good names too but I do not remember what they were.
From what I remember, Bo has 2 namesakes. Michele’s grandfather was nicknamed Bo-didley. And I can’t remember the second connection.
Anyone?
Thanks LaDL and OGMama.
I have always wondered, but have been a little shy to ask for I didn’t want anyone thinking that I was in any way disrespecting the president.
Thanks again.
Nena, my rememberance is that our First Lady’s father’s nickname was ‘Diddley’ and so from the famous Bo Diddley, thus they named our First Dog, after her father’s nickname, Bo Diddley. HZ
Oh, I am giving away my age, but someone of our TOD family may remember that Bo Diddley was a great musician, in fact a great blues sing as well as a great guitarist, back in the days. Just a note for the golden ones on our site. (((((((( Love our music))))))))))HZ
that should read: blues singer. Sorry.HZ
Thanks HZ, I remember Bo Diddley on TV, The Cosby Show? Or was that The Blues man who played the Guitar, named, Lucy? I am trying to remember his name…..oops, I forgot.
B.B. King? I think his guitar is named Lucille.
Yes, oh yes, Mary, it was B.B. King. Oops, so Lucille was the Guitar’s name? OK. Thank you.
Bo Diddley was one of the great, great Blues Singers and great, great guitarist of our time.HZ
Bo Diddley had just died in 2008. He was definitely one of the namesakes for Bo Obama.
I think it was one of the Obama/Robinson family’s pet cat when they were growing up.
Thanks Sam.
Back when I used to have dogs, I noticed that when they were puppies – small and cuddly – they didn’t want to be on a lap or cuddle. Then they became 80 pound adults and decided “Now’s the time to be a lap dog!”
🙂 I have one of those too…she’s a 140 lb Great Dane that thinks she’s little.
If you’ve already signed the White House petition for stricter gun control (it reached the needed 25K signatures in just a matter of hours), let’s push further. Now sign this petition to set a date and time to have a conversation about gun policy in the United States.
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/set-date-and-time-have-conversation-about-gun-policy-united-states/gzWCnDSX?utm_source=wh.gov&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=shorturl
Good Morning, TOD family. I hope you are all well. Have a wonderful weekend.
I signed it yesterday, I encourage everyone here to sign it and pass it on.
Why the WH and not Congress?
Thank you for this post, Chips! We needed it right now.
https://twitter.com/aymanamish/status/279951545464926208
My father’s alma mater. Tears again
It should be “Pray for NEWTOWN” not “Newton”….Newton is in MA
Oh mine. May her soul rest in peace.
I have read that the PA system was on so most could hear what was going on. What a selfless thing that this 27 yrs old Teacher did. Lord please give her Family, friends and students the strength to cope.
What can I say about this young woman Ms. Soto. Except I pray she is in the present of the Heavenly Father
Because some days you need reminding of all the good in the world:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/moments-that-restored-our-faith-in-humanity-this-y
Love this.
My tear ducts are exhausted from working overtime, but reading this brought happy tears.
Dudette, would you please do me a Big Favor? Would you post the song that was performed by Whitney House,
“The Greatest Love.” My dedication to our teachers, staff members, great principals, great board members, Great President, our POB, and all of our beautiful parents of little ones.
I would appreciate this so much. I remember sitting in a circle with one of my best friend’s fourth graders and another friend’s kindgartens teaching them this song years, and years ago. But it was for a Performing Arts Program, and just hearing their little sweet voices and seeing their smiles bring back so much love in my being today. Thank you so much, Dudette9t9. (((((( I appreciate it so much))))))))HZ
As you wish, my dear! Excellent Choice!
Oh, my dear sweet Dudette, you are so precious. This it. ((((((((((((((((((((( Thank you so much.))))))))))))))))))))))))))HZ
You are always MOST welcome HZ! Love ya! {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ HZ }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
I totally agree with you HZ about our Dudette! She is always on time with songs that express so well everything we need to be about. And so do your words, HZ! You are both so precious.
Signing in from the hairdresser’s…….what else? This week has just been too full in a non-positive way. Lord, I hope this is it for a long while.
Bo is sooo cute. I think that’s the first time I’ve actually seen his eyes so clearly lol
Wishing Hillary a speedy recovery!
He’s so adorable. I love how he’s laying across his mom’s lap. 🙂
Yes, prayers of healing grace for Secretary Clinton.
https://twitter.com/Dudette9t9/status/280004926216732672
SPEEDY recovery! Arrgh!
Deleted that one. Fixed it here:
First let me say thanks for the pictures of FLOTUS, Bo and the kids. They brought a smile to my face. Second i heard about S.O.S. Hillary Clinton falling, pray all is well with her.
Also wishing Hillary a speedy recovery.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/12/15/gunman-wounds-3-at-alabama-hospital-before-being-fatally-shot-police-say/
Oh no, not again.
I posted this on the last thread. Excellent read. Thanks, dudette:)
🙂
tweeted.
Thanks for the pictures of Bo and FLOTUS! They bring a smile to my heart. We have two dogs whom we love very much, and they bring smiles to our hearts all the time. With them, our home is full; otherwise it would be two older people rattling around!! Dogs are so therapeutic.
When my husband was in the hospital two weeks ago, I met a “therapy” dog named Mona, who was a combination lab/basset hound…..cute as a button, and very calm. Her presence just lightened everyone…..patients, nurses, doctors, dietitians, aides…..visitors.
Remember President Truman said: “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog!” Bo has become everyone’s friend, and is a wonderful ambassador for the first family and a gift to us. I love my Christmas Card with his portrait on it.
I am concerned about Hillary Clinton’s health. She has not been looking healthy lately, and these past four years have definitely taken a toll on her. Imagine going from time zone to time zone, carrying on negotiations, eating and sleeping at odd hours, rarely home. She is now 65, and to be realistic, at 65 one does not have the resilience of 45 or even 55. From my years of experience and living, I believe the prime ages for being president are between 45 and 55, right where POTUS is. There is a good physiological reason retirement and Medicare start at 65, in spite of all the “60 is the new 40” nonsense. We do wear out…..thanks to modern medicine we can have a better quality of life longer, but we really can’t cheat the calendar.
I would say….though not a doctor, nurse or in any medical field……but travelling as she does is hard on any body, young, old or a super human and eating whatever they prepare for her, plus getting immunized could be problematic also.
Wishing SoS, Hillary Clinton, a speedy recovery. Carolyn, you do speak the TRUTH about the reality of aging. I know one of the things that are so hard for me is traveling to different time zones, something that never bothered me when I was younger. I also don’t seem to recover from flu as quickly as I used to.
While suffering from a stomach virus, Secretary Clinton became dehydrated and fainted, sustaining a concussion. She has been recovering at home and will continue to be monitored regularly by her doctors. At their recommendation, she will continue to work from home next week, staying in regular contact with Department and other officials. She is looking forward to being back in the office soon.
Well, Chief Justice Roberts has had at least 2 fainting spills. The last one was in 2009 or so. So they better not play that game.
Josh Marshall and others wonder what to do, how to ‘start the conversation’, etc., as if it’s not obvious what the solution must consist. To wit:
1 Mandatory 1 year jail term for possession of any automatic weapon;
2 Mandatory 3 year jail term for selling any automatic weapon or any caliber of ammunition to an owner of an automatic weapon;
3 Mandatory 1 year jail term for possession of any semi-automatic weapon that has a magazine size greater than six rounds of ammunition;
4 Mandatory 1 year jail term for possession of any type of hand-gun that is not registered (registration requires mandatory police & mental health record check and a waiting period of at least 2 weeks from the time of initiating purchase);
5 Mandatory 3 year jail term for selling any type of fire arm or ammunition ‘on-line.’
Stringent liability penalties on manufacturers of automatic and semi-automatic weapons and ammunition when their product is used illegally.
No ‘gun show’ gun or ammunition sales – people can order, under the above stated restrictions, for shipment.
Six month grace period to return any automatic or semi-automatic weapon (with magazine capacity greater than six rounds) to local police and receive some predetermined cash refund (Federal tax dollar funded).
Typical rifles and shotguns used for hunting are not the problem and are excluded from the above restrictions.
No loop holes.
Yes We Can
Yes We Can
We also must address the issues of violence in ort culture and how it is glorified…and the role that guns plays in this…GUNS cannot be taken in the abstract but part of a larger issue of violence…
True, pf. But, these basic steps need to happen and happen quickly, while the more comprehensive conversation and public health issues, including the repudiation of a ‘gun culture,’ unfold.
Thank you!
Copy This. thank you, Bobfr
yep. that’s right. honestly bob, who the hell needs a semi automatic weapon? My husband is from Texas (a place I had never been before i met him) and guns are just a part of his make up. As soon as I got home last night he asked “when are we going to reinstate the assault weapons ban?” Which is the perennial question he asks when something happens like this. I’m just sick to death of it. I’m composing letters to all of the state reps this weekend and then I’m calling the ones I can on Monday and faxing and later on I’m tweeting them. I hope others are able to do this too. If more people yell at their representatives maybe something will be done.
Thank you, and your husband, Alice! If it’s the will of the People, we most definitely can deal with the issue of #GunTerror in America. No excuse is tolerable.
My first 22 years were lived in TX. Could shoot really well by the time I was 9 y/o. Have been qualified in a variety of military-grade weapons. Have been an avid advocate for stringent control of access to semi-automatic and automatic weapons for decades. No non-security, non-military access should be tolerated for those types of weapons. Period. And, the stringency on access to handguns must be expanded and enforced. Manufacturers of any of these classes of weapons AND ammunition must be held accountable when their products are sold or used illegally in any US jurisdiction.
#FORWARD
Bob, In case you come back, I have a question for you. Do you think that the five solutions you propose would withstand Court challenges given the Supreme Court ruling in the D.C. case? If they can, I am all for all of them. They make a whole lot of sense. If they can’t, then we must organize and mobilize for a Constitutional Amendment that prohibits individual ownership of assault weapons and also prohibits gun dealers from selling such weapons to individuals.
Hi Chips – item #1 contains a typo! In my earnest attempt to be specific I typed 1 and not the normative 10 years for possession of an automatic weapon.
Sorry everyone!
Hey, we’re just 42k hits from 16 Million. Sure would be a nice Christmas/New Years present! 😀
I’ll do my part to help make that happen. I pretty much come here every day every hour.
🙂
me too! and good morning todville.
Say,dudette, that will be 4 million posts for each year that our Beloved President has been in office!
Great observation, vitaminlover! Woot! How awesome is that?
Yes, very awesome, vitaminlover and dudette9t9. Let’s make it happen .HZ
Hope Mrs.Clinton has a quick recovery. Bo is the cutest dog ever. I’ve been reading up on the gun control issue (thanks everyone who posted informative links!) and have learned a lot I did not know, a major part of which is, it is not really about guns, or the 2nd Amendment, for many of the major players, such as the NRA and the politicians who support them. It’s about money. It seems that many of the politicians who come out so strongly in “defense of the 2nd Amendment” are the ones who received the largest sums of money from the NRA. I believe a big step is, as so many have said, to raise awareness and get Americans to vote out those who refuse to take action and vote in those who will actively work on this issue. This seems our best option. And raising awareness really is something that hit home for me, personally because I thought I was fairly well informed on this issue. Turns out not.
Wishing you all a good weekend. (((Hugs)))
How clever is Bo! And his Christmas (in Hawaii) haircut looks so perfect! He is one smart pooch! Now, to attempt to catch up with y’all, without becoming overwhelmed.
Good West Coast morning Chipsticks and TOD family.
It is a beautiful, sunny, crisp morning here in Los Angeles. I am thankful to God for being able to see this day, but my heart is still so very heavy that I’m not going to be viewing or even lurking today. I must do other things to keep my mind occupied – house cleaning and washing clothes with music playing is the order of today.
Be kind to one another…
Good Morning to my West Coast neighbor, GGail, Chips and all of my dear TOD family. It is a beautiful and very cool crisp sunny day here on the coast. Grateful to wake up to this glorious day. Slept in, but I was totally exhausted from yesterday. Still so much freshness of that day running through my mind.
Called to wish my best,best friend a happy birthday and we talked to help calm each other because we both were in the classroom for over 77 years combined. We were touched by a lot of beautiful children, parents, and administrators. So this is so personally to so many of us from that point of view, but to all of you here who love our children, have precious children, and know of dear friends and family who have beautiful children.
I will be fine, but my heart aches for all of this. Our prayers go forth to our POTUS this morning. He is dealing with a lot from so many events taking place all over this country and this world, so please do whatever you do best in your private space to lift him up in prayers, words of encouragements, meditation of thoughts for him and his administration, and for those who are against him and are trying to stop every good and decent work that he is trying to accomplish.
Think on good thoughts, keep your mind calm, keep your hand busy with good deeds, and make sure your pray for those families, mothers and fathers, grandparents, sisters, brothers, and neighbors, teacher, and staff members of Sandy School and all of our schools. We need your powerful voices, actions of goodness, and total support. Let us put our collective and individual efforts out there to help POB and Congress to come together to help us all work this out. We can’t leave him out there alone, and we will not bash him or allow anyone to come into our space with the “bashing attitudes.” They do not move us FORWARD.
Be kind to your spirits today. And for all of us, remember to get your end of the year medical check ups and listen and communicate with your doctors. I did mine on Thursday, I have listened and finally made some decisions that I had been evolving around. I am peaceful because I did make those decisions.
My heart and spirit will heal, but it will take time. I believe that all of those precious and loving children are dancing, joyfully playing with each other’s spirits, and hugging and sending forth their beautiful love back to their parents this morning. I just wish that their little precious bodies could be next to their loving parents on this Sat., morning. But let us keep them all in our spirits, our hearts of love, and let us do the right thing by them now with Congress. We will make it through this as well.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( No matter what your private faith maybe, think on good, pure, loving, gentle, and kind thoughts today. Pray like a little child, with much loving faith.)))))))))))))))))))))))
Those are so special and precious. I love you all so much, and thanks Chips for being here in this space for all of us, and we are here for you as well. ((((((((((((( I love you, my special angel.)))))))))))))))HZ
http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/health/Mental%20Health/Program%20Planning,%20Design%20&%20Management/Staff%20Support/parent_fts_00135_013007.html
Tips for Talking to Children in Trauma:
Interventions at Home from Preschool to Adolescence
This link was provided my MY school district in light of the shooting in CT. We were told to be aware of the children’s reactions to this tragedy.Monday will be hard.
Great link, df! Thanks for sharing it!
Welcome, sweet.Wish this wasn’t an issue
DF, thanks so much dear sweet spirit. I hope you are doing fine as can be as well. I love you for your dedication, brilliant mind, and loving spirit. ((((((((( To My DF)))))))))))HZ
Thank you sweet HZ. Hugs to you. As always:)
Tweeted it
thanks, dudette.
Our beautiful FLOTUS – makes me smile when I don’t really feel like it. Thanks you FLOTUS!
I agree. Bo is a real charmer and such a beautiful dog.
In a week where there has been so much bad news (especially yesterday and I’ve been avoiding TV news outlets since I found out about the tragedy in Newtown), these pictures of Michelle, Bo and all of the children made me smile. More than that, these pics and finding out about the true acts of heroism by teachers in Newtown (and even students) also served to remind me that with all of the violence, hate, vitriol (some of what I’ve seen on twitter has left me gobsmacked), etc. in the world, there are good, kind and considerate people, there is good, there is love, and there is hope.
(Yes, I’m avoiding talking about policy and what the RWNJs have been saying.)
Picture number 4 of the little boy smiling and staring into Bo’s eyes is so cute.
I don’t respect anyone like that. She has lost me totally. And it’s President Obama in case she don’t remember. What does Rep. McCarthy plan to do to the Republicans? Do she plan to embarrass them? Have she embarrass any of them?
Made in America Holiday Gift and Stocking Stuffer Guide…
Finding that perfect gift this holiday season doesn’t have to be a headache. Check out this Made in America, union-made gift guide.
http://www.aflcio.org/Blog/Other-News/Made-in-America-Holiday-Gift-and-Stocking-Stuffer-Guide
Jelly Belly and Laffy Taffy! Now that put a smile on my face! 😀
Union members and senior citizens organize to sound off against outsourcing Pa. Lottery
A newly formed coalition of union members and senior citizens are launching a Protect Our Lottery campaign to keep the operation of 41-year-old Pennsylvania Lottery in state hands.
Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration is considering outsourcing the lottery management for the next 20 to 30 years…
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/12/union_members_and_senior_citiz.html
Question- What connection with the school did the shooters mother have? Yesterday I heard she was a kindergarten teacher at the school and today it sounds like she was not, but haven’t heard any more than that.
I think I read she was a substitute. There are been so much misinformation/retracted info on this story that really, who knows for sure?
**HAS been****
McCain and Miss Lindsey need to have a Senate hearing since all the valid details were not known right away.
I’ve been thinking the same thing – where are the accuracy police?
The media is relentless in trying to be first with ~Breaking News~…too much discussion and opinion out what ifs!…not enough hard facts…and besides it take time to gather information and come up with a conclusion based on analysis…
with our 24 hour news cysle there it no patience to wait…
this is a reminder of how the right hones their message. amazing how they love to talk about ‘freedom’–yet they march in lockstep with the agenda determined by…. who?
It’s so disgusting. I had to force myself to listen to it all the way through – I just can’t stomach the hate from that channel.
I was just at the Orange place and read a righteous diary that excerpted an article in the Sydney Morning Herald detailing the quick thinking and heroism that happened that day.
“In the library, Yvonne Cech, a librarian, locked herself, an assistant and 18 fourth graders in a closet behind filing cabinets while the sound of gunfire thundered outside.
Diane Day, a school therapist, hailed the school’s unnamed ”lead teacher” as ”our hero” after she was shot twice while barricading a lockless door with her body to keep Lanza out of a classroom occupied by staff who had been in a meeting before the shooting.
Ms Day told The Wall Street Journal that, after the school principal, Dawn Hochsprung, and school psychologist Mary Sherlach had run out of the room to see what was happening, the shooter arrived and tried to force entry. Lanza was thwarted by the teacher who was wounded in the leg and arm as he opened fire through the door.
Ms Hochsprung and Ms Sherlach did not return and were later confirmed dead.
The Stamford Advocate reports the brave principal had, crucially, managed to activate the school’s public address system before she was killed. In alerting the rest of her school that a killer was on the rampage, the principal’s last courageous act almost certainly prevented further bloodshed.”
http://www.smh.com.au/world/class-heroes-save-lives-20121215-2bgec.html
grievous. I was about to lambaste them on twitter when I found their apology. I put this in the FWIW category. BTW Dudette thanks for all your tweets and bob too I’ve been following you guys on this terrible event.
Thanks Alice!
In my world (I don’t know about the US) ALL cigarette advertizing is banned – in/on all media. I think using the methods that have been used to limit tobacco use could have a place in the reduction of death by shooting. Banning advertizing would be a good start & this picture would be a prime candidate for explaining why it should be banned
Indeed – why would anyone need to advertise something that is only ever used to kill people or animals? For that matter, why would anyone ever need to own such a thing? (let alone, give it as a Christmas present)…
Pefect Chips ~ Our gracious FLOTUS & her sweet Bo. Thank you.
chipsticks thank you for the photos of flotus, children, & bo.. i shared it on fb. however, i get a sense that some things are privy to this room only and i’d like to know rules and regs.. i’m new here and i love it here! thanks. 🙂
Nothing’s privy to here capricornrising, share anything you see here, my pleasure. I just take occasional measures to make spam bloggers work a little harder at their spamming, that’s all. 😉
I know! How about it? I was over at the White House Petition site and there’s a petition there to let teachers have guns in their classrooms. ai yi yi!
This woman on Twitter @Dianne93101 is obsessed with that idea too. Poor sad thing (I thought to myself). She couldn’t resist responding several of my tweets about gun control! My finger kept hovering over the block feature, but I pulled it away several times thinking I could have civil debate with her. Then when she got snarky, I finally went to her profile and saw “Team Breitbart” on it. Sonofabitch! She’s one of them!
BLOCKED her ass with a quickness and told herI was doing it! Felt good too! 😀
Bravo, Dudette! I truly love your spunkiness in dealing with these idiots.
I wouldn’t want my child to go to school with teachers that are armed with guns. What if one of the teachers is a lunatic? What if they have to fire that gun in a chaotic situation – for which they are not prepared? I’d rather have a teacher doing exactly what these teachers did – calming and protecting the kids. Not engaged in gun play.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/opinion/sunday/kristof-do-we-have-the-courage-to-stop-this.html?hp&_r=0
American schoolchildren are protected by building codes that govern stairways and windows. School buses must meet safety standards, and the bus drivers have to pass tests. Cafeteria food is regulated for safety. The only things we seem lax about are the things most likely to kill.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has five pages of regulations about ladders, while federal authorities shrug at serious curbs on firearms. Ladders kill around 300 Americans a year, and guns 30,000.
We even regulate toy guns, by requiring orange tips — but lawmakers don’t have the gumption to stand up to National Rifle Association extremists and regulate real guns as carefully as we do toys. What do we make of the contrast between heroic teachers who stand up to a gunman and craven, feckless politicians who won’t stand up to the N.R.A.?
As one of my Facebook followers wrote after I posted about the shooting, “It is more difficult to adopt a pet than it is to buy a gun.”
excellent oped DF
As rumors fly that Kerry is all but confirmed as Secretary of State–even though the President has not officially named anyone–I’m seeing a phenomenon that seems to be reserved for this President.
It’s not quite Obama Derangement Syndrome, but it certainly a close cousin or species of it.
It goes like this. If he appoints Kerry, the President is jeopardizing Kerry’s senate seat, capitulating to McCain and throwing Susan Rice under the bus.
Now let’s unpack this.
If the President is being reckless with Kerry’s senate seat, then what is Kerry being by putting himself up for consideration?
How is he capitulating to McCain when he has never said who he wanted to replace Hillary Clinton?
Is Susan Rice a strong, independent person or not? If so, is she not capable of submitting her name and withdrawing it without accusations of being forced by the President?
We heard the President’s full-throated endorsement of Susan Rice but we got a very business-like endorsement from Hillary Clinton. Why is their more rancor directed at the President’s full-throated endorsement and acceptance of Susan Rice’s decision, than there is at the Secretary of States tepid response.
This whole affair reminds me of DADT protestors shadowing the President who did not sign DADT into law. Yet they never seemed to protest the President who did sign it into law or any of the past or currently service congress people who drafted and passed the law.
It’s a unique syndrome. Disparage him for DADT, when he was the one dismantling it. Revile him not appointing Elizabeth Warren, when she declined the position. Revile him for Van Jones leaving, when it was Jones’ choice.
Accuse him of jeopardizing a Senate seat, but not the Senator who is making the seat vacant.
THIS!
DOUBLE THIS!
So right. I heard calls for a third term for Bill Clinton (signer of DADT, DOMA, welfare “reform”) – and he was called “President of the World” by Chris Matthews. Elizabeth Warren came up with the idea for the CFBA, but there were probably 100 people who could have administrated that organization – and Richard Cordray is doing a fantastic job. Van Jones – who is Van Jones in the larger scheme of things?
And while I wish Hillary Clinton well in her recovery, it burns me that she will not be testifying about the Benghazi incident, and senior people will be testifying instead – protecting her from a future run, I take it. I mean, have they never heard of “rescheduling”?
The whole affair is leaving a very nasty taste in my mouth.
B-L-A-C-K….. equals second class citizen. Not as important as white. Does not need repeating.
a4alice, I am also going to contact the lawmakers in my state, Republicans and Democrats. I also will not blame the President, I stand with the President. If these things were so darn easy to do they would have already been done.
Remind Rep. McCarthy of that please.
me too Anniebella. I stand with PBO. As he said it is simply heartbreaking. I’ll let you guys know if I hear back from anyone or actually get through to any law makers
Pakistani children show support for Sandy Hook community:
http://media.talkingpointsmemo.com/slideshow/connecticut-newtown-school-shooting/1-287703
When the children of Pakistan start to feel sorry for us, you know that we as a nation need to look deep within ourselves.
Children from any war-torn region know trauma like no one else.
And that is the sad part.
I might not agree with Roger all the time, but he’s one of the very few level headed ones at Politico.
Roger lost two of his legs while in a hospital, contracting one of those flesh eating bacteria. When I read that about over a year or so ago, I have always had a kindred spirit about him.
Lost his two legs.
🙂
President Obama only has the voters to watch his back, even after unprecedented legislatives success it is still hard for this man to find other elected officials to stand with him. It is almost like they hate him for doing so much in so little time. I have not heard one fucking democrat stand up for or with President Obama, but when it’s time to bitch and moan they have no problem bringing up his name.
Nancy Pelosi has always been on his side, which is one of the reasons I admire her so much.
Yes, Jackie our Nancy has been there him, and that is why I respect her and appreciate her. Also one of my Senators, Barbara Boxer stands with him and speak . Senator was on the floor( I believe during the first or second year of POB’s first term) and Senator Whitehouse spelled it OUT. The Real reason why these people do not and will not support POB. I wish someone could find that speech and put post it. I will look, but, I do not know how to post.HZ
Yes Indeed JackieG! And so has Harry Reid, Dick Dubin and Barbara Boxer. But Nancy Pelosi has been steadfast in having the President’s back.
Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, too.
h/t Political Carnival
Actually, you should read the entire post…..
http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/tag/andy-marquis/
Here are some more ways the NRA represents responsible firearm owners. 74 percent of registered National Rifle Association (NRA) members support requiring criminal background checks of anyone purchasing a gun. 71 percent of registered NRA members believe individuals on the terrorist watch list should not be able to purchase firearms. 74 percent of registered NRA members believe CCW permits should only be granted to applicants who have completed gun safety training. The NRA opposes all three of the mentioned common-sense regulations, in spite of those regulations having support from an overwhelming majority of responsible gun owners.
Simply put, responsible gun owners, regardless of their positions on how many guns need to be on the street, realize there needs to be common sense regulations. And in most states there are. And it’s all common sense regulation that the NRA opposes. But, they have no comment about today’s tragedy.
The deafening silence speaks volumes because the gun lobby has spent much of the week boasting about the increase in firearm sales in the wake of President Obama’s re-election, and boasting that more legally registered guns are in the hands of civilians in Florida. See, the NRA isn’t about responsible firearm regulation, they’re about no regulation. The NRA, as demonstrated by the facts above, does not represent responsible firearm owners, they represent the firearm and ammunition manufacturers.
DF, all of those sensible gun owners need to recognize that the NRA does not represent them, it only represents gun makers. There is a large potential group here that could start another, probably larger, advocacy group that would lobby for sane legislation.
He said that in the post…the part about the NRA representing the manufacturers.
Didn’t President Obama put Huntsman on the map? I mean really, if your old man had any smarts he would have stayed in the Obama administration, but no, he ran and got his ass handed to him.
Yeah, Journalist my fanny.
I just wish that Rev Al will stop from having her on as a guest.
Abby Huntsman is just like Meagen McCain, and Liz Cheney, not worth listening to a dam word they have to say.
If she were “Black” Abby would be fired for that comment.
This is for Mike Huckabee et al…
http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/antheabutler/6697/guns_and_babies__what_newtown_does_not_teach_us/
God did not “allow” this to happen. WE allowed this to happen by refusing to pass reasonable laws. God did not ‘allow’ this because as a teacher, I do not force my children to repeat prayers that they don’t believe in and have no meaning to them.
Yep, Prof Anthea Butler is wonderful! Have seen her on MHP from time to time. Wish she had been my teacher.
Thanks for pictures of FLOTUS and Bo. Although it must have been hard for to Michelle to fulfill her duties that day, the pics and smiling faces of the kids are an oasis in the desert of sad news from Connecticut.This is what great people do.
FORWARD!!!!!..
WHATEVER OUR CHALLENGES…NO MATTER HOW STEEP THE CLIMB….WE CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING….OUR PROBLEMS CAN BE SOLVED/OUR CHALLENGES CAN BE MET!
DANGGGGGGGGG…WRONG ONE……YIKES!
THIS IS IT
I like the first one too. 🙂
Perfect antidote on a blue day
ohhh myyy…all my videos are listed here…..YIKES…..Chips could you plz delete this…. :-O
Heh heh, Chips is busy! 👿
Yes, we’re looking at ALL your videos! Nice collection. Heh, heh, heh!
OHHMYYY…lucky they are PG rated….mercy
Especially enjoying D’Angelo. It’s been quite a while. Thank you for that one! 😉
lawddddddddddd,,,,lolol
Yesss, I just wanna say “Thank ya!”
Mr. Spock has a Twitter account too? I know that the man was doing that half hour show In Touch of. On Saturdays. I would always watch it whenever I could.
Being a Trekkie, Dudette, how old is Mr. Spock now? Shatner turned 81, which blew my mind for he looks great for 81.
Mr. Nimoy is also 81. 😀
I have not seen him on any TV appearances in years. I have a brother who is 3 yrs older. And a brother who is 2 yrs younger and they were into the Star Trek long before I knew any Trekkies. Mr. Spock was my fave for was so logical.
Thank you very much.
I had a MAJOR crush on him when I was but a wee lass… still do really!
In Search Of. I was just corrected by one of my siblings.
Thanks for the photos of Michelle, Bo, and the kids; they remind us that love and wonder and innocence still exist in our beleaguered, beloved country.
Bo must think he is still a baby. He is so possessive of his mommy that he has to sit in her lap so that no other kiddies can sit there.
Why are you posting this here?
Just had nice photos of the first lady celebrating the christmas spirit, thought I was a change of pace sry if it offended you Chipsticks delete this please didnt mean an harm.
That’s adorable, thanks for posting.
The word “besiege” should have been a clue to you that this was not a “happy” holiday/Christmas gathering, but a hostile PROTEST.
What are they protesting? I couldn’t find any reference.
Santarchy is an annual Christmas event held in major cities around the world where hundreds of Santas visit major sites and spread their holiday cheer. The following photos show Santarchy in Washington, DC. See a variety of Santas and get a glimpse of this fun holiday tradition.
The crowd of Santas gather outside the National Museum of Natural History on the National Mall.
http://dc.about.com/od/christmasevents/ss/Santarchy.htm
Thanks edwina3. Looks like besieged in the name was just a bit of snark. Look like harmless fun!
If that’s the case then I stand corrected! I thought he meant they were protesting the WH for the recent shootings.
My humblest apologies to you The lovely Plains. I stand corrected – with all the recent “protests” at the WH, I couldn’t tell whether the Tweeter was using besieged out of snark or whether there was really a protest.
Those poor, poor children.
Horrible….just horrible.
And they all had more that a bullet in them…..little people, tiny bodies? I am weeping all over again. That is beyond horrific.
why is notifications not working for me today?
Those helicopters you hear are the Presidential advance team. No details on what day the President is coming via @mayormark http://newtown.patch.com/articles/president-obama-advance-team-scouting-spots-for-visit-e4d81938
what is the fascination that the press has with naming the children who were killed….why is that necessary…
The press briefing was horrible. Tweets from the media about what the CT medical examiner said were just a nightmare. The kids who were killed were 1st graders, they all suffered between 3-11 gunshot wounds and the .223 assault rifles were used. He also said they had to take pictures of the kids and show them to the parents and that’s how the parents identified their children. When they were reading the children and faculty members names, my heart broke again for the Newtown community. This is supposed to be a period of joy, music, and sparkling lights and the horror that has been visited on this community is just wrong.
I thought that briefing was creepy—–including the inappropriate chuckles from the medical examiner. I hope no parents of the deceased were watching. Horrifying that each kid shot multiple times at close range with some gross rapid fire shotgun, a gun that should never be in circulation in a civilian population. Just an unthinkable tragedy—-beyond imagination.
Facts keep shifting, now confirmed that mother of the shooter had no connection to the school, was never employed there. She did love guns and shooting though. And if a relative’s statements have any truth, it is highly ironic that the mother was said to be some sort of a “survivalist” and thought she needed the guns for protection from any mayhem following a financial meltdown. Her guns did not protect her—-in fact quite the opposite. As is usually the case.
This whole thing just makes me sick, literally, and so so sad.
Didn’t hear/see the Medical Examiner.
Will not turn TV on for awhile, unless President Obama is speaking. Cannot tolerate the media’s delight in airing ghoulish details.
Can you imagine being one of those parents who had to identify son or daughter via grusome picture? Makes me physically ill.
God bless everyone in Newtown and all relatives and friends of victims everywhere.
Feel the same way….I just can’t deal with the horrific details emerging from this….
thank you chipsticks!! … gracious and kind of you to reply 😀
Good Day Tod’s!
It’s been a rough 2 days…My heart aches:-( I pray for our nation!
Much Love ~
Dedicated to the children we lost at Sandy Hook!
“Somewhere in Heaven”
Nice one Kasai! I’d never seen this piece from Santana. Thanks for sharing it!
You Welcome:-)
If you’re a rich celeb crying for less guns offer cash for weapons!
Fact …
Yes We Did
Fact … if one’s optics are strictly political …
“Democrats do not need to be afraid of angering voters who they have already lost, stand no chance of recovering, and no longer need to win presidential elections. Perhaps the tragedy in Newtown will prompt an overdue reassessment.”
http://www.tnr.com/blog/electionate/111151/could-newtown-change-gun-control-politics#
From my new piece on TPV:
thank you, lib. i know these images are always around us, and i tend to tune them out. but in the wake of this tragedy, i’m noticing guns in advertisements, guns in movie trailers, guns in home you tube videos, guns and gunplay all around us. it’s a cultural commonplace, and it promotes the notion that shooting people is normal, cool, fun. it has to stop. we have to stop it.
remember how we loved this? laughed and laughed:
this is what we’re up against, folks. it’s not going to be quick, it’s not going to be one law, one struggle against the nra. ‘the glorification has to end’.
I wonder what parents are putting under the Christmas tree this year. Will they be celebrating critical thinking kindness love or something else.
wow–just my thinking, idon. posted a similar comment below. this is an essential step in changing our culture of violence.
Bingo!
I was asked to repost this Chips. It was on the end of the last thread.
A message from my late Mother to my daughter.
Status Update
By Marcy Crump
Yesterday I wasn’t around TV or radio, did not see/hear news accounts and only briefly heard the announcement of the horrific and heartbreaking incident at Sandy Hook ES through a business colleague. People don’t know I was born with a six sense. Last night, my grandmother came to me in my dreams and she wasn’t in her normal playful self, she was frustrated and very short. The scene started in her kitchen. Her house filled with family and friends. She made us go sit down and be quiet in her living room which seem to transform into a lecture hall. As we sat there wondering in silence “Uhm, what’s is going on?”…a show began….a spotlight lit a blackened stage and a group of children stood there and said “Enough is enough. What are yall gonna do to save us?” My grandmother Zennie’s message to me was loud & clear.
Yesterday’s mass murder at Sandy Hook surpassed the daily number of 8 children killed in America everyday. 32 people are killed everyday. Homicide rate this year so far: 425 Chicago; 512 LA; 174 New Orleans. What’s the rate for Baltimore so far and your city? Evil has stalked the earth since the beginning of humankind. Enough is enough, stop ignoring reality and stop the violence. Stop ignoring Mental Health problems, stop glorifying killers and ignoring our victims.
Powerful post.
These are the top 4 stories on my local news website right now:
1) the victims of the horrific Ct. school shooting, most 6 and 7 yrs. old
2) Ok. teen arrested in school shooting plot
3) Gunman wounds 3 at Al. hospital
4) 2 dead after shooting at Las Vegas hotel
We are in crisis—-out of control gun violence
Is there video of Michelle’s visit to the Children’s Hospital? I’m curious to see how Bo ended up on Michelle’s lap.
Hello Bob – thank you for your list – I read it earlier and love that you define what needs to be done. I had a couple of ideas from events in my world that may be applicable
1. Ban all advertizing (as with cigarettes – in my world – NO advertizing anywhere)
2. All sales must be done in person – no mail order, no online – if you have to have a gun – then you have to personally present you ID etc to buy one
The father on CNN right now who lost his child and still has the wherewithal to speak is full of grace and dignity as he honors his daughter even while grieving.
For Susanne:
Let’s step away from the devastating horror in Connecticut by honoring President Obama’s home-for-the-holidays vacation. From a couple weeks ago, here’s a NYT Travel article about Georgia O’Keefe’s 1939 visit to Hawaii… “the ‘least commercial artist in the U.S.’ (as Time Magazine described her) was persuaded by the Dole pineapple company to visit the remote Pacific archipelago and produce two canvases. The offer came at a critical time in O’Keeffe’s life. She was 51, her career seemed to be stalling (critics were calling her focus on New Mexico limited, and branding her desert images “a kind of mass production”), and her marriage to Alfred Stieglitz was under serious strain.”
Wonderfully evocative of a long-long past, good for a leisurely sit-down with a cup of tea.
http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/travel/georgia-okeeffes-hawaii.html?_r=0
O’Keeffe’s Hawaii
By TONY PERROTTET
Published: November 30, 2012
“Hana’s dark rain forests, exuberant flora, black sand beaches and lava washed into “sharp and fantastic shapes.” Staying on the Kaeleku sugar plantation, the notoriously prickly artist was given Patricia Jennings, the 12-year-old daughter of the plantation manager, as her private guide, and the two became unlikely friends; for 10 days the pair visited sea caves, ruins and beaches, and later, with Patricia’s father, made excursions to the dramatic Iao Valley and Haleakala Crater.” [snip]
“[Patricia] lives far from Hana, on the Big Island of Hawaii, and rarely travels, though her memories of her time with the artist are still vivid. ‘You never saw a single tourist in the old days,’ she said over the telephone, as I jotted down their itinerary. ‘Even at the most beautiful spots, we were always the only ones there.’
“BACK in Manhattan, O’Keeffe completed a series of 20 sensual, verdant paintings. Dole advertising executives were exasperated to learn that she had painted almost everything except pineapples, including papaya trees, heliconia plants and even fishhooks.”
i am honored, arapaho–mahalo nui loa. yes, it’s time for the president and his family to have a vacation from all the cares of the world. they need and deserve a complete break, to rest, to restore their sense of ease and joy, and to take in the wonders of nature’s beauty. i hope they’ll be able to come soon!
i should have mentioned: this is a song about happy children, and the simple joy of waking up on christmas morning. partial proceeds benefit children’s charity. 🙂
THIS.
The most heart wrenching thing ever—–a dad of one of the victims speaking on CNN—–thru tears——with the photo on the split screen of his beautiful, beautiful adorable little daughter, Emilie. How was he even able to do that—–I give him so much credit for his stamina and composure——such a lovely family standing by him. I don’t know how they can stand it. I just can’t imagine.
He never gives Us more than we can handle. This father is doing what he can for himself, his family and especially his sweet daughter for that is part of his coping of this awful tragedy.
I have cried so much since last night. I didn’t know that I could feel this way. Coming here helps me. Writing and reading what many have written have been very helpful.
I pray that this time, we have all had enough. And move forward to make a huge change.
Not again with these cretins! How low will they go?
I have some terrible thoughts in my head as to why the wrong ones always get shot.
What have these most horrible people ever done for anyone. They are the scum of society. All of those screaming about “God” do not know the God that Jesus spoke about all those years ago – Huckabee belongs with these people – he speaks their language in a slightly less graphic form.
There are no words for creatures like these.
Father of stain child offers sympathy to shooter’s family
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2248823/Connecticut-shooting-Father-Emilie-Parker-speaks-grief.html
I was astounded that nothing happened to move public opinion about gun control after Aurora, even to the extent that Bob Schieffer didn’t mention the topic 3 months later in DENVER at the first debate. Just astounded.
But the gruesome horror of Newtown seems to have struck a nerve. Maybe it’s the time of year, maybe it’s the fact these innocent, trusting FUTURE of our country were heartlessly machine-gunned down in cold blood.
“Romney adviser @MarkDeMoss says it’s time to stop “doing nothing” on guns”
I mentioned last night that I own a butcher knife but I don’t carry it with me wherever I go. Seems reasonable to restrict weapons for the public good.
NRA-supporting “historians” should be reminded that “The shootout at OK Corral was over a gun control rule, and gun laws were tougher in Tombstone then than today.”
Christmas and Children – there is little more revered in our world. Whether the outrage will last – hope springs eternal when children are involved – so maybe this time.
Our obligation to 20 first graders—–gun control now
http://www.courant.com/community/newtown/hc-shea-newtown-shootings-20121215,0,3855336.column
has this been suggested already?
everyone, please, consider all the holiday gifts you’ve selected this year. if any have images of guns, or shooting, please return them to the store and find a gift that celebrates peace, beauty, fun. if there is a video game the kids have been begging for which includes shooting and other scenes of violence, take it back to the store. if the kids wanted to see a movie this christmas that has robots and humans shooting it out, select a different film.
start right now, making a difference. this is the long, hard path to a safe home for children in america.
New post everyone:
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/12/15/how-long-to-sing-this-song/