180 Responses to “2012: A Memory or Two”
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The People’s View
- Follow me at my new venture: Reclaim the Fight Spandan Chakrabarti
- Ignore the bait: Why it’s the right strategy for Democrats to focus SCOTUS fight on health care Spandan Chakrabarti
- BIG: Judge halts Trump administration attempt to shortcut the census Spandan Chakrabarti
- Trump doesn't want peaceful transition of power. Legally, it doesn’t matter. Spandan Chakrabarti
- Fauci goes off on Rand Paul Spandan Chakrabarti
Smartypants
- Can Democrats Work With the "New Right" on Anti-Trust Issues?
- Alito's Embrace of Junk Science Will Make Several Forms of Contraception Illegal
- Biden: "This Is No Longer Your Father's Republican Party"
- The Only Way to Fight Back Against a Radicalized Supreme Court
- The Orbanization of the Republican Party
Steve Benen
- President Biden and first lady to visit Buffalo following shooting
- Meacham: I do think there's hope; without hope we should just close down the republic
- Republican Pennsylvania Senate candidate participated in January 6 march
- Bloggers in Russia criticize military after Ukraine bridge attack
- What are the next legal steps for Buffalo shooting suspect?
The Obama Diary 
First?
Hi y’all! Congrats, Mary.
Hello everybody.
Hi Jer. All ready for the holidays?
No. They are gaining on me.
They’re gaining on me too, mainly because I don’t really feel in the mood. I bought the ingredients to make a Christmas cake, yet I keep telling myself I’ll do it ‘tomorrow’. You couldn’t tell the holidays are imminent here as I haven’t hung one ornament and am not planning to. After all, I can look out the window to see my neighbours’ elaborately colourful lights, so no one will notice that I have none. 😉 Yep, I’m auditioning for Mrs, Grinch this year.
{{{{{{VC}}}}}} love you VC!
Hello there, friend! 😆 😆 Sending some positive vibes your way too. {{{Pamela}}} Yesterday I thought of following your idea to put up just a table top tree this year, but anything I put up I’ll have to take down later and I don’t want to be bothered this year. My back-up plan is to do only the stair lights/greenery, IF offspring expresses any wish for some Christmas spirit. A girlfriend just called to confirm my attendance at her celebrations – trying to pull a fast one because I’d already told her I wasn’t coming. Reminded of this she said she was checking to see if I had changed my mind. 🙄
I do understand your sentiments exactly! Up until last week, I wasn’t even considering Christmas, then things changed, and as I have had time to putter, I have only put up a few bits which were within easy reach! No way I could unpack the entire Cnristmas closet, and nothing on the outside this year, only a funky seed thing, shaped like a 6-pointed star, between the front door and the storm door. The table top was all I could manage, and it only has one strand of white lights, a little angel on top, and a few angels at the foot. It looks perfect actually! I am done, it’s only the 22nd, and I am quite pleased to have Christmas day off work for the first time since 2006! Okay!
This Christmas is really hard. I am heartbroken. I have been playing holiday music and watching Christmas movies on the tv trying to lift my sadness. I am so sick of all the madness that it must take to murder our children. Enough, this must stop.
I have been feeling very unwell, chest cold and school and not being able to use cpap machine because of said cold, and I was getting very worried about having stuff done for Christmas. I asked my daughter how she would feel if we didn’t have a tree. She said she would be okay with it, so this year we are having her little tinsel tree from her dorm in college. I was feeling very sad about it, but then realized that I was feeling very relieved that I didn’t have to spend the money and the time on it. We always used to have a big dinner after church on Christmas Eve and a pancake breakfast on Christmas Morning, but my son doesn’t live at home and that would require two trips for him so we’re having the pancake ‘breakfast’ for dinner. All of a sudden, although it’s very different from our regular Christmas, it’s beginning to sound very easy. I’ll have more time to spend just hanging out with my children. Sometimes things change and come out even better.
Thank you Chips! Stormy seas after about 220 comments! Calmer now! G’day y’all! Well done Maryl1!
Congrats mary1. Top 10 for me.
Congrats Maryl1 on first. How is everyone here? Just have been peeping lately.
Happy Holidays to everyone. Be safe and secure in your world. (((((((hugs to all))))))
Thank you vc, yardarm, and roberta. Just hanging out on the computer now that I am ON VACATION!!
aloha from hawaii, birthplace of the best president ever!!! 🙂
Aloha, susanne! Mele Kalikimaka! That sounds so pretty! 🙂
Healing Peace and Grace to all!
beautiful, bill~ thank you!
And to you, Bill, thank you.
Thank you Bill, that was just beautiful. Thank you for sharing. And I am sure Sue from MN heard it was well.
very nice
Thank you Bill.
Thank you Bill R., I have been playing “Deep Peace several times daily since the shooting. This song is an ancient Gaelic Blessing. I listen to Libera, a young boys choir, I can’t post it because my mouse needs a battery. Their voices are so angelic If anyone searches for it and plays it I would be grateful. I have cried, because it is so beautiful. I esp. wanted to post and dedicate it to Chips because it is Gaelic and helps one see appreciate the Ancient Irish. I am also Irish and it touches my soul so deeply.
That was so peaceful.
Bill, this is so lovely and so peaceful. My heart is peaceful, my spirit is full. Thank you for sharing this with us. So beautiful.HZ
Very nice Bill. I love that you have started posting these meditations. That was very restful.
Beautiful…Tranquil…
buzzfeed does a nice tribute to ladybird johnson, on what would have been her 100th birthday. (though of course it’s just sentimental to call her the best first lady ever–we know who that title belongs to!)
http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/25-reasons-lady-bird-johnson-was-the-best-first-la
Susanne,
Thank you for this. As a native Texan, this piece does reflect the Lady Bird I remember. The Texas wildflowers are prevalent to this day.
i always think of her as the first public figure who spoke out for the native species and their beauty. what had been silly weeds, became precious symbols of the native land. also, she got rid of the horrid billboards that were such a visual blight on our landscape.
I liked and respected her very much. and whenever I remember her I think of a comedy routine; “Plant a tree or a bush or a shrub”. I don’t remember who did it.
I can not wait until Texas turns “Blue” and become a Democratic state again. I had the pleasure of working for the State of Texas when Ann Richards was the Treasurer.
i think texas is turning blue, jojo. there are many who remember ann richards fondly, and who believe in democratic values. i worked for new mexico governor bruce king, and his wife alice was a force for good in the region. solid democrats, and guess what–we had prosperity, too!
Our twitter buddy actress Holland Taylor is playing Ann Richards on Broadway and it looks like it would be fun to see!
http://www.theannrichardsplay.com/
meta, you may already know this, that Cecile Richards the head of Planned Parenthood is the daughter of Ann Richards.
Yes! And she’s a terrific advocate for women’s rights.
i was so pleased when i heard that! both incredible public servants, savvy, hard working, big hearted women. ann was also known for her sense of humor–anybody know if cecile has that fine quality too?
She looks like her mom too. Good.
That day will come.
Oh, utaustin, I am lookin’ forward to my home state turning blue . . . . xoxo
Chips that was just wonderful THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Well, that brought tears….
Beautiful video Chipsticks.
Beautiful Tribute…..
aw Chips I was fine until I got to the end. That was so sweet of you to put something in there in memory of Sue. Very thoughtful. She’ll be missed. On another note a lovely compendium of different pictures from the campaign – and we still have the inauguration to go through!
Thank you Alice, still heartbroken over Sue, as I’m sure all her friends are.
Chipa, it was such a beautiful video, reliving some of the campaign scenes and feelings. At the end, I gasped when I saw the tribute to Sue. What a wonderful thing to do. She would have been so pleased and proud. Thank you.
Chip, that is a lovely video and the tribute at the end to Sue is very noble and magnanimous of you. Thanks>>
Thank you so much for this Chips. It was absolutely perfect.
Aloha Sue from Minnesota. Chips, that was Just beautiful!…and a fitting tribute for Sue… so many times i have neglected to let you know that i so appreciate all you do…. especially these videos. Mahalo nui loa. UDABEST!
I haven’t been here in a while. What happened to Sue?
She died Cindy…
May her lovely soul rest in perfect peace…
OMG CHIPS!!! I love that video so much!!!!! THANK YOU!
Chips, how very sweet to dedicate the video to Sue. The song and the dedication brought tears to my eyes. I’m sure wherever Sue is, she loves it too.
Have a Cool Yule and a Frantic First!
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=GBaHPND2QJg
yay!
Thanks, I enjoyed that again, and emailed it to a friend.
Very uplifting yardarm – thanks!
DMI!
Oh my gosh! That was wonderful!!! TODers are posting lovely things tonight. 🙂
oh Chipsters, thank you for the memories. xoxox
Chips, I’ll just let Bob Hope say it for me:
Screwed it up as usual.
Fixed it for you Japa, just lovely, thank you!
I love this song. The lyrics are so poignant. One of the sweetest and saddest songs I know.
Beautiful!
Indeed! Thank you.
Only three times I remember happening upon a remarkable TV event that I didn’t plan for. Motown 25th when Michael Jackson glided on the stage and brought down the house. Chris Rock who I didn’t think much of until I channel-surfed to HBO, stopped and watched him on stage bring down the house. I couldn’t believe that was Chris Rock from SNL. And the last is young Obama 04 speech that brought the house down. I kept saying “who’s this dude?” while watching it at the time. That speech still brings me to my feet. I think that was the definition of luck = preparation meeting opportunity. All the speeching he did in college and beyond sharpened his skill. Same for the other two greats.
Thanks, Ms Chips, you are a dear…. well you are, when you are not being not-a-dear. Sue in M still comes to my mind at odd times.
Believe it or not, this morning I woke up and my first thought was to send positive vibes for a handful of TOD-ers who I don’t see often – CTGirl, Fred, CJ Julisch , and Proud of O. That’s all it was, just to send a quick ‘hope you are all having an uplifting day’ to them via telepathy. Then I went to the addiction treatment centre for the entire day to test out my reaction, with the end result that I have the shivers now since I don’t know what happened here today. BUT, I -I-I-I DDDIIIID MAN-N-AGE A-A-A WW-WHO-O-OLE DAY WWWITH-OUT P-P-PEEEKING IN OONCE! 😉 😉
“BUT, I -I-I-I DDDIIIID MAN-N-AGE A-A-A WW-WHO-O-OLE DAY WWWITH-OUT P-P-PEEEKING IN OONCE!”
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
Hello there, Mr. Bobfr! I’m feeling a bit more in control of myself now that I’m been back in the village for a good hour. 😉
GM folks.
LL, hope you’re doing ok now. I need my g&t fix, dood.
Hey, amk!
What a wonderful video and a beautiful way to remember Sue. Thank you Ms. Chips.
Wonderful tribute Ms Chips to all those who worked so hard for PBO in 2012 and to Sue.
Wonderful outlook on the Kabuki theater that is the Fiscal Cliff show: http://www.chrisweigant.com/2012/12/19/enjoying-the-kabuki/
Chipsticks, that vid is so touching. Thank You!
Loved this part 1 of the 2012 awards for best/worst http://www.democratsforprogress.com/2012/12/21/my-2012-mclaughlin-awards-part-1/
And President Obama is recognized sufficiently, too! Loved it!
Chips, what a lovely video. Thanks for all of the beauty. So moving. You are so special to us.HZ
nice roundup. i would have given ‘politician of the year’ to president obama, however. he won re-election against a well-funded, determined, experienced machine while unemployment was high and home values low. yes, he had help and support from brilliant, devoted followers. but he did it,he made it happen. and it would never have happened without him.
Great read – and such well thought out awards – love the Nate Silver one – and must agree with theo – the President is mentioned for all the right reasons.
Loved the video…..thank you.
Oh Chips, I was tearing up thru the whole video and then I came to the dedication to Sue at the end and I really teared up. What a wonderful tribute. Since my post was the last one on the last thread I copied it to bring it over.
Good evening Chips and TOD family. I do hope the First Family is getting well deserved rest and relaxation in beautiful Hawaii!!!! We are going to have a White Christmas. I am getting a very special Christmas gift. Since my husband has had 2 hip replacement surgeries this past year. The last one was in Oct. He asked me what I wanted and I said for the 2 of us to go someplace fun. So in January we are going to spend a week in the wine country around Santa Rosa, CA. I am so excited. We are going to hit as many wineries as we can. This is my idea of a great vacation. This will be the best Christmas present ever!!!!
I pray all of TODville will have a very special time. I do know that I will be around. Our sons will be spending time with their in laws so we are on our own. I am not bummed, I am looking forward to some nice quiet time. We may go to a movie in the afternoon.
We will deal with the end of the world later. I have complete faith that our President will be able to do what needs to be done.
Have a great evening everyone.
Now we are off to spend a late evening with a bunch of young folks at a bar. I am so lucky that our children and their friends love having us at all of their parties. It do keep us young.
Sounds lovely, mtmarilyn – have fun with the youngsters and the young at heart!
I need to get started baking some cakes, but where have I been the last two hours? Catching up on TOD posts and watching The Wizard of Oz on TNT! I’m a TOD and Wizard addict, so I guess I’ll be up late baking cakes. I found a new recipe for a moist pound cake, and I’m hoping it will be similar to the ones my grandmother used to bake that, if you took it to a church event, it would make you want to slap the preacher!!! I hope everyone has a great Merry Christmas. My daughter and her fiance are arriving on Monday evening, and I can hardly wait!
I love pound cake, with some fresh berries and whipped cream. Sounds lovely, majiir – hope you have a lovely time with your family!
Merry Christmas to you and yours Majiir…
Have a fantastic time with your daughter and her husband to be…
You are masterful, dear Chips, and you created this tribute to Sue is very touching. Thank you
Thanks for tweeting this, Bobfr. It is indeed a wonderful video and tribute to Sue in MN.
Thank you Bobfr
Thank you majiir & Gail – the least I could do for Chips & Sue!
#FORWARD
nice bob!
I believe the President is ensuring that Boehner fully understands the party he supposedly controls. As a secondary issue – the world also knows who is going to inflict recession and perhaps depression on their world – because a number of dumb fools don’t think a black man has any right to be President of the USA.
Yes, I do believe our President found yet another teachable moment for the young Boehner aka grasshopper.
Great graphic!!!
Bobfr, thank you so much. You are so brilliant. I am so grateful for all that you do for all of us and our POTUS. Thanks you, Bobfr.HZ
Such a spot on tweet…
Absolutely spot-on tweet! Thanks meta for sharing it with us.
LOVE the video, Chips. So many memories of a tough but ultimately incredibly fantastic year. Sometimes it’s hard to believe we went through all that and came out a much better community. And the tribute to Sue is wonderful. I remember when she changed her avatar to a photo. She was such a pretty person., with such a good heart and so smart. I hope she is at peace.
Very lovely video made all the more special by the choice of music. I could relive those memories a hundred times and never tire of the love and admiration that people feel for this great man and his family.
Thanks, chips for posting this beautiful tribute to Sue From Minnesota.
LL, I hope you feel better soon.
Dang Chips I hadn’t cried in at least 24 hours.. you just had to go & start up the water works again. That was so beautiful and thank you from the bottom of my heart for such a wonderful, loving tribute to our Sue.. I think she’d be completely thrilled. Rest in Peace Sue In Minnesota.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday finalized a set of long-planned rules that put limits on emissions of harmful air pollutants from industrial boilers and incinerators.
Known as boiler MACT rules, the standards impose the first-ever limits on emissions for mercury, acid gases and fine particulate matter, or soot, for boilers and incinerators.
The agency said the rules would affect about 1 percent of the nation’s boilers. It added the rules would yield public health benefits, preventing 8,100 premature deaths and 5,100 heart attacks per year beginning in 2015.
Republicans and industry had fought the rules, saying they represented regulatory overreach and would impose burdensome economic costs. That pressure led to several revisions to bake in more flexibility for industry.
The final rules also included some of that flexibility by holding off on implementation until 2016 at the earliest, giving industry more time to comply.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/274247-epa-finalizes-boiler-emissions-rules
You see? The Administration can make big changes by using the power of the Cabinets, like EPA, to effect climate change.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today participated in a ceremony to sign an agreement to provide $1.55 billion to the City and County of Honolulu on the island of Oahu to build Hawaii’s first-ever rail transit system. The project is expected to shorten commutes in one of the most congested cities in the nation, provide greater transit options to Oahu’s residents and visitors, and create tens of thousands of construction-related jobs.
“The Honolulu rail transit project, the first of its kind in the state, will bring new transit options to the growing region and create a modern transportation system that is built to last for future generations,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood. “And though, sadly, Senator Inouye cannot be here with us today, this agreement is a testament to his tireless advocacy on behalf of his state and its people.”
Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff signed the actual federal funding agreement at a ceremony in Washington D.C. today. Secretary LaHood and Administrator Rogoff were joined by Senator Daniel Akaka, Senator-Elect Mazie Hirono, Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa, Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) CEO Dan Grabauskas and City Council Chairman Ernest Martin.
http://www.fta.dot.gov/newsroom/12286_14962.html
See? This is important and the Republucsns can do nothing but hold Hearings make themselves feel better. This is why they are so bitter, they wanted the WH and the power that goes with it!
Good news: we’ll get to see President and Mrs. Obama’s interview with Barbara Walters. Not thrilled about her, but I love seeing them together.
It has been re-scheduled to December 26th at 11:35pm ET / 10:35 CT on ABC.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/12/barbara-walters-interview-with-president-barack-obama-and-first-lady-michelle-obama-to-air-on-a-special-holiday-edition-of-nightline-wednesday-december-26-at-1135-pm-on-abc/
Nice. Dec. 26th is the same day The Kennedy Center Honors airs. But I believe it ends at 11PM ET so we have a double dose of Obamas. Niiiiiiiice.
I think the Kennedy center air Thursday night on CBS
Evening all.
So, an update. Vomiting has stopped, but let’s just say I’m still going to the bathroom on a regular basis. Just finished a bit of white rice, and have been sipping on Gatorade and water. Hopefully the virus will work its way out of me overnight. My body hurts, i have a fever, and as I said, the bathroom is my favorite room right now. I just hope I can get some sleep tonight.
LL – Sounds like a 24-hour thingie. Feel better!
Sorry you feel so bad, Lib…try to get as much fluid as you can, that will make a huge difference in how you feel. Hope you get some rest and feel better fast!
Gastroentiritis!
feel better soon…..
Ah Chips, that was simply beautiful. I hope Sue knows how much we miss her.
Get better soon, LL.
aloha todfolk! i’ve had the pleasure of hosting a friend’s children today. what a delight to hear their sweet voices, watch them skipping and bouncing, and thoroughly mess up the kitchen making peppermint bark and gingerbread. my own grandchildren are far away, and i won’t get to see them this year for the holidays. so i just borrowed some from a dear lady who could use a break. win-win!
Such a sweet story, susanne. I waved goodbye-for-now to my precious toddler great grandson on Dec. 1, after their visit and when they were on their way back to Florida, but I’m still finding Lego pieces behind things, and I actually “saved” one of his fingerprints on a door, to remind me of him! He totally ruled all of the adults, even though we tried to gain control, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! Won’t see him for about five months, but he says hi on the phone and I get constant photos, so I can make it! (I think.)
love the saved fingerprint 🙂
🙂
susanne – your posts are a delight – you find all that is good in the world and share it around – now I am googling to find out what is “peppermint bark” – it sure sounds delicious
Oooooh – not seen that in my world – Christmas treat delux
now you have a unique treat to give, and nobody will know it’s easy!
Good of and for you, Susanne! 😆 In my much younger days before I ‘settled down’ I too used to borrow my friends’ kids for a weekend here and there to remind me that ‘settling’ wasn’t necessarily a bed of roses, while giving mother some quiet time. I don’t do it anymore because a) I’m settled physically and b) the children of my younger friends are too restless for me. 😉
‘restless’ is a very nice word for wild youngsters during the holidays! i am lucky here in hawaii i can send them out to run around the yard between projects 🙂
Susanne, as a mom of a 7-year-old and 3-year-old I can tell you, I am sure the mom savored every moment of her break and will be a better mom after a little time to herself. I also have two grown children ages 23 and 20, and when they were little both sets of Grandparents lived within a short drive from us. Now, although my parents live next door, they are in their 80’s and can’t handle the kiddos on their own, but my Mom does come over and spend time doing art and playing games with them, and I so appreciate those times. And btw, I would LOVE your recipe for pepperment bark!
you are a trooper, with a second wave of little ones. i love having them visit, but full time without help–that’s a gift of love they’ll appreciate some day.
Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate that. I tell myself they keep me young. 🙂
wow, thanks for all the very kind and sweet responses! i guess this is a theme near to many hearts this time of year….well, two themes, children and food! 🙂
okay, here’s the quick easy simple yummy peppermint bark ‘recipe’:
purchase a package of baker’s chocolate, semisweet is dark and rich.
purchase a box of candy canes.
lay a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet.
put the chocolate chunks in a metal bowl in a pan with an inch or so of simmering water (or use a double boiler if you have one), let chocolate get soft and melty.
crush candy canes a bit with a whack of a wooden spoon.
spoon the chocolate onto the parchment, and spread it around with a spatula.
sprinkle the candy cane pieces onto the soft chocolate, pressing them in a bit.
place pan in the refrigerator and chill until chocolate is solid, about a half hour.
break into pieces (like tree bark, i guess) and store in a closed container.
we also made a batch with white chocolate, using broken nut meats and dried blueberries instead of peppermints. have fun and enjoy!
ooh yum. gonna try this over the weekend with my young neice and nephew, both of whom are budding chefs with wicked sweet tooths. thank you for posting the recipe. Mahalo!
you’re so welcome!
Demand a plan to end gun violence.
There seems to be a new series of videos – ‘Demand a plan to end gun violence’ – with different people speaking out,
Ugh, why? Why do I read comments at HuffPost? I think I may have to take a break from the news and FB, and Twitter and such until after Christmas. The ignorance and arrogance of so many of my fellow Americans leaves me feeling like I need a shower. I think I might just hang out here til 12/26.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/22/obama-state-of-the-union-_n_2352613.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D249283
It gets started by the far left fundraisers like Move on and Rebuild our Nightmare.
I get emails from them all the time putting this President in the same light as Boner.
It riles the Far Left up, little do they know they are bring played for money.
You know, the far left prides themselves for being well educated, but they get played by the Republicans and the Lefty fundraisers.
If you ask me, they let their emotions rule rational thinking.
Just saying!
The make the same stupid mistake over and over again.
I agree, Jovie…sad that they can be so easily deceived.
What a beautiful video and tribute to Sue. Miss her fierce and generous spirit. When I look at the pictures at all who volunteered, came to rallies, reveled at his victory, I am convinced that we have the power of the people. If we continue to support POTUS we will overcome the mindless GOPopposition.
The acting Director of CIA Mike Morell says the movie Zero Dark Thirty is not a Documentary. And that torture in no way is responsible for the capture of Bin Laden.
The Writers of that Movie got punked by the Republicans and made it more Neo-Com like!
That is all!
Killing of Bin Laden!
Great video Chipsticks. Sue would have been so happy to see the President re-elected. I’m sure that somewhere out there in the universe she does know.
Hi everyone. What a beautiful tribute. Rest in peace, Sue.
Dear Friends, In the ancient spiritual tradition of the desert Mothers and Fathers, there is a practice called “Guard of the Heart.” What it means is that we don’t allow into the deep part of our soul any negative thoughts or energies that do violence to our spirit or introduce despair or negativity. And we also guard against letting our own minds go down negative or despairing pathways. For that reason I try not to visit sites that have so much of the negativity that some here report and have witnessed on Huffpo and others. In any event, especially now it is a sensitive time for everyone and a time to keep our hopeful and heartful spirit alive and uplifted. For that reason this forum is a real refuge where we can nurture one another’s spirit and share the Light with those around us. Our President has this gift. He guards and nurtures the inner life well and therefore remains strong in his ability to share the Light with all people in the world. Though not always successful myself, I am inspired by his example.
You are very wise, Bill …. very.
Thank you.
#TrustBarack
Excellent advice, Bill. I agree too that PBO is an excellent example. 🙂
One of his students asked Buddha, “Are you the messiah?”
“No”, answered Buddha.
“Then are you a healer?”
“No”, Buddha replied.
“Then are you a teacher?” the student persisted.
“No, I am not a teacher.”
“Then what are you?” asked the student, exasperated.
“I am awake”, Buddha replied.
beautiful, jovie. thank you for that powerful story.
thanks for saying this, bill. you’re so right–our president makes the effort to stay positive and speak in a gracious way, even when it must be very tempting to sneer and shake his head in disgust. i think we gather here, and try to follow his example, because we intuitively know that this way of being in the world is what really makes a difference, for our families, communities, the nation, and the world. it’s so fundamental.
Our President has this gift. He guards and nurtures the inner life well and therefore remains strong in his ability to share the Light with all people in the world. Though not always successful myself, I am inspired by his example.
***************************************************************************
Thank you for your wise words Bill……
Thank you Bill R., for these wonderful words of wisdom! I know my disposition greatly improved after I decided to no longer watch the
24-7 so called cable news show. What is amazing is that I still stay informed despite shutting off the noise, most of it negative, from the
24-7 cable news shows.
I am so grateful for this great gift of wisdom you’ve shared with us. We can always use this eloquent reminder, but it seems especially fitting at this time. Thank you, Bill R.
I love this tradition and can hopefully introduce it into my women’s group. We do have to protect ourselves. Thanks, Bill.
Beautifully said, Bill. You made a wise decision to stay away from places that are full of negativity. It’s very difficult to nurture the spirit and share the light in dark times. But I think when we fail to do that, we fail the best part of ourselves as well as those we love. That’s why it’s important to keep trying, no matter how many times we fail.
Beautiful video and a wonderful tribute to Sue.
Also, Filibuster reform in the next Congress will allow the President to get any of his nominees through the Senate.
Judges, Cabinet members, and ATF director. ATF confirmation would be first time in the tenure of this President!
woot! gonna be a goooooood year!
the memorial service for senator inouye tomorrow has been prepared and rehearsed–some interesting details in this article:
‘All five branches of the military are participating. “This is the greatest coordination ever of the military, the Department of Defense, the greater Honolulu community, the State Department, all the other government agencies that have come together,” said cemetery director Gene Castagnetti.
During the rehearsal, the color guard members went through their paces; the military pallbearers worked with a rehearsal casket; the military band played parts of the songs they will perform — all mindful that, as Castagnetti put it, they will only have one chance to get it right.’
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/20411395/dozens-rehearse-for-inouye-funeral-services-at-punchbowl
He certainly deserves every bit of it, Susanne, as I know you deeply appreciate.
and an update about the president’s first day of vacation:
‘The president’s motorcade left his Kailua compound at about 8 p.m. for Morimoto’s restaurant in Waikiki.
Earlier this afternoon, the president spend nearly six hours at the Kaneohe Klipper course at Marine Corps Base Hawaii with childhood friends Bobby Titcomb and Mike Ramos, White House chef Sam Kass and aide Marvin Nicholson.’
http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/184585641.html?id=184585641
Thanks so much Susanne for all the updates about Pres. Obama in Hawaii. Keep ’em coming. 😀
more hawaii-centric info, this from booman about our new senator hirono, and who will replace inouye:
http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2012/12/22/212015/23
hadn’t seen this before!
nice piece about kailua residents welcoming the obamas:
‘ Several signs were put up by residents around Kailua welcoming the first family.
Artist Aloha Mcneil made this sign on canvas just in time for the family’s arrival.
She put it up on her backyard fence which is directly across from where the Obamas are staying in Kailua.
“My name is Aloha and I wanted to tell him Aloha so we put Aloha Obama Ohana it kind of rhymes. I find it to be thrilling I mean this is the most important man in the world its exciting to even be in proximity to him,” said Aloha Mcneil. ‘
http://www.khon2.com/content/news/developingstories/story/Kailua-residents-welcome-Obama-Ohana-with-open/PLTvI-dv9UesVmB6RV-8Gw.cspx
this one has a couple of photos on the golf course:
http://www.khon2.com/content/news/developingstories/story/President-Obama-hits-the-links-at-Kaneohe-golf/KLcrGQLumU-SQESvXRc6kg.cspx
nice tribute to new mexico’s retiring senator jeff bingaman:
‘ U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman seems a man out of time these days, a politician more dedicated to substance than in seeing himself on television or reading his name in the newspaper. He is old-school, able to reach across the aisles to get the work of the nation done, less interested in politics than in policy. Together, Bingaman and retired U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici were a formidable team for New Mexico — one a Democrat, the other a Republican, yet united in taking care of their state.’
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Opinion/122312SUNedit
These are some fine comments here in the middle of the night. So glad I got up . . .
and am watching Barack Obama’s 2004 speech at the DNC. Here’s what’s the
guiding light for me, quoting PBO: “In a generous America, you don’t have to
be rich to achieve your potential.” Not a whole lot of words, but it is the proposition
I’m dedicated to. Forward. And thank you always for your company here on TOD.
That’s what I do all night too, if I am at work. There are some great folks who help pass the time and if every one leaves then I just reread other posts or look at photos. What could be nicer than Barack Obama at any time of day or night.
Thanks Chips for this marvelous video which is a fitting tribute to Sue in Minnesota! Your generosity of spirit and your love really shines through everything you do. I hope you and your family, as well as the TOD family, have a fabulous holiday season.
aloha sarah and nathan
this is indeed a great place to be late at night! but now, i’m signing off till tomorrow. mele kalikimaka~
sweeeeet. Let us all dine similarly, with family and friends, reflecting on our purpose
as citiziens in this nation. Along the way, the reflections. xoxox and some
conversations with family and friends about our reflections, asking for their thoughts as well.
We could all become more thoughtful, I think. Starting with me.
Yummy…wish i was there.
McCain’s only concern with the Kerry nomination? If he supports the Syrian no fly zone? You have to be kidding me?
Thanks Chipsticks for posting this video. Its kinda wild cause im actually in the video. Ill definitely be saving this footage! Thanks again!!!
Morning everyone:
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/12/23/rise-and-shine-and-chat-awat/