Happy New Year all my O peeps!! What a great getting up first day of the year on planet TOD!!! I slept through the dawning of my New Year by falling asleep with about 45 minutes to go. I woke up to find the earth still on it’s axis, the poles are still south and north of us, all 7 continents are accounted for, and Pooh still craves the honey pot.
Hi LiberalLibrarian, I just looked up Chelsea and there are three definitions. Wondering which Chelsea you support? Just trying to get acquainted here. 🐱
Folks don’t realize what Pres Obama just accomplished, He has lit the dynamite inside the GOP between the Wall Street rich folks & the doctrinaire insane asylum. He has shown up their suicidal terrorism. He can sit back and let wall street strangle Cantor. If we go over cliff he pockets ALL revenue.
He did say they have a hard time saying YES to him right? And it was not his fingerprints on the deal Right? They wanted Joe Biden right?
aloha and good (late) morning from the 50th state. just scanned through all 4500000 comments on the last thread. whew! you folks get up and get to work! i’m still not sure i can type coherently, but sending best wishes for a happy new year to all. dudette, your music choices last night kept me dancing till way too late. i’m way too old for that, but sooooo grateful!
as to the ridiculous, childish, self-cleaning oven which is the republican party— drama and more drama, till they’re all a heap of ash to be swept away.
Howard “Kill the Bill!” Dean is at it again. He cites from the Hill but does not provide the actual CBO documentation. WHY NOT?? Since when is the Hill to be trusted on these matters?
@GovHowardDean According to the Hill? Please provide the actual documention from the CBO, please.
The Hill is putting out information supposedly from the CBO stating that the Biden-McConnell bill adds $4 trillion to the deficit over the next decade – but not sourcing their information. I can’t find anything from the CBO, only what The Hill is putting out.
I find that highly suspect. Where is the actual documentation from the CBO?!?!? And why don’t we have access to it?!?!?
Of course, this is against the baseline (which assumed the expiry of all tax cuts) so naturally undoing those tax increases was going to add a lot to the deficit.
For the full text of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, see here.
HELLO FAMILY!! It’s me Aunt Sis. Sorry, I have been of the grid since the re-election of our beloved President. I wish each and everyone one you a delay but happy holidays and new year. Here’s to a wonderful 2013!!
here’s what i see developing: the rethugs are holding on by their teeth and claws till their gerrymandering yields a shift in power that will be impervious to voter interests. seems like they don’t care who won the election, or what the american people want? that’s because it’s true, they are oblivious to all that, because they’re quietly dismantling it’s efficacy. our task in the next few years is going to be more local, and more focused on judges who will or will not stop these rethug efforts.
sam wang is on this. part one of a 3-part analysis is bracing and essential reading:
‘ As current negotiations over the [fiscal cliff] / [austerity bomb] make clear, rank-and-file Republicans in the House of Representatives are not receptive to the policy implications of November’s election. ‘
As current negotiations over the [fiscal cliff] / [austerity bomb] make clear, rank-and-file Republicans in the House of Representatives are not receptive to the policy implications of November’s election. ‘
the pope’s message today included a scolding for greedheads:
‘ He deplored “hotbeds of tension and conflict caused by growing instances of inequality between rich and poor”.
Those “hotbeds” also grew out of “the prevalence of a selfish and individualistic mindset which also finds expression in an unregulated financial capitalism”, as well as “various forms of terrorism and crime”, he said. ‘
I see there was quite the party here last night. I did something we rarely do on New Year’s Eve…we went out! Had a great time dinner & dancing. Got the alert about the “cliff” during deal dinner and our whole table applauded. We are truly blessed to be here to see this President in action! Truly! I know that 2013 will be so very blessed for of us.
A special thanks to our beloved Chips for this amazing place. And I for one am all for a TOD gathering!
Chipsticks, this video is so touching – thank you! I especially love the elderly gentleman attempting to stand out of his wheelchair to shake President Obama’s hand. Oh My!
I just placed a call to Cantor’s office. Spoke with a young man, and when I finished the young man was choked up. I took drama, and this young man was not acting.HZ
Happy New Year…….again.
While catching up on last post, you guys were here. Last will be first.
Just called Eric Canton’s number and left a message. The person was nice,
CAll guys! This is what our President would want us to do. Make calls, tweet, e-mail.
In other words, stay on their asses……even now. We have the power! We have the victory!
Glad to see Senator Bernie Sanders vote for a necessary but imperfect bill that will no doubt help the middle class. So does this mean that Sen. Sanders will stop going on the Thom Hartmann show and speaking ill about whatever President Obama does?
No Don. I’m not a cynic, but it was obvious given the overwhelming number of Rs that voted for the bill that they and Senator Sanders knew full well what Cantor’s #teahadists would do, today, and they’re more than eager to let those GOP traitors in the House own it.
Please forgive me Chips, but I’m having such a great time over at the Orange Satan reading their bullshit about how President Obama sold the middleclass down the river, their stupidity is both hilarious and sad.
I know Sullivan has many detractors on this site, myself included, but when he gets it right – I temporarily and cautiously forgive. This commentary is certainly better than the hair on fire soulmates that represents the left and the right in this country. Both of them are equally lacking in self-awareness and both live in a delusional world of magical thinking.
The Long Game, Revisited.
“In other words, I can see Obama’s logic here. What he’s getting – which is a gradual shift toward more fiscal responsibility, with key protections for the working poor and the unemployed in place – is all he really wants right now. Like many of Obama’s incremental achievements, you can sometimes miss the forest for the trees. We have the biggest tax hike in decades – without a sudden recession. And we have huge, painful spending cuts looming unless new revenue is found through tax reform. The end result – for all its unseemly messiness right now – may still be a sane, graduated fiscal readjustment as the economy recovers. The sequester can be back-loaded a little to find that elusive sweet spot between structural fiscal rebalancing and economic growth. And we could even clean up the tax code a little.
It’s not great, but it will do. Sometimes, the little advances are preferable under certain circumstances to big breakthroughs. And Obama has to face a rabid Republican House probably for his next four years. They self-destructed on Plan B. They will almost certainly have to swallow hard and vote for big tax increases in the next day or so. And a campaign to slash Medicare is their next major goal. A phrase springs to mind.
Good write-up edwina3, I also like Sullivan but what is so bothersome about him is that he can so easily be swayed to go against President Obama at the drop of a hat. All if not most of us here at TOD know that President Obama is playing the long game, if you listen to anything he says it is readily apparent. You would think that someone of Sullivan’s ability would be able and understand President Obama strategy. I’m not the fastest guy in the world but their was never a moment in the last six years did I not understand what President said or did.
Like most republicans – he is driven by complete self interest – his implosion after the first debate was extreme stupid – I haven’t been back to read him since then. It has not been difficult for republicans to support President Obama over the past 5 years – those who are sane realize the damage the GOP has done to America – and it seems this will continue for the next 4 years – to scream every time they disagree with a DEMOCRATIC President is their mode of operandi and it gives support to the RWNJs
All of you are wrong, wrong, wrong. Our smart, sexy VP is sitting at my kitchen table enjoying a hot cup of coffee and eating a slice of my delicious pound cake as I type. He says he has to leave soon to meet Dr. Jill for dinner. LOL
Happy New Year, Chips, once again! I’ve been watching what I write on Twitter, but thanks for allowing obnoxious language here when speaking of Republicans, in particular. I just can’t stop tweeting this effing bastard throughout the day! Based on his follow-up tweet, earlier, methinks the blowback he’s gotten has given him more attention than since he used to lie for GWBush for a living. But, heck, it’s New Year’s Day and I’ll give him a little attention in the spirit of the holiday. Well, the spirit of the holiday at this Democrat’s house, that is!
@AriFleischer What an extreme grasp of the obvious! We can do math, but we're not buying your lack of charitable thinking, much less giving.
you tell ‘im jacqueline! charity is not a solution to a tax problem, to make the math work. charity comes from the heart, and is unrelated to financial considerations.
here’s the dirty secret about ‘charity’ as he means it: he can donate to the opera society, the harvard club, the museum of gilded extravagance, and get a ‘charitable’ exemption.
giving to people, to help people, to save the very lives of people– how did myth put it?– don’t worry about those people; there are plenty of safety nets for them.
Yes, susanne, you nailed it. I’m thinking another nice charity Ari Ferrari probably donates to, on behalf of the people, is the NRA. Or maybe he considers his own IRA a charity. Hell’s hot, Ari.
Geez Ari, you should have thought about that shit starting in 2000. Maybe if your boss would not have gave millionaires and billionaires two tax breaks, two unfunded and senseless wars, and a unfunded Part D we wouldn’t have to worry about charities receiving less in donations.
Right, Ari. Since when did Karl Rove and Dick Armey become a charity?
Because that’s where a lot of millions have flowed since the Bush tax cuts. Millionaires have had tax cuts for nearly a decade. It seems to that among a significant percentage of them, money is for hoarding, not giving. And for another significant percentage the tax breaks allowed them to try to buy political candidates and policies that would allow them to hoard more.
You see, unlike the administration you worked for Ari, this administration does want to use tax revenue not to start wars they want to invest in education and job creation in the U.S.
The country can do well, by doing good. You reduce the need for charity when you invest in people and provide them the tools and resources to create their own future.
Are those ridiculous teahadists so blinded they don’t even realize or accept this????? Thursday with the new house, the whole game changes for them. They are indeed self-defeating.
Happy New Year TODville. Was stuck over at R&S thread after a late start. All visiting family members have been shipped off back
to where they came from 🙂 so I am free to delve back into my politics. Great win for PBO so far, pending GOP house of nuts!
Thanks for all the articles and tweets UT…made life a lot easier to get up to speed about what happened overnight.
What the hell does Cantor mean that he is a NO vote? Is he nuts?
Anyway, decided to stay positive through the ups and down this year. The biggest gift was the re-election of PBO. Anything after that,
we can handle.
Thanks Ms. Chips for everything you provide us. Happy New Year.
A Happy New Year to all TODers! Have been out of the country and away from TV and internet for the past 10 days, and I can’t believe how depressing it is to come back to the same old GOP BS. Am so proud of Obama and Biden and hope that if the House does not pass this bill the American people will fight back en masse.
Cantor and the Repubs really are as nutty as we all already know them to be. I cannot stand these people. How anyone who isn’t a millionaire/billionaire can vote for them again and again after all the crap they pull, after everything they do to crap on people struggling just to survive, is beyond me.
NYC, I’ve never been able to understand this either. How does the ever failing GOP, successfully convince so many to vote against their own interests? I just don’t get it. Never have, never will. Yet somehow they are convinced that the President is the problem. It’s crazy and I can’t stand them either.
I can understand voting Republican if you’re a millionaire (and you don’t give a damn about anyone else’s interests); you’re personally gaining from it. Selfish, yes, but at least not illogical. A poor or middle-class person voting Republican is insanity.
Some people seem to think we live in a dictatorship where PBO can do whatever he wants by fiat, and if he doesn’t try to do that then he’s weak. I just read a post by someone on another site that asked (and not as a joke), “Why can’t Obama just enact the Senate bill with an executive order and claim national security?” *bangheadagainsthewall*
I was watching BBC World, and they had someone from U of MD on discussing the cliff deal. He went on ranting that if we didn’t get spending under control we’d become like Italy. And of course, he was saying that PBO wasn’t compromising, and that the House GOP was understandably hesitant to accede to the deal.
Well, obviously, he was a choad, but like Bob’s been saying, there was no way that the Senate deal would get past Cantor. There will be short term pain, especially for the unemployed. I’ve been unemployed, and I know the fear that grips you when benefits are about to run out. But what the House GOP doesn’t realize is that its bargaining power will decrease on Jan 3, not increase. More D’s in both houses, and Democrats who will drive an even harder bargain. And, again, THEY WILL BE BLAMED. A bipartisan tsunami passed the cliff deal; the only one standing in the way is Cantor and his acolytes. There is no win in this for them.
Yes, many House R’s are in safe, gerrymandered districts. But not all of them. Enough to target again in 2014. Such is the long game.
LL, I don’t think ANY Republican is safe Anywhere. Even the so-called safe Republicans are chomping at the bit to sign the bill just so they wont’ have to face the coming backlash. At this point some Republicans are saying every man or woman for themselves.
I’m more on your wavelength, Don. 2014 will be quite interesting. But we still have to take into account sheep voting against their own interests because the GOP will protect them against [insert boogeyman here].
As I’ve been writing on TPV, PBO’s long game is eviscerating the GOP. Everything he’s done has been towards that end. 2014 will be the big test of that strategy.
President Obama said in his MTP interview that immigration will be put on the table, also DOMA is in the hands of the Supremes. I think even before 2014 President Obama will have so much headwind that not even the threat of the midterms will slow him down.
You’re 100% correct about sheep voting against their own interests for GOP pols, LL!! I live in GA, and it never ceases to amaze me how many of the citizens here are on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and receive other forms of federal/state assistance who consistently vote for republicans simply because they are republicans and claim that they’re against raising taxes, hate Planned Parenthood, hate LGBTQ Americans, hate gay marriage, are Christians, and hate abortion for all reasons. Mind you, many of these folks are major hypocrites who say one thing and do something else. While I was still in the classroom, I saw plenty of these folks’ daughters get pregnant before marriage and have abortions, know that they have sons and daughters who are gay and bisexual, and that many of them have been divorced and remarried more than once. They put Nathan Deal in our governor’s office, knowing he was a crook. He now enjoys an approval rating of @ 38%, but if anyone thinks these same folks won’t vote for him in a heartbeat again in 2014, they know nothing about how republicans will vote for anyone with an (R) beside his/her name just because he/she is not an “evil” democrat. Never mind what the democratic candidate stands for and never mind that he/she has a proven track record of working on behalf of the middle class and the poor–the socioeconomic groups that most of these folks fit into.
the win for can’t-er is the speakership. don’t think they don’t know exactly what’s coming when the new house convenes. that’s what this whole game has been about for them, jockeying for power in the house, and a better view from their office window. still, pbo is squeezing them hard, and making it public. no more mr nice guy, save face for you-type deals. he’s made it clear what’s going on, and the fact that they’re willing to throw the economy over a cliff is nothing to do with their ‘principles’ and everything to do with their personal ambitions.
The Hastert Rule combined with the 2010 gerrymandering pretty much have us over a barrel for the foreseeable future. Thanks to the emogprogs and PL who taught us all a lesson!
Yep. They sure showed big bad Obama! Anyone who tells me they didn’t vote in 2010 is someone I simply do not take seriously when they complain about anything that’s happened over the last 2 years.
‘ Republican-controlled redistricting led to a swing in margin of at least* 26 seats, almost as large as the 31-seat majority of the new Congress. Those actions created a new power reality in the House – or more accurately, retained the old power reality.
In the states listed above, the net effect of both parties’ redistricting combined was R+11.5 seats. Putting all of this redistricting into nonpartisan commissions would lead to a swing of at least 23 seats. The resulting seat count would be 213 D, 222 R or even closer. It is possible that in the absence of partisan gerrymandering, control would have been within reach for the Democrats. ‘
(the ‘states listed above’ refer to pennsylvania, texas, ohio, north carolina, michigan, arizona, virginia, illinois, and indianna)
Totally off topic, but a keen insight into deranged minds…..the tabloids have lost no time….new target: Hillary Clinton. Saw the new Enquirer at the grocery store today, headline said “Hillary Clinton brain cancer drama.” My, my……. Nothing these tabloids have tried on the president has worked, so they have whole new fields to plow.
Hey, Chips – Have to say that looking at your photos reminds me that some good things WERE happening this past year! (The re-election, of course, being Numero Uno…) Thanks!
…. Just as a fun thought experiment, consider what this process might look like if the Speaker of the House were a strong leader with some shred of influence over his own caucus. It’s easy to take it for granted, because we’ve become so accustomed to it over the last two years, but Boehner is weak in ways that have no modern precedent; he has effectively no control in his own chamber; and from an institutional/structural perspective, the Speaker’s fecklessness leads to important consequences, as we’re seeing today.
just as a thought experiment, consider what this process might look like if the speaker of the house were a strong leader with some shred of influence over HER own caucus!! say, if the speaker were, just sayin’ for example NANCY SMASH!
If I wasn’t so disgusted with Rusty and the boys, I would find this Ms. Legs photo amusing. Actually, I feel kinda sorry for Ms. Legs—-no one is looking and admiring her perky perch. Too distracted by their task of creating havoc with the U.S. economy, I guess.
Australia, Indonesia, China …. Germany, France, UK …. just watch the tsunami roll in (and, btw, Japanese investors and bankers are likely freaking that they’re stuck with closed markets but sure as hell will be liquidating and adjusting currency and commodity positions in any market that’s open …
absolutely Bobfr the Japanese may be performing “harakiri” by Thursday, UK Germany France i thinks opens around 3 a.m. est, so Indonesia China Australia will give us our first reading
Hello Bobfr & all the TODders – new years wishes to everyone – and also hoping that the collective GOP house will find its brain
The Oz markets have been open for 25 minutes and are currently UP – they have more faith in Boehner and Cantor than I do. Last night our news kept talking about the wonderful “deal” with minor mention that it had to pass the house.
wow. i just got an email from moveon.org asking me to call my rep and say vote NOon the fiscal cliff deal. move on! they say robert reich doesn’t like it, and we should start over with the new congress. jeez. whose side are they on?
It was $4.63 in California yesterday. Although I’ve seen it as low as $4.39. I would love for it to be $2.00 lower, but will probably never happen here.
The fiscal-cliff impasse had its roots in—where else?—the old South, with its lunatic blend of obstructionism and greed at the public trough.
While most liberals were stewing at Barack Obama yesterday for his “capitulation” on tax rates, I confess that I was feeling philosophical about it, and even mildly defensive of him. He is negotiating with madmen, and you can’t negotiate with madmen, because they’re, well, mad….
LBJ, even Cater and Clinton had more Dems in both chambers when they were elected. There were moderate GOPers who cared about governing….they were from the Northeast.
Today, we have the worst in both chambers…..regional and wickedly partisan.
EDP4BHOoooooooooOOOOoooooOOOOooooooo, happy new year!!!!!!! And enough of this ‘magnificent’ talk, you’ll have me demanding you address me as Lady Chipsticks soon 🙂
M’Lady deserves all the kudos, and I’m not one to pile on the praises, but you have made so many so secure in pronouncing our unconditional support of a man who has truly earned our greatest respect. With folks like you and PBO, who can stop us? Really ? Okay, going back to lurking right now. A very blessed new year to you !!
CBS News with Major Garrett reporting just slammed President Obama re. this fiscal cliff fiasco, saying they had to call in Biden to work this deal because President Obama does not have any good rapport with congressional Republicans. Obama’s fault.
It’s always the reactionaries holding up the progressives — and usually, needless to say, it’s been the South holding up the North — and always with the same demagogic and dishonest arguments about a tyrannical central government. We’ll never be rid of these paranoid bloviators, and if no other president could stop them I don’t really see why Obama ought to be able to.
Major Garrett pray tell, who does VP Biden work for? Who gives him OK on what kind of s deal he would strike? These people think that Americans are that fatuously clueless? MSM has got to stop being totally crude and just people with bent up racial animus against pres Obama. Holy elephants. Major Garrett is still carrying his Fox mentality around.
The opposition will do and say anything to demean PBO. That is the same manoeuver they were using every time they tried to say that Bill Clinton saved the election.
Now they praise Biden at the Presidents expense. Same old story.
Everything Bad is Obama’s fault.
Everything Good is attributed to someone else.
There seems to be no limit to the hate. It makes me so sad.
What the MSM seems to be conveniently “forgetting” is that PBO wasn’t never negotiating with any member of the Senate. He was only negotiating with Boehner. Boehner couldn’t take the pressure PBO was putting on him, so he bailed!!!
PBO should wear that as a badge of honor. Major Garrett used to be at Fox. Still reporting as if their correspondent.
Majority of Americans understand why the relationship with the Kenyan, Muslim,socialist, black President and the Congressional Republicans is the way it is.
By the way, what does being friends and having a rapport have to do with upholding your oath and doing your job as a Congress person in the interest of the American people?
Former Pres G W Bush had little rapport with the Democrats in Congress but they did not try to destroy the economy and the welfare of the American people.
The 98% Journos who are non-people of color covering this POTUS, will Never cease from making HIM the OTHER…..The Black POTUS, the Different from Them, etc. That is what is going on here.
Pres Obama just days in the WH in early 2009, invited Boehner, and Co to watch the super bowl with him…..many declined. The same group that plotted to decimate his presidency….wanted to make him a one term president. Cantor and McConnell held individual meetings against this president before the Jan 20, 2009 Coup de’tat political plot. They are CRAZY. They have failed in every way. And they will not succeed today….and Americans have had enough.
Who does have any good rapport with congressional Republicans. Major Garrett is full of B.S. just like Tapper, Todd, Henry, and most of the media. After all he came from that Fox hole over there.
‘ U.S. sales of warplanes, anti-missile systems and other costly weapons to China’s and North Korea’s neighbors appear set for significant growth amid regional security jitters.
Strengthening treaty allies and other security partners is central to the White House’s “pivot” toward a Pacific region jolted by maritime territorial disputes in China’s case, and missile and nuclear programs, in North Korea’s.
The pivot “will result in growing opportunities for our industry to help equip our friends,” said Fred Downey, vice president for national security at the Aerospace Industries Association, a trade group that includes top U.S. arms makers.
Demand for big-ticket U.S. weapons is expected to stay strong for at least the next few years, the trade group said in a 2012 year-end review and forecast released in December.
Fears resulting from China’s growing military spending should lead to enough U.S. sales in South and East Asia to more than offset a slowdown in European arms-buying, according to the forecast. ‘
Sad that an economy – both inside and out – survives by selling weapons – imagine if all that investment went for things that do good for our planet instead of harm.
I think Rubio is sleazy, his whole career full of the lowest level of political shenanigans—-dishonesty and exaggerations, a la Paul Ryan, politics purely for personal gain, financial and otherwise.
Why Marco Rubio voted against the fiscal cliff deal – Yahoo! News http://t.co/a3KrvquX via @YahooNews Machiavelli Would Be Proud!
That’s just outstanding DF, what a perfect assessment of what the GOP has become: “…. the extraordinary, almost mind-boggling level of nihilism, stubbornness and hypocrisy that defines the modern Republican party’.
Those folks on The Hill should be paid minimum wage per hour, for only productive hours worked, work every other weekend and every other holiday, just like I did before retirement. I am sure there is some type of work they could get done on those days. But then again how much can a 2 year old having temper tantrums do. Been on the phone calling representatives telling them to basically,s**t or get off the pot, get out of the way of progress.
Then Anger. Then Bargaining just last 10 days. Then Depression this afternoon. Back to Denial, Anger, Bargaining and Back to depression. But Acceptance will come……before the new congress is sworn IN.
But he thinks he looks so cool – creepy would be the word.
TY Chips for keeping me sane – I have felt very sad this new year – the ongoing efforts by the left the right and the media to blame the President for their own failings is horrendous – every sane person uses TOD as their news source
The Oz market still thinks the deal is coming – currently up 0.5%
Yep that’s it! I’m trying to see if I can get #CREEPYSNEER to trend. He’s such a flipping weasel. He reminds me of an arrogant young schoolboy with that sneer but this is no joke.
The day gets worse: just realized that Santa has stopped following me on Twitter. WTF? What did I do to him? Actually, I’m going to follow his ass to Lapland and ask him why he didn’t deliver front row Inauguration tickets down my chimney. Lowlife.
hmmm. maybe you should consider talking with mrs santa? in our family we have recognized her role for generations. every year, santa forgets something important, and every year mrs claus takes care of that little oversight. when you wake up on new year’s day, she’s brought what santa forgot! she’s probably got the tickets in her apron pocket right now 🙂
Dirty Dancing on ABC Family. If ya know me, then you know I’m watching it…lol
One of my fav scenes from Dirty Dancing. I hate to admit, at first, I was sorta obsessed by the shirt she was wearing in the beginning of this scene. I thought it was cute. Hey, I was like 11 years old. As I got older though, I completely forgot about the shirt…for obvious reason…lol. RIP Patrick Swayze
1. The House GOP doesn’t have the votes for an amended bill, so
2. Boehner will allow an up or down vote on the Senate bill, breaking the Hastert rule, which
3. Means the bill will pass courtesy of the Democrats, with very few yes votes from the GOP. Therefor
4. The GOP still loses, as they get no credit for keeping us from the “cliff”.
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
Happy New Year again!
Happy new year Mary, and everyone!
Congrats on 1st Mary!!
Chips, yet another superb video!!!!! 2013 is going to be a great year for PBO and America!!
Yes We Can
Congrats Maryl1!
CONGRATS & good job maryl1
Happy New Year all my O peeps!! What a great getting up first day of the year on planet TOD!!! I slept through the dawning of my New Year by falling asleep with about 45 minutes to go. I woke up to find the earth still on it’s axis, the poles are still south and north of us, all 7 continents are accounted for, and Pooh still craves the honey pot.
It Is Well!!
Did I miss anything?
CONGRATS cookemom & good job
Good afternoon TOD!
Whew!
Brought over from previous thread
Very impressed with your industry and accomplishments for the year, Chips! I think you can take the rest of 2013 off (but not from this blog!)
Is it a mad mad race to be #1? Congrats to the person with the quickest hand?
you got it! We’ve been playing this game for awhile now…amazing how it makes you smile when you manage to get to the coveted #1 spot:)
Yes, today must have been a challenge. 🎇 Everyone is participating this afternoon. I haven’t caught up with the Rise ‘n Shine yet.
you’re correct df – we’ve been doing this dance for a while and it’s STILL fun 🙂
President Obama is so incredible and competent and accomplished in his career. He is definitely right where he belongs. MY President!
🙂 As it should be.
Definitely.
Happy New Year from Pasadena, CA.
Congratulations Mary1 and Cookemom on being tied for first!
thanks, i didn’t realized the tie. i’ll take it.
Happy to share, my friend!
🙂
Crazy. I didn’t realize there were others from TOD in Pasadena. Happy New Year to all TOD family.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Glad to see UT is in one piece. I can’t be the only Chelsea supporter on this blog.
I really love how PBO caves. He seems to get most of what he wants when he does.
Hi LiberalLibrarian, I just looked up Chelsea and there are three definitions. Wondering which Chelsea you support? Just trying to get acquainted here. 🐱
The only Chelsea there is. The one true Chelsea Football Club! Blue is the colour!
My boys are fans. 😉
🙂
And there’s still a fight going on to make this so. After 150 years I think it’s time.
To Eric the reptile Cantor….song ‘You’re a snake in the grass, you’re a snake in the grass, you’re a snake in the graaaasss and a pain in the a**!
Chips…once again FANTASTIC. Carry on my friend.
Folks don’t realize what Pres Obama just accomplished, He has lit the dynamite inside the GOP between the Wall Street rich folks & the doctrinaire insane asylum. He has shown up their suicidal terrorism. He can sit back and let wall street strangle Cantor. If we go over cliff he pockets ALL revenue.
He did say they have a hard time saying YES to him right? And it was not his fingerprints on the deal Right? They wanted Joe Biden right?
Yep, zizi!!
From the bottom of the previous thread:
“BTW, a big hint was when the WH allowed it to be called ‘Biden-McConnell’ and not ‘PBO-McConnell’ …”
#TrustBarack He Earns It Every Day
yes.he.does.
Hi Sara – left a response to you on the previous thread. Thank you!
#FORWARD
Yes, I saw it. thank you, Bobfr
it’s hilarious
THISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!
aloha and good (late) morning from the 50th state. just scanned through all 4500000 comments on the last thread. whew! you folks get up and get to work! i’m still not sure i can type coherently, but sending best wishes for a happy new year to all. dudette, your music choices last night kept me dancing till way too late. i’m way too old for that, but sooooo grateful!
as to the ridiculous, childish, self-cleaning oven which is the republican party— drama and more drama, till they’re all a heap of ash to be swept away.
Credos to Dudette and desertflower for the music. You looked great in red last night.
Tried calling Cantor’s number. Line is busy. I thought Boehner said he’d bring the senate bill to the floor for a vote. Did he lie?
great video, Chips. thank you :))
Howard “Kill the Bill!” Dean is at it again. He cites from the Hill but does not provide the actual CBO documentation. WHY NOT?? Since when is the Hill to be trusted on these matters?
You forgot the “asshole,” at the end.
If you have time, you can make a difference. We’re not helpless. 😀
https://twitter.com/Lisa_M_Fryer/status/286212810197843970
ruh roh. goes to a “page that doesn’t exist”
yay
The Hill is putting out information supposedly from the CBO stating that the Biden-McConnell bill adds $4 trillion to the deficit over the next decade – but not sourcing their information. I can’t find anything from the CBO, only what The Hill is putting out.
I find that highly suspect. Where is the actual documentation from the CBO?!?!? And why don’t we have access to it?!?!?
Click to access American%20Taxpayer%20Relief%20Act.pdf
http://www.businessinsider.com/cbo-fiscal-cliff-deal-ads-nearly-4-trillion-to-the-deficit-over-the-next-10-years-2013-1
Of course, this is against the baseline (which assumed the expiry of all tax cuts) so naturally undoing those tax increases was going to add a lot to the deficit.
For the full text of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, see here.
Thanks df for the document.
BTW, Chips, love this recording ….
HELLO FAMILY!! It’s me Aunt Sis. Sorry, I have been of the grid since the re-election of our beloved President. I wish each and everyone one you a delay but happy holidays and new year. Here’s to a wonderful 2013!!
Happy New Year!
‘Happy New Year’ wishes coming back to you, Aunt Sis!
here’s what i see developing: the rethugs are holding on by their teeth and claws till their gerrymandering yields a shift in power that will be impervious to voter interests. seems like they don’t care who won the election, or what the american people want? that’s because it’s true, they are oblivious to all that, because they’re quietly dismantling it’s efficacy. our task in the next few years is going to be more local, and more focused on judges who will or will not stop these rethug efforts.
sam wang is on this. part one of a 3-part analysis is bracing and essential reading:
‘ As current negotiations over the [fiscal cliff] / [austerity bomb] make clear, rank-and-file Republicans in the House of Representatives are not receptive to the policy implications of November’s election. ‘
http://election.princeton.edu/2012/12/30/gerrymanders-part-1-busting-the-both-sides-do-it-myth/
As current negotiations over the [fiscal cliff] / [austerity bomb] make clear, rank-and-file Republicans in the House of Representatives are not receptive to the policy implications of November’s election. ‘
THISSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!
Chips, that’s a great video to take a stroll down memory lane. Thanks>>
the pope’s message today included a scolding for greedheads:
‘ He deplored “hotbeds of tension and conflict caused by growing instances of inequality between rich and poor”.
Those “hotbeds” also grew out of “the prevalence of a selfish and individualistic mindset which also finds expression in an unregulated financial capitalism”, as well as “various forms of terrorism and crime”, he said. ‘
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20882894
Happy New Year TOD Family!
I see there was quite the party here last night. I did something we rarely do on New Year’s Eve…we went out! Had a great time dinner & dancing. Got the alert about the “cliff” during deal dinner and our whole table applauded. We are truly blessed to be here to see this President in action! Truly! I know that 2013 will be so very blessed for of us.
A special thanks to our beloved Chips for this amazing place. And I for one am all for a TOD gathering!
Thanks, Bil … was just going to post it 🙂
Hey! Wonder if Cantor is betting on fail so he can make money shorting the stock market for his personal gain again? Fucker needs to resign.
The ‘shorts’ went in on Monday …
I’m guessing.
#TrustBarack He’s Just Shown Everyone Why, yet again …
Got through to Cantor’s office and told aide he needs to pass senate bill and stop screwing the American people. Call folks.
Bob…note my CBO particulars @ 50….
Thank you, df
Very welcome:)
Chipsticks, this video is so touching – thank you! I especially love the elderly gentleman attempting to stand out of his wheelchair to shake President Obama’s hand. Oh My!
Let’s remember that Boehner has 2 Senate passed bills sitting on his desk …
Moreover …
#FORWARD
I just placed a call to Cantor’s office. Spoke with a young man, and when I finished the young man was choked up. I took drama, and this young man was not acting.HZ
Good for you HZ. What did you say?
Watching C Span & Charles Hurt, WaTimes is expressing how “hurt” he was by POTUS words yesterday. Boo Hoo
Isn’t Charles Hurt always gonna be “hurt” no matter what PBO does. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Happy New Year…….again.
While catching up on last post, you guys were here. Last will be first.
Just called Eric Canton’s number and left a message. The person was nice,
CAll guys! This is what our President would want us to do. Make calls, tweet, e-mail.
In other words, stay on their asses……even now. We have the power! We have the victory!
It will happen. Keep up the good fight!
Glad to see Senator Bernie Sanders vote for a necessary but imperfect bill that will no doubt help the middle class. So does this mean that Sen. Sanders will stop going on the Thom Hartmann show and speaking ill about whatever President Obama does?
No Don. I’m not a cynic, but it was obvious given the overwhelming number of Rs that voted for the bill that they and Senator Sanders knew full well what Cantor’s #teahadists would do, today, and they’re more than eager to let those GOP traitors in the House own it.
Please forgive me Chips, but I’m having such a great time over at the Orange Satan reading their bullshit about how President Obama sold the middleclass down the river, their stupidity is both hilarious and sad.
I know Sullivan has many detractors on this site, myself included, but when he gets it right – I temporarily and cautiously forgive. This commentary is certainly better than the hair on fire soulmates that represents the left and the right in this country. Both of them are equally lacking in self-awareness and both live in a delusional world of magical thinking.
The Long Game, Revisited.
“In other words, I can see Obama’s logic here. What he’s getting – which is a gradual shift toward more fiscal responsibility, with key protections for the working poor and the unemployed in place – is all he really wants right now. Like many of Obama’s incremental achievements, you can sometimes miss the forest for the trees. We have the biggest tax hike in decades – without a sudden recession. And we have huge, painful spending cuts looming unless new revenue is found through tax reform. The end result – for all its unseemly messiness right now – may still be a sane, graduated fiscal readjustment as the economy recovers. The sequester can be back-loaded a little to find that elusive sweet spot between structural fiscal rebalancing and economic growth. And we could even clean up the tax code a little.
It’s not great, but it will do. Sometimes, the little advances are preferable under certain circumstances to big breakthroughs. And Obama has to face a rabid Republican House probably for his next four years. They self-destructed on Plan B. They will almost certainly have to swallow hard and vote for big tax increases in the next day or so. And a campaign to slash Medicare is their next major goal. A phrase springs to mind.
Meep meep.”
http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2013/01/the-long-game-revisited.html via @DishFeed
meep meep!
Good write-up edwina3, I also like Sullivan but what is so bothersome about him is that he can so easily be swayed to go against President Obama at the drop of a hat. All if not most of us here at TOD know that President Obama is playing the long game, if you listen to anything he says it is readily apparent. You would think that someone of Sullivan’s ability would be able and understand President Obama strategy. I’m not the fastest guy in the world but their was never a moment in the last six years did I not understand what President said or did.
Like most republicans – he is driven by complete self interest – his implosion after the first debate was extreme stupid – I haven’t been back to read him since then. It has not been difficult for republicans to support President Obama over the past 5 years – those who are sane realize the damage the GOP has done to America – and it seems this will continue for the next 4 years – to scream every time they disagree with a DEMOCRATIC President is their mode of operandi and it gives support to the RWNJs
SIGH
Does anybody notice how he looks like he’s walking right down the street toward my house? Or is that just me?
No, JO’B. He’s stopping off to pick up some chocolate first.
Yes, he knows I love chocolate. Thank you, meta. (Ha!)
I don’t care what folks say, I love me some Joey B.
Get in line, auntie. Get in line.
🙂
All of you are wrong, wrong, wrong. Our smart, sexy VP is sitting at my kitchen table enjoying a hot cup of coffee and eating a slice of my delicious pound cake as I type. He says he has to leave soon to meet Dr. Jill for dinner. LOL
Or to meet me at the train station …. oh me, oh my!
My lips are sealed!!
Oh, sorry, for the one and only time in his life, he skipped the train and got picked up in a limo. The one I sent.
Oops.
Happy New Year, Chips, once again! I’ve been watching what I write on Twitter, but thanks for allowing obnoxious language here when speaking of Republicans, in particular. I just can’t stop tweeting this effing bastard throughout the day! Based on his follow-up tweet, earlier, methinks the blowback he’s gotten has given him more attention than since he used to lie for GWBush for a living. But, heck, it’s New Year’s Day and I’ll give him a little attention in the spirit of the holiday. Well, the spirit of the holiday at this Democrat’s house, that is!
you tell ‘im jacqueline! charity is not a solution to a tax problem, to make the math work. charity comes from the heart, and is unrelated to financial considerations.
here’s the dirty secret about ‘charity’ as he means it: he can donate to the opera society, the harvard club, the museum of gilded extravagance, and get a ‘charitable’ exemption.
giving to people, to help people, to save the very lives of people– how did myth put it?– don’t worry about those people; there are plenty of safety nets for them.
Yes, susanne, you nailed it. I’m thinking another nice charity Ari Ferrari probably donates to, on behalf of the people, is the NRA. Or maybe he considers his own IRA a charity. Hell’s hot, Ari.
Geez Ari, you should have thought about that shit starting in 2000. Maybe if your boss would not have gave millionaires and billionaires two tax breaks, two unfunded and senseless wars, and a unfunded Part D we wouldn’t have to worry about charities receiving less in donations.
Tell him, Don! Grrrr.
Well done, Jacqueline, as always!!!
Sweet, comin’ from you, Bobfr!
Hey JO’B, I responded to him earlier too.
Just can’t stop the fun (he is so disgusting)!
Ha! Jaccqueline – you are on FIYAH girl! 😀
Right, Ari. Since when did Karl Rove and Dick Armey become a charity?
Because that’s where a lot of millions have flowed since the Bush tax cuts. Millionaires have had tax cuts for nearly a decade. It seems to that among a significant percentage of them, money is for hoarding, not giving. And for another significant percentage the tax breaks allowed them to try to buy political candidates and policies that would allow them to hoard more.
You see, unlike the administration you worked for Ari, this administration does want to use tax revenue not to start wars they want to invest in education and job creation in the U.S.
The country can do well, by doing good. You reduce the need for charity when you invest in people and provide them the tools and resources to create their own future.
Love what you wrote.
You go, Sister Simone!
Sorry, Sister, GOP nut jobs are flushing the deal to protect working families down the toilet.
sister needs to deal with those rethugs like this:
Nice, Bob.
Thank you, Don 🙂
Are those ridiculous teahadists so blinded they don’t even realize or accept this????? Thursday with the new house, the whole game changes for them. They are indeed self-defeating.
exactly!
Spending cuts? 🙂
Happy New Year TODville. Was stuck over at R&S thread after a late start. All visiting family members have been shipped off back
to where they came from 🙂 so I am free to delve back into my politics. Great win for PBO so far, pending GOP house of nuts!
Thanks for all the articles and tweets UT…made life a lot easier to get up to speed about what happened overnight.
What the hell does Cantor mean that he is a NO vote? Is he nuts?
Anyway, decided to stay positive through the ups and down this year. The biggest gift was the re-election of PBO. Anything after that,
we can handle.
Thanks Ms. Chips for everything you provide us. Happy New Year.
Tightening the screws ….
A Happy New Year to all TODers! Have been out of the country and away from TV and internet for the past 10 days, and I can’t believe how depressing it is to come back to the same old GOP BS. Am so proud of Obama and Biden and hope that if the House does not pass this bill the American people will fight back en masse.
((((((((((((((((((( Miss Pat, you are such a beautiful soul.)))))))))))))))))))) Happy New Year to you.HZ
Cantor and the Repubs really are as nutty as we all already know them to be. I cannot stand these people. How anyone who isn’t a millionaire/billionaire can vote for them again and again after all the crap they pull, after everything they do to crap on people struggling just to survive, is beyond me.
NYC, I’ve never been able to understand this either. How does the ever failing GOP, successfully convince so many to vote against their own interests? I just don’t get it. Never have, never will. Yet somehow they are convinced that the President is the problem. It’s crazy and I can’t stand them either.
I can understand voting Republican if you’re a millionaire (and you don’t give a damn about anyone else’s interests); you’re personally gaining from it. Selfish, yes, but at least not illogical. A poor or middle-class person voting Republican is insanity.
Some people seem to think we live in a dictatorship where PBO can do whatever he wants by fiat, and if he doesn’t try to do that then he’s weak. I just read a post by someone on another site that asked (and not as a joke), “Why can’t Obama just enact the Senate bill with an executive order and claim national security?” *bangheadagainsthewall*
I was watching BBC World, and they had someone from U of MD on discussing the cliff deal. He went on ranting that if we didn’t get spending under control we’d become like Italy. And of course, he was saying that PBO wasn’t compromising, and that the House GOP was understandably hesitant to accede to the deal.
Well, obviously, he was a choad, but like Bob’s been saying, there was no way that the Senate deal would get past Cantor. There will be short term pain, especially for the unemployed. I’ve been unemployed, and I know the fear that grips you when benefits are about to run out. But what the House GOP doesn’t realize is that its bargaining power will decrease on Jan 3, not increase. More D’s in both houses, and Democrats who will drive an even harder bargain. And, again, THEY WILL BE BLAMED. A bipartisan tsunami passed the cliff deal; the only one standing in the way is Cantor and his acolytes. There is no win in this for them.
Yes, many House R’s are in safe, gerrymandered districts. But not all of them. Enough to target again in 2014. Such is the long game.
LL, I don’t think ANY Republican is safe Anywhere. Even the so-called safe Republicans are chomping at the bit to sign the bill just so they wont’ have to face the coming backlash. At this point some Republicans are saying every man or woman for themselves.
I’m more on your wavelength, Don. 2014 will be quite interesting. But we still have to take into account sheep voting against their own interests because the GOP will protect them against [insert boogeyman here].
As I’ve been writing on TPV, PBO’s long game is eviscerating the GOP. Everything he’s done has been towards that end. 2014 will be the big test of that strategy.
President Obama said in his MTP interview that immigration will be put on the table, also DOMA is in the hands of the Supremes. I think even before 2014 President Obama will have so much headwind that not even the threat of the midterms will slow him down.
You’re 100% correct about sheep voting against their own interests for GOP pols, LL!! I live in GA, and it never ceases to amaze me how many of the citizens here are on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and receive other forms of federal/state assistance who consistently vote for republicans simply because they are republicans and claim that they’re against raising taxes, hate Planned Parenthood, hate LGBTQ Americans, hate gay marriage, are Christians, and hate abortion for all reasons. Mind you, many of these folks are major hypocrites who say one thing and do something else. While I was still in the classroom, I saw plenty of these folks’ daughters get pregnant before marriage and have abortions, know that they have sons and daughters who are gay and bisexual, and that many of them have been divorced and remarried more than once. They put Nathan Deal in our governor’s office, knowing he was a crook. He now enjoys an approval rating of @ 38%, but if anyone thinks these same folks won’t vote for him in a heartbeat again in 2014, they know nothing about how republicans will vote for anyone with an (R) beside his/her name just because he/she is not an “evil” democrat. Never mind what the democratic candidate stands for and never mind that he/she has a proven track record of working on behalf of the middle class and the poor–the socioeconomic groups that most of these folks fit into.
the win for can’t-er is the speakership. don’t think they don’t know exactly what’s coming when the new house convenes. that’s what this whole game has been about for them, jockeying for power in the house, and a better view from their office window. still, pbo is squeezing them hard, and making it public. no more mr nice guy, save face for you-type deals. he’s made it clear what’s going on, and the fact that they’re willing to throw the economy over a cliff is nothing to do with their ‘principles’ and everything to do with their personal ambitions.
Such is the LONG GAME!
Happy New Year to all!!!
The Hastert Rule combined with the 2010 gerrymandering pretty much have us over a barrel for the foreseeable future. Thanks to the emogprogs and PL who taught us all a lesson!
+ 1,000,000,000 Meta!
Truth Teller, indeed.
Honestly, this is the mother of all idiot DC scenarios.
There are no words Meta, truly.
Yep. They sure showed big bad Obama! Anyone who tells me they didn’t vote in 2010 is someone I simply do not take seriously when they complain about anything that’s happened over the last 2 years.
They have zero right to even open their mouths now, NYC – yet they’re the ones squealing the loudest over this. They make me sick.
I’m with you on that one TruthTeller!
They really showed us, didn’t they? Especially the President, I’m sure he learned his lesson.
LOL!
re gerrymandering:
‘ Republican-controlled redistricting led to a swing in margin of at least* 26 seats, almost as large as the 31-seat majority of the new Congress. Those actions created a new power reality in the House – or more accurately, retained the old power reality.
In the states listed above, the net effect of both parties’ redistricting combined was R+11.5 seats. Putting all of this redistricting into nonpartisan commissions would lead to a swing of at least 23 seats. The resulting seat count would be 213 D, 222 R or even closer. It is possible that in the absence of partisan gerrymandering, control would have been within reach for the Democrats. ‘
(the ‘states listed above’ refer to pennsylvania, texas, ohio, north carolina, michigan, arizona, virginia, illinois, and indianna)
http://election.princeton.edu/2012/12/30/gerrymanders-part-1-busting-the-both-sides-do-it-myth/
Totally off topic, but a keen insight into deranged minds…..the tabloids have lost no time….new target: Hillary Clinton. Saw the new Enquirer at the grocery store today, headline said “Hillary Clinton brain cancer drama.” My, my……. Nothing these tabloids have tried on the president has worked, so they have whole new fields to plow.
Hey, Chips – Have to say that looking at your photos reminds me that some good things WERE happening this past year! (The re-election, of course, being Numero Uno…) Thanks!
Gato
http://www.partyandsoul.wordpress.com
…. Just as a fun thought experiment, consider what this process might look like if the Speaker of the House were a strong leader with some shred of influence over his own caucus. It’s easy to take it for granted, because we’ve become so accustomed to it over the last two years, but Boehner is weak in ways that have no modern precedent; he has effectively no control in his own chamber; and from an institutional/structural perspective, the Speaker’s fecklessness leads to important consequences, as we’re seeing today.
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/01/16286608-house-gop-skeptical-of-bipartisan-fiscal-deal
just as a thought experiment, consider what this process might look like if the speaker of the house were a strong leader with some shred of influence over HER own caucus!! say, if the speaker were, just sayin’ for example NANCY SMASH!
CBO is crazy! They did this right before healthcare votes as well!
Rusty looks the other way – not for the first time.
Is that what they call a potted plant? 🙂
😆 A unique species, Forus!!!
If I wasn’t so disgusted with Rusty and the boys, I would find this Ms. Legs photo amusing. Actually, I feel kinda sorry for Ms. Legs—-no one is looking and admiring her perky perch. Too distracted by their task of creating havoc with the U.S. economy, I guess.
🙂 I’ve never seen legs so ignored, Dotster!
Actually dude in the middle gave a side glance. Hope he’s single, hehe.
If it means that I am guilty of admiring Ms. Legs perky perch, that I confess. Lock me up and throw away the key. 😀 😀
RanMan! Unlike Rusty, you have NO self-discipline! 😆
That what Rusty’s problem is. If he loosens up he may get shit done. 😀
🙂 I don’t mean to be unkind RanMan, but if she had a bottle of whiskey in her hand he’d probably have looked and swooned. 😕
😀 😀 LMAO I do believe you Chips. 😀
That’s another new year’s resolution I’ve broken on day one, RanMan – being nice 😕
Hey Chips, just Etch-A-Sketch and start over. 🙂 🙂
Excellent suggestion RanMan, I’ll do just that! 🙂
Who the heck is the woman in the window trying to show it all, I think when you are at work you should dress like it not like some hooker.
No let me correct myself, not a hooker, but a high class lady of the evening.
🙂 A delicate correction Anniebella, happy new year!
Just watch the Asian markets in a couple of hours as they start trading ….
Australia, Indonesia, China …. Germany, France, UK …. just watch the tsunami roll in (and, btw, Japanese investors and bankers are likely freaking that they’re stuck with closed markets but sure as hell will be liquidating and adjusting currency and commodity positions in any market that’s open …
absolutely Bobfr the Japanese may be performing “harakiri” by Thursday, UK Germany France i thinks opens around 3 a.m. est, so Indonesia China Australia will give us our first reading
Hello Bobfr & all the TODders – new years wishes to everyone – and also hoping that the collective GOP house will find its brain
The Oz markets have been open for 25 minutes and are currently UP – they have more faith in Boehner and Cantor than I do. Last night our news kept talking about the wonderful “deal” with minor mention that it had to pass the house.
Yes, 99, pesky little details having to ‘pass the House’ 😉
All the best to you and your loved ones in the New Year!!
wow. i just got an email from moveon.org asking me to call my rep and say vote NOon the fiscal cliff deal. move on! they say robert reich doesn’t like it, and we should start over with the new congress. jeez. whose side are they on?
I got that, too. They are not on our side now, if they ever were.
On another note, just ran errands and filled up the car. I paid $2.63/gal. Obama’s fault?
Impeach!!!! 🙂
😀 😀 😀
Happy new year Bob!!!!!
Happy new year to you, Chips and thank you for the fantastic videos!!!
Thank you Bob, only – gulp – seven to go!! 🙂
$2.63? Wow. I filled my tank on $2.95 in my neck of the woods. Wow….I would love $2.63 for a gallon of gas.
heck, we’d love to pay $4.63 here! funny how we don’t blame pbo, though…. 🙂
Well…I DID get .30/gal off because I buy so much food….teenage guys tend to make you DO that:)
It was $4.63 in California yesterday. Although I’ve seen it as low as $4.39. I would love for it to be $2.00 lower, but will probably never happen here.
wow DF that’s good ours keeps going up down bbetween 3.05 and 3.15
Ok, I know I pay more for gas in CA because we have a special formulation to cut down on smog. But DAMN i wish I could pay that little in gas.
The fiscal-cliff impasse had its roots in—where else?—the old South, with its lunatic blend of obstructionism and greed at the public trough.
While most liberals were stewing at Barack Obama yesterday for his “capitulation” on tax rates, I confess that I was feeling philosophical about it, and even mildly defensive of him. He is negotiating with madmen, and you can’t negotiate with madmen, because they’re, well, mad….
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/01/on-the-fiscal-cliff-obama-does-what-he-can-against-200-years-of-bad-faith.html
Now can people finally see the TBGOPers for what and who they are? Just CRAZY fatuously bat poop idiots.
LBJ, even Cater and Clinton had more Dems in both chambers when they were elected. There were moderate GOPers who cared about governing….they were from the Northeast.
Today, we have the worst in both chambers…..regional and wickedly partisan.
The House is ready to convene. UGH.
😕
I HEAR YOU.
LOVE it! Nice.
oh dear I had soda pop in my mouth when I read that…… 😀
Apologies Alice!!! 🙂
Oh Lawd I got wine coming outta my nose. 😆
Sniff it back up Yardarm, I don’t want to be responsible for such terrible wine waste! 🙂
Don’t worry I got a straw right here(gross) but it’s a good Merlot that I had with some Sea food Gumbo.
Use that straw Yardarm, nothing gross about saving potentially lost wine!
Aye, aye Admiral. It is done! :-p
LOL. My sentiment on the F**k the GOP exactly. How’s everybody doing this new day of a new year. And chips, you’re just magnificent. That’s all 😀
EDP4BHOoooooooooOOOOoooooOOOOooooooo, happy new year!!!!!!! And enough of this ‘magnificent’ talk, you’ll have me demanding you address me as Lady Chipsticks soon 🙂
M’Lady deserves all the kudos, and I’m not one to pile on the praises, but you have made so many so secure in pronouncing our unconditional support of a man who has truly earned our greatest respect. With folks like you and PBO, who can stop us? Really ? Okay, going back to lurking right now. A very blessed new year to you !!
That made me feel so good Chipsticks! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Ah, so you broke your resolutions too GGail? Or were you sensible enough not to make any?
That good Chips, destroy two birds with one stone. 😀
Hello all. hope everyone enjoyed New Year’s day.
Meanwhile in the House, things continue to fall apart!
Mother freakin’ DUH!
They are all kinds of F’d up.
Let’s damn well DO THIS THING!
Almost as if PBO planned this….
Just saying. 😆
🙂
Uhhhh….you mean like long ball strategic thinking/planning? PBO?????? These fools will never learn.
Great April video. Love shots of PBO and Michelle especially if I missed them the first time around. Praying for a quick resolution in congress.
Glad you liked it Almablanca, happy new year!
I love all the videos….so heartwarming….i so love the ObamaDiary…best thing on the net….and i just found you by accident…..it must have been karma….
You’re lovely Prettyfoot, thank you so much – and happy new year!!!!
CBS News with Major Garrett reporting just slammed President Obama re. this fiscal cliff fiasco, saying they had to call in Biden to work this deal because President Obama does not have any good rapport with congressional Republicans. Obama’s fault.
Clear case of defection…none of them are even capable of doing their jobs.
Good grief.
As Tomasky – Tomasky! – put it:
It’s always the reactionaries holding up the progressives — and usually, needless to say, it’s been the South holding up the North — and always with the same demagogic and dishonest arguments about a tyrannical central government. We’ll never be rid of these paranoid bloviators, and if no other president could stop them I don’t really see why Obama ought to be able to.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/01/on-the-fiscal-cliff-obama-does-what-he-can-against-200-years-of-bad-faith.html
Major Garrett pray tell, who does VP Biden work for? Who gives him OK on what kind of s deal he would strike? These people think that Americans are that fatuously clueless? MSM has got to stop being totally crude and just people with bent up racial animus against pres Obama. Holy elephants. Major Garrett is still carrying his Fox mentality around.
The opposition will do and say anything to demean PBO. That is the same manoeuver they were using every time they tried to say that Bill Clinton saved the election.
Now they praise Biden at the Presidents expense. Same old story.
Everything Bad is Obama’s fault.
Everything Good is attributed to someone else.
There seems to be no limit to the hate. It makes me so sad.
After this is over, I bet Biden will come out and give full credit to PBO. He won’t stand for any of this nonsense
What the MSM seems to be conveniently “forgetting” is that PBO wasn’t never negotiating with any member of the Senate. He was only negotiating with Boehner. Boehner couldn’t take the pressure PBO was putting on him, so he bailed!!!
*was never*–another bad day for typing for me.
PBO should wear that as a badge of honor. Major Garrett used to be at Fox. Still reporting as if their correspondent.
Majority of Americans understand why the relationship with the Kenyan, Muslim,socialist, black President and the Congressional Republicans is the way it is.
By the way, what does being friends and having a rapport have to do with upholding your oath and doing your job as a Congress person in the interest of the American people?
Former Pres G W Bush had little rapport with the Democrats in Congress but they did not try to destroy the economy and the welfare of the American people.
People like Garrett ain’t fooling anyone.
The 98% Journos who are non-people of color covering this POTUS, will Never cease from making HIM the OTHER…..The Black POTUS, the Different from Them, etc. That is what is going on here.
I just slammed Major on Twitter. Gawd I’m sick of the media. They do as much harm if not more than the idiotic Teabaggers.
Pres Obama just days in the WH in early 2009, invited Boehner, and Co to watch the super bowl with him…..many declined. The same group that plotted to decimate his presidency….wanted to make him a one term president. Cantor and McConnell held individual meetings against this president before the Jan 20, 2009 Coup de’tat political plot. They are CRAZY. They have failed in every way. And they will not succeed today….and Americans have had enough.
but but but… pbo is so unfriendly! he’s not being sociable with the d.c. crowd!
Good to hear sabreen60. Keep up the good work. Major Garrett is full of alot of B.S.
Who does have any good rapport with congressional Republicans. Major Garrett is full of B.S. just like Tapper, Todd, Henry, and most of the media. After all he came from that Fox hole over there.
Major Garrett comes from what was left in his fathers diaper. 😦
in other news….
‘ U.S. sales of warplanes, anti-missile systems and other costly weapons to China’s and North Korea’s neighbors appear set for significant growth amid regional security jitters.
Strengthening treaty allies and other security partners is central to the White House’s “pivot” toward a Pacific region jolted by maritime territorial disputes in China’s case, and missile and nuclear programs, in North Korea’s.
The pivot “will result in growing opportunities for our industry to help equip our friends,” said Fred Downey, vice president for national security at the Aerospace Industries Association, a trade group that includes top U.S. arms makers.
Demand for big-ticket U.S. weapons is expected to stay strong for at least the next few years, the trade group said in a 2012 year-end review and forecast released in December.
Fears resulting from China’s growing military spending should lead to enough U.S. sales in South and East Asia to more than offset a slowdown in European arms-buying, according to the forecast. ‘
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/01/us-usa-asia-arms-sales-idUSBRE90005D20130101
Sad that an economy – both inside and out – survives by selling weapons – imagine if all that investment went for things that do good for our planet instead of harm.
Indeed !!
Boy, Cantor really wants his job!
Happy New Year, Boner!
and they’re supposed to be such friends.
Eric Cantor is a snake, when he smiles it looks like someone you better not trust, because as soon as he can he will stab you in the back.
I think Rubio is sleazy, his whole career full of the lowest level of political shenanigans—-dishonesty and exaggerations, a la Paul Ryan, politics purely for personal gain, financial and otherwise.
I’m posting this EXCELLENT READ again on this thread. A little h/t to Jefferson Obama. I got it from someone that linked in one of his Tweets
http://m.guardiannews.com/commentisfree/2013/jan/01/fiscal-cliff-dysfunctional-republican-nihilism
Chips…if you liked what Tomasky said…you’re gonna LOVE this!!
Thank you DF, heading to read it right now!
Let me know what you think:) I think he pegged it!
That’s just outstanding DF, what a perfect assessment of what the GOP has become: “…. the extraordinary, almost mind-boggling level of nihilism, stubbornness and hypocrisy that defines the modern Republican party’.
Thanks a million.
🙂 You bet.
Thanks for this — very spot on, I think.
Those folks on The Hill should be paid minimum wage per hour, for only productive hours worked, work every other weekend and every other holiday, just like I did before retirement. I am sure there is some type of work they could get done on those days. But then again how much can a 2 year old having temper tantrums do. Been on the phone calling representatives telling them to basically,s**t or get off the pot, get out of the way of progress.
I hope there will be lots more grief where this came from:) Practice up, GOP!
Since 11-06-12…..Denial
Then Anger. Then Bargaining just last 10 days. Then Depression this afternoon. Back to Denial, Anger, Bargaining and Back to depression. But Acceptance will come……before the new congress is sworn IN.
denial is the stage they inhabit. any little slippage into bargaining, and whoops nellie! back to denial quick!
Oh gooooood grief, he is repulsive.
But he thinks he looks so cool – creepy would be the word.
TY Chips for keeping me sane – I have felt very sad this new year – the ongoing efforts by the left the right and the media to blame the President for their own failings is horrendous – every sane person uses TOD as their news source
The Oz market still thinks the deal is coming – currently up 0.5%
Yep that’s it! I’m trying to see if I can get #CREEPYSNEER to trend. He’s such a flipping weasel. He reminds me of an arrogant young schoolboy with that sneer but this is no joke.
A turd with teeth!
indeed Yardarm!
Okay then, without teeth.
i think that’s what his face does when he tells it to smile.
https://twitter.com/NJedwina/status/286265566333919232
sorry you guys I didn’t realize that I’d end up printing this dick’s picture again. apologies all around. I just wanted to post my reply to teresa
Nooooooooooooooooo worries Alice!!!
Virginia had a chance to do the American people a huge favor, but no they re-elected that snake Cantor.
Smarmy.
LOL and so true.
I hate this mofo. There; I said it.
From his lips to God’s ears.
The day gets worse: just realized that Santa has stopped following me on Twitter. WTF? What did I do to him? Actually, I’m going to follow his ass to Lapland and ask him why he didn’t deliver front row Inauguration tickets down my chimney. Lowlife.
Happy New Year Chipsticks!! Thanks for EVERY.SINGLE.POST.PICTURE.TWEET.SNARK this past year!
Thank YOU Forus, wishing you a truly splendiferous 2013!!!
hmmm. maybe you should consider talking with mrs santa? in our family we have recognized her role for generations. every year, santa forgets something important, and every year mrs claus takes care of that little oversight. when you wake up on new year’s day, she’s brought what santa forgot! she’s probably got the tickets in her apron pocket right now 🙂
Hmmmmm …… food for thought, Susanne. Love the idea of my forgotten inauguration tickets being in Mrs Santa’s apron pocket 😆
Is Twitter Santa a rethug or emoprog? LOL!
Ah, never thought of that. I can’t decide which would be worse 😕 Any way, it’s over between him and me, completely.
ask him about my Red Satin High Heels…toooo…….heheheeh
Will do Prettyfoot, I’m about to write an angry letter – will mention you in the PS.
leaning….leaning…. 🙂
So, does this mean that there will be an up or down vote on the Senate bill?
Answering my own question:
Happy New Year’s TOD.
Dirty Dancing on ABC Family. If ya know me, then you know I’m watching it…lol
One of my fav scenes from Dirty Dancing. I hate to admit, at first, I was sorta obsessed by the shirt she was wearing in the beginning of this scene. I thought it was cute. Hey, I was like 11 years old. As I got older though, I completely forgot about the shirt…for obvious reason…lol. RIP Patrick Swayze
A screen capture from this scene was literally my screensaver and my online avatar FOREVER!
One of our favorite movies, ever!!
Not me. The big scene from Sayonara does it for me. I wonder if I can find it.
can’t mention dirty dancing without this scene.
I so agree, this is one of my favorite movies. I so miss, Patrick. Love Ghost too. This is a great break from today.
Here’s mine.
Chips, everyone … check the cool image in this tweet!!!
Sad. Funny, but sad.
tonight?
Looks like it, df …
good
So why do we need to cut Medicare????
I see we’re continuing to be in-synch, Bill 😀 😀
It’s obvious that Mr Carney is twisting the knife … PBO is going to allow anyone to mess with Medicare or Social Security 🙂
Because the government will close and the debt limit will default. That’s what happens when the Republicans are desperate.
Wooooooooooooooot!!! 🙂 Love it Kasai, happy new year!!
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
Great one, Kasai!!!!
Fingers crossed!
LOL!!! Happy New Year!! Dear ONE:-)
So this is where we are:
1. The House GOP doesn’t have the votes for an amended bill, so
2. Boehner will allow an up or down vote on the Senate bill, breaking the Hastert rule, which
3. Means the bill will pass courtesy of the Democrats, with very few yes votes from the GOP. Therefor
4. The GOP still loses, as they get no credit for keeping us from the “cliff”.
Ah sorry LL, I just started a new post – would you mind bringing your update to the new post? Thanks a million.
New post everyone:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/01/01/respect-5/
It appears so. The up or down to be decided in a coupla hours, eh?