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10:30: President Obama holds a bilateral meeting with President Karzai of Afghanistan
12:0: Meets for lunch with President Karzai; VP Biden also attends
1:15: President Obama and President Karzai hold a joint press conference
2:15: VP Biden will meet with representatives from the video game industry
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LA Times: Requiring all gun buyers to pass a federal background check could be a key part of a White House plan to combat mass shootings, Vice President Joe Biden indicated as he prepared to present recommendations to the president on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Biden said he had found a “surprising recurrence of suggestions” for “universal background checks” in meetings with interest groups. Background checks are not required in private sales by unlicensed dealers, including transactions at gun shows.
Biden is expected to propose measures that President Obama could institute by executive action, as well as proposed laws, such as bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
The quick movement to roll out potential remedies to mitigate gun violence — ahead of schedule and just days before Obama and Biden are sworn into a second term — is a signal of the urgency the White House aims to project in developing a response to the Newtown, Conn., elementary school shooting…..
Full article here
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Jonathan Capehart: Controversy over an anti-gay sermon by Louie Giglio of Passion City Church in Atlanta forced him to withdraw his acceptance of the invitation to deliver the benediction at the presidential inaugural. Good. President Obama should not have to share the stage with him.
Obama is the most pro-gay person to occupy the Oval Office. He ended the ban on gay men and lesbians serving openly in the military. His administration has stopped defending the so-called Defense of Marriage Act in court. He has expressed his personal support for marriage equality. And in pronouncement and policy, the president and his administration have made bringing dignity, equity and fairness to gay people and their families a priority.
That’s why it boggled the mind that the Presidential Inaugural Committee would force Obama to share the stage with Giglio….
More here
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In case you missed this yesterday:
Emily L. Hauser: What feminism isn’t about: Cabinet headcounts.
… as I have noted on several occasions, President Obama has spent his Presidency expressing his dedication to feminist values. Over and over and over (and over and over) again, he has done the work and forwarded the ideas necessary to actually change the reality in which women and girls live, to not pay lip service to our humanity but to acknowledge and act on it.
…. In word and deed, in promise and in policy, my President has demonstrated his feminism time and again, making the country in which I live and in which my daughter is coming of age a better, more perfect union. And that is much, much more important to me than an Oval Office headcount.
Read the full post here
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US Magazine: President Barack Obama’s second inauguration is shaping up to be one of the hottest tickets of the year.
Two days after the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced that Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, and James Taylor would perform at the official ceremony …. several other celebs have been added to the weekend’s star-studded lineup.
The committee announced Friday, Jan. 11, that Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley, Katy Perry, John Legend, fun, Stevie Wonder, and Usher would be among those on hand at the Kids’ Inaugural Concert on Saturday, Jan. 19, and at the official Inaugural balls on Monday, Jan. 21. Marc Anthony, Nick Cannon, Smokey Robinson, and members of the cast of Glee are also expected to make appearances.
More here
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MoooOOoooorning everyone
The Obama Diary 
me?
Moooooorning DF, mooooorning everyone!
Morning!! Friday’s Good!!
Congrats DF. GM Chips and TOD Family!
Yes you. Congratulations df!
G’morning Chips, TOD lurkers and everyone. Happy Friday 🙂
Morning Hopefruit, moooooooorning everyone!
Hello there, Hopef. I notice that the decoy thingy you worked with Desertf yesterday paid off for her today. Nice! 😉
Morning everyone! Have a great day!
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/11/washington-s-endless-civil-war.html
Maybe the Republicans will attempt to decapitate the federal government by leaving it without major Cabinet officials. In the end, they’ll fail—and thanks to the drafters of the Constitution, at least the deranged GOP House has no say in the confirmation process. But what’s happening is more proof that what we have in Washington is not a functioning Congress, but a one-ring circus on the far right.
And watch the freak show when the president proposes comprehensive immigration reform and moves forward on gun control. Already, Iowa Rep. Steve King has introduced a bill—which happens to be unconstitutional—that would deny citizenship to immigrant children born in this country. The only part of the Constitution that King and too many like him in the House seem to revere is the Second Amendment—in absolute and absolutely distorted terms. A week ago, I argued that it would be a mistake to bet against Biden’s chances of achieving progress on guns. After listening to the GOP stooges for the NRA—think of Texas Rep. Louis Gohmert, who said that a “hammer” could be “an assault weapon”—I’m ready to bet that not much gun legislation of any kind can get past Boehner’s brigades.
When the vice president said that Obama might act by executive order, the Drudge Report went into a frenzy, complete with pictures of Hitler and Stalin, apparently since taken down. The episode not only reveals the limitless shamelessness of Drudge, but the ugliness that pervades the opposition to Obama. And if you want to see it get even worse, just wait until the president selects someone to fill the next Supreme Court vacancy.
The whole incident with Drudge speaks of the total hypocrisy of the Right. People may remember when, in 2004, MoveOn asked people to upload possible ads concerning the upcoming Persidential election. One person uploaded an ad showing the face of Bush morphing into the face of Hitler. The video was taken down as soon as the folks running MoveOn saw it. It was visible less than a couple hours. Yet the Republicans in Congress demanded that Dems condemn MoveOn and pased a resolution to that effect. This despite the fact that MoveOn did not create the ad and voluntarily took it down before many people had even seen it.
The Drudge Report, however, deliberately created the page showing pictures of Stalin and Hitler with the obvious implication that PBO was turning into them. Yet the Right has not condemned Drudge. I wish some of the Dems in Congress would ask the Congress to pass a resolution condemning Drudge for this act, which is far more egregious that what MoveOn did.
DF, we’re going to have to work hard to make sure all of these offenses against humanity and common sense that pour out of the dysfunctional GOP in the House and Senate are made very clear to voters in 2014. I continue to believe that most people have enough decency to be ashamed of the ugly antics perpetrated by the right wing in DC. The people that I meet and talk to want a government that works, not one where the United States House of Representatives along with the Senate minority wage open war against a president that people just re-elected overwhelmingly. Every Republican House candidate who stands for re-election has to be tarred with this sin of open warfare. We can’t let anyone of them–not one–get away with this kind of continual sedition.
Umm, and if I somehow turn on the tv today to watch the President, I find myself going straight to CNN. MSNBC is losing it!
That is all!
MSNBC is auditioning for a spot on FOX news. And if they’re not careful – they might just get it.
Oh they are all awful, just awful!
Anything the president does is recorded on the White House website. That’s where I go. To hell with the tv.
Getting super excited for the inauguration. Shaping up to be a fantastic line-up. Yay!
Are you going UTAL, or watching on TV? I know you are in college, but I also know that you are committed to this regime.
GM folks. GM Chips.
Morning Amk!
Got a 5 day weekend coming up. Upside of being indian. Lotsa holidays.
Intensely jealous!!! Can I become Indian? Will you support me in my application?
Sure. Why not ? We have a billion people. What’s one more ? 🙂
That’s the spirit! Start writing a reference for me, and make it nice.
Show me the money.
You’re such a mercenary. How much?
I normally charge 1000 bucks. For you, it will be 2,000.
What part of India? My family is from Gujrat.
I am from Tamilnadu. Southie.
I was about to say “aw, thanks” – then I got out my calculator. You’re a scoundrel to the core, you.
Good morning TOD, hope everyone’s well today.
LOD makes a lot of poignant points there about the swearing in on a Bible, which contains so much utter nonsense, death condemnations and violence and divisive text, which is in direct opposition to what PBO believes and stands for. I agree it would make more sense to have him put his hands on the shoulders of his daughters, to whom he is completely devoted and aligned, in the swearing in.
“I agree it would make more sense to have him put his hands on the shoulders of his daughters, to whom he is completely devoted and aligned, in the swearing in.”
What a lovely idea. Morning Dotster.
While I agree in theory with LOD- I also think all this nitpicking about the Inauguration and everything Obama needs to be saved for another day. I don’t recall any other president have so much input about this that and the other. It’s getting tiresome at this point.
Tell it ! And everybody “needs” to stop offering what PBO “needs” to do. It’s his damn inauguration, not ours. People need to check themselves. It’s so very offensive the amount of “advice” he directly or indirectly receives. Who here tells anyone of us how to do our job? Like Don said yesterday, sick of it.
Preach it!
Can we all please just back off from the nitpicking of this president’s inauguration? He wants to be sworn in using Michelle Obama’s family bible, Lincoln’s bible, and MLK Jr’s bible. That is his choice and it is a commendable choice wrapped in meaning, depth, symbolism and history. It is his choice and he should have the inauguration he wants without the peanut gallery and the chattering class taking a hammer and hacking away at every part of the inaugural festivities.
Who the heck swears in putting their hands on the shoulders or arms or whatever of another human being? If you want the bible taken away, wouldn’t placing one’s hand over one’s heart make more sense? This is his inauguration; let him do whatever he pleases.
Just commenting on Lawrence’s video, which is posted above, and which is allowed. I thought that was the point.
Hold on UT, we were just expressing opinions on the issue, which we’re entitled to! I didn’t see any bashing of PBO’s choices for the Inauguration – discussion doesn’t have to be nitpicking – just – in my case any way – an agnostic offering an opinion on the use of the bible. I respect anyone’s faith, and their devotion to the bible, Koran, whatever (so long as they don’t use it to spread hate), and, naturally, respect PBO’s preferences. Personally, I love the idea of PBO ‘putting his hands on the shoulders of his daughters’, but that’s just me!
Love your very profound phrase, “so long as they don’t use it to spread hate”. That is exactly what the religious right is doing.
And always have Bill – it’s funny how they’re so unfamiliar with the parts that preach love, justice, understanding, all that. They must have torn those pages out.
That’s my point exactly. I didn’t say anyone was bashing PBO just that it is his choice to have the inauguration he wants without everyone including LOD nitpicking at every decision he makes. Did anyone bother to ask him why he chose those three bibles to use during his two swearing in’s? No. Did anyone bother to ask him why he chose those bibles and not other ones? No. Religious and non-religious people both do their part in spreading hate around the world. The spread of hate is not confined to religion only as non-religious people have killed others just because they do not like whatever religion said person happens to believe in.
My underlying point is that the president should have the inauguration he wants without everyone including the media raking a fine toothed comb through it. It never used to be as controversial for a president to use a bible or whatever for his swearing in and I don’t see why LOD has to make it an issue.
There are plenty who will bash everything to do with the inauguration, simply because it’s PBO’s, not bothered about them at all, they bore me to tears. But I think it’s possible – certainly for PBO supporters – to discuss the issue of the use of the bible on these occasions without actually being critical of his personal choices. Personally, I’d prefer no religious book to be used in any swearing-ins of any kind, but that’s just me, it doesn’t mean I, or people who share my opinion, don’t respect PBO’s decisions. I do, needless to say, It’s just a discussion.
And of course religious and non-religious people both do their part in spreading hate around the world – the difference is that religious zealots of all persuasions do it in the name of their preferred higher power and believe they are divinely in the right. Which they’re not. But that’s another discussion!
Since he is a Christian I think the Bible has meaning for him beyond the poignant historical meanings of the particular Bibles involved. But your use of the term ‘swearing-in” brings a good story to my mind. I was reading a really good book about George Washington to my second graders, “George Did It”. It’s the story of how George was so reluctant to be president because he worried he wouldn’t do a very good job. He had to borrow money to get to the inauguration. On the way he kept having to stop for all the parties, parades, and celebrations people wanted to give him. At one place they had a machine to lower a laurel wreath onto his head. He was uncomfortable with the wreath, but politely kissed the girl who operated the machine. There was a group “Ewwww!” from the class. A little voice said, “On the lips??” I said no, probably on the cheek. Voice: “Well, that’s okay then!”. Murmurs of agreement. Then he gets to the inauguration and they forgot the Bible, so had to send a runner to borrow one. The ‘swearing-in ceremony” started an hour late. At the term “swearing-in ceremony” the boys gave collective gasp followed by astonished giggles. Quickly grasping the problem I explained that it did not mean the president would be using a lot of bad words! They were very disappointed. Afterward I thought I should have kept quiet- they would have watched the ceremony on the 1st with intense anticipation!
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE AND BLESS YOU…I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY OPINION TO THE PASTOR GIGLIO SCENARIO. I DID EMAIL THE WHITE HOUSE THIS MORNING. PASTOR GIGLIO IS AN AMAZING MAN. WHAT WE ARE MISSING HERE IS THE FACT THAT THERE IS NOT A CHRISTIAN PASTOR IN THE WORLD TODAY WHO HAS NOT QUOTED THE BIBLE REGARDING GOD’S WORD ON HOMOSEXUALITY. LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE…WE SHOULD NOT SEGREGATE THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE BIBLE…THE QURAN OR ANYTHING ELSE. THIS EVOLVES INTO A SEPERATIST POINT OF VIEW THAT FUELS MORE DIVISION IN THIS COUNTRY. THIS IS NOT WHO WE ARE. TO BE SURE, PASTOR GIGLIO WOULD NOT HAVE SPENT HIS TIME AT THE INAUGURATION DISCUSSING GOD’S LAW REGARDING GAYS…TO BE SURE ALSO…PASTOR GIGLIO DOES NOT HATE GAY PEOPLE. IN THE EYES OF GOD WE ARE ALL TO LOVE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. SOMEONE JUMPED THE GUN HERE ON RULES OF ACCEPTANCE. UNFORTUNATLEY, THE MEDIA WILL HAVE A BLAST TWISTING ALL OF THIS INTO A NICE BONFIRE BEFORE IT’S OVER. THE FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL IS ALREADY BUSY TRYING TO MAKE PRESIDENT OBAMA LOOK LIKE SATAN ON A HIGH HORSE. WE MUST LEARN TO ‘AGREE TO DISAGREE’…I WONDER WHERE THAT CAME FROM…I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE INAUGURATION…TO BE SURE THE MEDIA WILL USE THIS TO CAST ANOTHER SHADOW ON A PRECIOUS MOMENT IN HISTORY.
I totally agree with you Sue, Pastor Giglio is a good man and does great work in fighting human trafficking. His views about gays is based on his christian believe. I don’t think pastors should be forced to denounce the bible, as long as they are not meddling in public policies.
Sorry, but when you type in all caps, you are practically yelling. So, whatever point you are trying to make gets lost because of that.
Also, there are Christian pastors who do not quote or believe in the Bible’s world regarding homosexuality. It’s just that the Christian Right has successfully marginalized them. They have marginalized so many religious people with liberal and progressive views that it isn’t funny.
Sorry, but I don’t support Pastor Giglio. What if he was a racist or a sexist? Would you still believe that he should participate in the inauguration? The advocacy of sending gay people to dangerous and fraudalent “anti-gay conversion camps” is not really a good indication that he doesn’t hate gay people.
Besides, Chuck Hagel apologized for his past comments and stances against gays. What about Pastor Giglio? His statement commenting on his withdraw from the inauguration is an indication to me that he still holds these beliefs. Thanks, but no thanks.
“Sorry, but when you type in all caps, you are practically yelling. So, whatever point you are trying to make gets lost because of that.”
Just my 2 cents, but Sue has used caps since inception of her commenting here. We’re all used to it. Why’s everybody fighting today ?
Typing in all caps over the internet is the universal sign of yelling and is normally seen as a sign of disrespect. However, it turns how that some have to do this due to poor eyesight. This is Sue’s situation. I’m not a regular poster on the Obama Diary, so I didn’t know. Unfortunately, the despite the advancements in communications it has provided, the internet’s biggest shortcoming is still the lack of nonverbal clues people rely upon in face-to-face contact. This is another example of this. So, I apologize to Sue.
As to why everybody’s fighting, ask the PL lefties and emoprogs who continue to peddle “outrage?”
Sue uses all caps because it helps her eyesight. She’s always done that since she began commenting.
Sorry, I didn’t know that.
To be honest I’ve never heard of Pastor Giglio. But I do remember the same up roar over the use Rick Warren in 09. Since I have never heard of the man Pastor Giglio before I won’t say too much, except it has been settle so I’m moving on. Because anyone disagree with homosexuality it does not mean you hate them. And I have no problem with the use of the Bible by POTUS. Lawrence O’Donnell need to shut the heck up, I can’t stand the fact he had piece of crap Ezra Klein on his show, why don’t he agree not to use Ezra Klein.
Hear, hear !!
After listening to the Lawrence O’Donnell “Rewrite” I do not understand why more progressive religious groups have not come out in favor of gay rights and gun control. Progressive religious groups are letting the Bible thumpers dominate the religious conversation and “brand” in our society. As they do more people will continue to turn away from organized religion.
‘FREEDOM OF RELIGION’ BILL IS A RIGHT IN THIS COUNTRY…NO MATTER HOW YOU WORSHIP….AS THE PRESIDENT HAS ALWAYS STATED…WE NEED TO AGREE TO DISAGREE.
I agree completely, however I do not understand why progressive religious leaders are not expressing their beliefs in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr., William Sloane Coffin, the Berrigan Brothers, and others in the 1960’s. There seem to be few religious leaders leading movements for social justice. Sister Simone Campbell is a wonderful exception. Religious leaders today seem more interested in telling others how to live based on their narrow interpretation of the Bible than improving society. Just my opinion.
As is happening. Citizens who check “none” re. religious affiliation are on the rise in the U.S. One out of 5 now declare themselves non-religious, one out of 3 in everyone under 30. More people are becoming aware of all the harm done in the name of religion and are dropping out. We’re lagging Europe in this regard, but the same has happened there also.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/10/09/new-report-a-third-of-adults-under-30-have-no-religious-affiliation/
That’s a very narrow black and white view. Religious and non-religious people all play a role in the harm committed in the world.
Exactly. And all of a sudden in 2013, everybody who has the national spotlight (and I don’t mean here on TOD – I value everyone’s heartfelt opinion, here) gives a damn about the fact the President’s using Bibles that mean something to him. Not sure they cared about the choices of previous Presidents, there’s that. Because it’s this President, everybody who has the national spotlight figures they get to comment on who’s on the podium on Inauguration Day. Uh, other than, in my case, Maya Angelou for Clinton and Robert Frost, way back for Kennedy, do we or any of these pukes even remember who spoke at all of the Inaugurations of other Presidents? Or who gave the Invocations or Benedictions? I don’t. We all know if the President didn’t use a Bible (his personal choice), there would be an outcry. Now, there’s another outcry because he’s choosing to use two or three. I believe Congressman Ellison chose the Quran for his swearing in, and the democracy survived. If Pastor Giglio had preached, and I doubt he would have brought up the topic, he would have been standing by a whole host of Republicans who also don’t “support” homosexuality, who are still going to be allowed to be there, and the democracy would have survived. Anyway, nobody asked me, least of all the Inauguration Committee.
This rant is going nowhere, because I just woke up, other than to say let’s hold onto our liberal values … which means let everybody who has an opinion on religion’s presence at the Inauguration keep their opinion, share it here if Chips allows, we’ll keep ours, “some of my best friends are atheists,” which is fine with me (I like to tell them God gave them a free will – Ha!), the second Inauguration will be stupendous, I cannot wait to see it all. I will watch it through my liberal eyes, no matter who’s talkin’.
Finally, President Obama has stated that he’ll be the President of all Americans, not just those who voted for him. If President Obama had invited Jesus to provide both the Invocation and Benediction at the Inauguration, 47% of the damn voters would say that he sure has a lot of nerve when Jesus is so busy watching over the rest of us sorry souls, here on Earth, not just those who believe in Jesus. You can’t win, if you’re President Obama. All you can do is say: Proceed, America.
*CLAP……CLAP….CLAP….CLAP* I always appreciate your insights into any debate or discussion because you lay it out clearly and with truth and you did that once again. You are freaking chocolate, ice-cream, candy fantastic.
Thank you so much for this. +1,000,000,000.
Chocolate ice cream?
I continue to love you, utaustinliberal (especially that liberal part). 🙂
Sorry, dotster3, but I respectly disagree.
Especially since the vast majority of Americans still believe in God. Religious affliation is down but “spiritual, but not religious” is increasing. Many Americans make a distinction between religion and spirituality. Many atheists think this distinction is meaningless, but I disagree. Religion is the doctrine, institution, and form. Spirituality is the personal or group relationship with the deity in question. Eventually, if more and more people adopt a spiritual belief, the creation of a religion to support that belief is inevitable. And the two overlap. However, there is a distinction.
Besides, if Madeline O’Hair were alive today, I think that some of the behavior exhibited by some of her fellow atheists would geniunely shock her and O’Hair was a pretty controversial and over the top force in her own right. The main thrust of her argument always was that secularism protected both atheists and believers alike. If it had been as extreme as what we’re seeing now, she would have had no success as an activist for atheism. She would have lost her Supreme Court case.
And please note that this same “under 30” group is also pushing the evangelical movement leftward. Will evangelicals become more socially liberal in future generations, who knows? However, it’s a little more complicated than assuming that this demographic will abandon spiritually and religion completely.
Butting in: In my book, those with extreme secular or religious views have some pretty significant things in common: eg an intolerance for any view but their own, a dogmatic insistence that only their view should hold sway, and an absolute disrespect – often contempt – for the ‘other’ side. No one in their right mind would condone either. True, it’s not easy for there to be much mutual respect when the positions of each side are largely irreconcilable, so it’s hard to imagine quite how they can accommodate each other, but still, the fault lays equally with both extremes. Secularism has made major advances in many parts of the world, but in most religion is still a powerful force, sometimes for good, sometimes not. And I’m not just thinking of extreme Islam, the ‘Christian’ religions have plenty to be ashamed of too. Which is what fuels much of the secular ‘movement’. That some of the Christian churches’ followers still use a book written thousands of years ago to justify, for example, hate-speech against gays is hard to stomach for those of us who wish religion was a private thing, and not something that ever influenced public policy. By all means, politicians with strong faiths should be personally guided by that, but some of us just don’t want our respective nations’ laws determined by it.
I’ve said similar things to some atheists and have gotten knee-jerk responses in kind. They don’t like to be compared to extreme Islam or fundamentalist Christians, but unfortunately, when you close your mind, others will make these comparison. Especially when you consider that their extreme atheism is in fact, a backlash against the dogmatic, closed-minded Christians who villified them.
Religion has caused a lot of harm in the world. But so has something that many claim is the god of extreme atheists…science. Science has given us the ability to improve our world and our personal lives. Yet, it has also given us the ability to destroy ourselves. Science is based on logical and reason, but extreme faith that some atheists have in these borders on…you know…religion. The scientific method, although more rigorous and methodology than a holy book will ever be, is not flawless. It can be corrupted. But, when you tell some atheists this, their reactions are pretty similiar to those of a Christian fundamentalist hearing blasphemy.
Your last sentence pretty much sums up Obama’s attitude towards this whole thing. Be guided by your faith if you must when dealing in the political realm. However, please be aware that what you do needs to be relatable to others who don’t share your faith or don’t have it at all.
“More people are becoming aware of all the harm done in the name of religion and are dropping out.”
How about all the good that has been done in the name of religion? I am not particularly a religious person, but deeply religious people like Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King and the entire freedom movement of the 60’s, the abolitionists who fought tirelessly to end slavery, etc, did a lot of good to save humanity.
I was thinking about every war, for instance, and all the harm done to children by priests in the Catholic Church etc. etc. etc.
Dotster3, I totally agree with you about the abominable role that the supposedly religious people played on the things you listed. But these abominations have to be balanced with the good that many truly sincere and religious people do, and have done, to advance humanity.The harm done by Catholic priests is, without a doubt, abominable. But we also know of Catholic charities that have fed the hungry, housed the homeless, and protected those threatened by government violence. You need to check out the Latin American Liberation theology where emphasized the role of the Church in siding with interest of the poor and the oppressed. You also could benefit by reading extensive literature ob the role that both religion and the Church have played in the long African American struggle for freedom, justice and human equality.
As I said, I am not particularly a religious person because I can never confine my self to one religion. I find a lot of good in all religions, including the so called polytheistic religions. I also have the deepest respect for scientists who have courageously challenged religious dogma and thus made it possible for us to live decent lives. Nevertheless, even the detached scientists are not immune when it comes to man’s inhumanity. Surely, scientists must share responsibility for the creation and development of weapons of mass destruction. I doubt that the horrific nightmare and destruction that took place in Hiroshima and Nagasaki would have occurred without the works of amoral scientists? Ultimately, It’s difficult to argue that religion alone is responsible for all the inhumanity in history. My view is that we all have to be aware of those who claim to be holier than thou in promoting their religious dogma or absolute, amoral, scientific solutions to all human problems.
Progressive religious leaders have been marginalized. That’s part of the reason why you are not hearing from them. The Christian Right has successfully defined religion on their terms. This group is just now finding its voice.
Bill, I really don’t want to cause acrimony here since we are all Obama supporters here,, however, dotster3′ comment sums up the attitudes that many liberals and progressives have had against those of faith.
And it’s only now that many liberals and progressives are starting to question whether or not this is the best course forward.
If you are able to, I would suggest you watch a very good PBS documentary called “Religion in America.” It’s a 5-part miniseries. But, the fifth and final installment is the most pertinent to what’s happening in today’s political climate.
I have been an agnostic for most of my life (although I’m not anymore). However, I’ve never had so much hatred for people of religious faith as I’ve seen coming from certain atheists as well as liberal and progressives.
Secularism was designed to protect the rights of people with differing religious views or those with none at all. It was never intended to a a completely purge of religion out of society. Some on the left still believe this.
Bravo nabsentia23. You summed it up brilliantly.
I have never experienced or observed the hate towards progressive religious people that you have. The non-believers I know accept believers as long as they are not spreading hate as Chips so well states. And I am sincerely sorry that you have experienced such hate. Every Democratic POTUS in my lifetime has been a professed Christian. I feel progressive religious groups have marginalized themselves by not taking the lead for social justice and progressive ideas. That is my only point.
Sorry, Bill, but we have to agree to disagree.
Progressive religious folks shouldn’t take the complete blame for their marginalization. Not when I’ve seen how both conservative religious folks as well as other liberal and progressives have treated them.
You clearly haven’t been in the arguments I’ve been in with other liberals over this issue. Besides, as I said before, it’s the Millenials that are pushing evangelical movement overall to the left.
Progressive religious groups appear to have chosen to stay out of politics. Let’s remember, unionization, the social safety net and civil rights never would have happened without social justice churches of all denominations and progressive Jews.
I would have thought that by this last decade they would have seen how important their voices and activism is. But they are staying out of the political fray and ceding political religious activism to the religious right.
the son of a friend went to one of these mega churches with his new girlfriend, and all it was was politics. The only homage to actual religion was that this was Jesus’ will. He doesn’t know if he can continue this relationship. He was very disturbed that they could collect all of their funds tax free, do nothing but be an arm of the Republican party and cloak it all under ‘religious freedom’. Remember, Republicans are the first to try to take away tax exempt status from a corner AA church if they delve into anything remotely political, yet the religious right abuses their rights with impunity.
You expressed my point much better than I. From my observation progressive religious organizations have become “irrelevant social clubs” of which Martin Luther King, Jr. warned.
Progressive religious groups has suffered similar problems of the American left overall.
Why should progressive religious group have found out how important their voices were in the last decade when the progressive movement overall had the same problem? Why should they have come forward when liberals and progressives spent 30-40 years ignoring religion altogether? We have spent decades being such fanatical secularists. So, not only has this group of progressives been railroaded by their counterparts on the right, they’ve been given a cold shoulder from the left as well.
It’s only now that more liberals and progressives are becoming more comfortable with discussing their religious faith. So, yeah, these progressives should have come forward sooner, but what type of reception would they have received from others if they had?
I believe they would have been received very well. They would have been perceived as living their faith. Living by one’s faith should not be based on an acceptance by the majority.
I disagree, Bill. And I know of cases where they weren’t. The Democratic party, as well as the American left, overall, avoided the issue of religion because we preferred to promote rigid secularism instead. Many of us foolishly believed (and still do) that secularism involved totally and complete exclusion of religion from the political relm.
I am not certain of your time frame, but Jimmy Carter was elected POTUS as a very devout Christian. Bill Clinton and Al Gore expressed their religion. Gore even attended divinity school for a short while. PBO and VP Biden have openly expressed the importance of their faith. But I do not know what you have experienced.
I like the good Rev. Al, specially when he is on someone else’s show. He is biting and concise and hits all the right points. His show, however, I find irrelevant and tiresome. When he first started I thought here now we will have a great platform for the religious left. It’s disappointing that he goes over and covers the same stuff Ed would cover instead of promoting the credible religious left. Wish he would have the Nuns, and Frank Schaefer and many of those black clergy that in 2012 came out strong for LGBT rights (no small thing this) and other now obscure great religious lefties everyday. Rev. Al is wasting one precious hour.
Rev. Al did address the issues LGBT rights and religion when Obama announced his support for gay marriage. He had clergy on his show who were both for and against gay rights.
If anything, Rev. Al’s shows during this time showed the need for more work in this area. Could Al too more to address this issue? Probably, but I’m just letting you know he’s done so in the past.
i do not thing that REV ALs show is a waste at all…
i can name 2 issues that the REV talked about longgg before others…
Voter Suppression and Trayvon Martin…indeed…
and …The Rev does not flip flop his support of the President…..
Forwarddddddddddddddd
Jimmy Carter was not liked by the most liberals within the Democratic Party. Now, this lack of affection was based more on his fiscal policies than on the issue of religion, but nonetheless, the party did not stand firmly behind him. He got primaried by another Democrat who also had religious faith, but it was only until right before his death, that he questioned whether or not it was wise for Democrats to continue their previous position on the issue. That Democrat was Ted Kennedy.
I also remember Jimmy Carter being ridiculed by some of the left at the time for his devout Christianity. I especially remember that infamous Playboy interview that almost cost him the election.
Yes, Bill Clinton and Al Gore may have discussed their own faith, but this didn’t change the overall trend going on within the party.
Actually, it’s in this area, too, that Obama is a trailblazer. He’s the one who pointed out that its foolish for liberals and progressives to keep insisting that people of religious faith should completely devoid themselves of their faith whenever they go to the voting booth.
I really encourage you to see the final episode of the PBS documentary I told you about. It’s called “God in America.” I got the title wrong in a previous post. Obama himself knows that this has been a problem for the Democratic Party for a long time and he’s been trying to address it.
I’m not saying that liberal and progressive religious person don’t share some of the blame for this. However, I’m just not sure they would have been accepted as overwhelmingly as you do if they had come out before.
Besides, it’s the evangicals in the Millenial generation that is pushing this religious movement to the left politically (not the Baby Boomers, nor Generations X and Y).
The point was not that he addressed LGBT while the debate was going on. He did. And I don’t see that as some litmus test, anyway. The point is that his show could be significantly more relevant if he avoided doing same old thing, with the same old tired guests, saying the same old thing about the lastest “Fox/GOP” outrage, etc. There are some really wonderful people of faith who are on the left, the type of people who ask, “what would Jesus do” and mean it. America needs more exposure to those people and Rev. Al has an hour everyday of the week to level the field.
“President Barack Obama’s second inauguration is shaping up to be one of the hottest tickets of the year.”
But but but AP told me that no one was interested in the Inauguration (except teh Blacks); that it was going to be the boringest event EVAH, and PBO would be lucky to see 300 people outside of family at the ceremony!!
It’ll probably be boycotted by women too Hopefruit, seeing as we now know how much he hates them. He’ll be lucky to get 50 people there. 😆
THE INAUGURATION WILL BE BEAUTIFUL DESPITE THE WHININGS OF A REPUBLICAN OWNED MEDIA…UNFORTUNATELY…PEOPLE ARE GULLIBLE OR ONLY HEAR WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR. HOWEVER…IN ALL CASES…IF WE ARE GOING TO TEACH TOLERANCE…WE MUST PRACTICE IT. I’M ALSO VERY THRILLED WITH PBO’S PICKS FOR HIS ADMIN….IT’S WHO WOULD BE THE BEST FOR THE JOB…GENDER SHOULD NEVER ENTER THE ISSUE….PRESS ON!
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/anson-kaye/2013/01/10/on-debt-ceiling-house-gop-puts-principle-over-responsibility
I didn’t think much of it at the time, but the dysfunction on display in the Republican caucus these days is making me reconsider. I mean really, why not reach outside Congress to find someone else to lead? One could hardly do worse.
So as a service to our country, I have come up with the following modest proposal for House reform: replace the Speaker with a Coracias garrulus. That’s right. For lack of a more delicate term, it’s the vomit bird.
You see, when Coracias garrulus senses danger the little darlings throw up all over themselves. Usually, it makes them a less delectable treat for predators, but put one up on the dais and it’s hard to imagine a more accurate physical manifestation of how many of us are feeling about the goings on in the House these days. Just imagine: the Honorable Jim Jordan of Ohio rises to offer an amendment and … Speaker Coracias garrulus shares his lunch.
HAHAHHAHA!! Friday’s good! Vomit Bird (Puke-OH)
Love it. Although usually the sight of someone vomiting (even the sound) tends to promote the same action in me, I would still love to see this.
you have a “pity puke problem” 🙂 Yikes!
You had to do this while I’m eating my morning donut. Ugh.
An objective observer might guess that you still finished the donut. Just sayin’. I took another bite of a pumpkin muffin after I read that and had no trouble, either.
Good mornin’ (afternoon), Yardarm and TODville! Have a happy (albeit soggy, here) day.
People who think that PBO’s supporters are one group think homogenous Borg type unit need only read the comments by dotster and Sue back to back. And then read mine. Mainly because I disagree with both to some degree. Regarding Dotster’s comment, although the Bible does contain much of what she mentions, it also is more than anything else a message of love and peace. Regarding Sue’s, I am of a different mind about Pastor Giglio, I agree that he wouldn’t have used the benediction to preach anti-gay rhetoric. I also realize that he has done a lot of good in the world. He is not an evil man. However, I do think that the Inauguration Committee made a mistake in asking him to be part of the ceremonies. It is an unfortunate by-product of the polarization created by the right and some on the left that even those giving the invocation or the benediction now need to go through background checks. In fact, not only unfortunate but downright sad and depressing.
Optics has become the end all and be all of life today. Thus the Bible is used, partially because it has meaning to the person givfing the oath (most of them) and secondly because not using one would be bad optics. And the optics of Pastor Giglio giving ther benediction would also be bad.
I am old enough, as are many here, to recall a time when a lot of this stuff really didn’t matter. It is extremely sad to see how, despite so many positive things have happened in thsi country, that we have regressed so far in this area.
Sad indeed. Japa. Pundits and rock throwers from right and left make so much of small things it’s as if their noses were right up against the tree bark. They miss the larger picture entirely. Forget about the forest, they don’t even see the tree. We are re-inaugurating a president who is literally transforming our old, stodgy political system into a modern force that is able to cope with the challenges of the new century. By the grace of God and the wisdom of American voters, we chose a president to lead us “forward” in a radically changing environment. This is what he ran on –going forward–and this is what the American people chose. His opposition virulently fears and opposes the changes required to move forward and they are doing everything in their power to pull us backward into a darker time. This is a titanic struggle that those of us who care about this nation’s future have to win. And yet we get forced to examine whether the bark in this corner of the tree is lighter or darker than the other corner. Madness. Absolute madness.
WELL SAID JAPA…BUT ACCORDING TO CNN…THE WHITE HOUSE DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT PASTOR GIGLIO’S PRIOR SERMONS…SOMEONE ELSE DID THIS…THE QUESTION IS WHY?
I try to avoid conspiracy theories, but the inuguration committee is separate from the WH and has members of both parties represented. Now, if I were a conspiracy theorist, I would think someone promoterd Giglio based upon his very wothwhile efforts to stop slave trafficking. And that person (or persons) knew full well about the pastor’s past history and knew it would come out, thus creating a major image problem for the President. But, as I said, I don’t get into conspiraciy theoris.
The WH should have been monitoring these choices, no matter what. They dropped the ball.
THIS IS WHERE I WAS LEANING JAPA…BECAUSE I AM ANGRY THAT THIS MATCH WAS LIT IN THE FIRST PLACE…I DO FEEL IT WAS DELIBERATE…REGARDLESS…THEY NEED TO CHECK OUT THE PAPER TRAIL….!!!!!
You are so right Japa21.
Here’s how I sum it up Pastor Giglio:
Someone said that expecting a religious person to completely ignore their religious convictions when they enter the political arena is foolish and unrealistic. However, since this is a secular society where people of various faiths and even disbelief are rights as well, your political convictions must be relatable to others that don’t share your religious convictions. The person would said this was yours truly, Barack Obama.
Based on this, I believe that Pastor Giglio’s participation in the inauguration presents a big problem. Whereas his religious beliefs are specific and exact, the civil and political sphere he’s operating in is a lot more inclusive. Despite all of the good work he’s done, he’s too divisive. And even without the current hostile political climate; the significant thrives that gays and lesbians have made within the last few decades in obtaining their civil rights would still make Pastor Giglio a problematic choice.
Well reasoned and well said.
So much for the whole “Pres. Obama hates the womenz!!!!”
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!! I LOVE MY FEMALE JUDGES!
BUSH WAS ONLY WORRIED ABOUT GETTING HIS CRONIES ON THE BENCH…THE USUAL REPUBLICAN CESSPOOL OF POLITICAL GAMES AND FAVORITISM!
this!
Just sharing something significant in my life. I rescued my elderly mother, 89 years of age, Renata a little over three years ago from her apartment in the state of Washington where she was in a horrible state due to progressive Alzheimer’s. After three difficult months staying with us I arranged (through the grace of Medicaid) a placement for her near our home in Oregon, where she has remained these last almost three years. I can say without equivocation that she has been more peaceful and tranquil there than I have ever known her to be in her life. Her caregivers loved her and she loved them. She was declining and had arrived to the point where she no longer recognized me and was unable to converse coherently. They called me this morning to say that she had died in her sleep early this morning. My last contact with her was at a Christmas luncheon for family members. Before I left I held her hand and sang a verse of Silent Night. In a brief moment of recognition she became teary and smiled. I kissed her and told her in Italian (her first language) “Io ti amo.” (I love you.) And she smiled. That will be my last remembrance of her.
Sorry about your loss, Bill. May she Rest In Peace. Cherish that last remembrance.
And a lovely remembrance it is. And you will always know that you helped her achieve some level of peace in her later years. My condolences to you and yours.
Losing one’s mother is unbelievably hard. I felt like I had lost my rock when my mother died. But, like you, I had a wonderful last memory of her, and through the years, the good memories have surfaced constantly and I still draw from her strength. Bless you in this difficult time. I’m so glad you had that last time with her. And, I’m so glad she had those years of peace near you.
Oh, Bill. Thank you for sharing this deeply personal piece of your life with us. Hugs to you as well as condolences on the loss of your mother. Having had my dear Italian grandmother that suffered the ravaging effects of Alzheimer’s, not recognizing my father or her family…I understand what you have gone through. You let her die with dignity, grace, and peace. Your kind mother lives in you, and she is always there with you. Healing hugs.
Bill, I am so sorry and my heart goes out to you. How good that you had the little moment with her–a connection that will stay with you forever.. I lost my own mother some years ago and she, too, had lost much of her memory. In her last days, I brought her an angel figure you could light up that had a place for a fresh rose. When she saw it she smiled at me and her whole face lit up. I still have that angel near my desk and though fifteen years have gone by, the rose is still preserved in the angel’s hand. Every time I look at it, I remember her and the good times. I hope you, too, will always take the time to remember the good days with the your mom. Bless you.
Bill R., I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Your last moments of sweet tenderness with her are what you both carry in your hearts eternally. Always remember the comfort and love you provided her in her time of need. May she rest in peace.
My sincere condolences for your loss, Bill. It sounds like you loved her and cared about her well-being, and she knew it, and that’s the most important thing.
My condolences as well. Bill. My father died from the same disease and had a moment of recognizing me before he passed, too. The brain is incredible.
Condolences on the loss of your mother, and what a beautiful memory to have of your time with her. You will be blessed for caring about her and making her last days comfortable
Bill, my deepest condolences to you and your family. I’m glad you were able to have that last peaceful moment with her and thanks for sharing this with us. May she Rest In Peace.
Bill, so sorry for your loss. How blessed you are with your precious memories. God bless you and your family.
Offering my condolences and a hug for what it’s worth {Bill R}. May your mother rest in peace, and may you continue to find peace in the knowledge that you had a loving ‘goodbye’ moment.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your actions to help her and bring her some peace and comfort should give you solace.
Oh Bill, your last meeting with your mother is just the most beautiful ‘parting’ I’ve ever heard about, I am so happy for you that you have that treasured memory. May your mother rest in peace, and may you be comforted by how well and lovingly you looked after her. Take care of yourself Bill.
((((Bill)))) Thanks for sharing that.
Sorry for your loss Bill. Sending my condolences your way and I hope you remember the good times you had with her and it brings a smile to your face.
Sorry for your loss, I hope you continue to find comfort in the memories of great moments you spent with your mom.
So sorry for your loss Bill.
May the peace that comes from the memories of love shared comfort you now and in the days ahead.
Bill, so sorry for your loss. May the grace of God comfort you and may your last remembrance always bring joy to your heart.
So sorry for you loss Bill. Thank you for sharing that precious last memory with us. It touched me deeply.
Dear Bill, thank you for sharing those beautiful memories of your Mom. I am so glad you were able to rescue her and bring comfort for her.
I am so touched by the love that you shared and she felt. There is peace in the midst of storms. Bless you,
I’m so sorry for your loss Bill, but also grateful you shared this lovely memory with all of us~ how lucky you were to have that last special moment with your mother. Take care.
Bill, sorry for your loss.
So sorry about your loss, Bill.
Bill, I am so sorry to hear about the lost of your Mother. Bless you and your family.
thanks for sharing, bill. great tribute to her.
(((Bill))) hugs and condolences for the loss of your mother. Thank you for sharing your lovely last moment with your mother. What a loving sweet moment that must have been for her and you. May she rest in heavenly peace.
My sincere condolence for your loss Bill. I’ve been there a number of times. You did a great thing in bringing her the peace and tranquility you mentioned. It to me is the ultimate gift we can give our loved ones in trying situations. Let them know we love and treasure them. Many times we don’t get that chance. Peace be to you, Bill.
Oh Bill, what a lovely, lasting memory. My sincere condolences.
Condolences Bill, very poignant memory, and what a lovely way to remember your mother. Hopefully she is in a better place now.
Bill…we carry our loved ones in our hearts where they live. My father is in end stage Alzheimer’s. Your last remembrance of you mother is beautiful, that memory is a gift.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story, Bill R. Seems lilke all of us are touched by Alzheimers. Both my parents had it. You are so thankful for those wonderful last remembrances. Bless you and your family at this time of loss.
I’m so very sorry for your loss, Bill. Thank you for sharing your final loving remembrance of your mother. May she rest in Blessed Peace. I work in the health care industry and many of our clients are Alzheimer’s patients. I makes me happy that the facility that you mother was in took such good care of her and that she was happy there. God Bless You and Your Family.
{{{{{{BillR}}}}}}} I think your last memorable moment is one of great compassion and deep love. My respects to you and your family on your Mother passing.
aloha bill
thank you for bringing your mother’s story to us. i know, i am feeling again the comfort of this good ohana. my mother died in october, after a similar passage from a dismaying decline, to being cared for in my home, to nursing home care. i was amazed at how well she did in the nursing home–the nurses and staff were gentle, compassionate, thoughtful, and very sweet to her and to me. my heart goes out to you, as you experience the loss of your mother. and i’m saying a prayer of gratitude for all those who spend their work days caring for others.
My deep condolences, Bill! Cherish all the great memories of her and you will always be with her.
That was a beautiful gift for your mother and a blessing for you. I hope you have many more happy memories to sustain you.
My condolences to you Bill.
Just a brief observation. I think we’re seeing VP Biden front and center on a lot of key issues because he expressed a willingness to consider running for president in 2016. PBO loves and honors Biden and is deeply grateful for his continued support and loyalty. So he’s giving Biden a chance to “try on” the job from time to time and gain some additional prominence and “gravitas.” PBO is so centered in himself and so secure in his own being, that he’s never threatened by the prominence of those around him. He trusts Biden of course and is confident of his ability, but I also think he’s giving him a gift–the chance to try his mettle in a presidential way. If Biden does decide to run, he will have then have a lot of very solid and highly visible accomplishments behind him.
Hi Jackie- I agree. I’ve been thinking this for awhile. Hillary will be a great nominee in 2016 and if she wins the primary will definetly vote for her in the general, but right now, my primary vote is for Biden.
hillary would be a horrible nominee in 2016. she’s an incredibly divisive figure and surrounds herself with the worst of worst (lanny davis, mark penn, howard wolfson, and so on). her running would be backward, not forward!!, as president obama says. if she runs i’ll do everything i can to make sure she isn’t the nominee, since i believe she can’t win a national election and would bring us a republican president.
I REALLY DON’T THINK HILLARY WILL RUN…SHE’S TIRED AND WANTS A PRIVATE LIFE!
I have to disagree with you. I think Hilary would make a wonderful President and I strongly believe that if she gets the Democratic nomination, she’ll win the Presidency easily.
Who are the Republicans going to run? Chris Christie is really all they have — and he may be too moderate for many Rightwingers.
If Hilary gets the Democratic nomination, I would hope that we on the left would support her wholeheartedly and not cut our own throats by tearing her down and allowing Republicans to take the White House.
Just my 2 cents. I understand that not everyone loves the Clintons the way I do.
“if she gets the Democratic nomination, she’ll win the Presidency easily.”
That’s the narrative that the corrupt media and GOP want gullible Democrats to believe.
This is not about loving the Clintons or not – this is about weather Hillary has what it takes to get elected in 2016. I doubt that, and the fact that the media and GOP keep pushing it makes me doubt it even more.
I too agree, Jackie. Your comment was a lovely tribute to PBO, and I think you’re 100% right. I hope Biden will run in 2016. He will have my vote and my support if he does.
I actually think PBO wishes to be able to work with the Republicans to negotiate but Boehner has pulled the football away twice like Lucy did each Fall. Prez Obama is using Biden to negotiate instead so they can get something done since it is obvious they are refusing to work with him. I think it has nothing to do with 2016 except maybe with Biden himself. I have wondered what PBO will do when both Biden and Clinton will run. I figure he will not endorse either just to be fair.
Is it still morning? To be on the safe side today I’ll just say, ‘Howdy pardners! Have a great Friday or Saturday!’
So sorry for your loss. Happy you got the chance to tell her you loved her at Christmas. That smile meant she understood. Blessings.
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.
Yes we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.
Yes we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.
Yes we can.
It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.
Yes we can to justice and equality.
Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.
Yes we can heal this nation.
Yes we can repair this world.
Yes we can.
We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change. (We want change.)
We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics…they will only grow louder and more dissonant ……….. We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.
But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.
Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea: Yes We Can.
Thank you, meta. Surely this is one of the most memorable speeches of all time, born from a deep love of his country.
I was just thinking this morning about the hope I still feel about PBO. The full greatness of this man is yet to be understood and embraced but I feel it every day.
And that’s why the media is trying to tear him down, hoping that our deep respect, admiration and enthusiasm for this man will diminish. The MSM needs to find a better use of their time, because they’re going on a fool’s errand with this constant nitpicking and bashing of PBO.
One of the most important stories of this era will be how much the America press has failed us. And how much social media helped us find our way out of this failure.
aloha meta~
coming in late, but want to say how your statement resonates with my feelings exactly. barack obama, the man, is just getting started. the greatness we have seen is the tip of the iceberg of his life story–so many amazing years ahead.
I’m very impressed with the thoroughness and the integrity with which VP Joe has conducted this task force on gun safety. That status report is comprehensive and assures us that something meaningful is being done. I’m so grateful for this POTUS and VPOTUS.
Don’t Tell Me Words Don’t Matter
Meta,
Thank you so much for posting this. I needed this today.
Hmm, conspiracy theory alert – just checked Twitter and I see I’ve been followed, almost all at once, by four shiny new accounts: @pryanshus297, @pfe288c18843s21, @blake_bhead90 and @Alamgir51209680
Anyone else followed by these lovely people?
Are they, she asks herself while stroking her chin, gun lovers, would ya think?
They are either fake accounts or some people really are batshit crazy because those are some weird twitter handle names.
Yeah, struck me as a bit puzzling, all following me around the same time. Maybe they just like pics of Bo and there’s nothing strange about it 😕
Oh no, girl, that is strange. You are being trolled.
NRA peeps are swarming. As always. But they are in a particular frenzied state right now.
They really are Dotster. It was hilarious that the Concealed Weapons freaks were following some of us yesterday, what do they hope to achieve by doing that??
They think you may have some direct connection to PBO – The name “Obama” is a lighting rod for these paranoid fools. They can all GO TO HELL and pluck each other while they’re there.
Hell’s too good for them Hopefruit, not hot enough!
You’re right about that.
Whenever I get followed by a RWNJ, I think it’s for recon. Every now and then I’ll get RT’d by them and then attacked by some in their group. I never respond so that rarely happens anymore.
They really are pitiful Meta. I haven’t a clue if that’s what’s going on today, but I’m just curious if this is a response to me politely saying to the US Concealed Carry Association: “**** you.” 🙂
Adding numbers to the handle is a dead giveaway of a wingnut.
Ah, yet another shiny, strange new follower: @vertsols
At this rate I’ll have more followers than PBO by dinner time 😕
Phuck That. I won’t be watching. Got better things to do with my time. He retires just in time for some KKK Gun nut to replace him. #Fail.
He didn’t fucking retire before the election so that all this would have been taken care of. He didn’t retire then so Democrats with the Obama 2012 machine behind them would have found a credible Democratic replacement and retained the seat. With all we’re dealing with, we now have to worry about losing another seat in the slim majority we have in the senate? Way to go jerk.
He is up in 2014
That’s my point. He should have retired earlier than this or put the word out among the head honchos. This is WV we’re talking about not some liberal blue state. They voted for a murderer over Pres. Obama in the Democratic primary (thank goodness Pres. Obama won the primary). It takes time to find a credible Democrat, vet them, get them out there, and begin building name recognition, on the ground work and the like.
Its WV, actually there is no Obama machine there. This gives a Dem a chance to build up. Look for Nick Rahall, or the current Governer. Otherwise put it in the loss column. Shelly Moore Capito is known statewide. Silver lining is now Rockefeller wont block climate change legislation or gun measures.
The fact that he’s leaving doesn’t mean he can’t block legislation. Kay Bailey Hutchison did her part in blocking stuff and voting against stuff even though she was retiring and her successor had already been guaranteed. Joe Lieberman was retiring yet was still being a jerk about Amb. Susan Rice and standing up with the stooges McCain and Graham to cast aspersions on her character and her work.
I wouldn’t sneeze at the Obama machine just yet. The Obama machine has an email list of volunteers and the like who know WV. They also know people who know how WV works. If Democrats put their mind to it, begin building an organizational structure, do the work that is required to win, and fight like heck, there is no reason why we can’t retain WV.
I’m frustrated that Rockefeller didn’t put feelers out earlier knowing how WV is but still, we fight for that seat until the last vote has been counted.
I share in your frustration, my train of thought (probably wrong) is the earlier he announced the worse for the Dem that runs. Gives less time to run oppo. And its cheap in WV to run ads. They have a decent bench in WV, remember before Manchin ran in the special, they named, I think his name was Clark Goodwin, as a place holder. And Rahall and one other Blue dog who lost in the 2010 midterms had their names in the hat. Rockefeller only retired after Capito announced a month ago. She was gonna run in 2010 in the open Byrd seat but held her fire. It’s an uphill climb either way UT. Again I share in your frustration, I think the only way a dem wins is if Hillary Clinton is on top of the ticket. Either way it sucks, makes Kerry seat even more important. And keep an eye out for Max Baucus he me be next.
He’s announcing that he won’t see reelection in 2014; not leaving mid-term.
Keep this in mind Prison Inmate Wins More than 40% of Democratic Vote Over President Obama in WV Primary http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/prison-inmate-wins-more-than-40-of-democratic-vote-over-president-obama-in-wv-primary/
A midterm may the Dems only shot, in my opinion. I dont know. Just count the times Joe Manchin trashes PBO for good press.
Well we know about people in West Virginia, the color of Barack Obama’s skin matter more than anything else to them.
Good morning everyone, every where!
I just want to comment on PBO swearing in.
First of all , it is HIS inauguration and he is a grown man. We are getting caught up with everyone else to the right and left telling this man what he should and should not do. As a believer (and I do respect non believers choice) this man has said repeatedly that he is the President for everyone. He quotes from the Bible often and why is it such a problem when he has made it known that he is a Christian( I am well aware this is not a religious blog). His faith is what helped to shape and mold him into the person we have grown to love and respect. His wife, mother-in-love and daughters are all the result of the fruits of his labour in the richness of this faith.
He believes in God and so do I. I believe in the Word of God. Those who do not, I love and respect you. Those who are religious, I love and respect you. If you are gay or not,I love and respect you. I am so proud that PBO is proud of who he is and his faith in God is being acknowledged in public. He applies what he reads in the Bible throughout his daily walk in life by his words, thoughts, deeds and how he treats people.
Last of all, I leave you with this Scripture: 1 Cor 4:5 “Judge nothing before the appointed time, wait till The Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.”
Everyone enjoy today as if it your last…..I sure am.
Great comment LDS. Bottom line- PBO has his faith but never, ever beats anyone over the head with it. Likewise would be appreciated, I’m sure. The inauguration will be as he wishes and no new laws are being made as a result so, the hoopla is unnecessary.
I went to the cinema the other day and in the front row was an old man and with him was his dog. It was a sad funny kind of film, you know the type. In the sad part, the dog cried his eyes out, and in the funny part, the dog laughed its head off. This happened all the way through the film. After the film had ended, I decided to go and speak to the man.
“That’s the most amazing thing I’ve seen,” I said. “That dog really seemed to enjoy the film.”
The man turned to me and said, “Yeah, it is. He hated the book.”
A woman is out looking for a pet, and so she’s trying the local pet shops. She walks into a small pet shop and explains her need to the attendant. He thinks for a moment and then says, “I’ve got just the thing for you madam. I’ll just get him.”
With that, he disappears into the back of the shop, and returns a few seconds later with a cute little puppy. “This dog is a special dog,” he tells her. “It is able to fly,” he explains, and with that throws the dog into the air. It immediately begins to float gracefully around the shop.
“There is one problem with him, however. Whenever you say ‘my’, he’ll eat whatever you’ve mentioned. Watch. “My apple!” The lady watches in astonishment as the dog zooms over to the shop attendant and furiously devours an apple he has produced from his pocket.
“He’s cute, and so unusual. I’ll take him,” she says, and a few minutes later she is on her way back home with dog to show her husband.
“Darling, look what a clever pet I bought today!” she exclaims when she gets back home. “He can fly!”
The husband peers at the dog, and then remarks, “Fly eh? Ha! My foot!”
Gunnite folks.
😆 Nite you!!!
Chipsticks about your Ireland post yesterday:
Ok, that time where you thought there was an inside joke that everyone knew except you, but you stayed quiet….”I’m the girl w/ the red hair” So after hitting my head against the wall a few times, let me say; what an incredible honor and how amazing must it feel to have something you put together, with your thought, love, care, and effort, shared with visitors from around the world. Amazing. Congrats Chipsticks.
p.s. Maybe I should have read the caption under the video, just sayin?
Ah, thanks a million Lovelyplains – of course, the annoying this is I now look at the video and can think of 96 ways it should be better! 😕 Any way, thank you for your lovely words!
Look on the brightside Chipsticks. You already have your video there right? You have a contact to Henry Healy right? So why not update it everyear and send it as an annual thing!
GM, LP, you have lovely ideas! 😆 Updating the video annually is a wonderful idea, I think, as it would provide a ‘fresh’ look for repeat visitors.
Uh, the girl with the red hair looks like she’s about 6 years old, that girl with the red hair? I know I’m the one missing something here…. Anyone?
i think our miss chips is messing with us! or else, she’s imagining herself there, and speaking metaphorically. i don’t know–bueller?
When I first clicked on the post, there were only about 10 comments. Chipsticks, like susanne implied, was saying she was in the video in jest, on top of her ebullition. What I didnt realize( b/c I didnt read the caption of the top video) is in the video the U.S. embassy had put together in May, around the 1:30 minute mark, if you look on the wall of President Obama’s ancestral home, where Henry Healy is showing people around, is a t.v. screen showing a video Chipsticks had made. Thus the ebullition.
I’m sure they’ll be plenty more roads, buildings, airports, etc named after the BEST President evah!
it’ll be up to us to make it happen though. the media spends every hour of every day trying to diminish this great man’s legacy. basically the opposite of ronald reagan who they lie about constantly in the positive direction. the same billionaires who fund all the propaganda “think tanks” even pay a bunch of employees to spread the reagan lies everywhere. it’s not by accident ronnie’s name is popping up everywhere.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ronald_Reagan_Legacy_Project
“The mission Ronald Reagan Legacy Project (RRLP), according to the organization’s web site, is “to honor and memorialize the historic achievements of President Ronald Reagan. It aims to do so by naming at least one notable public landmark in each state and all 3067 counties after the 40th president…. In recognition of President Reagan’s leadership role in the defeat of communism, the Project also seeks to honor his memory in formerly communist countries.””
we’ll need some sort of organized grassroots effort to make sure the media and republicans don’t succeed in dinging president obama’s legacy for future generations.
Awwww! It’s POTUS/FLOTUS Blvd.: “President Barack and Michelle Obama Boulevard.” I think they need to re-work the name of the street. Maybe go w/ President Barack Obama & Michelle Obama Blvd.?
Gun enthusiast and business owner / YouTube star found dead: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/11/us/keith-ratliff-gun-enthusiast-of-fpsrussia-is-shot-to-death.html?_r=0
It is probably a self-inflicted death. Prayers to his wife and child for losing a husband and father…..but I am thankful for one less gun fanatic.
it’s obvious this “women-in-cabinet” lie the media is pumping is designed to take away one of president obama’s strengths. they do the same playbook every time. whatever president obama excels at, they turn it into a negative. “diversity” is obviously a point of strength for america’s first african-american president, so the media needs to try and take that away from him, naturally, so clearly their plan is playing out right before our eyes. would be nice if president obama’s supporters would stop fanning the flames for the media lies, and get to work on winning the House in 2014.
http://www.democrats.org/
4morefor44, I agree with what you said , but it won’t work. And yes the ones who knows this President record ought to be ashame. I feel the President has a right to choose who he think can do the job, male, female or whatever.
I’m going to start LIKING comments I agree with. I want to encourage some here, and it will save me much precious time 😀
LIKE !!
LIKE!
I think this is the silliest ‘attack’ ever. Look who’s attacking – the least diverse party ever! This is not something PBO has to prove to anyone.
I have had it up to here with this mess about the President’s cabinet. I was so piss with Charlie Rangel and what he said yesterday. I hope his office got that email I sent him. And then I hear some woman Senator, a Democrat had something to say also, but it’s funny I don’t remember that woman Senator or Charlie Rangel going on tv to stick up for Amb.Rice ( a black woman) when McCain, Graham, Ayotte and the other Republicans were dragging her through the mud.
LIKE !!
that’s what’s so infuriating about this–can they not remember for 5 minutes what they just said and did? do they really think we’re unable to consider, side by side, what they said and did last week from what came out of their mouths today? the same people who trashed rice, and /or allowed her to be trashed, the same people who rolled their eyes at lily ledbetter, at hillary clinton, at sonia sotomayor and elena kagen, the ones who tried to block family planning provisions in health care, who consistently refuse to support women’s right to choose how their own bodies will be used–those people are lecturing the president and us about women’s rights?
LIKE very much!
Time to dig out that pic again:
RT’d. Politico’s hypocrisy needs to be called out.
The media will ONLY put these people on to diss PBO. The media does not care to hear a Democrat support Amb Susan Rice….that’s just not sexy enough or news worthy.
That was my maternal grandmother’s birthday.
I miss my Obama calendar!!
😆 Meta, I’ve been reusing the same one from 2010 that a friend bought me. I change it every month so that the correct month (and picture, of course) is on display. 😉 😉 Hey, maybe if I keep it long enough the days and dates will correspond perfectly.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_15?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=obama+calendars+2013+wall+calendars&sprefix=Obama+calendars%2Caps%2C447
Meta, I have the second one I ordered, still watiing for the first one. Let’s Stay Together, very beautiful and they shipped it really fast!
Guys, I was actually talking about the electronic one that OFA put out every year! But thanks for the link!
😳
I have that one too!!
And this guy folks is exactly WHY we definitely need tighter gun control laws, and mental health resources! Sorry for the Huff link but this was the only place that has the origina video which he has now edited. Sorry if this has been posted already, I just saw it this morning.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/10/james-yeager-start-killing-people-obama-gun-policy_n_2448751.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
Cutest puppy video ever at link!
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/11/16464593-paw-litical-metaphor?lite
Correct me if I’m wrong but I thought the SOTU normally takes place in January.
Usually it is, except for inaugural years. In those years it is normally in February.
Yeah. It normally takes place earlier but congress’s schedule this year is weird. Their on session days post-inauguration is all over the map.
Thanks, Japa21 and UT for the explanation.
I think in an election year b/c of inaugural address on the 20th usually, it is done in Feb. I want to know who asked for the 12th. This could be Boehner’s sneaky ass leaking this so it is not right before the debt ceiling or CR runs out. Depriving PBO a chance to hammer the house w/ a national audience. So I want to know if the WH asked for this date, or Boehner put it out there!
Well that may answer the question? Also b/c the inaugural is on the 21rst its the 150th anniversary of the emancipation proclamation!
It’s quite possible that PBO AND Boehner hashed out that date behind the scenes.
Housing rules unveiled by the administration’s new consumer watchdog agency on Thursday would insert the government into the housing market in a manner unseen for decades.
The set of regulations unveiled by the 18-month-old Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) will impose sweeping new restrictions on lenders and borrowers, potentially making it more difficult for would-be homeowners, especially in pricier markets like New York, California and Washington, D.C.
But with the country still smarting from a subprime mortgage debacle that pushed the economy into recession, consumer groups, lawmakers and the housing industry mostly accepted the changes as workable.
“It was the most important thing the government could do to actually let the market function,” said Kathleen Day, spokeswoman for the Center for Responsible Lending. “There’s a cop on the beat looking out in real time for consumers.”
http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/1091-housing/276631-consumer-watchdog-stakes-out-middle-ground-in-mortgage-lending-rules
Their was a poll that said Virginia voters preferred more armed guards in Schools.
Viginia???
I find that hard to believe
It was Quinnapiac poll, they are unreliable. Same poll has Obama approval at 52/43, which I find hard to believe in VA. Remember even gallup has PBO 56% nationally. Same Q NJ poll had PBO at 57% again hard to believe, since I think he won over 65% of NJ vote a month ago.
A what jovie141. A poll. Well didn’t we learn anything about polls during the election? I can get a poll which says people do not want armed guards in schools.
Damn….Lincoln been’s ruling the day since 2012 and now this. I like it.
Rep. Gingrey: Todd Akin ‘partly right’ about rape and pregnancy
Sam Baker
01/11/13 10:55 AM ET
Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.), an OB-GYN, said a rush of adrenaline can prevent the female body from ovulating.…
WTF?
The GOP will never learn. This guy is co-chair of the GOP Doctors Caucus I hope more of them continue down this road and aid the Democrats in winning back the House.
I am no scientist, medical professional, or God, but whether the body has any concrete defense mechanisms to offset an unintentional pregnancy or not, what about the times when a body can become so in the event of force? No, not every victim will become pregnant due to her own circumstances, i.e. menstruating, poor ovulation, etc. The point is, every woman should have the protection of choosing what happens to her body. Any discussion othewise is pointless and shows the sheer disconnect of these embiciles. It’d be a totally different argument if men could get pregnant. Assholes !!
If women could intentionally stop pregnancy (under any circumstance) there would be no need for birth control or abortions! It simply doesn’t work that way.
Tweet this to chris Christie-
GOP members propose $17 billion spending offsets for Sandy relief package
By Pete Kasperowicz
House Republicans have proposed three amendments to a Hurricane Sandy relief package the House will consider next week, including two that would require billions of dollars in aid to be offset with spending cuts.
Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.) filed his amendments on Thursday and will push for their consideration as the House takes up H.R. 152 next week. That bill would provide $17 billion in aid to people coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
See?
What happen to the $51 billion?
Please read Boehner’s snarky letter to the President.
Click to access SOTU_011113.PDF
Ugh. What a dick.
Love it!!
This is an exceedingly great piece from our Liberal Librarian over at TPV!
http://www.thepeoplesview.net/2013/01/how-i-stopped-whining-and-learned-to-be.html
Fantastic piece. Emoprogs and those I call Whiny Obama Supporters need to step back from the edge, sit down, take a look at what they’re doing wrong and for crying out loud, grow a damned backbone. They prefer to whine and attack the one person who is fighting for them day and night. They attack the one person who is standing between hope and an abyss.
It would be hell to live with emoprogs and Whiny Obama Supporters because they are only in it when everything’s rosy and hunky-dory but prefer to armchair quarterback, sling arrows, and degrade the person they claim to support when the going gets tough. Then when said person prevails in the end, they come back with ephemeral support.
It takes work to turn the House of Reps blue. It takes work to pass legislation. It takes work for change to occur and the above mentioned characters are too spineless to get in the trenches and fight for progress.
LIKE!
That’s a gem Hopefruit, LL’s taste in football might be rubbish, but he’s a master wordsmith! “The peacocks, jerks, and whiners….” – love it!
My taste in football is EXCELLENT, thank you very much.
Morning all. Thank HF for pimping my piece.
Of course, I can’t claim credit for “peacocks, jerks, and whiners.” That was PBO. But I did run with it.
Ooops, you saw me. A girl can’t insult anyone around here without being found out.
Wonderful piece LL, I’d completely forgotten the “peacocks, jerks, and whiners” line, more than time for it to be dusted down.
GOP bristles at possibility of Obama order limiting gun access
By Pete Kasperowicz
House Republicans warned the Obama administration on Thursday that they would oppose any attempt to bypass Congress on the issue of gun control by issuing a White House executive order that limits access to guns.
“Vice President [Joe] Biden would do well to read the 2nd Amendment and revisit the meaning of the phrase ‘shall not be infringed,’ ” House Republican Study Committee Chairman Steve Scalise (R-La.) said. “Bypassing Congress to implement radical policies is never acceptable, and it’s particularly heinous when such actions trample on the freedoms guaranteed to all Americans by the Bill of Rights.”
You see?
President Barack Obama’s Transportation Secretary will visit Detroit late next week with $25 million in new money for the fledgling M-1 Rail project to bring light rail to about 3 miles of Woodward Avenue between downtown and New Center, two people familiar with the decision confirmed today.
Ray LaHood is expected to be in Detroit for the North American International Auto Show on Monday for industry-related events, but he will return Jan. 18 to award $25 million to the M-1 project, a largely private-sector effort to bring a light-rail line to Woodward after a larger effort, spanning from downtown to 8 Mile, collapsed last year.
http://www.freep.com/article/20130110/NEWS01/130110064/ray-lahood-to-visit-detroit?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CMichigan%20news%7Cs
😆
HA!
Indeed.
LOL! Empty Chairs!
I howled Xtine!
Last link for today, I promise. I am down with a bad back issue today so I am stuck on the couch and the computer, but this is definitely worth watching/sharing. Shows why the more guns everywhere scenario won’t work.
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/defend-gun-7312540
https://twitter.com/TheObamaDiary/status/289783955115352065
Wild Things, perhaps?
Hahahahaha……you are wrong for this.
I’m with Pamela. It’s from “Where the Wild Things Are”. But, you know, I’m a children’s librarian.
LOL! Yup – the concern trolling by the media is off the charts
The National Journal is a Republican piece of crap, so who care what they think?
Don’t care what they think – just highlighting the ludicrous levels of PBO trolling that encompass the entire media spectrum, including the so-called liberal left.
Hmm, I could have designed this 😕
https://store.2013pic.org/runway-to-win/jack-mccollough-lazaro-hernandez.html
Crikey! Just add a little Moneygall & CheesyPuffs & it’s a Chips Winner! 🙂
Hoping to get to the actual store today & see what they have — it opened at Noon.
Cheeeeeeeeeesy Puffs!!!!!! 😆
Wrong designer, listed on website. Not jack mccollough, its Jack Lew!
Speaker Boehner
I just saw your “invitation ” to OUR President for the State of the Union….
Are you 12 years old ? How condescending, disrespectful and childish you are..
You have some nerve even putting the word ” Leadership ” in the context of the invitation…..
Have you ever heard the term “Physician…heal thy self ? ”
http://www.speaker.gov/contact
( back to lurking )
Heads up everyone:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/01/11/heads-up-president-obama-president-karzai-press-conference/
[OK, now, Barney really, really wants that job. I think we all heard you, Barney, and we didn’t need to. All you had to do, Barney, was whisper your covet to the Gov.’s ear.]:
Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) tells WBUR that he will support Rep. Ed Markey’s (D-MA) run for Sen. John Kerry’s seat if Kerry is confirmed as secretary of state.
Frank is lobbying for the interim appointment to fill the seat before a special election is held.
Meanwhile, sources close to former Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) tell CNN he hasn’t decided yet whether to make his own run.
.
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/01/11/frank_backs_markey_in_senate_bid.html