President Obama at an interfaith vigil, Sandy Hook Elementary School, Dec 16 (Photo: Olivier Douliery)
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NYT: President Obama this week will embrace a comprehensive plan to reduce gun violence that will call for major legislation to expand background checks for gun purchases and lay out 19 separate actions the president could take by invoking the power of his office, lawmakers who were briefed on the plan said Monday.
Lawmakers and other officials said that the president could use a public event as soon as Wednesday to signal his intention to engage in the biggest Congressional fight over guns in nearly two decades, focusing on the heightened background checks and including efforts to ban assault weapons and their high-capacity clips. But given the difficulty of pushing new rules through a bitterly divided Congress, Mr. Obama will also promise to act on his own to reduce gun violence wherever possible.
More here
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NYT: Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and lawmakers agreed on Monday to a broad package of changes to gun laws that would expand the state’s ban on assault weapons and would include new measures to keep guns away from the mentally ill.
The state Senate, controlled by a coalition of Republicans and a handful of Democrats, approved the legislative package just after 11 p.m. by a lopsided vote of 43 to 18. The Assembly, where Democrats who have been strongly supportive of gun control have an overwhelming majority, planned to vote on the measure Tuesday.
More here
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Steve Benen: The White House is set to release a series of recommendations from Vice President Biden’s task force on gun violence, which will no doubt face intense criticism from groups like the NRA and their allies. But two new polls suggest that a month after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary, there’s a growing public appetite for meaningful gun reform.
More here
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Mediaite: On Monday night, CNN host Piers Morgan paid a visit to Stephen Colbert …. As the pair started chatting about how people in the UK just don’t have guns, Colbert asked whether Morgan hates America’s constitution (“Do you hate the United States constitution?… Do you speak English?”) — helpfully providing the CNN host with his own pocket-size copy of the document.
…. Morgan said he was simply pointing out that in his country, “where we have no guns,” there are few gun murders. “I think when 20 young children get blown to pieces, Americans should say something has to be done,” he added, prompting Colbert to call out his “cheap shot to bring up the subject that we’re talking about.”
Colbert offered a better approach: take some time, “reflect, and eventually forget.”
Video at link
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LA Times: Obama appears to gain ground in spending battle – The president delivers a forceful defense of his position in a White House news conference, as Republicans increasingly appear divided over the debt ceiling.
With the government just weeks from running out of money to pay its bills, President Obama and prominent Republicans have started to act as if the White House has the upper hand in the current round of the battle over federal spending.
In recent days, Obama rebuffed suggestions that he consider ways to sidestep the need to raise the limit on the government’s debt, reinforcing his demand for a congressional vote. On Monday, he repeated that stand in a hastily announced news conference, criticizing Republicans for threatening to “blow up the economy” and insisting that “no simpler way” exists to deal with the debt ceiling.
Republicans for months have pointed to the moment the nation runs up against the debt ceiling as their point of maximum leverage to force spending cuts, but now seem increasingly divided. Some leaders appear to be looking for a way out of the confrontation, suggesting the party would be wiser to fight Obama over cuts when less is at stake for the economy. Influential GOP strategists are warning that a repeat of the fight they waged in summer 2011 could backfire.
More here
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Deaniac: Twilight of the Liberal Elite: Smearing Jack Lew and Barack Obama for Deregulation that Began with Jimmy Carter
….. I can understand the liberal elite’s problem with Jack Lew. You see, I don’t think it has much to do with policy. I think it has much more to do with him embarrassing them. When every liberal elite political rookie – including Paul Krugman – in the country was howling about the president’s “weak” negotiating performance during the 2011 debt limit deal, it turns out that the president and his team completely floored John Boehner, without Boehner even realizing it. A key member of that team that did it to them? Jack Lew. Not to mention how that deal shaped the complete Republican surrender in the recent fiscal cliff deal. If I didn’t know that the howling Left is incapable of feeling embarrassed, I would contend they are opposing Jack Lew because of that embarrassment.
Full post here
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USA Today: Q&A: Myrlie Evers-Williams on the inauguration
Q: Did you ever imagine as you worked with your husband Medgar Evers on civil rights that one day there would be a black president?
A: Of course, we all knew, we hoped, we worked, we prayed that one day there would be a man or a woman of African-American descent who would become the president of the United States of America. That has been a dream come true but if we look at the politics leading up to particularly his second term, there were blocks that came during this time of getting people to register and to vote that are reminiscent of some of those actions that took place 50 years ago to keep people of my race and others away from the polls.
More here
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Steve Benen: … Florida Gov Rick Scott has offered the political world a valuable lesson: if you need a campaign prop, don’t use a dog:
Shortly after winning the GOP nomination in 2010, Scott announced to the world through Facebook that his family had rescued a Labrador Retriever. And, with help from his Facebook friends, Scott gave it a name: Reagan.
It was just a few months before the gubernatorial election, and Scott seemed to think this was a smart idea. Adopting a dog – a rescue dog, at that – made the Republican look compassionate, and naming the dog “Reagan” helped him pander shamelessly to his base….
…. You can probably guess where this is headed…..
More here
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Mediaite: Jon Stewart took on the controversy surrounding President Obama‘s recent cabinet nominations in a segment he dubbed “Zero Dark Appointees,” and noted that the outrage might be somewhat misplaced because Obama is “somewhat diverse himself.”
Stewart examined why Obama may not have nominated Susan Rice for Secretary of State, which would have easily diversified his cabinet: “Lady and minority, triple word score!”
“Oh right,” he said. “McCain!”
…. He then aired the New York Times photo in which it was claimed Obama was standing with only white men and proceeded to point out a black man ….. “And there is another black guy who appears to be running the meeting.”
Video at link
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MooOOOOooOOOOoooOOoooorning!
The Obama Diary 
Good morning all. Hope I won’t be alone here for long.
Morning Jackie, morning everyone!
G’morning Chips, TOD, and congratulations Jackie!
Good morning everybody.
Good morning. Our president is fine.
Okay, can’t believe I got here first because that’s a real first.
Great morning round-up! Looking forward to the inauguration!!
Good Morning TOD, thanks Chips for new Thread.
Good Morning Tod family. Good Morning Miss Chips. Congratulations Jackiegrumbacher on your first place position this lovely and bright Tuesday morning.
Good morning Chips and TOD. Been awhile since I made the top 10.
NO RAIN FOR INAUGURATION DAY
January 15, 2013; 5:05 AM
President Barack Obama will be sworn into office for his second term in office on Jan. 21. The Inauguration is held outside, on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. AccuWeather.com meteorologists forecast a partly sunny Inauguration Day. The high temperature will be 41°F and the low temperature for the day will be 39°F. The temperature at the Capitol at noon will be around 37°F. Winds will be light, at 5 to 15 mph.
Not a bad forecast. Thanks JER and a pleasant Good Morning to you! 🙂
this is good weather. I can’t wait. so excited.
That sounds better than four years ago.
Good morning all from frigid Chicago. We are about to set another snow record here. So far this winter we have set the following records:
1. Longest period between measurable snow.
2. Latest measurable snow.
3. Longest period between 1″ snowfalls.
4. With no snow in the forecast come Friday we will set the record for latest 1″ snowfall.
About the only record yet to be broken is lowest snowfall total for the entire winter.
While a lot of people may be happy about this, it does not bode well for the farmers in this area who rely on snowmelt for their fields in the spring.
Wow Japa, a whole bunch of records – how do the climate change deniers explain this??
But Chips, it’s ‘cold’ so that means there can’t be any global warming. don’t you get it?
Ah, true 57, forgot that! 🙂
catch up with wingnut logic. Methinks a denial of facts, and plethora of conspiracy theories, a warped view of reality and no decent sense of right and wrong should count as ‘mental illness’, don’t you?
Listening to Bill Press this morning on the way into work. A lot of people here, and I am one of them, get frustrated with him a lot of the time when he goes into emoprog mode. Well, his final comment, what he calls his “parting shot” today was about the press conference. He mentioned how long it was and how only 7 questions were asked, then said it was a waste of time. I was ready to shout at the car radio but he went on and said, “You can’t blame the President for this. It is all the fault of the WHPC who kept asking the same question over and over even though it had already been answered.” For Press, this was one of his more perceptive comments.
Good honest stuff from Press, and a perfect summary of that news conference. What was most obvious is how utterly ignorant these people are, clueless.
Not only are the WHPC ignorant and clueless, they are over-whemingly lazy.
Not only were repetitive questions asked, but for President Obama to be asked to comment on his social skills by I think from The New York Times was beyond contempt.
I agree Bill. As a matter of fact I agree with all you guys concerning the media. I recall saying that some times when FLOTUS meet with kids she allow the kids to ask questions, and those kids questions are better than the all know it all WH press and they for sure are more respectful. Chuck Todd is a legend in his own mind.
I’m sure that journalists who ask that stupid question heard what General Colin Powell said about the Republican party. But she wanted to try to put the blame on POTUS because he is not associating with those racists Republicans.
Finally, Bill Press said something significant. Now if only he would employ that same method when he throws a bone to his rabid left wing cult callers to answer; ummm,*cough* follow suit. This man is so disgusting I can barely look at him anymore because I know he’ll be on his male menopause. Either he bitches every morning about something our President is not doing or he loses his voice. Humm, talk about divine intervention.
Everyone have a nice day. 🙂
Good morning Chips and TOD familly, I hope everyone have a joyous day today. Congrats Jackie on being first this lovely Tuesday morning.
Moooooooorning Ranman, have a perfect day!
Good Morning, JackieG! Nice to see you up there! Were you the one who went and shook the Mayoress awake? Thanks, as I wanted to see what was lined up before hitting the road.
Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening, TODobots! One day closer! Life’s Inaugural good! 😆 😆
Good Day, Chips Chica! How are you this fine Tuesday?
Happy to see you are loading up on sleep, rest, cheesy puffs (ugh!) and whatever else you need to build stamina for the long work weekend ahead. Have you told ‘the boss’ yet that you anticipate your eyelashes will be hurting this weekend so you can’t focus on HIS stuff? That you have exactly the prescription that will bring you relief, but that you can’t apply it until the weekend? Don’t put it off too long ’cause WE (you and us) don’t want him interrupting the flow on the weekend. 😉
😆 Moooooorning VC!!! If he interupts me once I’ll tell him where to stick his job. Oh. Wait!
No sticking! In this climate you are supposed to be building fences – just smile sweetly over the phone and tell him you’ll get back to him WHEN your eyebrows*, or your big toes*, are on the mend.
* = two reasons I offered when teens asked why I was away from work.
Excellent tips VC, I’ll give them a try!! 🙂
😉 Good luck!
Good advice Jackie.
Hi Ranman, you got the wrong TODobot, but that’s okay, (what’s in a name?). 😆 Enjoy your day!
Great roundup this morning, Chips, although I must say I couldn’t take five seconds of the shrew from Arizona. That voice could cut rock. There will be some ugly hate stirring in the next week as the RWNJs and radio jocks try to stir up anti-Obama sentiment about guns. Our president and vice president are two of the bravest people in the world. They never go with what’s easy, they go with what’s right. Those of us who are on their side have got to make ourselves as visible and loud as we were during the campaign. There will be deliberate and orchestrated efforts to misunderstand everything the president does and says just to rile up the hate. We have to keep very well informed about the specific executive actions the president can take so that we can stand up to the lies. Most people want sensible restrictions on the purchase and handling of guns. The more outrageous the right becomes, the more the need for sanity will become clear. It’ll be tough going, so everybody stay strong and safe.
Hiya Jackie, definitely ugly days ahead, the hate levels from the gun nuts will go through the roof, they’re like cornered rats these days.
reposted; Good advice Jackie.
‘Mental illness’. Here’s my question: we now have millions of American idiots who no longer believe in facts, stretch conspiracy theories to the harassment of a man who saved children at Sandy Hook; who believe that PBO is going to break down their doors to get their guns. Providing affordable health care is now a ‘threat to freedom’, requiring impeachment and/or armed insurrection.
‘Mental illness’: isn’t that defined as not having a grip on reality and not knowing the difference between right and wrong?
That now describes millions of Americans who watch Fox and listen to Rush. (Thanks again, Bill Clinton, for deregulation of the telecom industry).
If their is mo movement by the Republicans on anything, by the inauguration, I would use a good part if the inaugural to educate the American Public about the Republican Terrorists.
So, with that, Good morning.
Beautiful sunny Day here in Clearwater Florida, 70 degrees, not a cloud in the sky.
The Inaugural Address and the State of the Union are two of the most watched speeches a president makes., especially the Inaugural. PBO warned Boehner that in these two speeches, he would place the blame for the crisis to crisis driven situation in DC precisely where it belongs . He’s been working on this since November 7. I know he will say the right thing and it will make Boehner and his crew of criminals furious.
GM folks. GM chips.
I’ve lost the appetite to watch any of the pundtwits, even if they’re on “Obama was great” praise mode. Enough with their yanking our chains.
I agree. They do this “good Obama-bad Obama” dance to maximize their ratings, not to honestly inform. And at a time like this, it’s not only tiresome, but it’s dangerous. We need a properly informed electorate – and those with mega-platforms are ensuring that this is not the case.
Welcome to the club…enjoy the pundtwit-free peace! 😛
Sad isn’t it that in all this 24×7 noise from various sources, truth is the casualty. No wonder PBO has utter contempt for the msm and the cable dolts.
Thought this description of Chuck Todd was perfect: “an empty coconut + goatee”
Just perfect!!! 🙂
Don’t tell Chris Matthews that, he think Mr. Toad is something great.
Hahahaha. Perfect description.
Governor Deval Patrick launched a public campaign Monday to win support for raising taxes to repair and reinvigorate the state’s beleaguered transportation system, seeking Beacon Hill approval for $1.02 billion a year in new or higher taxes and fees dedicated to transportation.
In a sign of a shifting political landscape, legislative leaders acknowledged that more money is needed to shore up the state’s transportation system and that they are open to discussing tax increases, a nonstarter in previous efforts to address the long-simmering transportation funding crisis.
http://mobile.boston.com/art/35/news/local/massachusetts/2013/01/15/patrick-pushes-for-new-taxes-overhaul-transportation-system/VCROHSUWeJHVO6R88lGUHM/story
Gov Patrick is the best Governor in the Country!
Agree, Jovie, he and Martin O’Malley show the Republican asses in other states what being a governor really means. Note to GOP governors: believe it or not, you are not there to destroy your state and rip off all the money you can. And the oath of office you took was not a joke. But of course, it is to most of them. Lay waste the state, make millions miserable, destroy the infrastructure and pocket what you can. That’s the GOP definition of success in state government.
Rep. Steve Stockman (R) of Texas served one term in the 1990s, during which he ran into a little trouble in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing, which his “links to anti-government militia groups” became problematic.
Sixteen years later, the right-wing lawmaker is back on Capitol Hill, and this time, he’s prepared to impeach President Obama if the White House uses executive orders to shape gun policy.
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/15/16525007-impeachment-is-not-a-toy-redux?lite
Good luck with that. The Justice Department should go back and bring charges against the fool. Why didn’t they impeach his ass in the 1990a?
Chelsea Clinton Named Honorary Chair of the National Day of Service for Presidential Inaugural
// WASHINGTON, DC — Today the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced that Chelsea Clinton will serve as Honorary Chair of the 2013 National Day of Service, which will kick off the Second Inaugural weekend of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
“We are thrilled that Chelsea Clinton will play such a critical role in mobilizing Americans across the country to take part in the National Day of Service,” said PIC President and CEO Steve Kerrigan. “Through her work with the Clinton Foundation and her recent efforts to help communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy, Chelsea sets a remarkable example for serving and strengthening our country. As Honorary Chair, she will be instrumental in helping lead the President’s call to service and growing this important tradition.” //
http://www.2013pic.org/press/release/chelsea-clinton-named-honorary-chair-of-the-national-day-of-service-for-pre
Good for Chelsea, I wonder if she ever think about getting into politics? Maybe running for office one day.
A man runs into the vet’s office carrying his dog, screaming for help. The vet rushes him back to an examination room and has him put his dog down on the examination table. The vet examines the still, limp body and after a few moments tells the man that his dog, regrettably, is dead. The man, clearly agitated and not willing to accept this, demands a second opinion.
The vet goes into the back room and comes out with a cat and puts the cat down next to the dog’s body. The cat sniffs the body, walks from head to tail poking and sniffing the dog’s body and finally looks at the vet and meows. The vet looks at the man and says, “I’m sorry, but the cat thinks that your dog is dead too.”
The man is still unwilling to accept that his dog is dead.
The vet brings in a black Labrador. The lab sniffs the body, walks from head to tail, and finally looks at the vet and barks. The vet looks at the man and says, “I’m sorry, but the lab thinks your dog is dead too.”
The man, finally resigned to the diagnosis, thanks the vet and asks how much he owes. The vet answers, “$650.”
“$650 to tell me my dog is dead?” exclaimed the man….
“Well,” the vet replies, “I would only have charged you $50 for my initial diagnosis. The additional $600 was for the cat scan and lab tests.”
Jeff Zeleny was extremely Obama-friendly during the 2007-2008 campaign, which explains why the Corporate Interests Come First NYTimes ended his coverage of POTUS and assigned him elsewhere. It is fitting that jeff is delivering this good news.
I’ll copy and paste this here. I’m still slow. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who is seen as a key to Chuck Hagel’s becoming Defense secretary, is backing the former Nebraska Republican senator — despite past controversial statements on Israel, Iran, and the “Jewish lobby,” NBC News reports.
Said Schumer: “Based on several key assurances provided by Senator Hagel, I am currently prepared to vote for his confirmation. I encourage my Senate colleagues who have shared my previous concerns to also support him.”
Y’all! 🙂
It’s PaaaaAAAaaaAAAAaaamela!!! Morning 😉
Yo Os!!!! Up and at ’em on this yet another great getting up day on the TOD cul de sac. I eagerly await VP Joe’s list of recommendations from his task force.
If I’m PBO I would send very nice, highly glossed, embolden, embellished, formal, past normal, personally delivered invitations to every member of the Pub party to attend a very important, more than potent, to die for, that Boehner would cry for, event at the White House. Then, on that little insert RSVP card that one sees in those most elegant pieces of correspondence, in the finest font, with squigglies and curls, a big ol’ king-sized one word………….. NOT!
Up and at’em!
New York, New York!! What a wonderful town!!!!
ps- are you on shore leave sir?
Sailors caught wearing their covers like that ashore would be sent back to the ship. And yes, I’m on shore leave and have been for about 40 years or so. AWOL big time. 😆
Thanks for the memories Yardarm. I’ve always loved that song. Fell in love with my guy before he was a sailor. I wasn’t crazy about ironing and starching those whites.
I ironed my own. My Old Lady could do a good job until we’d been married for two years(college grad). 🙂
Lucky her, lucky you. We’re going on 42 years, how about you?
Naw. She dumped me and married her boss after 22 years.
Oops! I went one comment too many.
No problem. Life happens. 🙂
😉
yup, cookeman would tell me, ironing those things is like packing a parachute….don’t let nobody do it for you.
You know it. Women could never understand how to iron the collar. 😆
Well I was like, ‘are you sure…..you know I’d just love to try and do it……. I really don’t mind….. I’m oh so willing to learn.’
heh, heh…worked like a charm.
Tyrant! 😆
The key word yardarm756, BLACK.
But they were citizens standing up for their second amendment rights?
I’m really sick of those “patriots” that continue to fight the war of Northern aggression and defending the Alamo so they can keep their gd guns. It’
You know it has always been double standard for us and for them. If it were young black men running around stocking up on assault weapons those cowards in Congress, those gun nut lovers would quickly change their mind.
G’m TOD..That picture of PBO…in a word…GORGEOUS!
I’m not sticking up for Armstrong, but that piece of rag, the New York Post.
They’re well matched Anniebella, as dishonest and vile as each other!
Agree.
Why is Oprah speaking about the interview before it airs? Is it a tease? I’ve never watched her, so don’t understand her reasoning. Could it be less sensational than what she is saying? Armstrong isn’t telling as much as they’re hinting?
I chuckled at the Cartoon with MLK and the coupled sitting down next to the memorial Statue.
Why the chuckle?
The man has big ears, is Black with “OBAMA” written at his back. My thought was….Duh, who else could it have been. MLK Statue was just completed in 2011.
Hello All You TODville Sun Shine. Happy, Happy, Happy with Love and Peace to you all.
Great work, again….Ms. Chips. Thank you.
There is a disease in tyhis country which will never be fully gotten rid of. But Rosen is right. We can’t be quiet out of fear of these crazies, because if we do, they win.
Their craziness is beyond belief Japa, and the fact that most of them have guns is the really terrifying thing. Rosen is a brave and wonderful man, I hope he is being protected.
Thanks for sharing. I hadn’t heard his story with the kids before or the follow-up.
It’s sick, abominable and utterly unacceptable that a good man like this is harassed by crazy people. If emoprogs want something tob e outraged about this is it. Let them all stand up, direct some useful outrage at the NRA and its GOP enablers and do some good for a change. We all need to find some way to support Gene Rosen. Nobody in a civilized country should be subjected to this.
That’s absolutely sickening!
GM Chipsticks, TOD.
Is there a link to this list?
Good morning folks. But we already knew that. I think it was Wednesdays he wanted to invite them over. Then the complaints started about the cost of the steaks and the drinks. There is a long face hawk that I hate to see at the White House. And the tin man he doesnt show up at all and the turkey neck man he only goes to the White House when he has to. I have never seen him at a gala. F them all. As for the one that shot his friend in the eye, is he renting a wheel-chair for next Monday or is he staying away? I think he is staying away, no need for him to be there this time.
How the hell is you going to associate with anyone who dislike you because you’re black? These Republicans know their base, they know that they have lots of racists in that base, and they can’t be seen hanging out with that black guy. But base on the sorry media, it’s all Obama fault cause he doesn’t throw parties for them to attend.
How can we get a copy of the list?
Glad the WH is fighting back, HF, although I won’t hold my breath waiting for the press to report it. They’ll say the president didn’t ask nicely enough or include a special treat for those who were invited. They’re all fools. They have their GOP talking points and they’re sticking to them–truth be damned.
Of all the vile, disgusting things that have been said recently, the notion that the Sandy Hook tragedy is a conspiracy had got to be the worst one. It just makes me sick. I just posted that article about that poor man being harassed on my FB page and asked that anyone on my friends list that even remotely entertains that conspiracy theory do us both a favor and unfriend me. That is just some seriously sick, twisted stuff there.
Rain, it’s the pure insanity of it – how on earth do they even try to claim it was a hoax??
It is an indication of just how severely incapacitated a not small segment of our population is, Chips, and, as you know, a brutal indictment of the failure of education – a failure engineered by the plutocrats and their subservient ‘clergy’ and ‘propagandists’ (e.g., Fox Noise), as has always been the case.
We Will Prevail
A failure of education and, more importantly, a failure of what they’re being taught AT HOME.
It’s truly amazing how far into the twilight zone some are willing to go. The depth of their hate is debilitating. How in the world could one ever begin to believe that all involved in the Sandy Hook massacre were “crisis actors”? We have some real sick people in this country.
The war of Northern Aggression if you please.
Anyone knew there was another black guy (Other than Pres.Obama) in the Valerie Jarret leg photo? I didn’t. Press kept telling me it was all white guys.
I’ve seen the guy plenty of times in the White House pictures. The people who started this whole thing had an agenda which was to make up some fake controversy.
That is most likely Rob Nabors
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Rob Nabors is the Director of Legislative Affairs in the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama. Previously, he served as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget and Senior Advisor to Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
It appears the media missed that ….
Can’t let facts get in the way of their latest meme.
So unbelievable to me that Dr. King was only 39 when he was assassinated, and would have been 84 today. Think what he could have accomplished in the full lifetime he was cheated out of, we were cheated out of, by a gunman. This is just one of the tragic stories of the 1960s, of course. Can’t believe our country “survived” all that.
I’m with you Jacqueline, it seems impossible to me that he was only 39, he packed so much in to an extraordinary short life.
Yes, Chips, when the rest of us look back on our own lives and our own first 39 years and the impact we had or didn’t have on the world around us … it’s even more astounding that he accomplished so much, so young. This is why we must learn about and should never forget the “greats” who walked among us, even though most of us will never measure up to their words and deeds.
He was indeed in the prime of his adult life to do even MORE great things. He was never able to grow old with his lovely wife, to see his children graduate from high school, college, made careers of their own, see his first grand child, etc.,
Heartbreaking.
We still have quite a way to go.
Yes, in many ways, we’re right back in it. It’s different for many of us, but not in the minds of a whole lot of people. How foolish and naive our generation was, to think we had “fixed” a lot of the problems. Racism and bigotry and sexism and brutality are daily struggles, not generational struggles, turns out.
By golly, I think you’ve got it.
Yeah, only took me 66 years to figure that one out! I’m so “quick.” 🙂
Better late than never.
aloha and good morning jacqueline
your words are so powerful–much as we wish we could put a check mark on the list of problems we face, they keep coming back around. maybe every generation has to stand up to the ugly, and grow their own moral strength and resolve. i do believe these efforts are gradually making a difference, and that humans are becoming more humane. it’s also true, we could slip back in the pit if we aren’t vigilant.
Thanks for your words, susanne, which I totally agree with, of course. The fact that we must remain vigilant, generation to generation, is sad but true, because we are humans and still evolving..
You are absolutely right , JO about the tragic events of the 1960’s! As a matter of fact most of the people assassinated in the 1960s were quite young. Malcolm X was also 39; JFK was 45; RFK was 42; and Medgar Evers was 37. I was 17 years old when Medgar Evers was assassinated, and I had just turned 18 when JFK was killed. I was 19 when we lost Malcolm X; and I was 22 when both MLK and RFK were taken from us. But I still vividly remember where I was when I heard the news. As for RFK, he died less than one month after I was so elated to have had the privilege of shaking his hand during the Oregon primary.
There were indeed many tragedies in the 1960’s. I am happy that more and more people are beginning to honor the heroes of that era who sacrificed so much, including their lives, to make this country better.
You were so privileged to have shaken RFK’s hand – wish I had! I also remember where I was when all of those events happened. Actually, I was sitting in my high school class when the principal came over the p.a. system to tell us President Kennedy had been shot. Feels like yesterday. I missed shaking his hand when he came to our city during his presidential campaign because I wanted to meet my friends after school at the “soda shoppe” – one of my biggest regrets!
Good grief, did you read about Rick Scott and his rescue dog ‘Reagan’?
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/15/16525278-a-dog-is-not-a-campaign-prop
Just saw that & was about to post it! Hah!
“Reagan” realized Rick Scott is a horrible person.
I hope the poor fella insisted on a name change after his brief spell with Scott – would have been sweet if his new owners named him Barack.
I love your brain, Chips.
Yes—-poor Reagan was just a campaign prop. Rick Scott has no redeeming qualities, a truly disgusting human being. And also weird that their new dog was referred to as a “she” by Mrs. Scott and a “he” by Rick. What??? There’s confusion about the dog’s gender, or that new doggy is just a temporary prop also, and no one has investigated its sexual identity.
[I-heart Barbara Boxer. Still-Uggh Chuck Toodles!]:
[…..] Schumer’s coming out in favor of Hagel came a day after Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-California) also announced that she would confirm Hagel, after receiving assurances from him on Israel, Iran, fair treatment of gay troops, and efforts to combat sexual assault in the military. […..]
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“Schumer’s support of Hagel will mean the 8-10 wavering Senate Dems will all now likely support,” NBC’s Chuck Todd wrote on Twitter Tuesday. “Schumer is the cover for them.”
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http://backchannel.al-monitor.com/index.php/2013/01/3960/senators-schumer-boxer-say-willl-vote-for-hagel/#more-3960
[Party of No Bienvenidos …]:
San Antonio State Senator Leticia Van de Putte, a Democrat, was sworn in as the pro tempore of the state senate last week.
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“I think that having a Latina up at the dais is a reminder of the growing demographics and opportunities that we have,” she said. “There are many people who are uncomfortable with the changing demographic, the Republican Party is grappling with it because if they are going to stay a relevant party they have to grow in the Latino population and if you have harsh harsh rhetoric, that’s not a ‘bienvenidos.’”
Van de Putte has been a champion of human trafficking legislation in the state and had to give up her position as the Democratic Caucus Chair in order to take on her new role. The senator hopes to see this decade be one in which bigotry in Texas politics begins to fade, ….
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http://politic365.com/2013/01/15/latina-takes-helm-of-texas-state-senate/
So, I was reading an article on a very conservative blog regarding an Illinois rep, Aaron Schock. Now they are all up in arms cause he voted to raise the debt ceiling the last time and he voted for McAdoodle’s tax bill last month. They are running ads against him in his district and have targeted him to primary. The thing is, this guy Aaron, young whippersnapper that he is, represents the district of Caterpillar, many AAs, and a growing Hispanic demographic. He did the right thing for his constituents and his job security. I don’t care for him at all, and I can’t figure out how or why he has been elected ever. He was seen as one of the “pubs up and coming, the youngest to have been elected at the time. Well, I say all of that to say, I hope they continue to run ads, target him for replacement, and primary him. The only people who would run against him in a primary would be a teabutt. In that district, it should assure another Illinois rep in Congress. They can’t see beyond their own crazy.
that is another Dem rep from Illinois in Congress
From your lips to the voting booth! I had a well-versed, passionate Dem canvasser – who happened to be a 40-something AA woman stumping for a white woman running for a local spot – stop by my house before the 2012 election. She impressed me so much, and after we gabbed for another half hour about the wonder that is PBO, I asked when SHE was going to run for office. Wasn’t the first time she was asked, apparently. We just need to put our best candidates up, and give young Schock a little shock at the polls.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has reported Schock used campaign funds to purchase P90X workouts and listed the cost as a healthcare expense. He has appeared in magazines showing his “six pack abs” and has bragged about them on Morning Joe. He is opposed to same sex marriage, though he is not married and has been spotted in gay bars in DC and in a gay section of Tampa during the RNC. And yet he is considered “up and coming” in the Republican party.
Sounds like he wants to give Paul Ryan a run for his money in the ‘best abs’ or ‘P90x or bust’ category.
I’m in that congressquack’s district (I used to email him, until he started to answer me, then I’d have to write out “Refused – Return to Sender” on each envelope, and it got a little boring) and I’ve seen the current ads against him on my local channels. And I laughed.
Saw Chelsea Clinton on TV say her Mom is doing fine after getting out of hospital. She was beautiful and graceful.
[Some tips … Did I see someone in another thread or earlier mention Ben’s Chili Bowl? It’s also on the list! Quite a variety.]:
For those visiting Washington for the President Obama’s second Inaugural, Obama Foodorama has created a curated list of the twenty best places to eat like the First Couple while celebrating “Faith in America’s Future.” The President and First Lady Obama have embraced the local restaurant scene during his first term, dining out for Date Nights, birthdays and anniversaries, and campaign contest meals, enjoying everything from cheeseburgers, pizza and BBQ to Mexican street food and the finest Wagyu steak. The President has also escorted world leaders to dinners outside the White House–or sent them on their own to enjoy the District’s delights.
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List here: http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-twenty-best-places-to-eat-like.html#more
President Obama to unveil plan to address gun violence at White House tomorrow
Jay Carney starting soon:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
Poor Jay. Once again having to deal with the one note ass hole in the front row.
All signs are that President Obama intends to include an assault weapons ban in the package of gun reforms he’s set to release this week. This provision is widely thought to have little chance of getting through Congress; even Harry Reid has expressed skepticism that it can pass the Senate, and red state Dem Senators are said to be leery of it.
It’s unclear why Dems need to worry about the politics of the ban, however. That’s because new polling shows that opposition to the assault weapons ban is driven almost entirely by non-college males, a constituency the Democratic Party continues to rely upon less and less.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/01/15/why-gun-politics-are-no-longer-dangerous-for-democrats/
What happen to the politicians who stood up for right, even if it meant they had to stand alone. The men and women who would say this is right and if it cost me my political career, then so be it. If it could say one child’s life, then isn’t it worth it. We have a bunch of cowards in Congress now on both side.
I”m watching CSPAN US House doings as they discuss approving Sandy relief aid. It is amazing to me how the Repubs from the affected states are railing to the heavens about the need to pass the bill in its entirety, so-called pork and all. They are in accord with the Dems who are also asking for passage. Of course, the Dems have always been in favor of helping their fellow country folks. However, these same ‘pubs will rail against aid to anyone else in their time of need. I guess it’s a matter of whose goose is getting choked. smh
LOL! 🙂
Dood, that’s no crack! Get that needle out of your dark vein of intollerence & rehab!
Sorry: “& go rehab”
[Sshhh … from BooMan]:
I hesitate to even say this out loud because I don’t want to clue the Republicans into what is happening. But, they are about to see their Speaker break his promise not to put any more bills on the floor that don’t enjoy the support of the majority of his caucus or that haven’t gone through the normal committee process. He is going to do it to raise the debt ceiling. If his caucus would listen to reason, Boehner wouldn’t have to renege on his pledges, but they won’t listen to reason.
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What, then, does a chronic lack of unity do to the Republicans’ ability to effectively message and obstruct?
It is precisely the monolithic lockstep opposition of the Republicans that has allowed them to function as a parliamentary party with minority veto rights. It is this unity that must be broken. And it must be broken over and over again until the GOP is struggling to come together on anything.
So, by all means, House Republicans, please oppose your Speaker and refuse to raise the debt ceiling. Bring it on.
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More here: http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2013/1/15/105932/890
Such a ‘pledge’ is for political gamesmanship only and has no meaning and no place in actual governance. What Republicans have done during PBO’s presidency is treason.
I finished reading the comments. Hmmm that must mean there is a new thread.
😆 Not quite yet Sonjia, you finished in good time!
Good Morning Everyone
Sorry I almost never post anymore. I am doing the stuff I used to do (like knit, garden, take walks) and working with my former OFA group who are now theaction.org.
Even though I do not post, i come here everyday and read every post. This is my main source of news and encouragement. Thanks so much to Chips and all who contribute here. This place is just the best.
One of the wonderful articles I found here, was a list of new congressional officials. I decided to dust off my “contact elected representatives” page and update it with new names and info.
Well….. like all things that are worthwhile, it is turning out to be harder than I thought.
I just finished Arizona, and discovered I not only had to add new names, but some folks moved from the house to the senate and Gabby Gifford’s old district has a new number. So….. If folks from Arizona could check the info and post here with corrections.
I hope to do 1 -2 states a day. This will get the info current, and give me an excuse to post here for the next few weeks.
Remember there are oodles of folks who read the site daily and don’t say a word. What you all do here is tremendously important.
http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/05/contact-congress-address-phone-twitter.html
I like that you specified the Rs that are really Teas! RI looks all good. Thanks WiW
Thank you Linda for ALL you DO!! Glad you are enjoying your garden, etc., as well.
#FORWARD
Dear WIW . . . . this is an awesome post. Thank you for your work on these addresses/names and for
putting TOD in the perspective that I think it deserves. Good to hear from you.
Check you e-mail for corrections to IL.
Thank you for all the work you do.
Wish Michelle Obama a happy birthday at: http://dscc.org/happybirthday. Does anyone know the exact date offhand?
I believe FLOTUS is January 17th.
Thank you.
San Francisco Board of Supervisors is moving forward w/ proposal to rename SFO (San Francisco International Airport) to Harvey Milk International Airport!
Florida had to be dam sick to elect that crook to office.
[Totally OT & anything near serious! But … (ahem) was every anything she did “natural?” 🙂 ]:
Former Michele Bachmann staffer Peter Waldron tells BuzzFeed that debate coach Brett O’Donnell developed an “unnatural” and “Rasputin-like” relationship with Bachmann during her failed 2012 presidential campaign.
Waldron said O’Donnell exercised an “unusual power over Mrs. Bachmann” and even “prohibited her husband, Dr. Marcus Bachmann, from sleeping in the same room with wife while on the campaign trail.”
Waldron is one of five staffers who says they are still owed money by the Bachmann campaign.
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http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/01/15/bachmann_had_unnatural_relationship_with_debate_coach.html
O’Donnell was the debate coach from Liberty University who helped Willard in the Florida primary debate after Bachmann dropped out. He took credit for Willard’s improved performance, and Willard then dropped him because he did not like his taking credit.
Creeps gravitating …! 🙂
rasputin! still alive and working!
Now that’s going to be quite poignant, for sure!!!
I know this is the end of a thread and that most won’t read this, but I just want to try to understand why I am being solicited for money donations to help implement filibuster reform. Shouldn’t the majority of the Senate be able to vote for this without contributions? Are they contemplating TV ads, or payoffs to the DEM holdouts, or ? I just don’t understand these particular solicitations from Elizabeth Warren, et al. Please advise if you know and understand.
Thanks.
75% of a congress person’s job is now spent fundraising, and all the more dire now that the illegal SC has decided that corporations can buy our political system.
I understand it, but I’m becoming desensitized to it, unfortunately. I get calls from the DNC every day. Every. Day. I will contribute, I will work to elect more and better Democrats to the best of my ability. But a lot of us made serious sacrifices to work in 2012. We need to get to the dentist or fix our broken water pipes and not feel guilty. We need a bit of a breather. I will support whomever we nominate in 2016. But it’s borderline annoying and I assume there are a lot of people with less patience for this than I have.
i got the elizabeth warren email about filibuster reform, too. she asked that i join with the ‘daily kos community’ among others. really? i know we’re in the midst of a paradigm shift in political action, toward more grass roots involvement, which i believe is good. i delete most political emails, like i delete commercial ones. thank heaven they don’t phone me!
Elizabeth Warren and Daily Kos??? Not good!!!
Chat away:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/01/15/chat-away-103/