****
Chicago, February 15:
“… we’ve got to rebuild ladders of opportunity for everybody willing to climb them.
Now, that starts at home. There’s no more important ingredient for success, nothing that would be more important for us reducing violence than strong, stable families – which means we should do more to promote marriage and encourage fatherhood. Don’t get me wrong – as the son of a single mom, who gave everything she had to raise me with the help of my grandparents, I turned out okay …. we’ve got single moms out here, they’re heroic in what they’re doing and we are so proud of them. But at the same time, I wish I had had a father who was around and involved. Loving, supportive parents – and, by the way, that’s all kinds of parents – that includes foster parents, and that includes grandparents, and extended families; it includes gay or straight parents.
Those parents supporting kids – that’s the single most important thing. Unconditional love for your child – that makes a difference. If a child grows up with parents who have work, and have some education, and can be role models, and can teach integrity and responsibility, and discipline and delayed gratification – all those things give a child the kind of foundation that allows them to say, my future, I can make it what I want. And we’ve got to make sure that every child has that, and in some cases, we may have to fill the gap and the void if children don’t have that.
So we should encourage marriage by removing the financial disincentives for couples who love one another but may find it financially disadvantageous if they get married. We should reform our child support laws to get more men working and engaged with their children. And my administration will continue to work with the faith community and the private sector this year on a campaign to encourage strong parenting and fatherhood.
Because what makes you a man is not the ability to make a child, it’s the courage to raise one.”
Full transcript here
****
****
Video of speech:
The Obama Diary 
Amen to that!
drats…
Fair shares!
Congrats #1 Mary! Thanks for the encouragement on another post. I have problems with the reply button sometimes.
First…
🙄
🎻
with your nickels, I could get only that TV.
😉 You were tied. Next time, if Chips posts in the middle of her night.
It is a Stradivarius. 😛
FIrst runner-up…..
Amen
One of the most important comments ever made by a President.
Yes it was. I’ve been looking on MHP FB page and couldn’t find a link on that site for Cookemom. Just couldn’t find one. I only watched a small part. What does TOD village think of her segment on jokes?
I was replying to your comment that it was an important message from the President.
Thank you Carol. It was an exceptionally important message. Moreover, his willingness to be so open – as some would note willingly vulnerable – make it a profound act of empathy – and definitely ‘not just words.’
#TrustBarack
Yes, it was very personal. I was lucky to see live.
Bobfr, you are absolutely right about the importance of that comment. My head is still spinning, wondering how in the world did MHP interpret this as an attack on single moms? The way I received this part of the speech, in an otherwise comprehensive speech touching on many issues, was that the President was urging us men, including men like Congressman Joe Walsh who was negligent about paying child support, to take the responsibility of fatherhood seriously!
Well said, Mr. President! The Obamas are doing so much as incredibly powerful role models locally in DC and around the world. This touches me in a profound way and makes me so happy to be part of change we can believe in.
Judith, I agree with you. FLOTUS is always mentoring young girls, she had some young people at the WH last week when they watch that movie, I can’t think of the name of the movie, and the stars of the movie were there also to answer questions from the young people. And POTUS met with the young men in Chicago before he gave his speech. I will never forget the young girls FLOTUS spoke to when POTUS made his first trip to London.
Beasts of the Southern Wild, I think. 🙂
That pirate costume just tickles me. From the earring in his ear to the bent sword, it’s just an adorable picture. LOL
His mother was creative I think. She became an anthropologist, right? She was interested in people and cultures and was intellectually curious. A must for any future President. Bush just swallowed what he was told and never asked probing questions. When I compare Rumsfield to Sen. Haggle, I want to scream.
Hello
Hello 🙂
Hiya Carol. I am late to the party tonite.
You’re welcome anytime I think.
Would ciao be appropriate?
Sure. And ola and allo and howdy and …..
😉
I was guessing because of your name and your little avatar looks like a goose, but when I enlarged it, it looked like a crying baby! I was guessing between Italian and French. I feel silly. No more guessing. Lets just say, I’m flying over the cuckoos nest!
thanks…it’s kind of fun. When I think someone here is male they turn out to be female and vice versa. I live in Canada hence the French, and my real name is of Spanish origin and I am a baby and maternity nurse. ‘Almablanca’ the name was born in Georgia under weird circumstances. But, it is really special to me and I love when people call me by that name.
That is a beautiful name.
So sad…. no words.
And the media is crying over no pictures of Tiger and POTUS playing golf. A bunch of sorry bastards they are. Do the police have any idea what happen to this young lady?
How sad.
yes, they do. apparently this young lady was visiting friends when she was shot in the head – shooter mistook her for someone else in house she was visiting. 2 ppl are being questioned
😥
My God, that poor, helpless, beautiful little baby motherless because people put guns over human life. This is barbaric and unworthy of any civilized society.
This caused a bit of a dust up earlier. Hopefully it won’t start up again.
It was somewhat civil as blogs go. 😯
It was still off putting. It’s like worrying about horseflies in the middle of a forest fire.
For Bobfr
Re the patent trolls on the last thread – this is a blog I sometimes read (glorious bird photography & politics – an interesting mix). The author is a lawyer
http://wickershamsconscience.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/a-modest-victory-for-the-ip-good-guys/
Thank you 99! Excellent blog post. Much appreciated.
So that folk don’t have to go to the bottom of the previous thread, here is the comment that 99 kindly referenced:
#PatentTrolls
This is a big deal – and one that I’m more than a little engaged in demanding reform to our patent code.
“US President Barack Obama has used a “Fireside Hangout”, captured on YouTube, to label patent trolls as leeches who extort money from their victims.
Asked about the potential for patent trolls to hamper innovation, Obama said his administration’s attempts at patent reform “only went about half way to where we need to go” and have not “captured all the problems”.
Among those problems are patent trolls, who “do not produce anything themselves” and are “trying to leverage and hijack someone else’s idea and see if they can extort some money out of them.””
The company that refused to give in was SO impressive – and then we have places like Amazon paying the trolls millions.
The President’s knowledge in so many different areas is totally amazing (to me & no doubt to GWB) – no wonder that he is not so happy with the WH Press Corps who seem to have 2 topics – golf and Benghazi
I learn more about the US and the President on TOD than by reading the MSM – all of ’em. any of ’em.
“I learn more about the US and the President on TOD than by reading the MSM – all of ‘em. any of ‘em.”
So very true, 99. We are the media!!
Those folk at Amazon have gotta being feeling really punked – and their shareholders should let’um know to take patent trolls to court.
Being addicted to my kindle – I’m one of their customers and just can’t believe they didn’t go to court – putting a patent on an online shopping trolley is beyond belief
Have you gotten DVD’s from them? We just got Skyfall and it messed up so many times, we were mad at the end. Need to return, but I still want the DVR of Skyfall.
I’m interested in this for personal reasons. I’m now following JP Barlow on FB. Are you involved too Bob? Since I’m such a recent observer of TOD, I’m off to every link and miss a lot of discussions.
thanks for posting this Chips, I had missed this speech, thus didn’t know exactly what all the hoopla was about. I heard nothing that made me uncomfortable — and I’ll add I’ve been a single parent for 30 years- as my first & second sons are 20 years older than my youngest son.. and in both cases the dads neither stuck around to help raise them, nor offered financial support of any kind.. I’m darn near done raising the last one, oohrah! Anyhoo.. as a hardcore single mom, I do not find the President’s words at all offensive.. and I think I’m pretty tuned into that kind of slight. I would have loved having fathers for my sons.. however sometimes no father is better than an unstable father/mother/parent.. etc. However, with that said, both my adult sons have become very fine, loving fathers.
I don’t know what MHP objected to, or what her tweet was.. but I cannot fanthom what the fuss is about regarding this speech.
Thanks Sheri!
you are always welcome Theo 🙂
Good evening TOD family and Chips. This speech of the President’s was one of his most important. I love the way he brought family and the economy together. i called all my friends and told them they must listen to this speech.
I have been reading on twitter that Melissa Harris Perry has really been talking about this. I am wondering what her problem with the President is.
Thank you Chips for posting this. It is important for us all to listen to this again.
Very well said Bobfr! You tell it!!!!
Bob, are you saying that some of our #newstainers are less than honorable? Shame on you! Every day they’re hustlin’!
🙂
Hope you’re drinking some fine Ridge Zins, LL!!
Oh my, I’ve had some fine, fine wines today.
Super!!!
Regardless of what AMK has to say of our California wines!
LL, the finest wine I have ever had the privilege to taste comes from the Pisoni Family & Francioni Family vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands, specifically their Pinot Noir. Nothing like it anywhere else on the planet as far as I’ve experience – and if there is, I want to know about it!!
You are absolutely right, Bobfr, about the Santa Lucia Highlands Pinots! We need to educate AMK about California wines. By the way, even your neck of the woods has excellent wines. Having spent six years in Oregon, I am, of course, very partial to Oregon Pinots.
Where are the Santa Lucia Highlands?
LL, AMK is totally clueless when it comes to real California wine. Somebody gave him some cheap CA wine and he thinks that somehow it represented all our fabulous wines. May be if his daughter decides to select either UCLA, or UCSD, or UCB, for medical school we can show him what real California wine tests like. I am sitting here sipping on some delicious Sonoma Pinot Noir which my niece served with baked Salmon.
Ever try Strawberry Hill?
Omg! 35k Activists marched on the WH to protest Keystone.
I just think they are being overtly hostile to a friend on the environment.
If he does approve or disapprove, he has his reasons. It’s why we hired him, to make tough decisions.
But, marching on the WH, people on the same side? Doesn’t look right! 😦
a march does not have to be hostile…a march can have the impact of letting others know just how urgent these issues are and that it’s not just PBO who cares about this issue…just like the gun safety march that took place a few weeks ago…
I thought I saw them marching on the mall? I really don’t want it built, too close for comfort, but I’m not going to blame Pres. Obama for whatever decision he makes. Just saw the pic, didn’t get any farther.
That’s my President
I knew it, POTUS set another trap! 🙂
We knew this all along. We knew the Republicans hate our Black President.
Gingrich sure helped to move that narrative along. He has no shame
Someone should tell Rubio and Jindal and SC Gov. They have hit a glass ceiling. Not going to happen in 2016.
Did he ever go biking with GW and Lance on GW 40 acre ranch?
ha Amk you’re really taking it to him – good for you!
What a wimp! Scott Wilson thinks that telling the TRUTH about the unethical and hypocritical behavior of the mainstream media is the same thing as calling them names.
So, now they are going to blame the President for spending cuts, a Dat ago they called him a Spending Socialist out of control.
So, which is it?
These be guys are touchy.
BW/WHPC
Posted a week ago but memorial page has been updated w/ more photos. Very powerful reminder of guns and the unspeakable aftermath.
Downton Abbey season finale = BLOODY AWESOME.
One thing Downton Abbey shows is that the bagpipes are Scotland’s version of torture. Jeebus!
I’ve already seen this season and your jaw will drop at the end.
Anyway, did you see that wheel of guns that guy has in his front entrance? YIKES!
OOOOOOOOoooooh…..I’m excited. The maid keeps flirting with Tom Branson. I’m like nah honey, Cybil will haunt you from the grave. Thomas is still in lust with Jimmy, Mrs. Patmore’s got a fancy admirer. So far so good!
Beautiful bit of an interview in which President Obama discusses his post-presidency. Can I love him more?
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2013/02/children-are-our-future.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FlpjFg+%28Smartypants%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
He is so great with children. It’s obvious in the photos and speeches.
Yes We Know
“We the People know the GOP are willing to destroy America to hurt you. They’ve been at it since 20Jan2009.”
Bobfr, Your tweet should be twitted over and over again! What you said is truly the central reason that explains all the GOP behavior towards President Obama. I thought (naively as it turns out) that honorable Republicans would realize that it was useless to pursue irrational opposition to everything President Obama supported now that he had been re-elected. Obviously, I was totally mistaken. The vast majority of Republican members of Congress and their vocal supporters would rather destroy the country before they allowed President Obama’s policies to succeed. This scotched earth strategy of the current GOP/teabag members of Congress, orchestrated by right wing media, is unprecedented in the history of our Country. One thing we here at TOD have to be aware of is that right wingers and the GOP would not be doing this without the tacit support and acquiescence of the mainstream media.
So,in order to be able to support the President’s agenda, which by the way is an agenda intended for advancing the well being of all U.S. citizens, we must be prepared to fight back against both the GOP and most of the mainstream media. That’s why we can’t afford internecine wars within the Democratic party.
If the GOP doesn’t implode it will take 500 years before they will have an African American nominee for President. The Sarah Palin apologists seem to be the main folks pushing this meme.
Good one Karen Hunter. I say spraying perfume over a stinking skunk. I don’t know who the hell these Republicans think Ben Carson will fool, their new version of Herman Cain.
He got on my nerves at five minutes. He is not a good speaker. His childhood story bored me to death. Why do Christians R’s quote so much Old Testament? I couldn’t listen. Not wasting my time unless he becomes more of a story.
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2013/02/children-are-our-future.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FlpjFg+%28Smartypants%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
Okay, twice I posted the wrong link, although it was a good one. Let’s see if third times the charm. If it isn’t, I’ll just give up and go to bed.
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2013/02/why-president-obama-went-to-chicago.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FlpjFg+%28Smartypants%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
Mary, thank you. That is yet another excellent smartypants commentary and here’s the video …
Thank you, Bob!
Wow! What a great man! He is always thinking about how to help other people.
very good read– refutes rethug talking points, and skewers scarboy.
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/for-those-who-think-i-never-criticize.html
Love it
😀 😀
Bo is a good sport and well trained. Believe me, if a dog doesn’t want to wear something, they won’t wear it.
Whoa….
Suicide by fatal gun shot….
May she RIP.
The father of her 2nd son commited suicide this year too. She has a history of attempted suicides and the father of her first son was seeking custody all this was probably just too much for her……so said for her family and kids.
GN TOD calling it a nite. Wonderful video of an artist who creates his masterpiece w/ only a rake in the sand, then watches it wash away.
i loved this! made my husband sit down and watch it too. do not miss it.
neat! thx 🙂
April’s blog post could not be more thoughtful or more on target. Thank you GB
#TrustBarack
Great response. I read the various threads here and read MH Perry tweets when she made them. She lied. Maybe it was unintentional, but nevertheless she attributed something to the President that was not the truth. Those who wish to defend her seem to totally overlook this fundamental point. They immediately run to the corner that says “no one can criticize the President”, when in fact, that is a falsehood. I think what most people here and on Twitter were saying is “no you cannot attribute something to the President that is not true”. I agree with April. Perry made that first tweet before the President had finished speaking. It was a knee-jerk reaction. I’ll tell you what else I’ve noticed. If you criticize pundits on Twitter, they either get snotty, double down or down response. What I have not seen is ONE admit they were wrong.
I am so tired of people talking down to POTUS’s supporters. You are free to criticize him, but be prepared to defend your opinion because it most likely won’t go unchallenged. If you have a show, push back should be expected. It’s almost as if we are just supposed to accept whatever they say. Why do you have a show? Why are you a professor? Don’t all these forums encourage and call for debate?
Don’t all these forums encourage and call for debate?
Gobrooklyn. No, nope. They don’t. More often than not, the forums in which academics participate are ‘mutual admiration societies’ or ‘echo chambers’ take your pick.
I think that is one of many reasons why academics are often so out of touch with reality. Of course, ya gotta throw hubris into the mix…
“mutual admiration societies” – sounds exactly right.
“More often than not, the forums in which academics participate are ‘mutual admiration societies’ or ‘echo chambers’ take your pick.”
You totally nailed it, Isonprize!
What I have not seen is ONE admit they were wrong.
Don’t go holdin’ your breathwaitin’ for THAT to happen, sabreen60. 😎
I know that’s right. Capehart got really testy with me on Twitter when I just questioned a comment he made on TV.
That was a great response to MHP’s bizarre reaction to the President’s speech. Thanks GB for sharing it.
Wonderful rebuttal to Melissa Harris Perry’s insulting and demeaning crap filled show about Pres. Obama.
C’mon. Let it go. What MHP says or thinks ain’t gonna change what’s happening in DC. There are much bigger fish to fry.
i feel there is some value in knowing who we’re dealing with and what appears to motivate them, and MHP just had some other crazy anti-obama rant last week about drones, and now this, and for me, she’s proven she’s not a trusted source of news of commentary. she has some other agenda other than “pursuing truth” which is what journalism is SUPPOSED to be about. i don’t mind questioning of president obama (i don’t like his habit of putting his feet up on tables, or charter schools and so on), but MHP has not offered sound critique on a whole host of issues as she rips on president obama.
on the other hand, president obama has earned my trust over and over again, and it’s not really worth my time or energy nitpicking him. we should stay focused on the real enemy…republicans and their enablers in “the media,” of which MHP seems very happy to be a member of, and winning elections through the hard work of organizing…just as president obama has been begging us to do since the day he announced he was running for president way back when. forward!!!!
As I have said before, the one with the issues is Melissa Harris Perry.
I could be wrong , but I don’t think it’s going to be let go that easy. As someone said earlier it’s okay to disagree with what the President said, but lying about what he said is a different thing.
Thank you April.
read the column. very insightful. the author actually listened to the speech
This is probably the most attention this guy has gotten in a while … he’s answering back everybody but not “getting” the criticism. He told me earlier that I might be “murky” on the fact he gets paid for his writing and it isn’t “a hobby” – Ha! He’s murky on what journalism is, and is treating it like a hobby. I’m done with him, now.
When they do get access – 2 questions – Benghazi and golf. The WH Press Corps gets massive access to the President – much more than any other world political leader gives to the press – and they have no clue as to what to do with their access. They follow him around the country and the world & their questions are about Benghazi, their statistics are about golf.
And there are so many important issues that the public should be hearing about! Benghazi has been and is being probed and investigated. What about everything else? I’m guilty myself of concentrating on the rubbish, when I see it written ad infinitum. Maybe I should make a personal resolution to ask more questions of the WHPC that actually deal with issues, not gossip or innuendo or personal feelings. I think they’ve forgotten what questions to ask. Totally forgotten. We can help the President in this way.
Thanks amk – I keep telling myself I have to learn the twitter – but I am such a “fly off the handle” person (I need lessons from PBO) that I think it may be to my advantage to stay away from twitter
This.
“But at the same time, I wish I had had a father who was around and involved.” This line resonated most with me. I, too, was raised by a single Mom with family support — Grandparents, four uncles and two aunts. They were so involved with my upbringing that my friends nicknamed them “The Family Council.” 😀 As only one uncle had a child, we were showered with emotional and material support — at recitals, we had our own cheering section; based on the number of Christmas gifts, you’d have thought there were 10 or 12 kids in the home. Even with all of that love and support, I missed not having a father.
Missing that relationship was especially acute from September (my birth month) until Christmas. I snapped out of that at the age of 12 — on Christmas day, with gifts overflowing the living room, I must have been looking really sad. My family pleaded with me to tell them what gift they had failed to give. I couldn’t tell them that I was sad about someone who didn’t give me a second thought, so I lied, gave some story about feeling sorry for less fortunate kids. From that day on, I decided to be thankful for who was in my life rather than pine for one who abandoned me.
My father and I reconnected in 2004 and established a cordial relationship. During his illness, I managed his care; he regretted failing to be a part of my life and was thankful that my Mom and family raised me to be such a compassionate person. He died last year. I was thankful to get to know him and the paternal side of my family.
Very special and very touching, Alycee. Thank you. I truly hope MHP will read what you shared with us and awaken to the empathy our President exudes and seek the help she clearly needs.
#FORWARD Together
Bob, thanks for your kind words and the tweet. We are blessed to have such an empathetic President; I wish the emo’s would open their ears and hearts to his msg. A small comfort is no matter what the professional complainers whine, he made a difference to the young men in the workshop and the live crowd at the speech.
” A small comfort is no matter what the professional complainers whine, he made a difference to the young men in the workshop and the live crowd at the speech.”
Precisely, Alycee!!!
And, for them, and for President Obama NO ONE can alter or erase that fact.
#FORWARD Together
You’re special and I love you for it. I was like your Dad……….(water works, big time).
You, too, are special and you know I love you!
Thank you.
Look, they devoted a whole segment on the WHPC being frustrated with the Presidents lack of transparncy-
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/283647-press-corps-expresses-frustration-over-lack-of-access-to-obama
Lol!
The WHPC are the biggest group of whining jr high drama queens. They deserve nothing from our POTUS, a big fast Zilch. They don’t deserve the time of day.
what these overpaid idjits miss is the spoon-fed talking points of the dumbya admin.
He gets almost 2 1/2 days off. Follow each other. Are they upset they are locked out of a private resort? Mmmmm. Times are a changin’
What they want is access to the President to constantly attack him using GOP talking points. The U.S., for the most part, no longer has a credible media. The media are not interested communicating truthful information to the American people. They are only interested in sensationalism. Otherwise why obsess about the President’s golf game.
Hartford Courant/Frontline examine in depth —“Raising Adam Lanza”—-the Newtown shooter—–an intensive look, trying to figure out what led to this unspeakable tragedy. I will never understand this rabid interest in guns that some people have and how anyone could ever choose shooting as a “bonding experience” with their children, how any parent could convince herself that this was a good thing. Think of all the choices one has in this area—-and then to choose guns and shooting—–it’s bizarre and incomprehensible to me.
http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/newtown-sandy-hook-school-shooting/hc-raising-adam-lanza-20130217,0,857900.story
“His mother, who loved to travel, told friends she was grooming him to be independent someday.”- One grooms horses – it is a term that should never be used with people – especially children – Adam obviously didn’t like being “groomed”
I know, especially if you’re not hunting for your food. I grew up around a father and brother who hunted and fished. Then we ate it. My hubby grew up in similar situation. But he has no idea why other hunters would want semi-automatics. He thinks they’re crazy. There are limits to how many bullets you can put in your shotgun or rifle when hunting birds or deer. It depends on the state. WY does enforce it’s game and fish laws. He joined the NRA for about a year and then he cancelled because every letter he got was asking for money. He really let them have it in a letter when he stopped membership. That must be about twenty years ago. Our guns aren’t going to be much good against an intruder either. They are locked up tight. Neither of our boys cared about hunting with him and he didn’t ask twice. Our youngest did take hunting lessons to get his license and shot a deer while hunting with his friend, once.
OMG!!!! OMG!!! OMG!!!! WTF just happened on Downton Abbey?!?! Holy BLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
LOL!!! Twitter is losing it.
dan stephens chose not to renew his contract. he’s going to be in new york for a year.
what upset me was an identical parallel to Sybil. I expected more from Julian Fellowes. The nature of the relationship of Mary and Matthew – thats going to be impossible to replace and could affect the future success of the show.
My thoughts only.
So John McCain say that Chuck Hagel likely will be confirmed, but he still don’t think Hagel is qualified. Now this coming from the man who thought Sarah Palin was qualified to be Vice President. What a mean senile bitter old fool John McCain has become.
Sorry, annie – everyone … that was supposed to be this tweet …
It is fitting, I feel that Sen. McCain needs to sit down in a quiet place and have a conversation with his soul. Meditate for some time. I mean really have some quality time and think on the things that he has been saying that has and will have a lasting affect on the lives of so many people. Just think how his words in the hearing on Sen. Hagel’s confirmation must have such a sting on Mr. Hagel, his wife, his brother, and his children and their family friends.
We have a soul to help keep us centered on those things that are of “goodness” to our lives and to others. Our soul also houses our moral and our emotional stats about our words, actions and daily deed to one another.
I hope that Sen. Mc Cain will count his blessings daily and come to a more reasonable acting man with such great responsibility and power , but use both in a more loving and caring manner. He is blocking his blessings in so many ways that causes unnecessary pain to so many dear and wonderfully gifted people. This breaks the heart. I pray for healing within his mind. HZ
Dear HZ,
You are so insightful and empathetic.
“It is fitting, I feel that Sen. McCain needs to sit down in a quiet place and have a conversation with his soul.”
Yes, we all can hope that before he dies he realizes that is just what he needs to do. Otherwise, he will have wasted the only life he will ever have pursuing folly.
Thank you.
Pre-K onward, it cannot only be about reading, math and science. Our SOCIETY is dependent on each child experiencing a ‘lesson plan’ that includes the rudimentary elements of critical thinking, decision making and empathy as well as opening to them the experience of interesting challenges that nurture their imagination. For even 1/20th what we spend on defense we could create that opportunity for every child in America and not have them hungry and without a safe place to sleep. Our “National Security” would never be more SECURE if we did so.
I have ZERO doubt that President Obama gets this.
Yes We Can
Yes, bobfr——applause!
Critical thinking plus deductive reasoning.
Critical thinking requires ‘deductive reasoning’ my friend, along with hypothesis formation, hypothesis testing, i.e., persistent dialectic.
Thank you.
This is supposed to be unusual but not unprecedented … yet, maybe we should be concentrating on what the dolphins are doing and whether we might learn something about our natural resources!
Something real big is happening in the seas. Dolphins are much like different countries. When that many come together, it’s like the coming together of different societies. Whatever it is, you can bet it’s environmental.
You read my mind. Stop that. 😉
I guess I spent too much time at sea on small vessels, eh?
I thought you were on the big ships? A sub?
No ma’am. WWII built Destroyers and wooden Minesweepers. I worked on bigger ships but always went to sea on the “little boys”.
Didn’t know Navy had wooden boats in recent memory. We have a wooden boat. 26 ft. If I remember right.
In the ’60’s and ’70’s the minesweeping vessels were all made of wood. However, mine was about 165 ft with a crew of 65 men.
I wish I could see one like it. Is there a website? Did you sail on the same one most of the time? Did it have a name? Was it a dame?
Google- USS CONSTANT- MSO 427. Home port, Long Beach, CA. I was in her for 2 years. She was classified as an ocean going minesweeper which meant it was sea worthy for ALL bodies of water.
Thanks. I call our boat Noah’s Ark. We have six four legged babies now that we are empty nesters. Hubby had to refinish some of the wood. He really enjoyed it. But those original parts for a CrisCraft are expensive. Most of it is mahogany. I wish I could still water ski. 😉
Ha! The Constant was 165 ft of white pine wood with brass and aluminum fittings.
Well, that’s certainly something to ponder – and not happily. We’ve forgotten we were supposed to take care of the earth, being so much more evolved than, for instance, the dolphins!
Goodnight, Yardarm and TODville!
7 miles? Wow…..a seismic activity in the Ocean floor coming soon?
Something is just not right here.
How close is San Diego from the Meteor activity that was seen in CA and that that took place in Russia? Connection? Hmm?
Mindy McCready—-a severely troubled life—-just released from judge ordered treatment facility for drug abuse last week, boyfriend committed suicide a month ago, had a 10 mo. old baby, long list of trauma in her life
http://www.news-press.com/article/20130217/NEWS01/130217011/Reports-Country-singer-North-Fort-Myers-native-Mindy-McCready-dies
That’s sad. I’ve never heard of her, but it’s sad.
Help Stephen Colbert become the next POTUS! Alec is winning by double digits. I like him but I LOVE Stephen.
https://twitter.com/ABFalecbaldwin/status/303354963399176192
aloha chips and tod peeps~
have you seen this terrific take-down of the rethug resistance to hagel? i particularly love the video where hagel is skewering kindasleezy rice–check out her eyes!
http://www.winningprogressive.org/the-sins-of-chuck-hagel
Thanks for this. Awesome man, that Chuck Hagel.
nitey nite kittens 🙂
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
G’nite alice. Sleep tite. Don’t let the WH Press corps bite.
They have no teeth hf – alice can sleep through the night with no cares on that front 🙂
AP story on the golf game is full of miff from WH press pool. They must have tried to get close as story states they were not allowed beyond the maintenance shed on the edge of the property——hahahahahaha—–the maintenance shed!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20130217/us-obama/?utm_hp_ref=homepage&ir=homepage
most ridiculous thing I’ve seen/read all day. Absurd.
They’re like Coonhounds.
i have this dream that he bans the entire current white house “press” pool, and replaces them with a rotating schedule of local reporters from across the country. when he does those interviews with local crews, the questions are actually much tougher and probing than anything jake tapper ever asks, and that’s when president obama’s true genius shines through. when he’s answering republican talking point-fueled questions that tapper and chuck todd and friends ask over and over again, you can just see in his face that he can’t believe has has to deal with this sheeet. i’m not joking…i see no societal value in the current white house press pool…real journalists, yes, they are one of the most important functions of democracy, but chris matthews, chuck, todd, andrea mitchell and so on are not journalists in any way shape or form. they are purely propagandists for the republican party. no joke.
What a delight it would be if your dream came true – If you didn’t see this piece today – it fits the meme beautifully (from almost a year ago)
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/ed-henry-three-strikes-and-youre-out.html
thanks! that is good!
Is anyone else getting a lot, I mean a lot of junk email recently? Some of it seems suspicious. I junk it. I’ve never gotten that much before.
You know this pack of press corps could just get together around a table and talk to each other for about an hour and call it “Meet the Press” 😈
that show originally was a panel of press people questioning politicians directly, hence the name “meet the press.” over the last couple of decades, when a few billionaires were allowed to buy up the entire media of the world, the owners decided to change the purpose and format of the show (and every other show for that matter) to pump their talking points into the public’s minds, so we had tim russert, now david gregory happily talking about whatever manufactured “bright shiny object” they created for this week. they need to change the name to “meet the gregory.”
They need to cancel it.
Ecuador election: President Rafael Correa wins third term
Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa has been re-elected for a third term with more than 50% of the vote. His main challenger has admitted defeat.
Addressing his supporters in the capital, Quito, Mr Correa called for “another four years of revolution”.
First elected in 2007, the socialist leader is widely credited with bringing political stability to a nation that suffered decades of protests and coups.
But critics accuse Mr Correa of being a dictator in the making.
The 49-year-old US-trained economist has been accused of implementing policies that have served to strengthen his hold on power and erode the influence of political opponents and private media.
But his so-called “citizens’ revolution” has made him popular with many ordinary Ecuadoreans and has won him friends among other Latin American left-wing leaders.
Partial results give Mr Correa 56.6%, ahead of 24% for his nearest rival, former banker Guillermo Lasso. None of the other six candidates were predicted to win more than 5%.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21492470
via bj
http://www.inquisitr.com/529302/man-who-slapped-toddler-on-plane-now-jobless/
man charged with slapping a toddler on a plane is apparently jobless, according to a statement by his former employer on Sunday.
The man, Joe Rickey Hundley, 60, of Hayden, Idaho, is no longer an employee of AGC Aerospace and Defense, Composites Group.
The news was confirmed on Sunday night by Daniel Keeney of DPK Public Relations, reports USA Today.
President and CEO of AGC Al Haase also issued a statement early Sunday about the incident. Haase stated that reports of behavior by one of his executives on recent personal travel was “offensive and disturbing.” He added that the person “is no longer employed with the company.”
Hundley was charged in federal court last week with simple assault after he allegedly slapped a toddler during a February 8 flight between Minneapolis and Atlanta.
Kudos to the company. cue rwnj’s heads explode along with pox news dittoheads
karma.
Losing his job is just the beginning. If convicted, he could get one year in jail. I hope the parents sue this fatuously wicked crude bigot civilly. Slapping a 19 month old and using the N word is despicable. This 60 yrs old, soon, Calgone will take him away.
He will go to his grave full of hate & blaming “those people” for his misfortune
This guy Hundley had some darn nerve slapping that baby.
“Kudos to the company.”
In_DEED, amk!!!!
that picture with the two barack obamas has always been so profound to me now knowing the family history. you can see young barack wants his daddy so badly, in his eyes and how strongly he’s holding onto to his arm. the elder barack wishes so much that it could work, but you can see the sadness in his eyes knowing it’s not going to happen. what an incredible moment in time captured in that photo.
and to think that either of them would’ve ever guessed that the chubby little boy in that photo living in a modest apartment would become…and i don’t think this is hyperbole considering the insanity of mccain/pailn and rmoney/lyin and republicans in general…the protector of millions of lives across the globe, and the savior of the “american experiment” from its sure destruction at the hands of republicans and our media, is amazing. we can’t let that little boy in the photo down in 2014!!!! forward!!!!
Dear Chips,
Please feature this exceptional comment by 4more in your next thread.
4more – BEAUTIFUL description of exactly what I have felt every time I have looked at that photo – every time – since the very first time I saw it.
Thank you.
time for some rest …
oh wow, bob. thank you and that means a lot coming from such an incredible intellect as yourself. just attempting to follow the daily lead of you and so many others here at TOD.
but, before that rest ….
#TrustBarack
Agreed.
Well said ❗
It’s time to say goodbye to TODville and our friends. I thank you all for letting me drop in this late.
See you all in Rise and Shine, bright and early, Good Morning 🙂 🙂 🙂
Patrick Gaspard, the longtime labor organizer and adviser to President Barack Obama, is poised to be tapped as ambassador to South Africa, sources confirmed to POLITICO.
The move, first reported by The Washington Post, is the latest in a reshuffle of Obama’s team and appointees. Gaspard has been the Democratic National Committee’s executive director since 2011, after serving as White House political director for Obama.
Herman Cain signs on with Fox news.
So, they replace Dick Moriss and Sister Sawah with Scott brown and Herman Cain.
Holy shit! 🙂
That’s improvement.
Yes, a mighty high improvement.
Scott Brown replaced Sarah Palin. Brains…. 😯 Beauty……depends on who you ask 😉
Herman Cain replaced actually two people 😯 Newt Gingrich and the Dick Morris 😉 Cain must be so proud. It took Two womanizers to replace Herman Cain 😎
So, the media does not find this incredible? McReady, the country singer who shot herself, six months earlier her Boyfriend also shot himself on the same porch.
She had Substance abuse issues and mental health issues.
Ok then, nothing wrong with that picture? 😦
Morning All: I am still not able to sleep.
Jovie, I read this morning that the boy friend shot himself on Jan 13, 2013. Just a month and 3 days ago from the day she killed herself.
Jovie please see the tweet below that PBO is pushing funds to study the human brain in fine detail. We need more of that kind of research. People continue to not take mental health seriously and that is very unwise.
Just feel terrible for the two kids left behind.
Yes indeed. 9 yrs old and the baby is 9 months old.
Look what the Press-titutes are doing at 4 :30 this morning.
Chuck Todd Chuck ToddVerified account @chucktodd
@jaketapper @NorahODonnell no chance I wouldn’t get extra quizzed for a boys weekend that included TW
—–
How pathetic.
Shows what their patrners/families must think about them – they are pathetic and rude and insulting and show NO respect for their President – now I wonder how he is different to other Presidents?
patrners = partners (sigh)
Agreed…They are admitting they cannot be trusted by their own and need to project it on to President Obama.
The difference is that FLOTUS trusts her husband because he HAS EARNED it. That what a healthy marriage looks like. They don’t need to micromanage each other on occasional weekend trips after 20 years because their union is SOLID.
If any of them played golf and they got the chance to play golf with Tiger they would go in a second. They are just piss cause they didn’t get to follow POTUS every step.
TRUST
This week-end was about golf and I’m glad POTUS got the chance to work on improving his golf game. So forget those clowns from the media.
What a dumb idea. (Ha! It’s an excellent idea!)
I am still smilling this morning over the fact that Team Obama refused media access to PBO’s weekend. Good for him!
What the media is really pissed about is the fact that PBO was with Tiger and they could not get photos & video to loop over & over 24/7. Be sure they would do like what Washington Post just and talk about Tiger’s challenges
PBO has played multiple games with many famous people (including Michael Jordan, NBA Commissioner & other NBA greats). During all these games, the media was not permitted access but I did not hear any of them throwing a fit.
Demand for transparency is just being used as an excuse for their desire to make rauncy commentaries
You have nailed it correctly 😉
Morning!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/02/18/rise-and-shine-405/