WE ARE BEING GOVERNED BY FOOLS. THIS IS NO WAY TO RUN A DEMOCRACY
Waiting for the Tantrum to End
By BooMan
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Watching cable news, you will see iteration after iteration of Capitol Hill reporters and other commentators expressing mystification that the House isn’t talking to the Senate, the White House isn’t talking to Congress, Democrats aren’t negotiating with Republicans, etc. Here’s a tip.
John Boehner has already told everyone, including Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, and Barack Obama, that his caucus isn’t going to budge on the Sequester until after it kicks in and starts causing real pain. He doesn’t have a strategy beyond that. Everyone knows that this is what he’s going to do, so anytime you see someone call for negotiations or compromise, they are either positioning themselves politically or they are actually referring to some time in the future, meaning March.
So, as Boehner starts to lose his cool in public, let’s pause and help him understand the one detail the Speaker seems to have forgotten: in this Congress, House Republicans have done no work on the sequester. Literally, none. Boehner and his caucus haven’t voted on an alternative; they haven’t unveiled a substitute plan; they haven’t shown up for bipartisan negotiations. Since this Congress has gotten underway, Speaker and his team have known this threat is coming, and they’ve done absolutely nothing about it except whine in public.
Senate Democrats, meanwhile, have put together a compromise plan that requires concessions from both sides
So when Boehner demands that senators get “off their ass,” the Speaker isn’t just being crude, and he isn’t just being dishonest, he’s actually been reduced to irony.
Indeed, the unstated subtext of Boehner’s complaints this morning was, in the larger context, hard to miss. The Speaker seemed to be saying, “I demand that senators get off their ass in order to help save my ass.”
In recent years, cities across the United States, from Los Angeles to Detroit to Camden, have held gun buyback events, where gun owners anonymously trade weapons for cash or gift cards. In most places, the buybacks are run by police departments, and with public funds — but Silicon Valley, true to form, is going its own way.
Roger Lee, a venture capitalist at Battery Partners whose investments include Groupon and Angie’s List, was moved by the Sandy Hook shootings. “We struggled with how to respond. We wanted to do something in the memory of those children and to protect our own kids,” says Lee. So he decided to spearhead a buyback program of his own.
Somebody asked what happens to the guns. I dont know in all cases but Corey Booker melts the guns and creates jewelry w/ the gun’s serial # on a bangel for example, to raise money for the city. http://calibercollection.com/
Isonprize, let me premise this, the *genuis* who created the interactive graph was obviously on LSD….ok now moving forward the highlights are of the top 100 tweets/articles on pro/anti gun legislation. The larger the colored circle the more it was tweeted. So for example the most tweeted item was a Columbine survivor writing an article against gun legislation. The most tweeted anti-gun tweet was from PBO. And finally all the silver lines are only there was someone who tweeted both pro/anti gun tweets. Thats the best I can summize,sorry.
Glancing down the entire front pages for today and noticing all the goodies I missed I really cannot decide WHERE to start. I’ll dip my toe in by saying ‘THANKS, CC’ that the info I need is all highlighted HERE in the village, so at least I can access it or follow it without fear that I’m missing something vital. Thanks also to all TODobots for adding your bits (so that it will take me longer to catch up 😉 😉 )
As I listened to a press briefing the other day, I was appalled when a reporter asked if there was anything the President could do by executive order to stop the sequester.Press Secretary Jay Carney responded that “It would certainly be a welcomed development if the President were able to legislate. Unfortunately…. that is not a power that the President has….”
Now, maybe it’s me, but I don’t think it’s too much to expect reporters assigned to the White House to understand how the government works. Surely, when Congressional members and pundits are calling for the President to “lead”, everyone knows that’s just a bunch of blowhard bullshit…the President doesn’t tell Congress what to do.
Here’s a clue…Congress is called the Legislative Branch because it is the branch of government that legislates. So all the finger-pointing about who is to blame for the sequester is just plain stupid. The President does not legislate. He either approves and signs a bill or vetoes it.
ALL LEGISLATION IS WRITTEN AND PASSED BY CONGRESS. CONGRESS PASSED THE SEQUESTRATION LAW AND IT’S UP TO CONGRESS TO CHANGE IT.
President Obama traveled to Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia to discuss the impact that the sequester will have on jobs, the middle class and the defense industry if a compromise is not reached to avert automatic spending cuts slated for March 1.
MANUFACTURED CRISIS TO MANUFACTURED CRISIS. IT’S NOT A GOOD WAY TO RUN A COUNTRY.
Remarks by the President on the Impact of the Sequester – Newport News, VA
Newport News Shipbuilding
Newport News, Virginia
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And the broader point is, Virginia, we can’t just cut our way to prosperity. We can’t just cut our way to prosperity. We can’t ask seniors and working families like yours to shoulder the entire burden of deficit reduction while asking nothing more from the wealthiest and the most powerful. We’re not going to grow the middle class just by shifting the cost of health care or college onto families that are already struggling, or forcing communities to lay off more teachers or cops or firefighters or shipbuilders, and then folks who are doing really well don’t have to do anything more. That’s not fair, and it’s not good for the economy.
And the other thing we’ve got to do is to stop having these crises manufactured every month. It seems like — I know you guys must get tired of it. (Applause.) Didn’t we just solve this thing? Now we’ve got another thing coming up? (Applause.) I mean, think about if Mike Petters ran his business this way — once every month or two there would be some crisis, and you wouldn’t be sure whether or not you were working or not. Even if it got solved eventually or ultimately, it would be pretty discouraging on people. You would be less productive. Ships wouldn’t get built as fast. You would waste money because you don’t know exactly what to expect. Folks aren’t sure, am I showing up to work today, or not?
If it’s not a good way to run a business, it’s sure not a good way to run a country. (Applause.)
Now, all of you, the American people, you’ve worked too hard for too long rebuilding and digging our way out of the financial crisis back in 2007 and 2008 just to see Congress cause another one. The greatest nation on Earth can’t keep on conducting its business drifting from one crisis to the next.
GOP HAS NOT INTRODUCED A REPLACEMENT BILL IN THIS “CURRENT” CONGRESS
Why Everything Republicans Are Saying About The Sequester Is Wrong
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5. Democrats have rejected the GOP’s sequester replacement bills. Republicans in the House passed a sequester replacement bill in the last Congress that doesn’t raise any new revenue and includes cuts in domestic programs like food stamps, Medicaid, and the social services block grant (which, among other things, funds Meals on Wheels). The GOP has not introduced a replacement bill in this current Congress and refuses to compromise on the Democrats’ balanced approach of higher revenues and more spending cuts. Budget deals cut over the last year have already reduced a substantial amount of spending and even with the revenue included in the fiscal cliff deal, there have been $2.50 in spending cuts for every $1 in revenue signed into law by Obama.
PBO: THERE ARE TOO MANY REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS WHO REFUSE TO COMPROMISE.
Remarks by the President on the Impact of the Sequester – Newport News, VA
Newport News Shipbuilding
Newport News, Virginia
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But I just have to be honest with you. There are too many Republicans in Congress right now who refuse to compromise even an inch when it comes to closing tax loopholes and special interest tax breaks. And that’s what’s holding things up right now.
Keep in mind, nobody is asking them to raise income tax rates. All we’re asking is to consider closing tax loopholes and deductions that the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, said he was willing to do just a few months ago. He said there were a bunch of loopholes and deductions you could close. He said you could raise $800 billion, a trillion dollars by closing loopholes.
Well, we’re not even asking for that much. All we’re asking is that they close loopholes for the well-off and the well-connected — for hedge fund managers, or oil companies, or corporate jet owners who are all doing very well and don’t need these tax loopholes — so we can avoid laying off workers, or kicking kids off Head Start, or reducing financial aid for college students.
I don’t think that’s too much to ask. I do not think that is partisan. (Applause.) The majority of the American people agree with me. The majority of Newport News agrees with me. We need to get this done. (Applause.)
But the choice is up to Congress. Only Congress has the power to pass a law that stops these damaging cuts and replaces them with smart savings and tax reform. And the second I get that bill on my desk, I will sign it into law. But I’ve got to get Congress to pass it.
None of us will get 100 percent of what we want. Democrats, they’ve got to make some tough choices too. Democrats like me, we’ve said we’re prepared to make some tough cuts and reforms, including to programs like Medicare. But if we’re willing to compromise, then Republicans in the House have to compromise as well. That’s what democracy is about. That’s what this country needs right now. (Applause.)
Of course there’s a corollary here, Bill. Gee, I wonder who’s causing gas prices to rise since we’re producing more oil than ever. It couldn’t possibly be the same interests that want the pipeline.
Hello family. A bit off topic, but not so much. Need your help. This morning, one of our food pantry workers said she heard that “Obama is paying some company millions to administer Obamacare.” I have done some Googling and cannot find anything. The main entries I find are all very much like the one I am going to include. It’s about the “hidden” taxes on the wealthy to help fund Obamacare. These I already knew about. If any of you have heard anything even remotely like she mentioned, please share. Thanks. http://alineofsight.com/policy/obamacare-2013-rich-tax-poor-tax-high-tax-more-tax
I believe that Chips has an informal policy of not posting material (usually inaccurate, dishonest) from conservative websites – particularly if we’re not ridiculing or mocking them, but using them as legitimate sources of “info.” Chips, please correct me if I’m wrong.
Right on Alycee, Last time I check Nov. 6th 2012 we re-elected President Obama, not President Graham. So doesn’t President Obama have the right to chose who he think can do the job.
Can you just imagine how Chuck Hagel must be disgusted with his former colleagues ? Their hypocrisy, their pettiness, their political posturing because they’re afraid to be primaries, and on and on…
What’s sad is I believe the republicans are doing their best to prevent ANY republican in the future to accept a cabinet post. And they’re calling President Obama divisive… THEY are the most divisive bunch of politicians America has seen for a long time. I’ve never have seen petty partisanship to such a level in my whole life. In Newt’s time it was ugly, but this is even worse.
Jovie–right now the cuts are abstract to a lot of people. People talk about it, but because they haven’t happened, they don’t feel it yet. When the local military bases start losing staff and the defense manufacturers start cutting back and their neighbor teacher loses her job, it will hit home.
The media is trying to win the blame game for the Republican, I wish Obama will tell the american people what the reason of raising tax rate if the rich keep their loophole, nothing gain
I don’t think the Republicans in Congress have any idea what they’re unleashing with their inaction on the Sequester and their determined effort to push the economy into a recession. Those Democrats and Democratic leaning voters who might have been passive about 2014 are going to be mightily motivated to “throw the bums out.” Plus they are causing PBO and OFA, along with all of us, to unleash a mighty army that will be relentless in reaching voters. The GOP’s blithe efforts to suppress the vote in 2012 caused a ferocious backlash among minority voters that they never even dreamed was possible. Tens of thousands of voters chose to endure any hardship or barriers to ensure that their vote would be counted. Little does the GOP know know how much their relentless efforts to oppose the president and ignore the will of the people who elected him is going to come back and bite them big time.
Didn’t you hear? A liberal watchdog says this President should close OFA.
Gotta love liberals… Don’t go after Koch or Rove, go after this President. Check!
Jovie, See my comment below—–Corporate so-called liberals are as crazed as GOP/TP and just as dangerous to our country.
PBO is against everything they are paid to protect. Rich people richer people and the richest people
Maybe after his presidency, Barack Obama will be forced to go back to the streets and continue to lead a peaceful transformational movement, if democrat politicians choose not to carry his legacy…
Fingers crossed Americans with the attention span of a gnat remember this in 2014. It’s our job to send out little reminders with the “Save this Date” notices of that election!
Very true, Jackie. Very true. Of course, the big problem is how much damage they continue to do to America. Just wish 17 or more House Rs would break away and join with Leader Pelosi and the Dem caucus.
Chelsea Clinton’s mother-in-law was just on Hardball pushing cuts to SS and Medicare. Praising Simpson-Bowles.
Her name is Marjorie Margolis Medzvinsky and she lost her congress seat after one term.
All the old Clintonites are surfacing and we should not welcome them unless we want our benefits cut so that the rich can get richer.
Beware all Clintonistas DLC corporate shills.
Ed Rendell, James Carville, Harold Ford, Evan Bayh, Blanche Lincoln, Joe Sestak, and so on and so forth
I think Jovie is just reminding Hillary (and her supporters) that she supported medicare for all in ’93, so changing her tongue now will make her seem insincere. That’s how politicians erode support – by undermining people’s trust with their constantly changing and opportunistic positions.
The Clinton entourage is much too cosy with corporate America. Hillary is very competent and strong, but she isn’t the “optimal” choice to carry Barack Obama’s policy. The left continuously criticize President Obama but they haven’t realized that he is the most liberal minded president they’ve seen in a long time. He has been forced to compromise, to move incrementally, but if he had the choice and the freedom…
He believes in capitalism but he is NOT a corporatist. In the last few years, he has done his best to fight against the abuses of the Health Insurance Lobby, of Wall Street, of the Military Industrial Complex. He also has his eyes on the Big Oil Lobby. And in terms of foreign policy, he has been bolder than the Clinton entourage have and would ever be.
I will accept Hillary Clinton if she is the nominee and if she has a chance to give a serious blow to the republican party, the kind of blow that would finally force them to come back from the fringe. However, I wish there was a candidate and a team more in the line with President Obama’s more liberal views.
I’m sorry if I offended anyone. Maybe I’m not fair to Hillary and maybe her team has been inspired by what President Obama has done, by his way of bringing in people back into political activism. But the thought of those old and cynical political operatives going back into the White House is making me cringe.
Time for some flippancy. Why I could never move back to NYC, NY Times edition:
In the fourth quarter of 2007, the median rent for an apartment in the financial district was $3,116 per month, according to Jonathan Miller, president of the appraisal firm Miller Samuel. By the fourth quarter of 2012, it had risen to $3,450. During the same period, median rent in Manhattan overall fell to $3,189 from $3,200.
Ben Shapiro of Breitbart.com is mad. He’s the one who spread the crap that Hagel received donations from the group “Friends of Hamas” He’s been exploding hilariously after Hagel won confirmation. 😆
Chuck Hagel says "Hi Loser" MT @benshapiro: Congrats to Islamists, anti-Semites, isolationists, anti-Israel extremists of all stripes…
What a day you have had – the media continues to help the GOP lie & the only reason for holding up Hagel’s confirmation was to give McCain two more Sundays to spread hate and lies. The media sure carry the GOP water – every single day.
Few people will agree with me, but I say, let the sequestration happen. There is no better education than first hand experience. People will sit up and take notice then and they will also remember in 2014. I know, I know…it’s hard, but it’s fair. They can fix it and I’ll bet the President will be able to get a jobs bills after that.
This is Act I, II CR, III Debt ceiling… everytime you R’s complaining about PBO campaigning, the more its hurting them, the more he will hammer them. The gig is up, and GOP is lost down a rabbit hole.
Living on the other side of the world – I would agree if it only impacted the US (partisan about my country that I am) – but worldwide it will have a terrible impact. The US has led the recovery since 2008 – proven that the European way is a disaster – and now that everything is starting to hum again – the GOP wants to bring down not just the US – but the world economy – because they don’t like a black guy in the White house. The reality is a full democratic congress would NEVER do this to their country – even with GWB in the white house.
There is some insanity in the congress and if these people cannot see what they do – aided and abetted by the media as they are – the sequester impact on everyone is a horrible way to show them. I find it very similar to the ideas of solving gun violence with more guns
And you aren’t alone in that – I still have faint hope that tomorrow will see Boehner face some reality – I do believe it is the press egging the GOP on in their stupid that feeds this ridiculous approach to legislating (or not)
There is no question the media are their cheerleaders, but the Republicans are committed to making certain this president does not have a credible legacy and they will go to any lengths. Some of them are starting to come around, like the Governors regarding ObamaCare. They thought if they stalled long enough, Romney would win and it would all be moot.
Thanks lovely plains. I like keeping up with Sec. Kerry on his trips. Loved the picture of him taking a picture of the Brandenburg gate. The stop in Berlin no doubt brought back many memories for him.
Folks. A truck load of fecal matter is truly getting ready to hit some swiftly rotating blades. Whoa be to him that stands in front looking for relief from the heat.
Either way that’ll work, because some enlisted soldiers are pretty much paid as though they’re just under the “volunteer” part – not the “soldier” part, defending our country.
Dear, Tally, If you are around what kind of encouragement can you give a young woman who is aspiring to be a successful actress in L.A.? How can she get a manager, an agent? She is getting very discouraged. She is getting door after door shut and getting a LOT of rejection. She is feelibg forsaken. Any advice? She’s been out there a little over a year. You are doing pretty well at it aren’t you? Looking forward to ‘hearing your opinion.
One of my patrons has a daughter who just moved to Brooklyn. She moved into a new place near the waterfront. $3450 a month!! And I Google mapped it, then did street view. Her view is of a derelict warehouse. Jaysus.
If I ever moved back to NYC—which I won’t, as I live in the Land of Plenty—it’d have to be back to my old ‘hood. It’s still relatively affordable.
Hey, I’m depressed enough after listening to Barr-ASS-o and his phone townhall. But I pay about $400 a year in taxes on about an acre. Yes, we have a house and a double garage.
Hi Jacqueline – couple of observations: 1. it’s a Huff’nPuff report; 2. it’s McCain & Graham yakking; & 3. nothing official from the WH is quoted. In other words, if it were printed on paper there might be one use for it besides recycling 😉
Wow, you mean Lindsey “Please Don’t Primary Me” Graham and John “Get Off My Lawn” McCain are not TROUBLED by some aspect of President Obama’s immigration plan.
I’m so happy w/ my MD reps. Chris Van Hollen just made it possible to watch a segment of Ed Show w/out throwing stuff @ my TV or blowing steam via my ears. Luv my Gov too! 🙂
Me too, Nath! I have 2 bless every time @ the polling place & simply vote instead of holding on & looking @ Diane’s name on my ballot when I was in CA, & saying “Shit, give me some burlap to cover my all!” Uggh, she has a D after her name! ISO Burka! 🙂
Will post only one from @ChuckTodd, who is getting worse every day (hard to beat giving the bird to someone off-camera on Morning Joe and calling PBO’s “Firms” ad *nasty.*
If you look at ENTIRE poll (including our open-ends) you'll see POTUS' push on guns is having an impact. Awareness is WAY up. Pulpit works
amk, you’re so right. it’s worse than ‘the stupid party’. it’s the ‘treasonous party’. perhaps they’re trying to make cute with the ‘stupid’ label, so we’ll miss the seriousness of their malfeasance.
Absolutely the most useless filibuster in the history of filibusters! Thanks AMK for your tweet. Keep exposing these GOP lunatics in Congress so the whole world may see what they are all about.
Your Weekly Reminder: John Boehner Got “98 Percent” of What He Wanted
by JM Ashby
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On the subject of John Boehner telling the Senate to get off their ass — he knows as well as you do that its the duty of the House to pass budgets, but he’s still hoping that he can coax Democrats into proposing budget cuts for him so he doesn’t have to.
The Republicans find themselves caught in an awkward position where they’re now opposing the across-the-board cuts they’ve been demanding for four years. It’s a confusing message.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) introduced the Democrats’ alternative to sequestration before adjourning Tuesday evening.
Reid also filed a cloture motion on the bill, S. 388, meaning that unless Republicans agree to hold a vote earlier, the Senate will likely take up the measure Thursday.
Reid also allowed for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to introduce a Republican alternative Wednesday.
Shep Smith, Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity all saw huge drops in the demo from the same point in 2012. Hannity fell a staggering 35 percent from 2012, and O’Reilly fell 26 percent. It was the two mens’ worst performance in the demo since 2006 and 2008, respectively. True, 2012 was an election year — but even though MSNBC hosts Rachel Maddow, Ed Schultz and Chris Matthews also saw their ratings decrease, their ratings fell by much smaller percentages.
Democratic pollster Yang adds: “The transition from campaigning to governing hasn’t brightened the public’s mood.”
That said, strong majorities support the broad outlines of Obama’s top domestic priorities – on immigration, gun control and raising the minimum wage.
Fifty-four percent favor giving undocumented immigrants the ability to apply for legal status, which is up two points from last month’s NBC/WSJ poll.
Also, 61 percent believe the laws covering the sale of firearms should be stricter, which is up five points since January.
And nearly six in 10 support Obama’s proposal from his State of the Union address to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $9.00.
Asked which of Obama’s proposals Republicans in Congress should offer a helping hand, 36 percent answer eliminating tax loopholes for the wealthy; 28 percent say expanding background checks for guns; 23 percent cite making preschool available for every child; 17 percent say giving illegal immigrants a path to legal status; and 11 percent say addressing climate change and global warming.
I’m almost caught up with reading the TOD threads from the past few days. I have been so frustrated with the republicans’ sequester shenanigans, that I had to take a wee break before I began throwing objects at my new flat screen TV. To cope with my frustration, I decided to spend less time reading news on the ‘net for a few days and watching dishonest/bloviating pundits on TV. I’m at the point where I’m seriously wondering whether I and some other Americans could raise money, buy an island in the middle of the Pacific, and deport all of them to live there.
After a year-long fight over how to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), House Republicans are now prepared to allow a vote this week on the Senate-passed language.
The House Rules Committee on Tuesday evening approved a rule for the bill that calls on the House to vote on a House GOP version of VAWA reauthorization first. But if that version fails, as is expected, the House would then move to a vote on the Senate-passed version, S. 47.
Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) hinted to Democrats late Tuesday that House Republicans would stand down and allow the Senate bill to pass. In a conversation with ranking member Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), Sessions said he believes Democrats will have “every opportunity to pass that Senate bill.”
his was the sane McCain. The one you see today was defeated by Sen. Obama, was made a laughing stock when he selected Sarah Palin, and had to sell his soul to the right wingnuts to win re-election. So the McCain you see today is a bitter old senile fool.
Hello, TODers. It’s been a while since I posted here, and I know I said I’d never do it again, but I have some news and wanted to share it with this community, because so many of you have been there for me over the past year.
I got a part-time job today. I start on Monday. This Friday will be exactly three years since I lost my job. My sojourn through the wilderness is finally coming to an end, and I’ll be able to begin to put the pieces of my life back together again.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate everything everyone has done for me. Chi, Pinkbunny, Tracy, Miss Pat, Sheri, Chris, and many others. I will never forget your kindness.
🙂 That puts a smile on my face….I just asked about you a week or so ago. Wondering how you were doing and if anyone had heard from you. So glad to hear that things are finally looking up for you. Quite a journey. Do you have your beautiful dog with you now? Surgery went well, I heard. Good luck with the new job! Congratulations.So many of us here stood with you in your most difficult time and it makes me happy to know that you are on your way to a happy, stable life. Hugs to you and Tucker. Be well.
Hi DF! No, my pup is still in foster care in Fredericksburg, VA. He’s the first thing I thought of when I got the news today. I’ll be saving my pennies until I can go and bring him home. I can’t wait.
Thank you so much for your support and well wishes.
In the interview with Tom Joyner, he mention something about being invited to something at the WH concerning Black History on Wednesday. Have anyone heard anything about that? Because doesn’t FLOTUS suppose to be going to Mississippi tomorrow.
Thanks To The GOP Opposing Chuck Hagel, America Now Knows Ted Cruz
By LOLGOP
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Cruz’s willingness to make baseless accusations and cast the pall of treason on any opponent quickly won him comparisons to former senator Joseph McCarthy, who was eventually censured by his colleagues in the 1950s.
These accusations have led to an examination of Cruz’s record that shows that not only is he willing to smear opponents as communists decades after the fall of the Soviet Union — he doesn’t even understand what communist is. Or he doesn’t care.
Cruz is much more interested in making an inflammatory accusation than making an actual point.
That’s what Republicans did to Chuck Hagel. They raised baseless accusations because he was a Republican who was willing to work with President Obama, a Republican who pointed out the obvious about George W. Bush, a Republican who isn’t eager for more wars in the Middle East.
And in doing so, they reminded America why they lost in 2012.
19 Republicans Who Want The Damaging Sequester To Occur
Posted on February 26, 2013 by Leader’s Press Shop
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In four legislative days, the sequester will go into effect – endangering more than one million American jobs, harming middle class families and damaging our fragile economy. House “GOP leadership doesn’t have plans to pass” legislation to avert the sequester.
As the deadline nears, many Republicans are not only unwilling to look for bipartisan solutions to stop the sequester – they are gleefully looking forward to its impact on American families:
Pelosi Remarks at House Democratic Caucus Press Stakeout
February 26, 2013
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“We’re practically – when you talk about jobs, that’s one thing. We talk about time, we’ve been gone for ten days, we come back, we’ll be gone by Thursday at three o’clock when we have a deadline facing us. We’re practically becoming a drive-by Congress, a drive-by Congress, when we have important work to do. The Republican leadership says: ‘Well, we passed bills last year.’ I remind them that was a different Congress, that doesn’t count in this Congress. The Republican leadership says: ‘Let the Senate begin.’ I remind them that the Constitution says that appropriations and revenue bills must begin in the House.
“So, we have important work to do, the American people want us to work together, we want something big, bold, balanced and bipartisan that can take us – Republicans say: ‘they’re kicking the can down the road,’ it’s not kick – I don’t think they’re even kicking the can down the road, I think they are nudging the potato across the table with their nose. There’s not much that is being accomplished by what they are doing. This is just completely irresponsible, it’s mindless, most people don’t even know what the word sequester means; sequestration equals unemployment. Sequestration – we don’t want it, and we can work here to make sure we get the job done.
Waiting for the Tantrum to End
by BooMan
Tue Feb 26th, 2013 at 10:21:32 AM EST
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Watching cable news, you will see iteration after iteration of Capitol Hill reporters and other commentators expressing mystification that the House isn’t talking to the Senate, the White House isn’t talking to Congress, Democrats aren’t negotiating with Republicans, etc. Here’s a tip.
John Boehner has already told everyone, including Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, and Barack Obama, that his caucus isn’t going to budge on the Sequester until after it kicks in and starts causing real pain. He doesn’t have a strategy beyond that. Everyone knows that this is what he’s going to do, so anytime you see someone call for negotiations or compromise, they are either positioning themselves politically or they are actually referring to some time in the future, meaning March.
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
me?
HA! Just popped home for lunch and lucked out:) Helloooooooooo, TOD!
Good job Desert Flower for número uno.
Congrats, Df! 😆
You!!!!!!!! Hellooooooooo Desertflower! Long may you, um, rain:
Oh DAYUM
😆 Okay there TrumpDog?
Ahhhh! 8->
Yummy.
😥
Congrats. 🙂
WE ARE BEING GOVERNED BY FOOLS. THIS IS NO WAY TO RUN A DEMOCRACY
Waiting for the Tantrum to End
By BooMan
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Watching cable news, you will see iteration after iteration of Capitol Hill reporters and other commentators expressing mystification that the House isn’t talking to the Senate, the White House isn’t talking to Congress, Democrats aren’t negotiating with Republicans, etc. Here’s a tip.
John Boehner has already told everyone, including Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, and Barack Obama, that his caucus isn’t going to budge on the Sequester until after it kicks in and starts causing real pain. He doesn’t have a strategy beyond that. Everyone knows that this is what he’s going to do, so anytime you see someone call for negotiations or compromise, they are either positioning themselves politically or they are actually referring to some time in the future, meaning March.
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http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2013/2/26/102132/388
Thanks Ladyhawke for sharing.
our FLOTUS is wonderful 🙂
Isn’t she wonderful? I am so glad she is our First Lady. Thank you Mr. President.
I so enjoy the interview with Tom Joyner and Robin Robins.
Boehner starts to lose his cool
By Steve Benen
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So, as Boehner starts to lose his cool in public, let’s pause and help him understand the one detail the Speaker seems to have forgotten: in this Congress, House Republicans have done no work on the sequester. Literally, none. Boehner and his caucus haven’t voted on an alternative; they haven’t unveiled a substitute plan; they haven’t shown up for bipartisan negotiations. Since this Congress has gotten underway, Speaker and his team have known this threat is coming, and they’ve done absolutely nothing about it except whine in public.
Senate Democrats, meanwhile, have put together a compromise plan that requires concessions from both sides
So when Boehner demands that senators get “off their ass,” the Speaker isn’t just being crude, and he isn’t just being dishonest, he’s actually been reduced to irony.
Indeed, the unstated subtext of Boehner’s complaints this morning was, in the larger context, hard to miss. The Speaker seemed to be saying, “I demand that senators get off their ass in order to help save my ass.”
———————————————————-
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/02/26/17102692-boehner-starts-to-lose-his-cool?lite
HAAAAA!
Congrats desertflower! Once again I win for closest last post before a new thread!
Silicon Valley Wants Your Guns
————————–
In recent years, cities across the United States, from Los Angeles to Detroit to Camden, have held gun buyback events, where gun owners anonymously trade weapons for cash or gift cards. In most places, the buybacks are run by police departments, and with public funds — but Silicon Valley, true to form, is going its own way.
Roger Lee, a venture capitalist at Battery Partners whose investments include Groupon and Angie’s List, was moved by the Sandy Hook shootings. “We struggled with how to respond. We wanted to do something in the memory of those children and to protect our own kids,” says Lee. So he decided to spearhead a buyback program of his own.
—————————–
http://www.buzzfeed.com/justinesharrock/silicon-valley-wants-your-guns
What are they paying for the guns? How do they determine what they pay?
Found the answer, up to $250.
Great CM, good to know the answer.
Somebody asked what happens to the guns. I dont know in all cases but Corey Booker melts the guns and creates jewelry w/ the gun’s serial # on a bangel for example, to raise money for the city. http://calibercollection.com/
LovelyPlains, I’m feeling kind of dumb here. I have no idea what that “interactive” graph is supposed to show me. I just don’t get it.
Can you please talk me through it like I’m a three year old? (I did have fun moving the slider up and down… 😎 )
Isonprize, let me premise this, the *genuis* who created the interactive graph was obviously on LSD….ok now moving forward the highlights are of the top 100 tweets/articles on pro/anti gun legislation. The larger the colored circle the more it was tweeted. So for example the most tweeted item was a Columbine survivor writing an article against gun legislation. The most tweeted anti-gun tweet was from PBO. And finally all the silver lines are only there was someone who tweeted both pro/anti gun tweets. Thats the best I can summize,sorry.
Glancing down the entire front pages for today and noticing all the goodies I missed I really cannot decide WHERE to start. I’ll dip my toe in by saying ‘THANKS, CC’ that the info I need is all highlighted HERE in the village, so at least I can access it or follow it without fear that I’m missing something vital. Thanks also to all TODobots for adding your bits (so that it will take me longer to catch up 😉 😉 )
Hey Stupid! The President Doesn’t Run Congress!!
By The Pragmatic Pundit)
——————————————-
As I listened to a press briefing the other day, I was appalled when a reporter asked if there was anything the President could do by executive order to stop the sequester.Press Secretary Jay Carney responded that “It would certainly be a welcomed development if the President were able to legislate. Unfortunately…. that is not a power that the President has….”
Now, maybe it’s me, but I don’t think it’s too much to expect reporters assigned to the White House to understand how the government works. Surely, when Congressional members and pundits are calling for the President to “lead”, everyone knows that’s just a bunch of blowhard bullshit…the President doesn’t tell Congress what to do.
Here’s a clue…Congress is called the Legislative Branch because it is the branch of government that legislates. So all the finger-pointing about who is to blame for the sequester is just plain stupid. The President does not legislate. He either approves and signs a bill or vetoes it.
ALL LEGISLATION IS WRITTEN AND PASSED BY CONGRESS. CONGRESS PASSED THE SEQUESTRATION LAW AND IT’S UP TO CONGRESS TO CHANGE IT.
————————————————————————–
http://www.winningprogressive.org/hey-stupid-the-president-doesnt-run-congress
Pres. Obama in Virginia to Discuss the Sequester
——————————–
WASHINGTON, DC
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
President Obama traveled to Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia to discuss the impact that the sequester will have on jobs, the middle class and the defense industry if a compromise is not reached to avert automatic spending cuts slated for March 1.
————————————-
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Pres-Obama-in-Virginia-to-Discuss-the-Sequester/10737438342-1/
Good Afternoon TOD family
Encouraging Quote of the Day
“Other people’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality.”
~Les Brown~
Gun Violence video of the day
MANUFACTURED CRISIS TO MANUFACTURED CRISIS. IT’S NOT A GOOD WAY TO RUN A COUNTRY.
Remarks by the President on the Impact of the Sequester – Newport News, VA
Newport News Shipbuilding
Newport News, Virginia
————————————–
And the broader point is, Virginia, we can’t just cut our way to prosperity. We can’t just cut our way to prosperity. We can’t ask seniors and working families like yours to shoulder the entire burden of deficit reduction while asking nothing more from the wealthiest and the most powerful. We’re not going to grow the middle class just by shifting the cost of health care or college onto families that are already struggling, or forcing communities to lay off more teachers or cops or firefighters or shipbuilders, and then folks who are doing really well don’t have to do anything more. That’s not fair, and it’s not good for the economy.
And the other thing we’ve got to do is to stop having these crises manufactured every month. It seems like — I know you guys must get tired of it. (Applause.) Didn’t we just solve this thing? Now we’ve got another thing coming up? (Applause.) I mean, think about if Mike Petters ran his business this way — once every month or two there would be some crisis, and you wouldn’t be sure whether or not you were working or not. Even if it got solved eventually or ultimately, it would be pretty discouraging on people. You would be less productive. Ships wouldn’t get built as fast. You would waste money because you don’t know exactly what to expect. Folks aren’t sure, am I showing up to work today, or not?
If it’s not a good way to run a business, it’s sure not a good way to run a country. (Applause.)
Now, all of you, the American people, you’ve worked too hard for too long rebuilding and digging our way out of the financial crisis back in 2007 and 2008 just to see Congress cause another one. The greatest nation on Earth can’t keep on conducting its business drifting from one crisis to the next.
——————————————————-
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/02/26/remarks-president-impact-sequester-newport-news-va
I love the way the shipbuilders responded to the President’s request to help him to get Congress to stop the sequester.
GOP HAS NOT INTRODUCED A REPLACEMENT BILL IN THIS “CURRENT” CONGRESS
Why Everything Republicans Are Saying About The Sequester Is Wrong
—————————————
5. Democrats have rejected the GOP’s sequester replacement bills. Republicans in the House passed a sequester replacement bill in the last Congress that doesn’t raise any new revenue and includes cuts in domestic programs like food stamps, Medicaid, and the social services block grant (which, among other things, funds Meals on Wheels). The GOP has not introduced a replacement bill in this current Congress and refuses to compromise on the Democrats’ balanced approach of higher revenues and more spending cuts. Budget deals cut over the last year have already reduced a substantial amount of spending and even with the revenue included in the fiscal cliff deal, there have been $2.50 in spending cuts for every $1 in revenue signed into law by Obama.
—————————————–
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/02/26/1638861/why-everything-republicans-are-saying-about-the-sequester-is-wrong/
PBO: THERE ARE TOO MANY REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS WHO REFUSE TO COMPROMISE.
Remarks by the President on the Impact of the Sequester – Newport News, VA
Newport News Shipbuilding
Newport News, Virginia
—————————————————————–
But I just have to be honest with you. There are too many Republicans in Congress right now who refuse to compromise even an inch when it comes to closing tax loopholes and special interest tax breaks. And that’s what’s holding things up right now.
Keep in mind, nobody is asking them to raise income tax rates. All we’re asking is to consider closing tax loopholes and deductions that the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, said he was willing to do just a few months ago. He said there were a bunch of loopholes and deductions you could close. He said you could raise $800 billion, a trillion dollars by closing loopholes.
Well, we’re not even asking for that much. All we’re asking is that they close loopholes for the well-off and the well-connected — for hedge fund managers, or oil companies, or corporate jet owners who are all doing very well and don’t need these tax loopholes — so we can avoid laying off workers, or kicking kids off Head Start, or reducing financial aid for college students.
I don’t think that’s too much to ask. I do not think that is partisan. (Applause.) The majority of the American people agree with me. The majority of Newport News agrees with me. We need to get this done. (Applause.)
But the choice is up to Congress. Only Congress has the power to pass a law that stops these damaging cuts and replaces them with smart savings and tax reform. And the second I get that bill on my desk, I will sign it into law. But I’ve got to get Congress to pass it.
None of us will get 100 percent of what we want. Democrats, they’ve got to make some tough choices too. Democrats like me, we’ve said we’re prepared to make some tough cuts and reforms, including to programs like Medicare. But if we’re willing to compromise, then Republicans in the House have to compromise as well. That’s what democracy is about. That’s what this country needs right now. (Applause.)
———————————————————————–
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/02/26/remarks-president-impact-sequester-newport-news-va
When Did “Tax Reform” Become a Tax Hike?
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_02/when_did_tax_reform_become_a_t043225.php#
love this!
‘ Welcome to the first installment of You Were Wrong, a new feature in which we ensure that pundits receive credit for their failed predictions. ‘
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/02/you-were-wrong-chuck-hagel-pundit-predictions.html
They whine and then they see the light.
Let me be clear, I am no fan of Gov. Christie. Not at all.
Dow Now Up Over 120 Points After 4 Big Pieces Of News
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/markets-surging-bernanke-richmond-fed-new-home-sales-consumer-confidence-2013-2#ixzz2M2bHhH2R
Matt O’Brien @ObsoleteDogma
———————————————————–
“Let’s replace the sequester w/a mix of loophole-closing & other cuts.” “No.” “But I’m LEADING.” “Oh, okay then.”
——————————————————-
Boner just released a statement- HR 1 will be tax reform. Only problem is it’s revenue neutral… So, what’s the point?
If I’m counting this right, we’re only on HR 1 and it’s nearly March?
The new NBC WSJ poll is out in an hour.
Here we go again!
Ugh….that means UpChuck will probably be on Hardball to explain it…..
Hagel vote at 4:30.
I turned on c-span to watch and they were showing tweets from members of Congress….
One from Kay Hagen – D NC said ” The Keystone pipeline will bring jobs to the US.”
I e-mailed her asking her to prove it with data to back up her tweet and told her I have plenty of reports proving otherwise if she needs to see them.
I fear with the price of gas increasing it will be more difficult to reject.
Of course there’s a corollary here, Bill. Gee, I wonder who’s causing gas prices to rise since we’re producing more oil than ever. It couldn’t possibly be the same interests that want the pipeline.
The keystone pipeline has nothing to do with gas supplies or prices here in the U.S.——it’s a Canadian export oil biz.
Even the guide is sick of them.
GOP Divisions Throw Wrench In Sequester Alternatives
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/02/sequestration-republicans-mcconnell.php
Confirmation vote for Hagel happening now.
http://www.c-span.org/Live-Video/C-SPAN2/
Thanks ut! Just in time to see it 🙂
Hello family. A bit off topic, but not so much. Need your help. This morning, one of our food pantry workers said she heard that “Obama is paying some company millions to administer Obamacare.” I have done some Googling and cannot find anything. The main entries I find are all very much like the one I am going to include. It’s about the “hidden” taxes on the wealthy to help fund Obamacare. These I already knew about. If any of you have heard anything even remotely like she mentioned, please share. Thanks. http://alineofsight.com/policy/obamacare-2013-rich-tax-poor-tax-high-tax-more-tax
BTW, all the sites where I found the above type info were conservative sites. Surprise, surprise!!!
I believe that Chips has an informal policy of not posting material (usually inaccurate, dishonest) from conservative websites – particularly if we’re not ridiculing or mocking them, but using them as legitimate sources of “info.” Chips, please correct me if I’m wrong.
Probably no need to ever bring conservative propaganda here. And probably no need to bring what some rt. wing nut job said either.
I suggest gathering the info from either WhiteHouse.gov or HHS.gov. Give her straight scoop rather than 3rd party interpretation.
3rd party (deliberate) mis-interpretation
If he were, companies wouldn’t be putting people on part time or suing to avoid it.
I agree.
Lisa Murkowski just voted NO and Levin is chasing her down…….
hahahaa
Rand Paul votes YES on Hagel. Hell just froze over.
McCain voted NO because you know, Hagel refused to share his M&M’s with him.
Yep Rand Paul was a surprise.
Kentucky has many military installations. Maybe he thought of that at the last minute.
John McCain is a bitter old man. How pitiful.
bwahahahaa
He has NO strength in his convictions – 2007 – Hagel was the man who could be SOS – The GOP have principles that change hourly
Chuck Hagel has won confirmation to be the next Defense Secretary.
I couldn’t resist. Bad Alycée, bad, bad Alycée (hard to slap hand and type)…
i see nothing wrong with this– just a statement of fact! 🙂
Alycee, Lindsey doing the Harlem Shake.
Grumpy Cat Does the Harlem Shake http://www.crittr.com/grumpy-cat-does-the-harlem-shake?wt.mc_id=FaceBook
Right on Alycee, Last time I check Nov. 6th 2012 we re-elected President Obama, not President Graham. So doesn’t President Obama have the right to chose who he think can do the job.
Can you just imagine how Chuck Hagel must be disgusted with his former colleagues ? Their hypocrisy, their pettiness, their political posturing because they’re afraid to be primaries, and on and on…
What’s sad is I believe the republicans are doing their best to prevent ANY republican in the future to accept a cabinet post. And they’re calling President Obama divisive… THEY are the most divisive bunch of politicians America has seen for a long time. I’ve never have seen petty partisanship to such a level in my whole life. In Newt’s time it was ugly, but this is even worse.
uglier than newt–and that’s reeeeeeeeeally ugly 🙂
I don’t think you are being bad, Alycee. You simply told that weasel the plain political TRUTH!
The Senate has confirmed Chuck Hagel according to NYT!
For Secretary of Defense. 😕
Hagel Confirmation Vote: 58 Ayes. 41 Nays.
Yeah!!!
Think the cuts are to severe-
50%
say yes
46%
say no.
I would have thought a lot more would be yes. At least 60%. This is surprising.
This is who’s poll? WSJ-NYT, Chuck Todd’s poll.
Heh! And don’t forget his selection of Palin as running mate – not even FOX News wants her now….
Jovie–right now the cuts are abstract to a lot of people. People talk about it, but because they haven’t happened, they don’t feel it yet. When the local military bases start losing staff and the defense manufacturers start cutting back and their neighbor teacher loses her job, it will hit home.
Never forget if the wait to board a plane is longer we will see what those people say.
And all the restaurants, gas stations, dry cleaners, and beyond, in those military towns go broke, it will hit home.
Paging Dudette! One of the unions (United Food and Commercial Workers) sent out their own tweet on that awful Cantor:
Well done Jacqueline!!!!!!!
That’s one! But, seiously, thanks to all who R/T’d the union tweets (and Dudette for giving me the master list). Thanks from me and FDR, that is.
This is getting brutal – why don’t the House Rs add more women to their hit (literally) list?
The media is trying to win the blame game for the Republican, I wish Obama will tell the american people what the reason of raising tax rate if the rich keep their loophole, nothing gain
I just saw an ad fir the Obamacare survival guide.
Teaches you how to survive Obamacare for just $ 19.95!
😦
Unfortunately, the scammers on the right are not only fomenting hate, they are also picking pockets clean…
I don’t think the Republicans in Congress have any idea what they’re unleashing with their inaction on the Sequester and their determined effort to push the economy into a recession. Those Democrats and Democratic leaning voters who might have been passive about 2014 are going to be mightily motivated to “throw the bums out.” Plus they are causing PBO and OFA, along with all of us, to unleash a mighty army that will be relentless in reaching voters. The GOP’s blithe efforts to suppress the vote in 2012 caused a ferocious backlash among minority voters that they never even dreamed was possible. Tens of thousands of voters chose to endure any hardship or barriers to ensure that their vote would be counted. Little does the GOP know know how much their relentless efforts to oppose the president and ignore the will of the people who elected him is going to come back and bite them big time.
Didn’t you hear? A liberal watchdog says this President should close OFA.
Gotta love liberals… Don’t go after Koch or Rove, go after this President. Check!
Jovie, See my comment below—–Corporate so-called liberals are as crazed as GOP/TP and just as dangerous to our country.
PBO is against everything they are paid to protect. Rich people richer people and the richest people
Maybe after his presidency, Barack Obama will be forced to go back to the streets and continue to lead a peaceful transformational movement, if democrat politicians choose not to carry his legacy…
Fingers crossed Americans with the attention span of a gnat remember this in 2014. It’s our job to send out little reminders with the “Save this Date” notices of that election!
Very true, Jackie. Very true. Of course, the big problem is how much damage they continue to do to America. Just wish 17 or more House Rs would break away and join with Leader Pelosi and the Dem caucus.
#FORWARD
UT, you forgot the ghost of McCarthy. 🙂
I’m sure he’ll get the “Proceed” part. Ha!
Can you approve the stimulus funding now?
If there’s a photo op involved.
Heh..JOB I just love your witty tweets. 🙂
Aww, thank you, and right back atcha!
🙂 :):)
Congrts~ DF..Thank you for the video ..Yae on Hagel..Eat that JcM..
Chelsea Clinton’s mother-in-law was just on Hardball pushing cuts to SS and Medicare. Praising Simpson-Bowles.
Her name is Marjorie Margolis Medzvinsky and she lost her congress seat after one term.
All the old Clintonites are surfacing and we should not welcome them unless we want our benefits cut so that the rich can get richer.
Beware all Clintonistas DLC corporate shills.
Ed Rendell, James Carville, Harold Ford, Evan Bayh, Blanche Lincoln, Joe Sestak, and so on and so forth
Fortunately, Hillary supported medicare for all in 93.
Easy to support something that has no chance of happening.
Maybe you were kidding????
I think Jovie is just reminding Hillary (and her supporters) that she supported medicare for all in ’93, so changing her tongue now will make her seem insincere. That’s how politicians erode support – by undermining people’s trust with their constantly changing and opportunistic positions.
I don’t think her tune will change now, hf. It’s her being in power that worries me.
I share your concern.
The Clinton entourage is much too cosy with corporate America. Hillary is very competent and strong, but she isn’t the “optimal” choice to carry Barack Obama’s policy. The left continuously criticize President Obama but they haven’t realized that he is the most liberal minded president they’ve seen in a long time. He has been forced to compromise, to move incrementally, but if he had the choice and the freedom…
He believes in capitalism but he is NOT a corporatist. In the last few years, he has done his best to fight against the abuses of the Health Insurance Lobby, of Wall Street, of the Military Industrial Complex. He also has his eyes on the Big Oil Lobby. And in terms of foreign policy, he has been bolder than the Clinton entourage have and would ever be.
I will accept Hillary Clinton if she is the nominee and if she has a chance to give a serious blow to the republican party, the kind of blow that would finally force them to come back from the fringe. However, I wish there was a candidate and a team more in the line with President Obama’s more liberal views.
I’m sorry if I offended anyone. Maybe I’m not fair to Hillary and maybe her team has been inspired by what President Obama has done, by his way of bringing in people back into political activism. But the thought of those old and cynical political operatives going back into the White House is making me cringe.
I hope I don’t offend anyone, either, but I’m with you.
That is precisely how I feel, Lovepolitics
Leon’s ready to go. Bag’s all packed.
He’s probably already shelling walnuts as we speak.
Time for some flippancy. Why I could never move back to NYC, NY Times edition:
No wonder people are spending a whole lot of time in the New York Public Library.
Ben Shapiro of Breitbart.com is mad. He’s the one who spread the crap that Hagel received donations from the group “Friends of Hamas” He’s been exploding hilariously after Hagel won confirmation. 😆
I just sent you an appropriate response. 😆
What a day you have had – the media continues to help the GOP lie & the only reason for holding up Hagel’s confirmation was to give McCain two more Sundays to spread hate and lies. The media sure carry the GOP water – every single day.
…but still receives full medical coverage and benefits.
Like they have a choice. Barack Obama outplayed, outsmarted, and now is uninhibited to put the final nail in the coffin of GWB’s FP.
You reap what you sow… intervene in U.S. presidential elections Bibi? Your’e in bed w/ the jackals, lets see how hungry they are.
But Sheldon Adelson alone could make that up. Bibi is saying “meh”. That money could be spent on early childhood education right here.
Few people will agree with me, but I say, let the sequestration happen. There is no better education than first hand experience. People will sit up and take notice then and they will also remember in 2014. I know, I know…it’s hard, but it’s fair. They can fix it and I’ll bet the President will be able to get a jobs bills after that.
This is Act I, II CR, III Debt ceiling… everytime you R’s complaining about PBO campaigning, the more its hurting them, the more he will hammer them. The gig is up, and GOP is lost down a rabbit hole.
I know what you mean, but the ones who would feel it don’t need the education as much as the ones who won’t.
This!!!! If your childs Head Start closes–you feel it.
If you’re a corporate CEO not so much.
Unfortunately, yes.
Is it over yet?
the ones who would feel it don’t need the education as much as the ones who won’t…
***************************************
BOOM!
You speak TRUTH, JO!
Living on the other side of the world – I would agree if it only impacted the US (partisan about my country that I am) – but worldwide it will have a terrible impact. The US has led the recovery since 2008 – proven that the European way is a disaster – and now that everything is starting to hum again – the GOP wants to bring down not just the US – but the world economy – because they don’t like a black guy in the White house. The reality is a full democratic congress would NEVER do this to their country – even with GWB in the white house.
There is some insanity in the congress and if these people cannot see what they do – aided and abetted by the media as they are – the sequester impact on everyone is a horrible way to show them. I find it very similar to the ideas of solving gun violence with more guns
Now 99ts, you know I know you’re right, but I’m so sick of them I find myself having these marvelous fantasies. 🙂
And you aren’t alone in that – I still have faint hope that tomorrow will see Boehner face some reality – I do believe it is the press egging the GOP on in their stupid that feeds this ridiculous approach to legislating (or not)
There is no question the media are their cheerleaders, but the Republicans are committed to making certain this president does not have a credible legacy and they will go to any lengths. Some of them are starting to come around, like the Governors regarding ObamaCare. They thought if they stalled long enough, Romney would win and it would all be moot.
Of course they will. They don’t want the aid to dry up. Oops, too late!
So where’s the NBC poll that’s released at 6PM?
Saw it on the NBCNews page. It’s all bad news for the Republicans. Chuck may not say anything about it.
Okay – thanks for informing me. Bad news for the Republicans means good news for the country, for PBO, DEMS, etc. 🙂 🙂
I love Michelle. That’s all.
Thanks lovely plains. I like keeping up with Sec. Kerry on his trips. Loved the picture of him taking a picture of the Brandenburg gate. The stop in Berlin no doubt brought back many memories for him.
Thanks for your post on SOS Kerry Carolyn. I enjoy the posts because I think this job was made for Kerry and he is determined to do a great job.
Anytime carolyn!
Folks. A truck load of fecal matter is truly getting ready to hit some swiftly rotating blades. Whoa be to him that stands in front looking for relief from the heat.
You almost make me glad it’s cold. 🙂
Just make sure you’re not in the room when the truck pulls up.
The feckless media can’t even connect to dots to ask SINO Boehner this simple question. It’s unbelievable.
This is just so funny. A naked man locked himself out of his hotel room.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/26/naked-man-runs-through-hotel-video_n_2767265.html#comments
This from John Bolton and Romney FP spokesman(until backlash b/c he is gay) to the CBS reporter covering the Romney campaign.
Misogyny really is unattractive.
I really like this guy, Michael Grunwald! He is one of the rare ethical journalists in the MSM
Full results PDF included NBC/WSJ poll
All numbers included in the link I posted above w/ the PDF of full results…. those are just some nuggets
https://twitter.com/sean6886politik/status/306544121319919616
Here’s an idea…since Congressmen are so patriotic, they should be volunteers. Or put them on a pay scale that is equivalent to enlisted soldiers.
Either way that’ll work, because some enlisted soldiers are pretty much paid as though they’re just under the “volunteer” part – not the “soldier” part, defending our country.
OT, but important to read:
Why We Still Need The Voting Rights Act by Congressman John Lewis
Even goebbels would be ashamed of today’s american msm.
“Even goebbels would be ashamed of today’s american msm.” Absolutely spot-on, AMK!
Another of your great tweets, Japa21! You’ve really been on fire with your fearless tweets that exposes the idiocy of Republican members of Congress.
Dear, Tally, If you are around what kind of encouragement can you give a young woman who is aspiring to be a successful actress in L.A.? How can she get a manager, an agent? She is getting very discouraged. She is getting door after door shut and getting a LOT of rejection. She is feelibg forsaken. Any advice? She’s been out there a little over a year. You are doing pretty well at it aren’t you? Looking forward to ‘hearing your opinion.
More on my amazement at NYC real estate.
One of my patrons has a daughter who just moved to Brooklyn. She moved into a new place near the waterfront. $3450 a month!! And I Google mapped it, then did street view. Her view is of a derelict warehouse. Jaysus.
If I ever moved back to NYC—which I won’t, as I live in the Land of Plenty—it’d have to be back to my old ‘hood. It’s still relatively affordable.
I have a friend who works for Cisco in S.F. same scenario 800 sq.ft= $3500/month
I mean, L.A. isn’t exactly Wyoming, but, good lord, I pay $1400 a month for a two bedroom house with a huge back yard.
10 most expensive cities to live in http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/02/14/most-expensive-us-cities-cost-of-living/#photoID-5639144
Remind me NEVER to complain about rents or home prices in L.A.
Hey, I’m depressed enough after listening to Barr-ASS-o and his phone townhall. But I pay about $400 a year in taxes on about an acre. Yes, we have a house and a double garage.
I think under the words “the GOP” on the board, should be the word s”the stupid party” aswell.
Is this man going to retire? I never plan to drink tap water in MS
The video with FLOTUS & Jimmy Fallon doing the “Mom evolution” dance now has over 8.5M views on Youtube – after just 4 days! :):)
viral
Showing on PBS 8 E/ 7 C – Makers: Women Who Make America …
WHATEVER
Honest to gawd, I’m so sick of these two grandstanding idiots, hogging the spotlight and running to the cameras.
UGH.
WHY oh why oh why?
There is an endless supply of these grandstanding idiots.
If I knew why, I’d … well, I don’t know what I’d do … because they never seem to go away. If you find your answer, let me know.
Hi Jacqueline – couple of observations: 1. it’s a Huff’nPuff report; 2. it’s McCain & Graham yakking; & 3. nothing official from the WH is quoted. In other words, if it were printed on paper there might be one use for it besides recycling 😉
#FORWARD
Yeah, I’m with you on all that. The bottom of birdcages would be too good for it.
Good deal.
Wait until tomorrow. McCain and Graham will be singing a different tune after they hear from the tea baggers, FOX News and Rush Limbaugh.
Wow, you mean Lindsey “Please Don’t Primary Me” Graham and John “Get Off My Lawn” McCain are not TROUBLED by some aspect of President Obama’s immigration plan.
I think they’re just trying to get the upper hand in the media, which is all they care about.
What they fail to realize is that the President ALWAYS listens to sane debate/discussion. What he doesn’t listen to is blackmail and lies.
that is indeed the most offensive of the long list of horrid behaviors (and refusals to act) from the stupid party.
Yes Indeed, Bob! This is a man who is supposed to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives and not a member of the know-nothing teabag movement.
Glad to see Hagel confirmed — I never had a doubt, despite the tantrums and theater.
My President has the upper hand on the sequestration debacle also, I’m curious to see how that will play out….
I’m so happy w/ my MD reps. Chris Van Hollen just made it possible to watch a segment of Ed Show w/out throwing stuff @ my TV or blowing steam via my ears. Luv my Gov too! 🙂
Gazelle, I am really impressed with the caliber of Democrats from Maryland.
Me too, Nath! I have 2 bless every time @ the polling place & simply vote instead of holding on & looking @ Diane’s name on my ballot when I was in CA, & saying “Shit, give me some burlap to cover my all!” Uggh, she has a D after her name! ISO Burka! 🙂
Some good tweets on today’s NBC/WSJ poll from @JohnJHarwood:
Dems preferred by 22%:
Yes, raise minimum wage:
Yes, stricter gun laws:
Yes, legal status for illegal immigrants:
55% say that Israel and Palestine should be treated equally:
GOP is on the wrong side of history. They are rooted in a past that soon won’t exist in living memory.
“F” John Harwood
Will post only one from @ChuckTodd, who is getting worse every day (hard to beat giving the bird to someone off-camera on Morning Joe and calling PBO’s “Firms” ad *nasty.*
amk, I lift my glass to you. This tweet is awesome. Love it.
I endorse that – in 2.25 hours it will be 4pm in my world & I shall fill a glass with the best sauv blanc on offer and drink to that tweet
I haven’t done this in a while, so here it goes…
Tonight’s menu:
Oven roasted teriyaki marinaded skinless chicken breast
Oven roasted red potatoes
Honey/lemon/ginger glazed baby carrots
Somethin’ I’ve been meanin’ to ask ya:
Do you deliver?
Also, sent this to @CarolMaeWY, but thought this was a nice “silver lining” for Jennifer Lawrence’s unfortunate fall at the Oscars.
Such a dramatic pic, very evocative:
Beautiful.
It so looks like a Dior ad!! Love the stunning black and white.
Hi Chips,
Can we get the Fallon and FLOTUS dance video on the home page so we can access it more readily. Thank You
Hope your Gov. Is not one of the ideological embaciles
amk, you’re so right. it’s worse than ‘the stupid party’. it’s the ‘treasonous party’. perhaps they’re trying to make cute with the ‘stupid’ label, so we’ll miss the seriousness of their malfeasance.
Absolutely the most useless filibuster in the history of filibusters! Thanks AMK for your tweet. Keep exposing these GOP lunatics in Congress so the whole world may see what they are all about.
Your Weekly Reminder: John Boehner Got “98 Percent” of What He Wanted
by JM Ashby
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On the subject of John Boehner telling the Senate to get off their ass — he knows as well as you do that its the duty of the House to pass budgets, but he’s still hoping that he can coax Democrats into proposing budget cuts for him so he doesn’t have to.
The Republicans find themselves caught in an awkward position where they’re now opposing the across-the-board cuts they’ve been demanding for four years. It’s a confusing message.
————————————————
http://bobcesca.thedailybanter.com/blog-archives/2013/02/your-weekly-reminder-john-boehner-got-98-percent-of-what-he-wanted.html
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) introduced the Democrats’ alternative to sequestration before adjourning Tuesday evening.
Reid also filed a cloture motion on the bill, S. 388, meaning that unless Republicans agree to hold a vote earlier, the Senate will likely take up the measure Thursday.
Reid also allowed for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to introduce a Republican alternative Wednesday.
http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/285087-reid-files-cloture-on-democrats-sequestration-alternative
More games, not a compromise. Both sides have bills that will garnish party support.
amen to that….LOL
Shep Smith, Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity all saw huge drops in the demo from the same point in 2012. Hannity fell a staggering 35 percent from 2012, and O’Reilly fell 26 percent. It was the two mens’ worst performance in the demo since 2006 and 2008, respectively. True, 2012 was an election year — but even though MSNBC hosts Rachel Maddow, Ed Schultz and Chris Matthews also saw their ratings decrease, their ratings fell by much smaller percentages.
http://twitter.com/Creoleleo/statuses/306586036492980226
People better show up in the midterms unlike 2010, we want the house back and we want all these seats!
🙂
I need to e-mail Congressman Ellison and thank him for not taking Hannity bunch of crap.
If you’re watching Makers: Women Who Make America on PBS, there’s a hashtag to follow: #Makerschat
Good song, indicative of some of the feelings that were behind the Women’s Liberation Movement!
“Let’s break out the booze and have a ball … If that’s all there is … ”
Different times, same answer! Ha. I’m having a singular memory moment here!
Always trust the floridians to screw themselves.
Because crist needs to fish or cut bait, he hasn’t announced.
Bloomberg came through, puts NRA backers on notice
Is she any good?
I would refer to yardarm, but she had the support of all the progressive org’s and definitely is for gun legislation.
she’s good. not just on guns. she’s a real public servant.
Democratic pollster Yang adds: “The transition from campaigning to governing hasn’t brightened the public’s mood.”
That said, strong majorities support the broad outlines of Obama’s top domestic priorities – on immigration, gun control and raising the minimum wage.
Fifty-four percent favor giving undocumented immigrants the ability to apply for legal status, which is up two points from last month’s NBC/WSJ poll.
Also, 61 percent believe the laws covering the sale of firearms should be stricter, which is up five points since January.
And nearly six in 10 support Obama’s proposal from his State of the Union address to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $9.00.
Asked which of Obama’s proposals Republicans in Congress should offer a helping hand, 36 percent answer eliminating tax loopholes for the wealthy; 28 percent say expanding background checks for guns; 23 percent cite making preschool available for every child; 17 percent say giving illegal immigrants a path to legal status; and 11 percent say addressing climate change and global warming.
NBC-
I’m almost caught up with reading the TOD threads from the past few days. I have been so frustrated with the republicans’ sequester shenanigans, that I had to take a wee break before I began throwing objects at my new flat screen TV. To cope with my frustration, I decided to spend less time reading news on the ‘net for a few days and watching dishonest/bloviating pundits on TV. I’m at the point where I’m seriously wondering whether I and some other Americans could raise money, buy an island in the middle of the Pacific, and deport all of them to live there.
Obama nominates big Romney/GOP donor Bruce M. Ramer to the board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Also
Some interesting machinations going on the down low
This is assume will be Kieth Ellison’s last appearance on FOX *NEWS*
WOW……that was so goooood. I am surprised Shaminity let him talk.
almost worth watching a bit of pox spews to see that!
Video now added….
I’m so glad the Congressman Ellison didn’t take that lying Hannity B.S.
If you see nothing else today…YOU MUST SEE THIS. So many “adults” could learn from these great kids….TY Smartpants for sharing this. Tears.
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2013/02/for-those-of-you-who-need-reminder.html
Republicans: CIA nominee involved in Benghazi talking points
By Julian Pecquet
“Brennan was involved,” Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) said after viewing intelligence documents. “It’s pretty obvious what happened.”
-/
You know who else was invoiced? Petreas! Will he be beside Brennan, as he was in curve of CIA at the time!
Was Chambliss talking openly about classified information?
Chuck Hagel or Chuck Todd?
Please advise.
That made me Chuckle.
Folks are still going after Rendell the Miserable PUMA:
SIGNED. I DO NOT LIKE PUMAS
After a year-long fight over how to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), House Republicans are now prepared to allow a vote this week on the Senate-passed language.
The House Rules Committee on Tuesday evening approved a rule for the bill that calls on the House to vote on a House GOP version of VAWA reauthorization first. But if that version fails, as is expected, the House would then move to a vote on the Senate-passed version, S. 47.
Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) hinted to Democrats late Tuesday that House Republicans would stand down and allow the Senate bill to pass. In a conversation with ranking member Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), Sessions said he believes Democrats will have “every opportunity to pass that Senate bill.”
http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/285105-house-expected-to-pass-senate-vawa-bill-this-week
You mean something significant is actually going to pass?
Trying for some good pr the day before the sequester kicks in – they do nothing based on helping women – or anyone else – pure politics
Yay!!! for Hagel:-):-)
https://twitter.com/Kahsai/status/306608978807386116
🙂 Nice way to rub it in.
🙂
his was the sane McCain. The one you see today was defeated by Sen. Obama, was made a laughing stock when he selected Sarah Palin, and had to sell his soul to the right wingnuts to win re-election. So the McCain you see today is a bitter old senile fool.
Boehner owns it and he knows it….We didn’t forget….
https://twitter.com/Kahsai/status/306613240182497280
Hello, TODers. It’s been a while since I posted here, and I know I said I’d never do it again, but I have some news and wanted to share it with this community, because so many of you have been there for me over the past year.
I got a part-time job today. I start on Monday. This Friday will be exactly three years since I lost my job. My sojourn through the wilderness is finally coming to an end, and I’ll be able to begin to put the pieces of my life back together again.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate everything everyone has done for me. Chi, Pinkbunny, Tracy, Miss Pat, Sheri, Chris, and many others. I will never forget your kindness.
God bless you all!
I wish you good health and nothing but the best of luck with all your future endeavors. Carpe Diem!
Thanks, lovelyplains! 🙂
So happy for you. God bless you always!
Thank you, Bill.
🙂 That puts a smile on my face….I just asked about you a week or so ago. Wondering how you were doing and if anyone had heard from you. So glad to hear that things are finally looking up for you. Quite a journey. Do you have your beautiful dog with you now? Surgery went well, I heard. Good luck with the new job! Congratulations.So many of us here stood with you in your most difficult time and it makes me happy to know that you are on your way to a happy, stable life. Hugs to you and Tucker. Be well.
Hi DF! No, my pup is still in foster care in Fredericksburg, VA. He’s the first thing I thought of when I got the news today. I’ll be saving my pennies until I can go and bring him home. I can’t wait.
Thank you so much for your support and well wishes.
Best wishes to you. 🙂
Hi Hachiko. What great news about the job. It’s good to hear from you.
Thank you, Annie. 🙂
Congrats and God bless Hachiko!
Thank you, Titti.
Only saw this now Hachikō, absolutely wonderful news – a gazillion congratulations, here’s to better days ahead.
Thank you, Chipsticks!
Thrilled for you Hachikō, best of luck with the job!
In the interview with Tom Joyner, he mention something about being invited to something at the WH concerning Black History on Wednesday. Have anyone heard anything about that? Because doesn’t FLOTUS suppose to be going to Mississippi tomorrow.
I’m not sure how old that vid was. I’m not sure what’s happening otherwise.
TED CRUZ THE ‘SMEAR MASTER’
Thanks To The GOP Opposing Chuck Hagel, America Now Knows Ted Cruz
By LOLGOP
——————————————
Cruz’s willingness to make baseless accusations and cast the pall of treason on any opponent quickly won him comparisons to former senator Joseph McCarthy, who was eventually censured by his colleagues in the 1950s.
These accusations have led to an examination of Cruz’s record that shows that not only is he willing to smear opponents as communists decades after the fall of the Soviet Union — he doesn’t even understand what communist is. Or he doesn’t care.
Cruz is much more interested in making an inflammatory accusation than making an actual point.
That’s what Republicans did to Chuck Hagel. They raised baseless accusations because he was a Republican who was willing to work with President Obama, a Republican who pointed out the obvious about George W. Bush, a Republican who isn’t eager for more wars in the Middle East.
And in doing so, they reminded America why they lost in 2012.
————————————————————-
http://www.nationalmemo.com/thanks-to-the-gop-opposing-chuck-hagel-america-now-knows-ted-cruz/
GOP GLEEFULLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SEQUESTER
19 Republicans Who Want The Damaging Sequester To Occur
Posted on February 26, 2013 by Leader’s Press Shop
—————————————————————————
In four legislative days, the sequester will go into effect – endangering more than one million American jobs, harming middle class families and damaging our fragile economy. House “GOP leadership doesn’t have plans to pass” legislation to avert the sequester.
As the deadline nears, many Republicans are not only unwilling to look for bipartisan solutions to stop the sequester – they are gleefully looking forward to its impact on American families:
———————————————————————————–
http://thegavel.democraticleader.house.gov/?p=5700
Is Senator Barrasso on the list, because he said onight he’s for it?
The picture says it all
http://www.politicususa.com/john-boehner-refuses-house-vote-sequester-replacement-bill.html
BOEHNER’S DRIVE- BY CONGRESS
Pelosi Remarks at House Democratic Caucus Press Stakeout
February 26, 2013
—————————————————————-
“We’re practically – when you talk about jobs, that’s one thing. We talk about time, we’ve been gone for ten days, we come back, we’ll be gone by Thursday at three o’clock when we have a deadline facing us. We’re practically becoming a drive-by Congress, a drive-by Congress, when we have important work to do. The Republican leadership says: ‘Well, we passed bills last year.’ I remind them that was a different Congress, that doesn’t count in this Congress. The Republican leadership says: ‘Let the Senate begin.’ I remind them that the Constitution says that appropriations and revenue bills must begin in the House.
“So, we have important work to do, the American people want us to work together, we want something big, bold, balanced and bipartisan that can take us – Republicans say: ‘they’re kicking the can down the road,’ it’s not kick – I don’t think they’re even kicking the can down the road, I think they are nudging the potato across the table with their nose. There’s not much that is being accomplished by what they are doing. This is just completely irresponsible, it’s mindless, most people don’t even know what the word sequester means; sequestration equals unemployment. Sequestration – we don’t want it, and we can work here to make sure we get the job done.
—————————————————————
http://www.democraticleader.gov/Pelosi_Remarks_at_House_Democratic_Caucus_Stakeout
THE MAINSTREAM MEIDA IS LYING BY OMISSION EVERY TIME THEY REFUSE THE REPORT THE FACTS ABOUT REPUBLICAN PARTY OBSTRUCTION.
Waiting for the Tantrum to End
by BooMan
Tue Feb 26th, 2013 at 10:21:32 AM EST
————————
Watching cable news, you will see iteration after iteration of Capitol Hill reporters and other commentators expressing mystification that the House isn’t talking to the Senate, the White House isn’t talking to Congress, Democrats aren’t negotiating with Republicans, etc. Here’s a tip.
John Boehner has already told everyone, including Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, and Barack Obama, that his caucus isn’t going to budge on the Sequester until after it kicks in and starts causing real pain. He doesn’t have a strategy beyond that. Everyone knows that this is what he’s going to do, so anytime you see someone call for negotiations or compromise, they are either positioning themselves politically or they are actually referring to some time in the future, meaning March.
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– See more at: http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2013/2/26/102132/388#sthash.kCCFit9h.dpuf
New post:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/02/27/dancing-queen-first-lady-michelle-obama-of-course/