President Barack Obama and Dr. Suleiman A.D. Al Farajat, a University of Jordan tourism professor, jump from a ledge of the Nabataean Amphitheater during a walking tour the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, March 23
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President Barack Obama shakes hands during a meet and greet at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem, March 21
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President Barack Obama meets National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, left, and Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, in the conference room aboard Air Force One en route to Tel Aviv, Israel, March 20
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President Barack Obama greets members of Hora, a local children’s dance troupe, before departing Israeli President Shimon Peres’ residence in Jerusalem, March 20
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President Barack Obama watch a dance performance at the Al-Bireh Youth Resource Development Center in Ramallah, the West Bank, March 21, 2013. Dr. Samih Al-Abed, Chairman of the Board, Al-Bireh Youth Resource Development Center, left, and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad of the Palestinian Authority are seated with the President
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President Barack Obama visits the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, March 22, 2013. Standing with the President, from left, are: Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau; Israeli President Shimon Peres; Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu; and Avner Shalev, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate
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President Barack Obama and President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority enter the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the West Bank, March 22
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President Barack Obama watches as a vendor writes a name using colored sand in a bottle during a walking tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, March 23
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King Abdullah II of Jordan waves to President Barack Obama as he boards Air Force One at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, March 23
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All photos by Pete Souza – more here
All posts/photos/videos from the Middle East trip here
The Obama Diary 
Howdy…
What beautiful photos you have Chips. Thank you so much. Now for a closer look…
My President can jump from ledges! I bet he could leap tall buildings in a single bound!
Remember this ?
If bonehead and smug and their crew would get out of his way he could get much more done!
“Bonehead and Smug!” — LOL! 😀 😀 😀
I know that I like to go off. But you know there is not ONE negative nickname I can give my President. He is a total positive but those knick-knacks that are always trying to thwart him make me go ugghh!
I’m with you!
Haha! “Knick-knacks” – I like that too! 🙂
The S.S. guy don’t look to thrill.
About POTUS jumping down.
He should be thankful that it’s not Gov Christie trying to jump from that ledge. In fact, that’s probably what he’s thinking…hence the serious expression on his face – as we often see when people are imagining a situation they’d rather not be in.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
We should ALL be thankful it’s not Gov Christie, but cuz of his weight, cuz it would mean he was freakin’ elected President! Oh da horror!
I get nervous also when POTUS does risky things Bet I’m not the only one at TOD
JibJab…
Linda, that’s what I get for not refreshing before I posted! 😎
That’s ok….like minds…and all that.
🙂
This is my favorite picture in the group. The S S guy was not happy; probably surprised that PBO would do this.
Love the photos. Congrats on first CarolMaeWY.
Thanks
Love the picture of the president jumping from the ledge. Is that SS man thinking…..”Oh, do I have to do that too?”
I looked at all 59 of Pete Souza’s pictures at Bob’s link on the previous post. Wow! How many coffee table books will it take to contain all the wonderful Souza pictures for two terms? I am so thrilled to be able to see these on this blog. Thanks Chipsticks!!!
The man even looks cool jumping down from a ledge. It’s really disgusting. 😎
Hey…are those the 20 year old khaki’s Michelle talks about ?
must be
This is what I love about our TOD family blog. When something is found, it is shared for all to enjoy!
Thank you!
Super Prez! Off topic, but I’m almost ready for our OFA birthday party for the ACA. Someone should remind me how to post my tweet here.
http://t.co/sEqA3TqbkI
Neat tweet, Judith!!!
If you click on the time stamp of the tweet (typically in the upper right hand corner if you are using the Twitter client to view them) and select copy address and then paste that URL here, all should be well. Do note that if you see ‘https:” at the beginning of the URL, then delete the s to “http:” before posting your comment. Remember that WordPress is too lame to translate an abbreviated URL and render the tweet readable so you need to be sure you are posting the full URL for the tweet. Hope that helps
Here’s your tweet in case you don’t have time …
Happy ACA Celebration!!!
BTW, it appears you may be able to help Ms Chips with her cake baking – that looks delicious!!! (& bet your kitchen is not going to be closed by the health department, either 😀 😀 😀 :D) ….
😀 😀 😀
😆 😆 😆 ❗
This is WONDERFUL!
Beautiful, what a great thing to do for the ACA birthday.
nice judith and what a great reason to celebrate!
Thank you all for the instructions, support, and re-tweets!! I wish you could all come this afternoon! Bob – you’re a Zen Master on twitter.
Wonderful cake, Judith!! Thank you for holding this event and contributing SO MUCH. xoxo.
Judith – great tweet! I see you have the “wet POTUS” picture there too 🙂
Thanks Bobfr for making it possible for us to see Judith’s tweet celebrating a much worthy occasion!
My heart to yours, your son & familia, Judith! May he live long & prosper…\\//! My youngest also has a heart defect. ACA not only saved her life but saved my family from living under a bridge to pay for it! We ♥ Obamacare!
Livni: Obama reminded us of imperative for peace deal
“It took President Barack Obama’s visit to remind Israel that it simply has to advance toward peace with the Palestinians, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said Sunday, adding that Secretary of State John Kerry was extremely “energized” to broker progress toward a two-state solution.
Negotiations with the Palestinians are far from simple but they are the most important thing for the country, and a charismatic speech by the president had reminded Israel of this, Livni (Hatnua) said, speaking after the first meeting of Israel’s key decision-making security cabinet.
Livni, the former foreign minister who also heads Israel’s negotiation team with the Palestinian Authority, told Channel 2 that ”negotiating with the Palestinians is the only way to protect Zionism,” a point she said Obama emphasized in his address to Israeli students on Thursday.
Obama’s trip to the region, and the subsequent talks this weekend between Kerry and Israeli and Palestinian leaders, might help restart talks between the sides, Livni said, adding that sometimes you need someone from outside to tell you the obvious. Kerry, she noted, is “very determined, very energetic and very committed to the two state solution.””
h/t to Kasai
Because of my work schedule, I’m just now getting around to watching the President’s speech and it was worth the wait! It is mighty powerful and I am continuously amazed at how well he can weave a story with facts and admonition and make it tolerable.
And how is he able to speak for over 40 minutes without the need to reach for a bottle of water???!!!!??? 🙂
Reblogged this on The Educability of Perch and commented:
Pete Souza’s excellent, exacting eye delivers these great pics of President Obama in the Middle East.
That Ist picture is Bad 😎 It is Bond like. Shaft like. Olympic Hurdlers have Nothing on this POTUS. Jack Lord Like of the Hawaii Five 0…..yeah.
Too Cool for words 😎
I just have to go there 😉
LOL!
The man really is Amazing! 😎
Awesome 😎
Lets see any TBGOPer try this 😉 move 😯
Best tweet today…
Stay thirsty my friend! 😀
How did you know I have too? My sulfur is too low. I’m a waterholic!
At first I was gonna claim I’m psychic… but really it’s what guy says at the end of Dos Equis commercials. Remember?
No, I didn’t. Not on my local stations much, but I have looked at them on YouTube. 😉
Okay, I couldn’t resist. Here’s one more…
😉 I prefer my tall, dark, handsome POTUS!
Moi aussi!
Chips is definitely going to have to include this picture in her extensive collection of our President doing a variety of “sporting” events 🙂 🙂
Leaping off a Plateau? Hill? Mountain? 😉
Hurdling in the desert? I can’t wait for Chips interpretation.
Leaping tall buildings in a single bound! 😀 😀 😀
If Chipsticks mother has seen this picture, I’m sure she was rubbing her worry beads bare 😀
He certainly is! But please be careful
Lawd, just when I thought the pics of him in the rain were wet dreams, is there a description for this ninja pose? Don’t have time for you to get the naughty mat, I’ll just volunteer to lay on the floor right now…..oh my…
This POTUS doesn’t try to be Deliciously cool. He just Is.
Be it swimming in HI, wearing a Cowboy Hat, wearing shades :cool:, Skipping Into or skipping off steps…..you name it, Singing, stand by a podium, just being……Wow.
Too 😎 just saying 😉
So true. Waiting under an overpass for the rain to pass, walking with his jacket tossed over his shoulder, throwing his back for a hearty laugh, million-watt smile.
He’s a like a walking Harlequin romance novel cover.
yessssss! That’s exactly it, the romance novel…..take me away….. OK I gotta stop this.
LOL! 😀
Lolololol!!! Hahahaha That’s funnnnny!
LOL!
Cookemom, hahahahahaha!!!!!
Worth reminding everyone, for sure. And, it would be good for folk to thank her for forcing this issue to the prominence it deserves.
As President Obama said to those young Israelis and Palestinians, it is US who must push. One of the reasons the continuation and expansion of Organizing for Action will be important not just for elections but for ratcheting pressure on legislators, persistently.
Yes We Can
bbl …
From my inbox:
“Friday night, the Senate pulled an all-nighter and passed its first budget in four years. We voted on more than 50 different amendments — including paycheck fairness for women and assistance for the New England fishing industry. It was an action-packed night.
One other thing happened too. By a unanimous 99-0 vote, the Senate passed a measure from Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown and Republican Senator David Vitter to eliminate the billions of dollars in subsidies that giant “too big to fail” banks receive through lower borrowing costs because of the implicit guarantee they will be bailed out by the government in a time of crisis.
The measure was non-binding, but it was an important step forward — and it’s exactly what I wrote to you about just a couple weeks ago.
I’m glad that Republicans and Democrats can agree: “too big to fail” needs to end and these big-bank subsidies make no sense.
There’s still a lot more work to do to make sure that there is a level playing field between big banks and their smaller competitors and consumers, but we’re making progress.
Thank you for being a part of this,
Elizabeth
If Christie tried that jump, I wonder what it would register on the Richer scale? Nevamind, he’d have had to get up there first, couldn’t have happened without 4 camels, a hoist, and a hovering helicopter, not to mention some very brave rocks and mountains.
Hmmm…I also thought of Christie, and the horror it would cause the SS folks!
Think of the terror of the snakes, and sand crabs! Secret service wouldn’t even allow him up there in the first place.
I seriously doubt that the fluffy Christie will make it up there without a lift.
Those industrial motorized lift equipment.
I think as to how he would go up/down the steps on AF1 – If he starts to lose weight – sure sign for 2016 – otherwise – no.
“a hoist!” LOL LOL
Congrats, Carol on #1.
For those who are tiring of the cold weather and looking forward to Major League Baseball (which is starting in the next week or so) comes this news.
And the truly LAZY media are trying to convince the public that the gun safety issue is losing America’s attention. They (the MSM) truly are a despicable bunch.
That is Great to hear. I thank them. That is just sweet.
Thank you. As for Spring….
https://twitter.com/earth_pics/status/315569749851508736
That is wonderful.
Obama plays a Long Game in the Middle East
“Before the visit, several American commentators urged him to learn to speak Israeli – now his fluency is almost frightening.”
Interesting. A couple of years ago I’d read stuff from Mr. Mardell and swear he actually loathed PBO. Today he’s a fan. I’m looking at him with the side-eye (kinda the way I look at David Frum when he occasionally snaps out of the RW fog), but I do like this article.
Love and Hate…..especially those who have envy…..that conflicted emotions can be a struggle. I share your skepticism on this Mr. Mardell.
Thanks Dudette for sharing this article. I am not a fan of Mark Mardell. But in this article he tried to be honest and objective. One of the most complicated international issues in my lifetime is the Israel-Palestinian issue. Since the 1967 war which led to the Israel’s conquest and occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, no American President has been able to broker peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians. It is so unfair to put the blame on President Obama for not solving this issue in his first term, especially given the lack of support and cooperation from the Republicans, Palestinian Hamas, and Bibi’s right wing Likud Party governing Israel.
You hit the nail on the head in your assessment, nath… but the props for sharing the article go to Arapaho 🙂
My apology! So, let me offer my thanks to Arapaho, for sharing Mark Mardell ‘s article! By the way, I do believe that people can change. May be Mardell, like Sullivan, is slowly beginning to appreciate President Obama’s genius of playing a long game on complicated issues, like the intractable Israel-Palestinian problem.
Here’s an apt caption for Chip’s first photo of PBO as “action man.”
Hey!! Wassup with that?
I bet he reads this site and stole that from you.
Probably does/did
Oh, too funny.
Sorry I didn’t see your tweet before posting Zeke’s.
But good to confirm that TODers are quicker than the media!
🙂
Damn Politico reporters
Zeke’s moved on to TIME magazine.
He used to be at Buzzfeed with Ben Smith (yeah, I get them confused too because I first heard of Ben when he was ering the 2008 Dem campaign at Politico).
Don’t know how “covering” became “ering” above. Gremlins, I guess.
Zeke was just retweeting Josh, who’s at Politico
I have a Gone With the Wind puzzle with all the characters in that film. It took me 2 weekends to have it done.
This Shaft-lke, Bond-like, Jack Lord-like move and all the cool moves of this president could be marketed to raise funds for his Library in Chicago or Honolulu. I will buy one.
Since he is like no other, I believe President Obama should have two libraries – one in Chicago and one in Hawaii. There … that’s settled.
I second that!
I thought we settle that last week about the libraries. One in Chicago and one in Hawaii.
Absolutely……my idea is that the one in Hawaii should be a center for international understanding, bringing people together so they can learn about other cultures. Hawaii is the perfect place for this, as it is a meeting place of cultures already, and has that wonderful Aloha spirit. I’ve written the White House with this idea.
Excellent idea!
Very fine idea, Carolyn!!!
I found this today and it moved me to tears. I thought I would share with you; even if you are not of the same faith I think it will speak to you. I believe it is the way President Obama was raised and it is evident in his words and actions.
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/03/after-steubenville-what-our-sons-needs-to-know-about-manhood/
Wow! That was indeed moving, maryl. Thank you for sharing it here. Please tweet it!
Done 🙂
WOW! I just shared on FB. Thanks for sharing. Let’s hope it gets passed all over.
Irrespective of one’s religion, that is an exceptionally powerful and essential message for every boy and man. Thank you, Maryl!
Well said Bob!
I’m not religious, but I know how to treat a woman.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi E1 – unbelievable pics this day from LP and Chips – what a delight.
Late to this, but Judith Fardig: Did you make a 4-layer ACA cake?
Above and beyond the call of duty. 5-layers for ACA 4th birthday?
Pretty soon you really will have to invite TODers over to munch on all the cake!
yay! Hubert – the Happy Warrior! 🙂
#FORWARD
Hubert Humphrey was a pioneer in transforming the Democratic Party from being a party dominated by segregationists to a party dedicated to advancing Civil Rights and racial equality.
#YES WE CAN
Thank you, PF!!! Will definitely try to support him any way I can.
#FORWARD
I approve that ……er, uh, message….oh yeah!
smilin @Bob…Twitter Warrior!
I agree with that statement to #FORWARD
John Harwood has had a few good days, early on, but has turned out to be a lazy journalist and it doesn’t appear as though that will change, any time soon. Many TODers and others are taking him out today because of his stupid war tweet, and it might be enjoyable to go check his TL – if you haven’t been there – to see the continuing pushback.
Did you hear back from him?
No – I noticed he answered one or two folks. Nobody with a brain is buying what he said, so far. As long as they get paid for it all, they don’t care what we think. Not Harwood, not Todd, not the rest of the buzzards.
Harwood is just like the others, he ain’t worth sh*t.
David Gregory told the truth when he said the D.C. media, or was it the MSM don’t like POTUS.
So many of these high rollers went down at the same time. Too long in the damn game, like many politicians in Congress.
Bravo, JOB! This was an excellent push back tweet! What’s the use of having a so called free press if the press people won’t report truth to the American people? Surely, the Press’ role is not that of stenographers. If they want John Harwood thinks the Press should act as stenographers, then it’s incumbent on him to admonish all the Press people who routinely act as ideological pundits while hiding behind their position as members of the press who are supposedly trying to protect freedom of the Press. Surely, many journalists, like NYT’s Judith Miller, did their best to subliminally cheer for the war on Iraq.
Well said, all of it! Harwood’s getting lots of great pushback on Twitter. He sent out a few follow-ups, showing he doesn’t understand and wasn’t worth the time, but at least his dull, lazy comments weren’t allowed to just sit there, unopposed.
This is just wrong.
I agree Carol. I agree.
😦
Update from Casa de LL.
I’m about to make my third margarita on an absolutely gorgeous day in L.A.
Stewie the wonderpup destroyed two of his balls today.
Missus is finally putting our elliptical trainer to use.
Tomorrow we’re going to Camarillo for shopping/walking.
More later!
“Stewie the wonderpup destroyed two of his balls today.” shock:
I’m sure I didn’t read that the way you intended. 🙂
[Glad the missus is up and about!]
😯
I guess that’s why they call him wonderpup. It can’t be easy living up to that name.
Good news on the missus fer sure.
Stevie, you poor thing. 😯 Best to the Missus.
I see spell checked me & I should have checked spell check.
Good report LL! Thanks for sharing. Keep up the good progress Mrs. LL 🙂
Best wishes to you and the missus
Does anyone have a link to the video of that colorful reception ceremony in Jordan with camels and bagpipers? I’ve tried to search YouTube, but I may not have the knack. Would love any help as I really want to see that. The comments were tantalizing. Thanks in advance….
Not a video Carolyn. I think our best bet is to find a Jordanian paper or FB page.
have been looking for this too but no success yet
Hey y’all!
http://myde.st/13hxNJi
Hey mighty one – hope all is on the mend today
One of the 25 Songs to be saved in the Library of Congress
Another great one in the collection – “The Audience with Betty Carter (1980)”
Full list of recordings added to the collection here: http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2013/13-044.html
Here’s a classic from that album
Betty Carter (featuring Ray Bryant) ~ I Could Write A Book
😉 Love it. Thank you. My list was in my local paper.
Correction: This particular rendition is from 1955. But a cut of the song is on the 1980 album, which was froma live performance.
I been lurking a bit mates but I got one comment then back in me locker I go. I didn’t see one camel during PBO’s Middle East visit. 😀
Open your eyes. :shook:
I believe there were camels present during his welcome ceremony in Jordan. 🙂
Sorry. I didn’t see that photo op.
Ah! There those mean tempered rascals are. Smelly too.
Spit at you too. Just like antelope…
Ewww!
I think you must’ve been busy at the time getting some naughty mats laid out….
Naughty mats? Me? Perish the thought. I’m as pure as driven snow. 😀
No..the mats were for some other naughty TODers, not you!
There’s no help for that lot. 😉
TY. I knew there had to be some around. Lawrence of Arabia ya know. 😉
I know, I had to lead you to water, but I can’t make you drink, unless its JD.
I’m about a half a gallon down in my forward hump. 😉
A two hump, you’ll break the bank or drink the well dry! 😉
One hump at a time too.
HA!
Spit out my whine!
Why not? Two can hold more than one. 😀
😯
hey there Yardarm 🙂
Hiya a4. You mindin’ your rudder, hm?
All is shipshape and Bristol fashion Sir! 😀
Very well. Secure the watch. 😉
ai ai cap!
great pics
The Library of Congress Added the “Sounds of Silence” also. It was written and released soon after the Assination of JFK, something I didn’t know.
Iconic!
Here’s another one that was selected:
Chubby Checker ~ The Twist
🙂
Chubby kind of remind me of Ali.
Bloomberg’s background check ad
Another Parkour extraordinaire.
Artie Shaw ~ Begin the Beguine
List of 25 sounds saved by Library of Congress
Here’s a listing of inductees in chronological order:
1.“After You’ve Gone,” Marion Harris (1918)
2.“Bacon, Beans and Limousines,” Will Rogers (Oct. 18, 1931)
3.“Begin the Beguine,” Artie Shaw (1938)
4. “You Are My Sunshine,” Jimmie Davis (1940)
5. D-Day Radio Broadcast, George Hicks (June 5-6, 1944)
6.“Just Because,” Frank Yankovic & His Yanks (1947)
7. “South Pacific,” Original Cast Album (1949)
8. “Descargas: Cuban Jam Session in Miniature,” Cachao Y Su Ritmo Caliente (1957)
9. Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, Van Cliburn (April 11, 1958)
10. President’s Message Relayed from Atlas Satellite, Dwight D. Eisenhower (Dec. 19, 1958)
11. “A Program of Song,” Leontyne Price (1959)
12. “The Shape of Jazz to Come,” Ornette Coleman (1959)
13. “Crossing Chilly Jordan,” The Blackwood Brothers (1960)
14. “The Twist,” Chubby Checker (1960)
15. “Old Time Music at Clarence Ashley’s,” Clarence Ashley, Doc Watson, et al. (1960-1962)
16. “Hoodoo Man Blues,” Junior Wells (1965)
17. “Sounds of Silence,” Simon and Garfunkel (1966)
18. “Cheap Thrills,” Big Brother and the Holding Company (1968)
19. “The Dark Side of the Moon,” Pink Floyd (1973)
20. “Music Time in Africa,” Leo Sarkisian, host (July 29, 1973)
21. “Wild Tchoupitoulas,” The Wild Tchoupitoulas (1976)
22. “Ramones,” The Ramones (1976)
23. “Saturday Night Fever,” The Bee Gees, et al (1977)
24. “Einstein on the Beach,” Philip Glass and Robert Wilson (1979)
25. “The Audience with Betty Carter,” Betty Carter (1980)
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/03/24/barack-and-michelle-a-photo-or-two/
… and one of the best songs from the cast album of “South Pacific” (one of my favorite musicals) — sorry, it’s only a portion of the song.
If I did not already support PBO for his policies and personal character, I would support him for effortlessly making that “Jump in Petra”