Text of the President’s remarks here
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The Obama Diary 
SHAME!
Congrats GoBroklyn… You’re número uno…
🙂
😉
A flower for everyone mending their body parts and their hearts…
So true. We must never forget.
This was a powerful event and I am thankful that Pres. Obama and VP Biden aren’t giving up. Enough is enough.
A person has to be a sociopath to side with Wayne LaPierre over PBO and VP Biden.
Indeed, Bill!
Congrts gb!
I have to hear POTUS when I get off work, but you all sound proud of what he said!
A flower for everyone mending their body parts and their hearts…
Thank you CM; I so enjoy the beauty that you post!
Thank you. I’m glad it showed.
I bet you thought I’d left didn’t you? I came back because I wanted to share that Tamryn Hall are asking the question that I had. Why aren’t we hearing from Pubs and why are we holding red state Dems feet to the fire, when it means that it could lose the Senate? She’s talking to Roger Simon who explains it simply, because they don’t have to, don’t feel the heat, and have cover from the Dems up for election which makes Harry Reid have to tiptoe around the issue. Oh well gone for reals this time.
All politics all the time Morality, where are you?
During LBJ, Carter and Clinton’s time…..GOPers from the Northern states were moderates who worked with Dems to get things done. So they were able to get re-elected time and time again.
Then Came GW Bush…..it was with them or against them….hence Jeffers switched to Indy in 2001 May or June of that year.
Today as you did show-cased in the last thread, Kirk from IL votes 100% with the TBGOPers even though he is from a Blue state…….The heat needs to be on his butt. In ME, Susan Collins who used to be a moderate has gone rougue. Heat needs to be applied to her. Lisa Murkowski got elected in 2010….due to heavy Dems help. Johnson in WI will not bend…..but applied heat would show him that his Money might not be enough in WI in 2016. The new guy from NV…..yes he won but hardly…..NV has voted for Dems 2 Presidential races in a roll, 2008 and 2012. Tommy in PA just like Santorum before him is easily defeatable. The same is true OH and Portman. IN is where I disagree. IN is NOT a Blue state. However, the senator there was known as a moderate before he retired…..so on that note, I agree 100%.
So yes…..Dems can pressure their people, but going on Tweeter to help the media to gin up the tension and LEAVE those Rs in Purple or Blue states…..is a disservice to Our Collective causes. Both things need to be done simultaneously………
I for one, is appreciative that You didn’t leave. Discussions are great. We will differ. The price is the same. The Goals are the same. Just the Methods are at times contradictory or vastly different.
Nena, thanks for this analysis. Unfortunately, the R’s in purple states listen only to the most extreme wing of their party because they fear a primary challenge above all. Many, like Toomey in PA, are arrogant and feel no threat ifrom a general election. They are all about dancing to the NRA and the far right.
Agreed. Rubio has announced he is joining the gun control filibuster in the Senate led by Rand Paul and “Joe McCarthy” Cruz..
Rubio and Rand Paul are idiots – clearly. Does anyone really think either of these fools can lead the world?
Both really are idiots. The MSM does not seem to respect Paul, but they do treat Rubio as a serious person with talent. I do not understand what they see in Rubio.
“Rubio and Rand Paul are idiots….” Theo, I agree with you, 100%!
Hopefully Tamron will force some of the Republicans to flip.
I left you a song on rise & shine…. 😉
Interesting…..
I bet Rachel mentions it…..she harps on Michigan all the time.
She mentioned it last night.
I am glad she’s harping on Michigan. Things are very grim here. And thank goodness the Rev. Al is taking on this EFM disaster!
Shame on us if we’ve forgotten…..
THEY DESERVE A VOTE.
GOP senators fear a debate on gun legislation
By Steve Benen
—————————–
Just so we’re clear, what these five senators are saying is they intend to filibuster the motion to proceed on any gun bill. In other words, they’re not only going to try to prevent legislation from passing, they also intend to block any bill related to gun violence from even being debated on the Senate floor.
I’m not sure what they’re so afraid of.
Why not welcome the debate? Why try to prevent both sides from presenting their views and voting on a proposal?
————————————————
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/03/28/17504062-gop-senators-fear-a-debate-on-gun-legislation?lite
This time, the Filibuster will be vastly different for those who want Gun Safety would come in and vigorously debate the issue. Let them proceed. This is not going to be like the 13 hr nonsense that Paul did last month.
What The Newly Released Newtown Massacre Documents Tell Us About Adam Lanza
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/03/28/1787941/what-the-newly-released-newtown-massacre-documents-tell-us-about-adam-lanza-by-the-numbers/
Sad, very sad…
Looks like more ‘boots on the ground’ is coming.
This is the kind of situation where military action is called for – when people are being slaughtered in their own countries for the cause of a few greedy or immoral groups. The world can’t sit quietly by when things like this are happening, and I, for one, have no problem with troops going in to save people’s lives. What’s happening in these places will reverberate for generations – the terror, the lack of value for life, the hopelessness. Nobody should ever be hopeless – not when there is a way to help.
I hear you. However, the UN seems to pick and choose where they’ll do this. I just wonder what the real rationale is. I tend to look at some things with a jaundiced eye. Must countries have already demonstrated that human/animal life isn’t worth squat unless money can be made by keeping these carbon based units alive.
The Congo was flooded with emeralds a little while back. I know a lot of people went racing in there in order to get a piece of that pie. I wonder if that’s the motivation?
As I said, follow the $$. I just believe that there is more to be gained than saving a bunch of black folks. Why not the Sudan, Malawi and some other ‘hot spots’ in Africa?
I believe there is always an underlying reason.
The UN is like any other political body – which is why they seem to cherry pick what & when to do – I have always – and do – support the UN but they have done little to save the world from conflicts between nations – they have done some amazing development and humanitarian work over the decades.
After all that – I agree with you – there is usually more to save than people – when boots on the ground intervention is approved.
High Five!
Yikes! Will Rachel and company be leading the charge to defend this person?
He’s a American theo67. Who would blow this country to pieces, and people like Rachel, too.
Yup! Because anything to do with the US Military, she takes the side against.
I’m not sure if I would go that far… But, I always wonder how Rachel can complain about the length of time it takes to withdraw troops from war, when she’s been on the ground – she knows what they’re up against and how long it takes to move a platoon out of an established place. She witnessed first hand what happened in the Iraq draw-down, and she knows that nobody in this Administration wants to leave those troops in harm’s way for one second longer than they have to. She’s being deliberately naive when it comes to the realities of war, and yet she’s been on the ground.
And I have no doubt that she’d be the first to complain if something bad happened because of haste or a poorly thought out plan.
Dr. Maddow’s father was/is a vet. FYI. I don’t think that she is naive. But I have detected her eagerness to find faults.
There are also other nations involved – when the US withdraws – if there are allies still with boots on the ground they are left in utter disarray unless they can withdraw before or with the US.
I certainly hope not.
If true, I smell some Halliburton and Xi.
154 rounds fired in 5 minutes, and then you have these weak ass Democrats dragging their feet. If they refuse to support sensible gun control then they don’t deserve to be in the Senate or House. And I plan to call write and email Senator Hagan/N.C. because this makes no sense at all. Can you just imagine what those bullets did to those little kids body. Am I mad? You better believe I am.
Me too AB….called her office and thanked her for standing up for marriage equality but then said if she did not support sensible gun control I would not vote for her….it’s that important to me….don’t care about the “WHOLE” picture….if you are not courageous enough to do what is right b/c of political risk, you absolutely don’t deserve to represent my Grandchildren.
Thanks to both of you – I’m calling too.
This is not an ordinary vote on an ordinary issue. As VP Biden would say, “This is a big f..king deal”.
President Obama will sign an executive order Thursday creating a presidential commission on elections, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/290805-obama-creates-voting-commission
Ut oh… The rw will freak!
This is probably the most important issue of all. If the rethugs rig elections, we will have it tough on everything.
Let ’em. They can all kiss the pihk parts of my hind end!
You don’t say?
These guys lie superbly and canvass so shamelessly! That letter is riddles with lies.
Shame on Us is so true. There were young and brave little ones who stood up to a mad man that day in their classrooms at SandyHook. We own those precious young babies, their teachers, principal, psychologist, parents, brothers and sisters, our college students, and kids just trying to study and get an education in a peaceful and safe place;we have to act. We own it to all of us as decent and caring common sense Americans who are in that ninety percent to take this to the finish line. Let us at least stand with POB and VPOTUS Biden to put the fire under these evil and coward Senators. We Can
Do This and We Will.
We heard the pain in POB’s voice again. We saw the pain on VP Biden’s face., and we know that AG Holder’s pain as he saw that scene looked like. This is a one more painful stone being thrown for us to bear. Let us not allow it to leave us unconscious to the fact that those precious little ones’ graves will always be six feet under a ground, but we are still here walking on a ground above them. But what will we do with our steps? Step up to the coward, money greed lying, fear-haters who are polluting the soil of the ground where those beautiful young ones are resting there and all over our cities in our country. Enough.HZ
OT – These are a bit lengthy but should give some an idea what sea life is like. I give McCain props for having to do this but beyond this he was a carbuncle on the Navy’s ass.
Part One: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=4gGMI8d3vLs
Part Two: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=S0yj70QbBzg
Wow yardarm. Those clips had me entranced. I have the utmost fascination with and respect for aircraft carriers. I hope someday to go aboard one; I really want to walk every inch of one if allowed someday. I think in part this fascination arose during the Apollo 11 program when the astronauts were picked up in the ocean and brought aboard the carrier (the Hornet) by helicopter, then the capsule would be brought up and also deposited on deck. It was awesome to watch. Your clips are thrilling! Thanks for sharing.
My honor. The Hornet was a small carrier that would fit on the flight deck of the ones we have now. You have to see one to believe it. They are a floating city. When they are underway with a full crew and air wing, you’re talking close to 8,000 ppl and 80+ planes.
I don’t get it. All those folks who think government is the problem, why is it they spend their time in office voting against what the people want and raising money to get elected again? These folks love their jobs government…$170k a yr., perks, trips home, staffers doing their work. I’d like to know how much money is spent for each congress member to run their office. They’re always complaining about the President’s trips, family vacations, Easter egg hunts…I think the ads supporting gun legislation should show exactly what these high powered weapons can do to a human. Hunters don’t use them.
Okay friends, I need to vent. I made my phone calls to my three TN reps. Things went fine with Alexander’s and Corker’s office. I gave my message and asked that it be repeated…..said I want to be sure my message is correct and gets in the correct column. Both aides summarized well. I thanked them and hung up. Then>>>>>>I called John Duncan’s office……..same message and same request (to read back). She said, “Basically, you are against guns.” I almost exploded (and I was driving–dangerous, I know.) I said, “That is NOT what I said, not even close to what I said.” I continued to rant and let her know I was furious w/her putting words in my mouth. She finally said she was ready and would write it down word for word. We were probably on the phone for close to 10 minutes with my doing a lot of ranting and repeating my message…..making my point.
God almighty, I kept repeating 154 bullets in less than 5 minutes into the bodies of little children. I said, “This country has lost its mind and for sure, if my reps, as fathers and grandfathers, can’t support sensible gun safety laws, then they have for sure lost their minds and how do they look in the mirror each day????!!!!!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU….for your perseverance and insistence that your voice be heard in all honesty. If every person who supports sensible gun safety laws did what you did today these Congresscritters would have to consider your values on this issue when they cast their votes.
Good for you! ! !
I am not a fan of Alexander or Corker, but neither is nasty and a hater as are so many of the Republicans.
That is true, Bill. As many times as I’ve called all three offices, I usually get received well from their offices. Duncan’s office–a totally different story. This is not my first unpleasant experience with his office. And, as we all know, the tone is set at the top. Duncan has been there for at least 40 years; took the seat after his father and he is trying to hold it for his son. ENOUGH!!!!! How do we get rid of this people???????
Heartfelt thanks to you and all others making calls——it’s so important that all of us contact our critters and make it as clear as tnmtngirl did about what we expect on this issue—-some common sense—-our kids or the NRA. Make them choose.
Way to go, tnmtngirl! Great job exercising your citizenship rights. I also called my Congresswoman about this. Thankfully, the staff person who answered the phone assured me that my Rep. is fully supportive of the President’s sensible measures to reduce gun violence.
“Shame on us if we have Forgotten”
precious child by karen taylor good
Led Zepplin’s House of Holy….the Album is 40yrs old.
Enjoy 😉
Older than me? And Ms Chips? Wow! 😉 😉 Sounds good, Nena. Usually this kind of music is a bit too wild for me but this works. I can appreciate without covering my ears.
I love Hard Rock. I have slowed down in 10 yrs or so. It started for I love to sing, but I can’t. However, I could always sing along with Rockers without anyone telling me to stop. Yes, I was told many times to stop singing 😯 But True.
Music VC is for the young at heart……We are all Young when we partake in the Musical festiveness 😎
Nena, with your response you have taken away my claim to fame. How could you? 😀 I love singing too but cannot sing and though I know that was not unique I thought I was the only one told to stop singing! My critic was my high school music teacher (choral music was compulsory1st year) who, after stopping in the midst of the group’s singing and going ‘Who’s that? WHO’s that?’, isolated poor little me. /innocently/ I don’t know how. Then she proceeded to direct in front of EVERY ONE – ‘You! You! Don’t sing. Just mouth the words.’ {Even as I wrote that I realized for the first time that I should be pleased that she at least gave me credit for knowing the words.} Now I have no idea if this woman is alive or dead but I do wonder if she would remember that incident and how she destroyed my self-esteem musically, not to mention any possibility of a music career now when I’m told they can tone things up for the singer.
In fairness though I have to confess it wasn’t just her – my offspring continued the job she started. You know how the experts would say ‘sing to your child’? No kidding, while still a baby he would cry every time I started to sing and stop crying when I stopped. 😆 😆 At first I thought it was a coincidence, but he graduated to putting his hand over my mouth whenever I would sing, then to saying ‘Don’t sing mommy’, and finally to whispering ‘That’s not what they are singing’ until I had to tell him to can it. Sigh! I’d forgotten how ‘hard’ my musical struggles have been, and what do you want to bet when I become famous some doltish reporter is going to talk about an ‘over-night’ sensation. 🙄
My elementary teacher who also taught us music….she told me in front of the other Kids. It was so humiliating. I got over it when I turned 21 or 25 and have gladly told my story at least 100 times since then….Wow, I had no idea it could have happened to someone else.
Nice to meet you, know you and get to chat with you my kindred spirit in bad singing……. 😎
Who knows, we may yet form a duet! Very 😎 thought.
VC just the love in your eyes as you comforted your baby soothed him.
Today, your son is musically talented, an artist. So Take a deserved bow, sweet lady. You did your job very well.
I saw my teacher 16 yrs ago. I almost reminded her, but I said, she would deny it and I said to myself…..since I have already moved on, why make her feel bad. I thanked her and had not seen her since. I haven’t heard that she had passed on…..so I believe that she is still alive. Oh……I saw her at my mom’s funeral 4 yrs ago. Yes, yes….I remember now…. 😉
Oh, I’m absolutely sure I had nothing at all to do with offspring’s musical talent. He just came pre-wired and predisposed, God bless him! Distance does lend perspective indeed! I’m not sure I’d recognize my teacher, especially if she had remarried as I only remember her name and what was said. You see, I never had anything more to do with her after that first year course. On the other hand, that experience made me just a wee bit more aware of what I say to children, especially when I’m frustrated. Ah well, on to brighter topics – what do you think of the 4/5 #GOP jokers planning to filibuster? Just kidding.
If I were Dems in the senate, tell them to: Please, proceed.
Then those Dems should use the Floor to methodically educate this nation about Guns, how the 2nd Amendment came to be, the way Towns regulated Guns…..making those with guns to drop off their weapons before entering their towns, then through the age of Al Capone and how and why Machine guns were banned, through the 1960s, etc. Those Liberal Dems should coordinate and make these Gun Industries loving 4/5 senators to regret their malarkey. Fight propaganda with More speech and better yet, with Facts, indisputable Facts.
Sorry, I had not seen your post until now. I went to bed early last night.
I LOVE Zeppelin!
I just saw on Rev. Al that Sen Hagan (NCar) and Sen Donnelly (Ind) both Democrats, have come out in favor of expanded background checks. That is progress. Just 3 Democrats are left. Anniebella…..I think your call helped make a difference. This shows the strength of “regular” people making noise and calling, just like the President asked us to.
Pressure works.
I think Reverend Al just said Senator Hagen (D-NC) announced today she is supporting background checks. No more details are available.
yes…see my comment above…..Hagen and Donnelly are not supporting the background checks. Only 3 Democrats remain. Now, y stupid Senator, Jim Inhofe has joined the filibuster…….he is dumb, but he is dangerous.
A lot of these Republican Senators are not dumb, but they do have lots of money in a Cayman Account, waiting for them. 😦
Or Cyprus…
I hope it was Cyprus – but their accountants are probably smart enough to stay away from the euro at the minute
Oh well, a girl can dream…;)
Correction…..Hagen and Donnelly are NOW supporting…….
Shooter in Hadiya Pendleton case indicted on 141 counts of murder—–guess they’re sure of that suspect. His accomplice charged with 17 counts.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-suspect-in-hadiya-slaying-indicted-on-141-counts-of-murder-20130328,0,2749795.story
How do they get 141 counts, when a person only dies once? Seems more than excessive to me.
Oh, She was and will always be a minor so the DA can charge for different kinds of laws…..IL stopped the death penalty. So if convicted, the more charges, the long the jail time and the less possibility of parole.
That’s wju these prosecutors can’t get a conviction……they over charge and muddle the issues for the jury.
Innocent till proven guilty, but if the guy is guilty I don’t give a darn how many counts they charge him with as long as his butt is going to prison for life. I heard that the mother and sister of the 17 who has been arrested for shooting and killing the 14 month old baby, the mother and sister is charge with throwing the weapon in some river. Here is were some people make their mistake, if my child did something like that, don’t come to me getting me involved in your mess because you knew better. I would turn his butt over to the police.
Intent and all levels are listed single along with premeditation and any associations with known or unknown persons. They are just trying to cover all bases. Al Capone was finally jailed for tax evasion even though the Feds were after him for other things.
Rep Allison Schwartz is running for Pennsylvania Governor.
Whooppiiiieeeeee ❗
A Cinderella Story? How The Koch Brothers Use Florida Gulf Coast University To Promote Their Agenda
It’s a great story: the virtually unknown, 15th seeded Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), has made it to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament. But there’s something you might not know about FGCU: its economics department is, as a consequence of grants from Randian businessman John Allison and the Charles G. Koch Foundation, a haven for Ayn-Rand Style thinking:
At Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, every student who majors in economics and finance gets a copy of Ayn Rand’s novel, Atlas Shrugged…FGCU now has a core group of a half dozen economists whose research supports the ideas of free-market capitalism, still an unpopular subject in most faculty lounges. They teach this material to more than 250 economics and finance students (one class is titled “The Moral Foundations of Capitalism”), organize lectures by leading thinkers, publish their research in well-respected journals and hold influential positions in groups that promote free markets.
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/03/28/1783741/florida-gulf-coast-koch-brothers/
Gee..their tentacles reach everywhere
It is Not the Econ dept that guides the players. I would leave the Team off from the KOCH-Roaches.
The Information is great……KOCH-Roaches must be exposed for their continued decimation of USA.
I hate to hear Allison and the Koch brothers are involved in any manner with FGCU. The president of the FGCU must be a sleeze and anti-intellectual for allowing it. Donna Shalala, a great Democrat, is President of the University of Miami and their coach, Jim Larranaga, is a good guy. I suppose I’ll be pulling for Miami now.
That is interesting. When Allison was Chairman of BB&T, a NC based bank, he required all executives to read Ayn Rand. However, at this point I cannot believe FGCU grads having great influence in academic, business, and professional circles. They are not focusing on an elite institution.
Now, this makes me very happy-
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/290883-report-delayed-epa-gasoline-pollution-rules-coming-friday
Finally! 🙂
Sickos—–guys with loaded assault rifles and guns crash a moms for gun control event in Indy——also a Mom Against Gun Control—–braindead, all of them.
President Obama will visit the port of Miami on Friday.
The visit is intended to call attention to the importance of port and shipping facilities to the national economy.
Obama has pushed for expedited expansions of several ports along the East Coast, including the port of Miami.
http://thehill.com/blogs/transportation-report/ports/290889-obama-to-visit-miami-port-friday-
Scott is a hoot.
“When President Obama comes to the PortMiami tomorrow, we would like him to commit the federal government’s reimbursement of $75 million for this project,” he said. “That reimbursement for state costs could then be reinvested in the State Transportation Fund and used for additional state port investments.”
The guy who rejected federal money is begging for federal money. Scott can talk tough and call it a reimbursement if he wants to but the reality is he’s sitting in the lobby doing a lot of sweating just before The Bank President calls him in the office.
The Transportation Department on Thursday released $2 billion in aid for Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts, four months after the storm ravaged transit systems along the Atlantic Coast.
At the same time, the agency is moving to cement new regulations governing how it would implement relief efforts in the aftermath of future disasters.
The $2 billion made available Thursday reflects the first tranche of $10.9 billion Congress directed to the Department’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, signed by President Obama on Jan 29.
“The Department has stepped up to address the worst transit disaster in U.S. history, which directly affected well over one-third of the nation’s transit,” FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff said. “We are pledged to distribute the emergency relief funding responsibly and as quickly as possible to ensure that transit riders have the reliable service they need and deserve — and lay a strong foundation to mitigate the impact of such disasters in the future.”
Most of the remaining $8.9 billion would be released after the agency finalized additional regulations for how it could be spent. However, 5 percent of the total appropriation — $545 million — would be cut by the government-wide spending cuts known as sequestration.
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/administration/290775-2-billion-in-hurricane-sandy-aid-released-but-sequester-takes-a-bite
Congrats, gobrooklyn. So proud of my Potus and VPotus. We should all never forget.
LOL! Rev Al just gave Chris Hayes a gift welcoming him to his 8pm show. A blueberry Pie for his repub friends. 🙂
Rev. Al has a wonderful dry sense of humor. I love the guy.
That is so true! Ha!
I believe he previously did that in Argentina, as well as including AIDS patients.
hello everyone,,,
Now that Kornacki is leaving the cycle…who will be taking his place there,,,and does anyone know what the name of his new show will be
Kornacki is replaced by Ari Melbor; C. Hayes show will me called “All In”. 😉 Steve Kornackis’ show wil be “Up With Steve” and we are screwed. Oops 😳
hahahahaha….thanksssss…..
Love to make you laugh… Be not me…
Now that made me laugh!
😀 That makes me grin!
A word or two to Cookemom (who I hope is only taking a short break)
I feel your frustration. I see it continuously everyday on blogs, twitter and facebook. I have no problem calling Red State Dems (which I have) and asking them to support our policies but I will not go as far as to threaten support for their re-election. I know big time the consequences of them losing their seats (needed programs cut for the poor and youth; Obamacare overturned; tax cuts for the wealthy while the middle class suffers; women’s reproductive rights infringed upon; drastic cuts to medicaid and medicare and the retirement age raised to gawd knows what for social security etc…etc…). Also, I would rather see the majority of the pressure on Dems come from within the party. Some may not agree with me on this but I do believe in some strong arming. If you don’t cast that important vote you may lose your committee seat or something along those lines. Believe me this worked quite well back in the day. Yes, our Democratic elected officials need to know there are consequences for the votes they take and they should feel our disappointment and pressure but with a dose of reality. We Need Their Seat!
I have always been perplexed about the media and the Dems desire to hold our side to a different standard than the Repubs. They get a pass from the press and for all intentional purposes a pass from us.
Where are all the big WPost , NYT, Progressive website articles or cable segments or msm pieces talking about how the mighty Dems are organizing to pressure those Blue State Republican Senators? Oh that’s right there isn’t any movement for that! Why do we accept that they cannot be moved to vote their constituents desire?
You watch how Latinos and other immigrants go after these Senators when the immigration bill comes to the floor. At the OFA meeting I attended a couple weeks ago I talked to some people locally who are organizing for that fight. There will be rallies and marches in the street, calls will be made by the 100’s of thousands and they will be protesting these Senators offices day and night. They will have banners that say…. “We’ll Remember” to put fear in them to vote their values. It’s up to us to move these Republican Senators in Blue States. In the end money from lobbyist can buy you only so much. People still have to go out and cast their vote to keep you in office. If the Repubs feel their seats are in jeopardy they will get cover from their leadership to vote our interest to save that seat.
As one by one these Red State Dems take a stand in support of some of these measures I sure hope we turn our energy with the same conviction to the real opposition (Blue State Republicans) to vote in favor of these measures as well.
My hope and desire is that one day we will take a page from the Republican playbook and learn to build on our majority by reducing the oppositions seats rather than having to have to replace our own all the time. If we had more Senators in our own Blue States voting our interests then these Red State Dems votes wouldn’t have the same significance.
My 2cents…..Carry on!!!
Nice one Donna.
I agree with you and Cookemom in normal times, but I believe gun control is much more than an ordinary issue. Our country is a joke to the rest of the world because of our gun laws. It is one of the defining issues of our time and the PBO administration. If a Democratic Senator cannot vote with 90% of their constitutes and PBO on this one something is wrong with them. Pressure seems to be working. Only three Senators are not on board at this point.
Great comment Donna! Although I understand the depth of frustration from many TOD members, the fact of the matter is that Democratic Senators who barely won in states that President Obama lost badly are not about to stick their necks out on a very hot button issue in their neck of the woods. I think both Cookemom and Nena have been spot on in urging us to be realistic about this and instead put pressure on Senators who are from States that President Obama won, both in 2008 and 2012. I am glad you concur. Perhaps the one Democratic Senator that deserves some pressure is Sen. Hagan from NC. NC has been trending Democratic. President Obama won it in 2008 and he barely lost it in 2012. But even in NC, I wouldn’t want to see a Republican elected to replace because Democrats decided not vote for her over this issue.
Senator Hagen flipped today because of the pressure.
That’s great news, Bill!
Are you saying that Senator Hagan will decide to support common sense gun control such as back ground check. I have got to cal her office and check this out.
Reverend Al said she changed her mind today. I’ll be calling tomorrow also.
Hey there GF!!! I had to rum some errands. You know ain’t no way, no how, a cookemom would just up and leave. Especially not in the middle of a rip roaring good time that was going on about the gun issue. I thrive on these type of discussions as much as I enjoy the lighter banter I sometimes engage in. I agree with all you said and you wrapped up how I feel very nicely.
You nailed it HF. 😆
could someone tell me what this Obama/Montosaro(sp?) business that’s flooding my FB timeline all about?
No, too tired and cried out about the Newtown shootings again. Maybe somebody else will be able to.
Emoprogs wanted President Obama to veto the short term funding bill that prevented a Government Shutdown because it had the Mosanto Protection Act which to my understanding provides some sort of Judicial Immunity to Mosanto in lawsuits involving them [or something unsavory like that]. Those Emoprogs are irrational, short sighted, and foolish. Instead of the rational and smart choice of signing the bill preventing a Government shut down, they would rather have a Government Shutdown and many people’s lives harmed and hurt especially during this time when the Sequester has gone in effect so that the provision will not be Law. Further highlighting their foolishness, is this: The Supreme court in Clinton v. NY declared the Line Item Veto Act unconstitutional and thus no President has the power to veto individual acts.
The president understands the larger implications of a government shutdown for those whose lives and livelihood depend on the federal government. You do not play lightly with a consequence that would jeopardize the life and health of the poor and elderly and throw the economy into a tailspin. We just have to recognize how lucky we are that no emoprog ever comes near a seat of real power. It takes far too much effort to run for office and is so much easier to sit at a keyboard and complain.
Just posted a tweet with a story attached, which seems to clear it up …
“On Tuesday, Pres. Obama inked his name to H.R. 933, a continuing resolution spending bill approved in Congress days earlier. Buried 78 pages within the bill exists a provision that grossly protects biotech corporations such as the California-based Monsanto Company from litigation.”
As usual, the GOP buries it love for corporations in other bills – both the senate and house passed this – yet the President carries all the hate towards it!
This explains why the President could not line veto it – the GOP well know how to attack the President while supporting their corporation overlords – but most of the media – just blames the President
http://www.politicususa.com/congress-sequester-crisis-slip-corporate-give-monstanto.html
quote from the article
“Here’s a hint: Republican Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) takes the most money from pro-GMO PACs in the Senate Appropriations Committee, where this dastardly rider was secretly attached (this time, that is. We have a certain House Republican who tries to attach a similar amendment to almost every bill that touches his greedy fingers). Democratic Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) tried to get the amendment taken out of the spending bill to no avail.”
I thought he had line veto power ?
Apparently not – according to politicususa – someone who knows more about such things in the US than I do – would have to explain why
“The problem is that the President does not have line item veto power; it’s all or nothing. This is called a poison pill. As part of the short term spending bill, President Obama had to sign the resolution in order to prevent the federal government from shutting down today, March 27, when the current funding was set to expire. He doesn’t get to cherry pick what parts he signs into law. He either lets the goverment shut down or he signs the poison pill.”
No. Clinton had it and the SCOTUS ruled unconstitutional.
But I remember him saying during 2008 campaign that will use line item veto. May be this doesn’t apply to spending bill ? OTOH, if it doesn’t, then what’s its use ?
It was struck down by the time he was Sworn in. GW Bush had Line Item Vito at one time, if memory serves me right. Sen Obama was in favor of it. But he never got a bill to pen his signature as POTUS.
A ha. Thanks, Nena.
I think he said in 2008 “if he had the line item veto”. I do not know the history of the line item veto, but all POTUS at one time or another have mentioned a desire to have it.
According to a google search Congress passed a line item veto bill in 1996 and the Supreme Court ruled it un-Constitutional on June 25, 1998. Clinton was the only POTUS to ever use it.
Thanks Bill. The whole system including judiciary seems rigged up for corporate welfare.
Obrigada. I knew Clinton had it and it was struck down by the SCOTUS. GW Bush gave me the foggy memory 😯
Here is an article that explains it. It’s pretty complex, but apparently does not give Monsanto any special protections. The writer says that Monsanto is quite concerned about climate change too, and is putting pressure to make some moves toward dealing with it.
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/03/28/conservatives-laugh-as-liberals-attack-president-over-non-existent-monsanto-protection-act/
Great link Mary, thank you – I was hopelessly confused about this and half way through the post I’m already a little clearer on it! Thanks again, going back to finish it.
Thanks! The issue is pretty confusing, but the article does seem to indicate that no one who has posted about this on my Facebook timeline in the last month knows what they are talking about! Grrrr!
Isn’t amazing how many people declare themselves to be authorities on issues they actually know nothing about?
And they say things so authoritatively that everyone else believes them. I have certainly been guilty of taking some statement at face value, but now I try to remain skeptical until I can find a trusted source to confirm. That’s why I love this blog so much (well, one reason), because there is so much good information here and because it has lead me to other blogs like Norbrook’s and Smartypants. We scorn people on the right for taking everything Fox News or some random weird Congress person says at face value, but a lot on the left do it too. And oddly enough, it’s often something critical of PBO, which they accept unquestioningly.
“Shame on us if we’ve Forgotten”
JO, I am sick of “holier than thou liberals” who are more interested in drama than there are interested in governing. Instead of facing the reality of a divided government, they are busy undermining a President who shares their values.
It’s crazy.
This is why the GOP adds anything they want to appropriation bills – they don’t want a debate in congress on their “pet” issues – so they add them to money bills – which have to pass for the government to function. Then the left and right blame PBO
#DemandAction
This is one beautiful song. Loved the movie too. This song is so loved by my congregation that I play it at least once a month.
Thank you. What movie, I didn’t realize that it was from one.
How the N.R.A. Rates Lawmakers
————————————————–
The National Rifle Association gives members of Congress a grade ranging from A to F that reflects their voting record on gun rights. But in response to the school shooting, some pro-gun Democrats have signaled an openness to new restrictions on guns, and the N.R.A. released a statement that said it was “prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again.”
———————————————————-
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/12/19/us/politics/nra.html?_r=1&
Candid camera in Texas. Kind of long…
Is this idiot suggesting that the attack on public schools has taken place only under President Obama’s watch? Moreover, is he so ignorant that he does know that public education is primarily controlled by States and the Federal government plays an indirect role?
Just another fool trying to blame everything on that black guy Obama.
I don’t know, but by saying “under his watch,” we could “blame” President Obama for everything. As though on Jan. 20, 2009, everything bad started on that exact day and under his watch. Never seen anything like this phenomenon in my life, have you?
It seem seeing that lovely black family in what they think is their White House, has driven them crazy.
Yep. Well, many were crazy before that, they’re just super crazy now.
I’m not very popular for saying this. us of a has become a basketcase.
My only hope is that our country went way off track lots of times before, and we always got our wits back and recovered. But …
Hahahahaha….this cracked me up. The ups and downs of parenthood. Interesting song though and the musician is a wonderful advocate for marriage equality.
So I saw on Martin Bashir and Rev. Al show were this crazy ass racists Congressman from Iowa were ranting about Malia and Sasha going on vacation.
Yes, he was on a radio show and a caller, from what I have read, called in complaining about the Obamas and their kids’ vacation…..and wicked old King added his version, telling that caller, tax payers were footing the bills and had footed the bills for the Daughters’ Spring Breaks in Mexico last year…..he went on make sure that the lies were driven in and that it was so undeserving, unnecessary and too expensive under the tax payers’ dime. Just hateful.
The faces of those mothers should melt the heart of any rigid republican hold out on common sense gun regulations. Seems like a no-brainer. What does that say about Chuck Grassley? But wait, after his Obamacare fiasco it shouldn’t be surprising.
The operant word here is “heart”. It’s very existence must be verified by medical personnel. The only thing that will be found is a white hood with missing eye openings.
i believe thay have a heart but it is only connected to a feedback loop dedicated to supporting self interest.
Our a loop connected to their lower colons!
These Toons are just too much.
Yet to the point.
In 1789, all their Wigs were White….oops, Gray/Grey.
Jefferson Obama linked to this interactive map of NRA rating for every member of Congress.
This was originally published just a few days after Sandy Hook, but is a good reference for everyone.
My newly elected rep, Julia Brownley (CA-26) has an “F” rating.
It’s amazing how cheap it is to buy these House members. Our congressman, Charlie Dent, was bought by the NRA for only $2500. And he got an A rating. Seems like pretty small change to sell your soul for, assuming you have one.
Good message from Kathleen …
Generally, I don’t like this punk. But he has been right on this issue.
Love you Gauvin, cause you speak the truth. It sure does drives the far right haters that POTUS and FLOTUS kids have the same right to travel like the Bush twins.
Drives the far right haters crazy, it isn’t a long drive though.
LOL.
Agree with you Will. Nancy Lanza sound like a nut case too. I don’t like to speak ill of the dead, but it sound like she had some problem.
New post!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/03/28/this-and-that-59/
Haven’t checked all of today’s entries so I don’t know if this was already posted.
Top donors threaten Dems: Do the right thing on guns, or no more money
Posted by Greg Sargent on March 28, 2013 at 12:54 pm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/03/28/top-donors-threaten-dems-do-the-right-thing-on-guns-or-no-more-money/