First Lady Michelle delivers a heartfelt message in Chicago
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Today:
10:15AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
11:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with members of the Financial Services Forum
12:05PM THE PRESIDENT holds a conference call with more than 100 local elected officials to discuss summer and year-round pathways to youth employment (Closed press)
2:10PM THE PRESIDENT awards Chaplain (Captain) Emil J. Kapaun, U.S. Army,the Medal of Honor; THE FIRST LADY also attends
2:55PM THE PRESIDENT meets with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
Briefing Schedule:
11:30AM Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney
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As politicians in Washington took a step toward tightening the nation’s gun laws Wednesday, first lady Michelle Obama sat down with Chicago high school students whose stories about violence brought her to tears.
Before the meeting began at Harper High School in West Englewood, Obama said she wanted to hear from each of the 22 students representing youth programs at the school and that she had as much time as they needed to take. She had come home to Chicago, she said, to do a lot of listening.
So for two hours, the first lady sat in the second-floor library media center, away from the news media, as students told story after story about the challenges of dodging bullets, avoiding gangs and — the thing they cannot take for granted — staying alive.
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The current status of immigration reform
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The talk about reforming the American immigration system has focused on getting 11 million undocumented workers on the path to citizenship. It’s a simple idea that obscures a thorny truth. There is no single path to citizenship. There are hundreds.Which path you take can depend on who your relatives are, whether you are safe in your homeland or how good you are at your job — in the case of one Canadian burlesque dancer, whether you can prove that you twirl your tassels in a truly unique way.Which path you take can depend on where you come from and how you’re trying to get here, on the whims of the federal government and on the laws of supply and demand. You can take up arms for what you hope will one day be your country. Or you can win the lottery: Up to 55,000 spots each year go to people who line up for hours in far-flung places like Bangladesh or Kazakhstan to enter a drawing and try their luck at a new life. You can set out on a path through your family or your job, as most immigrants do — hitching your hopes to a citizen brother or sister, or to an employer willing to be a sponsor.So what happens once you choose your path? There are at least 4.4 million people whose first-step visa petitions have been approved and are waiting for a green card that would grant them permanent residency, the vast majority trying to enter with help from relatives in the United States, according to the State Department.
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Reforming immigration has focused on 11 million undocumented.. nbcnews.to/Ye1Ry9 ..no single path..There R 100’s twitter.com/DaRiverZkind/s… — The lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) April 11, 2013
*****
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Immigration is personal for many at Captial rally
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WASHINGTON — It was a long and arduous journey from Guatemala to the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol, but Mayra Ragon says the trip was well worth taking. Ragon was among thousands of immigrants and their supporters who gathered under a hot sun Wednesday to show support for proposals that would grant a pathway to citizenship for the nation’s 11 million illegal immigrants.
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Outlines of Senate Immigration Agreement Emerge nyti.ms/10TaArv …contains Border sec. & path 2 citizenship. twitter.com/DaRiverZkind/s… — The lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) April 11, 2013
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A bipartisan group of senators has largely agreed on a broad immigration bill that would require tough border measures to be in place before illegal immigrants could take the first steps to become American citizens, according to several people familiar with drafts of the legislation. But in a delicate compromise worked out over weeks of negotiations, the bill does not impose any specific measurements of border enforcement results that, if they were not met, would stop the immigrants from proceeding toward citizenship.
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*****
In late February, some 70 guests arrived for dinner at a hotel near Washington, DC’s Union Station. Nine members of Congress were there, including Reps. Rubén Hinojosa (D-Texas), Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.), and Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Calif.), as was former Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. Also in attendance were lobbyists and executives for Fortune 500 companies and big industry trade groups. Lonnie Johnson, a lobbyist for ExxonMobil, sat next to Hinojosa at dinner; Walmart lobbyist Ivan Zapien gave the closing remarks. Exxon, American Gas Association, Darden Restaurants, and Coca-Cola had underwritten the event. That was how, seven weeks into the 113th Congress—as lawmakers began work on immigration reform and a tax code overhaul—powerful corporate lobbyists scored premium access to politicians. The dinner was organized by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, an obscure offshoot of the 27-member, all-Democratic Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
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How Walmart Exxon&Coke Buy Latino Friends in Congress motherjones.com/politics/2013/… ….can’t give gifts funnel $ through NGO’s. h/t @budparsons — The lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) April 8, 2013
*****
A Senator’s search for an ally keeps gun bill alive
Senator Joe Manchin III so craved a pro-gun-rights Republican as a partner for a bill to expand background checks on gun buyers that he took to buttonholing senators on the in-house subway that ferries them from their offices to the Capitol, making his pitch while his colleagues were trapped with him in the tiny car. Repeatedly rebuffed, Mr. Manchin, a conservative West Virginia Democrat, decided to call on his friend Senator Patrick J. Toomey, the Pennsylvania Republican known almost exclusively for his conservative fiscal positions. On a recent Amtrak trip from New York to Washington where they happened to intersect, Mr. Toomey agreed to listen.
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Senator Manchin breaks down into tears while meeting family members from Newtown
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Background check 4 Guns What you need 2 know nbcnews.to/ZNYz3K Breakdown of what’s current law & new legislation twitter.com/DaRiverZkind/s…
— The lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) April 11, 2013
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Max Baucus mum on where he stands despite meeting with SHES families
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Harry Reid to bring Gun reform bill to floor and debate begins at 11:00 am C-Span2
The Obama Diary 
You have a lot of info here LP. Thanks for posting it all. 😀
GM Carol congrats on your way, way, way early R&S. My dad had an emergency procedure this morning so I have been stuck in the hospital lobby for the last four hours. Couldn’t sleep….so here we are.
Oh, way to early. I was just nodding off! Best wishes to your father. Try not to sleep. Just a suggestion I heard in a movie. 🙂
Wishing you the best for your dad….
Good luck for your dad, and THANKs for this roundup. Great job!!!
Saying a prayer for your Dad LP. Be strong.
Morning! Wow, this is an early “Rise and Shine” Post!
GM LP. Nice round up. Woke up and no off to sleep again.
Oops meant “now”.
Carol, lovingandlaughing, COS, Deserflower…..congrats to all night owls/early risers.
Thank LP. It’s beautiful.
Thanks:) I think I’ll go see if I can doze off again….going to be a really long day otherwise! See you all in the “real” morning!
Another excellent thread, LP. Thank you!!
OMG. It’s 2:03am and it’s R/S already! Got up because I couldn’t sleep…and found out why there are hundreds of comments before I even get my coffee 🙂 LP, you are amazing! Thanks so much for all your hard work here…..and those hugs for you are still going on. Hope that your family is doing better each day.
Lovelyplains, wishing your father a quick recovery & patience for you
Bless your heart LP. I pray things go well for your Dad today. I am sending all the positive thoughts and energy I can your way!
This is a wonderful Rise and Shine and thank you for covering the Immigration Rally from yesterday.
🙂
Ealry…. Good morning TOD. Have a blessed day.
I don’t think any women’s group should be giving Republicans advice. Let them sink into their own mire of misogyny and let the women’s group support Democratic candidates. I hope the gap of support for Republicans gets wider and wider for women voters as more of us write off the GOP for good.
I so agree, Jackie
Good morning, TOD. We are heading home today after a few days in Myrtle Beach. Have had beautiful weather and it’s been good to get away, especially this week. We lost Walker, our grandson, 5 years ago today. Prayers appreciated and especially for travel safety–today of all days.
Be sure to stop at the lovely South of the Border.
Thankfully, Bill, we don’t go that way. 🙂
Oh, tn, I’m so very sorry for your loss. I know your heart must be full as you travel, but please keep all of our wishes and prayers for your safety in your heart. God speed.
TnMtnGirl, as always, you are in my prayers.
Great Rise & Shine this morning LP, thank you.. and very best wishes to you & your father.
Good Morning all. Great “Rise and Shine” thread. Hope everyone has a great day. I am so busy lately not much time to post.
Peace to all, Sue
Good morning everyone! Off-topic but which car is better to you a Nissan Cube or a Honda Fit? Just asking.
Have you looked into the American cars….Ford Focus and Chevy? The Ford Focus is very similar, same price, and we support the American auto worker.
Thanks, jojo. Don’t like Chevy though. Daughter has a Focus and it is the bees knees but I need a workhorse type of vehicle.
Great post, LP . I wish the very best to you and your dad.
Never know how much truth, if any, there is in what I hear on Morning Joe, but I just heard that the “brave” “bipartisan” duo of Manchin/Toomey worked with the NRA on their gun proposal. It’s so watered down that I would tend to think this is a real good possibility. And disgusting.
lp, dood how is your dad ?
LP, this is a brilliant Rise and Shine and even more so in light of the anxiety you must feel about your father. Bless you–we are all on your side as he struggles toward health. I especially appreciate all the great information about immigration reform. The charts are very helpful. As Democrats, we can never take the Latino vote for granted. The difference in country of origin affects attitudes toward voting and in our area it is the Mexican Americans who have less faith in the voting process and the Dominicans who are most engaged. There are also divisions and rivalries between Latinos of different origin, so it’s our job to find the ways that we can all work together on areas of common interest– not an easy task.
As for the Manchin-Toomey alliance, all I can say is God help us if the safety of our children hangs on Pat Toomey, who I am certain can trace his origins to Attila the Hun.
JackieG – I must be desperate for a big laugh, because your “Toomey, who I am certain can trace his origins to Attila the Hun” almost threw me off my chair! Hang in there!
I’m trying, JOB. Still hoping we can knock him off his perch in 2016.
Yep. That would be GREAT.
“Our political infrastructure is in conflict with our constitutional system of government……”
Minority winning is not a bad thing, as a matter of fact, it’s an excellent thing. But tt depends whether the minority is espousing a rational and reasonable cause.
U.S. weekly jobless claims drop 42,000 to 346,000 http://on.mktw.net/Yf0AXH
That’s good.
Sorry symmetry for the double post downthread..didn’t your post up here.
How about that AL Qaeda video that says to go to America and Buy weapons, no background checks at gun shows.
Then the fools says, so what you waiting for?
Unbelievable!
Good morning, everyone!
Thank you LP for a wonderful post.
My prayers for you and your Dad is PEACE in the midst of a storm.
Sometimes it is through the storms our gifts are unfolded. It is evident in your posts. If sleep will not come…..just meditate and rest.
LOLGOP @LOLGOP 7m
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NRA: THEY’RE COMING FOR YOUR RIGHT TO LET CRIMINALS GET GUNS WITHOUT BACKGROUND CHECKS
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How many more rounds are we going to let this go on for?
Powerful. Thanks for sharing. I’m boycotting network. Just watching movies of and on for awhile. The nets enough.
G’morning lovelyplains and thanks for this excellent Rise & Shine!
G’morning, Chips, TOD, lurkers, everyone and congrats Carol on #1 🙂
Some good news:
10:20 PM ET
Buying guns: No questions asked
A hidden camera investigation demonstrates how easy it is to buy guns at gun shows without giving identification. CNN’s Martin Savidge reports.
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/10/buying-guns-no-questions-asked/
What a lovely heartfelt message from the First Lady. She is a powerful speaker
FLOTUS is a powerful speaker. We learn that during the campaign. Remember her DNC speech.
Well, howdy doody to all my O’s!!! You know it’s another great getting up day in all of TOD universe today, right?
Just a reminder, remember as we think of the gun control bill that has a possibility of passing. It is NOT watered down. You can’t water down an initiative that didn’t exist before. It is a beginning, a framework to build upon. It goes into the ‘win’ column for PBO, just as universal healthcare is a part of his legacy. He will accomplish domestically in his second term; immigration, gun control, a budget, and same sex marriage Not bad under the circumstances.
Morning, Mrs. Cookemom!
I really wanted to repeat this because it speaks to me.
” [R]emember… It is NOT watered down. You can’t water down an initiative that didn’t exist before. It is a beginning, a framework to build upon.”
I’m with you, VC!
Morning, JO’B! Truth is, sometimes I find I have to make an effort to see the positive as I can be derailed/swamped by many voices only noting what’s wrong.
I agree, and think how much perseverance the President needs every day to keep seeing the positive. Sometimes we try to “fight for,” sometimes we are dragged into “fighting against” – by the circumstance – but the most important thing we have to keep telling ourselves is we are all “fighting with” President Barack Obama! That’ll keep our heads up high. I’m good. #FORWARD
#FORWARD indeed, taking our cues from the CiC!
“watered down” from its original intent, original provisions, original wording.
I know that what comes out will not be what we all want or hope for, but I’m not going to knock the first step in the right direction. Another way to look at this would be that negotiations will GENERALLY result in initial proposals being ‘watered down’. Personally I find that once I take the negative approach it is harder for *me* to not let it overshadow the whole picture.
Well, as the Co. Gov. put it, ‘I guess it’s better than nothing, but only better than nothing.” I just think the exemption—-sales between “friends and neighbors”—-would open a huge loophole which would make it almost worthless.
And it’s the ‘better than’ part that appeals to me right now, Dotster. It eases open a door that has been stuck for a long time and I’m optimistic that, with the determination present right now (for example the organization and sense of purpose of the families from Newtown) and the character and MO of the President, the door might be squeezed open wider as we go along. Inch by inch, maybe?
Yes, VC, people are now talking about a normally verboten topic. More people are seeing the sense in reasonable restrictions on guns. It’s progress. Remember the first version of Social Security was pretty ugly and pretty much only applied to white men. But it was a step and opened up a new way of thinking about the elderly.
If we all start making our reps accountable for NOT voting for sensible gun legislation, they may finally start to see that we are not fooling around this time.
there was no formal original wording. There were proposals for a final document, which would then be considered the original wording.
I totally agree with that, cookemom!
I agree…this is just the beginning….because only a ban on the assault weapons/high capacity magazines that were used by the shooters in Aurora and SandyHook will deter another mass killing….
I agree p58. All other regs are moot, unless the ban on assault weapons/limited mag clips are put into law.
Good Morning, TODobots, even the ones who are ‘afraid’ to sleep! 😉
{{{LovelyPlains}}} LP, thank you and know in your heart that I’m joining my positive wishes and vibes to those of everyone here, that your dad will make a really good recovery and that you and your family will draw closer to each other and be strengthened during this time. I do understand the need to be DOING during times of mental anguish – it helps time to move a bit.
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2013/04/social-security-administration-says.html
Social Security Administration says chained CPI protections would reduce poverty among the very elderly
here is a list of programs that would be exempt from chained CPI:
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, meaning that the lowest-income seniors and people with disabilities generally would not be affected.
Means-tested veterans’ pensions as well as the Montgomery GI Bill-active duty or the post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and child nutrition programs.
Pell Grants.
Poverty guidelines.
The White House says that without these protections and without “substantial revenue raised through tax reform” – no deal.
Smartypants is indeed smart. She’s a MUST read everyday. Thanks df.
THISSSSSSSSSS!!!
So Rachel and others are trying to imply that POTUS is turning his back on Seniors, which I won’t ever believe that.
I’m a senior, and PBO hasn’t turned his back on me. And Rachel and some others don’t exist in my world, and have zero positive influence on my Social Security or Medicare when they don’t support the President … because the alternative is an all-Republican-controlled federal government in Washington. No, thanks.
JOB, you’ve spoken words of gold–couldn’t agree more. The only people who are hurting seniors right now are the emos and Rachel herself. They are stirring up trouble among the gullible, rather than delivering facts. Rachel herself is salting away millions, while those of us who are seniors and count on Social Security know how important it is to strengthen it for the long run. Today I went on FB for the first time in weeks and saw otherwise sensible seniors picking up the Rachel outrage. It made me sick to see how easy it is for people like her to prey on the vulnerable with bad information. PBO has dedicated his life to helping the middle class, the poor, young people and especially seniors. And these idiots feel free to flick away all his accomplishments because he doesn’t satisfy their whims on a given day. Frankly, I hope Rachel Maddow’s ratings tank along with all the other idiots opining without sense on the TV.
What’s higher than gold? That would be what I’d call YOUR words here.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — An ExxonMobil pipeline that ruptured last month and spilled thousands of barrels of oil in central Arkansas has a gash in it that is 22 feet long and 2 inches wide, state Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said Wednesday.
“The pipeline rupture is substantially larger than many of us initially thought,” McDaniel told reporters Wednesday evening.
I want to share this whitehouse email for those that haven’t received it yet.. its about ‘thunderclap’ which I think is an outstanding form of ACTION:
Hello, all —
For the first time since the 1990s, Congress might be on track to pass legislation aimed at reducing gun violence in the United States. And it’s because folks in Washington are starting to understand that the rest of the country isn’t going to sit by and let them ignore this issue. Your voices are the reason we have a chance to win this debate. The American people expect and demand a yes or no vote.
But this is a critical moment. It’s been almost four months since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, thousands more Americans have died at the hands of gun violence, and time is on the side of those who would prefer that we do nothing.
We want to make sure that your voices are impossible to ignore. So we’re asking people from all over the country to speak out online in concert — all at the same time. Will you join us?
Pledge to speak out about the need to reduce gun violence.
It’s easy to participate. Over the next few days, anyone can sign up to tweet or share a message to Facebook. Through that time, we’ll gather up as many people as we can. Then we’ll make sure that all these individual messages get posted together in the same moment for maximum effect.
That wave of social media will get seen by millions and millions of people.
We’re talking about common-sense reforms. Like the idea that any of us who want to buy a gun should have to go through a background check first — which 90 percent of Americans support.
So let’s make sure that there’s absolutely no confusion about the public consensus.
Pledge to speak out with us, and then forward this email to your family and friends:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/now-is-the-time/action
Thanks!
David
David Simas
Deputy Senior Advisor
The White House
signed up and sent a tweet…..very easy even for me a novice to all this new fangled technology. 🙂
me too 🙂
I”M IN. Thanks for posting that, sherijr!
thank you jb!
http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2013/4/11/91156/0645?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+boomantribune%2FSvpw+%28Booman+Tribune%29
Glimmer of hope???
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/04/11/1851941/house-conservatives-urge-boehner-to-kill-gun-safety-bill/ May the wrath of the people rein down on them!
If Boehner does that, then he might as well get ready to hand that gravel over to Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
If ANY of these morons is your rep…like MINE IS….. we need to get busy!
Co-signers of the letter include: Bachmann, Barr, Bentivolio, Bishop, Boustany, Bridenstine, Broun, Carter, Collins, Daines, DeSantis, DesJarlais, Duncan, Farenthold, Fincher, Fleming, Franks, Gardner, Gohmert, Gosar, Harris, Jones, Kingston, LaMalfa, Lamborn, Lummis, Marchant, Massie, Messer, Mullin, Pearce, Radel, Roby, Rokita, Salmon, Schweikert, Stockman, Stutzman, Weber, Wenstrup, Yoho.
Senator Mark Begich (D-Alaska) says he “may” join the gun bill filibuster.
How sad. We have a bunch of cowards in the Senate and House.
I should send that senator a email and start it with Dear Senator Coward.
What a coward…. PBO even called him .
Begich also told the News-Miner that President Barack Obama called him on Tuesday, and they spoke for about 25 minutes, in part about gun control.
“Obviously this was what he was calling about,” Begich said. “We had a robust discussion and I reminded him of the current law and asked why are we not enforcing that.”
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What laws is he talking about , prosecuting people who lie on background checks ? How would that be cost effective ?
Turning right with Alaska – due for re-election – absolute wimp – every democrat in Alaska worked so hard for him in 2008 & this is how he repays them.
Every office holder should be required to read “Profiles in Courage”.
Yes, maybe we need a “Citizens United” group to buy up copies and send ’em out to these knuckledraggers.
I think I know why I couldn’t sleep so well last night. I was lying in bed watching Piers Morgan who had the sister of one of the Newtown teachers on…she said that each of the bullets from the madman’s assault rifle had bullets that made a hole in the children THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL!!! Each one was shot between 3 and 11 times…..I couldn’t get that visual out of my head. This is madness.
desertflower, I’m glad I didn’t hear that. That is horrible, these kids never had a chance. But yet people worship guns so much that they refuse to do what is right. And politicians don’t have the guts to do what is right.
There’s a special place in hell reserved for those low-lifes who said that the Newtown kids didn’t really exist, and that they were actors working for the Administration to build a case to grab people’s guns. When I think of the horror of those five minutes, and those little innocent children having to live through it – it makes me ill.
Okay, although I am still not convicned Chained CPI is the way to go my major complaint is more of how it looks from the politic of it side. And plaese folks, not all those who are upset about it are emoprogs. Many of us are strong PBO supporters. Please don’t throw all the critics of this into the same bushel.
That being said:
Let’s R/T the hell out of that! Reality bites, but we need to face it. Thanks, Japa.
Yup. 2010 & 2012 were great opportunities to go forward and get out of the dubya ditch but the maroons (both voting & nonvoting) squandered them and decided to go backwards towards the same ditch. Now they want one man to pull them out of the same ditch while they constantly kneecap him.
I agree Japa, we should not get pulled into dismissing supporters just because an issue is not palatable to them. Many of us feel stronger about certain things than others. I think it adds to the discourse to hear from those with different views on any matter important to them. We should be careful when, in our attempts to have PBO’s back, we don’t immediately label those who challenge him as less than supportive. I don’t know enough about chained CPI to have a position yet. However, I do appreciate people who agree AND disagree with PBO’s changes to it, to feel free to express themselves. I will use the information from both sides to help me form my own opinion about it.
Like you cookemom, I don’t know enough about chained CPI, I am trying to fine out all I can. But I will not be listening to these cable pundits like Rachel, Ed, or any other.
I listen to it all then I go try and find out on my own using what others had to say to help me make a decision. I don’t dismiss anyone’s opinion, cause everyone’s entitled to one. There is no right or wrong when it comes to opinions. All pundits do is give their opinions, they are not experts in any field that they speak on. People put way too much emphasis on what they have to say. I listen to them all, I hear what they have to say, then I decide if what they said made sense to me or not. Most times, I consider the source, respect where they’re coming from, then move on. I really got to do more with learning about the chained CPI though. You’d think I’d know since, I’m receiving soc sec in my……ahem….old age. Actually, I took it early, cause I figured, what the heck, tomorrow isn’t promised, let me live for today.
Tell me about it, japa21. I deal with my 73 year old husband, and a slew of Democratic seniors. This is not just an emoprog issue – this is a perception issue. And I don’t see one word from the administration explaining this properly.
There have been a slew of issues where I have had to have PBO’s back when explaining things to seniors, but I admit this one is becoming the hardest sell I’ve had to make to date. And I’m not getting any help from the administration. Without even a modest raise in the cap, a very lopsided cuts-to-revenue proposal, this is not easy. The administration should have been better prepared to sell this.
I’m perplexed that they are still not better at this. And here we are, a few months from the beginning of the insurance exchanges and there is no publicity on how to do it. And no, it’s not too early. Even the Romney administration sold their health care bill. I know the Republicans are holding up funding, but I simply cannot believe that HHS is that hamstrung as to not being able to prepare the public for making this bill succeed. It’s not just up to PBO to cheerlead, it’s up to the entire administration to make these things workable and understandable.
I don’t want to see Democrats working to win seats in 2014 by bashing the President over this. This is becoming a communications nightmare and frankly, I can’t see an excuse.
Good morning, TODville. Thinking of you and your dad, LP. I hope all is going well for him and your family.
This is a terrific Rise and Shine. So much info that we need for this week’s push for both gun legislation and immigration reform. I’m so sick of the RWNJs and all those who will filibuster gun control in Congress right now, I had to stay off the twitter machine yesterday. They are controlled by the NRA and are impervious to the great many horrific tragedies that happen every day due to senseless gun violence. They’re immune to the unrelenting suffering that families face every single day. They disgust me. But I won’t give up until we have honored the children of Sandy Hook and Gabby Giffords and all the thousands and millions of others who’ve been killed or hurt, whose lives have been horrifically scarred and will never be the same. We must keep fighting.
I was blown away by FLOTUS once again yesterday. She put her heart and soul into the day and her speech just moved me on so many levels. We have never experienced a First Lady like this and we never will again. She is my inspiration every single day.
Michelle Obama totally rules!!! There’s very little that can bring me to tears but her speech yesterday had me crying!!! The woman has the ability to very effortlessly cut to te heart of the matter and with the simplest of words!!!
It doesn’t hurt that she has this rare candor and genuniness about her!!! I just love her!!!
And if anyone thinks that her voice and outreach don’t have real impact, try telling that to the kids who got to meet her privately and the rest of the student body who were very sad she didn’t get to meet with the rest of them!!!
A news clip from one of the local stations that interviewed some of the students after mrs obama’s visit:
http://widget.newsinc.com/_cfvp/playlist16x9_player.html?CID=12245&WID=11450&VID=24729441&freewheel=91046&sitesection=118_Local_News&external_url=http://wgntv.com/2013/04/10/michelle-obama-meets-with-students-as-gun-control-debate-continues/
I had a disturbing experience yesterday. I ran into an acquaintance(from years past) in Walmart, and she told me she was there to buy bullets and they were sold out. I asked her WHY? She said that bullets and guns were going to be outlawed and so she was stockpiling them….I was so shocked that the first thing out of my mouth was..”I thought you were smarter than that”…and walked off……After thinking about it, she seemed somewhat strung out on some kind of drugs…just suspect it b/c of her eyes……should I report this to someone?……………and on another note….we might get strong storms tonight, and there are NO birds in my yard…not a robin, cardinal, or finch…..not one….since daybreak………so I’m going to sign off b/c I am sounding like a paranoid old lady…..getting ready to watch background debate….
LOL! Be safe during the storm. Hope your friend gets off whatever influence she might have been under and comes to her senses.
Not my friend…just a” Hi, how are you” acquaintance(not really listening to the answer kind of acquaintance)…bullets got my attention…eyes seemed glassy, but hey, mine probably do too from all the yellow pollen sticking to everything, so what do I know………also no squirrels either in the yard but did see a hawk flying over…could that be it? sun is still shining…storms not suppose to hit here until 9PM or so…
Good morning, TOD. LP, OUTSTANDING rise & shine; THANK YOU. Prayers for you and your Dad.
Senate vote on the filibuster coming up at 11:00 AM. C-SPAN 2.
Sorry if this has already been posted: The DNC has put together a page that just requires a click to send a message to McConnell on twitter:
http://www.tweetmcconnell.com
Done thank you for posting it meta, as I had not seen it.
All 3 RT’ed.
You know the best thing about it. The tweets actually go our in your name. They are just RT’s.
Very cool and smart of DNC to use that tool.
Thanks very much, amk.
The least one could do.
Dratz. They are not just RT’s.
The tweets go out in your name.
Done and I don’t care if the SOB knows my name!
The White House and OFA and the DNC are really continuing to use social media in an expert manner.
Of course, We The People are going to “break” Twitter and we’re all gonna get carpal tunnel syndrome, but, hey.
Thanks for posting this link and any others you find!
Thanks, everyone. Yes, LET’S BREAK TWITTER on this.
Senate is voting right now , but the Chamber looks almost empty.
Yeah, empty like half of their heads. “This is the vote to move the Firearms Bill forward; 60 ‘aye’ votes are needed.”
Rand Paul and Marco Rubio both voted no.
At the risk of repeating myself: Eff ’em.
Powerful.
And “if Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” And Moms and Grandmoms – and Dads and Grandpops – won’t be happy until we have #GunSense.
What do y’all think of this? I tend to agree.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/04/11/obama-s-next-move.html
Begich and Pryor voted NO
Eff ’em. I think it’s Joe Manchin standing in the well of the Senate, giving out hugs. Hey, I’ll hug him if we get gun safety laws enacted.
Just saw Harry Reid chatting up Manchin. Way to go, Harry. Take that narcissistic kid under your wing and keep him on the right side of history (I almost used the words “put him in” and “chokehold” there, but I restrained myself).
wtf ? voted no even to bring the bill up ?
It’s what they do.
You can watch the votes live right here (CSPAN 2)
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Senate-Voting-on-Motion-to-Proceed-to-Gun-Control-Legislation/10737439223-1/
Okay the senate has voted to move the bill foreward. They have the 60 ayes needed.
Methinks you kept the count yourself, eh? Ha! Good.
No actually I saw in CSPAN. 🙂
They have? I just saw mccaskill vote aye.
Excellent. Wonder how many dems voted no and how many repubs voted yes.
They have to vote to end debate before they can vote on the bill itself.
I think we beat the filibuster of the vote to move forward with the firearms bill, but now there are threats of filibustering of the bill and amendments to the bill, so keep tweeting, everyone!
So what is the next step? When will the next gun vote take place?
harry just said LUNCH!!! 🙂
Actually not a bad idea.
Passes 68 to 31
Yeah, and ol’ Harry gave Joe Manchin the big smooch and allowed him to announce the vote, which is fine with me! I’ll have ’em over for lunch, if that’s the ticket. Step one done. On to the next step.
Damn – I can’t find the exact numbers but I just heard on WCPT in Chicago: percentage of employer-provided health care has dropped something like 15 points in the last decade. I’ll listen for the exact numbers at the next news break, but it was something like 77% about 10, 12 years ago and 62% now. I don’t know if my numbers are exact, but that is appalling.
The office I work at eliminated health care 9 years ago because it was ‘too expensive’. My consulting job concerns the luxury items that this guy buys, but he can’t provide health care. This is not the American workforce that I entered as a secretary in 1972. There was no question of benefits being offered.
Actual numbers: 74% 10 years ago, 62% now. This is non-elderly working people in IL. That is just appalling.
Did Reid just say they have seen the pictures of the children ???? Did I hear that and some still voted NO to even debate ?
New post from UT:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/04/11/news-of-the-day-2/
10,526 thanks to her and LoveyPlains for today’s mega posts, will be back with a heads up for the Medal of Honor ceremony, only six hours behind schedule with my work 😎
Just a thought about the emoprogs. Before I retired, I sat through the dreaded forced “brainstorming” sessions at work, where everybody got a chance to express their views on marching forward with some program or effort. The rules then were that nobody should look aghast at another brainstormer with a crazy idea, but allow each person to feel like they had buy-in, which would help down the road. (Ah, those 1970 management styles still being used in the ’90s that I don’t miss, at all.) Sometimes that would bring forth exceptional ideas. Once a package was agreed to, it moved forward and got approved. AND THEN EVERYBODY WAS REQUIRED TO GET WITH THE PROGRAM OR EFFORT AND SEE IT THROUGH TO FRUITION, tweaking it a little internally along the way, as needed.
That’s how I see the current state of affairs in Washington. Every Democrat should have an input – as a voter – on what their legislators should be doing. But then when THE PRESIDENT and OUR SIDE of Congress – the ones we voted in, who are there to represent us – are ready to roll, we should get behind their efforts, and see them through to fruition, which is the point where the President uses his cute left hand to select a pen from his box of law-signin’ pens. No matter how “stunted” any of us feel that we can’t go on and on and on about what we wanted, saying we still don’t like each and every piece of a law (all of which can be amended down the road), if it’s for the common good and works for the majority, it has to be GOOD ENOUGH for all of us, for now. That’s what our Constitution says, and that’s the framework we find ourselves living under, as Americans. And I wouldn’t have it any other way, as long as we pay attention and stay involved until we get the job done.
Oh, and, until we have a clear majority in both houses, and until that’s in place in 2014, We The People can’t stop working to get out the vote.
Jacque, I don’t know if I can do it, but this should be brought over to the new thread. Excellent.