****
Today (all times ET):
8:20 AM: President Obama and Michelle Obama depart the White House
9:55: Arrive in Boston
11:0: President Obama delivers remarks at Healing Our City: An Interfaith Service dedicated to those who were wounded or killed in Monday’s bombing. Michelle Obama also attends
2:55: Depart Boston
4:30: Arrive at the White House
5:30: President Obama hosts a reception for Greek Independence Day; VP Biden also attends
****
****
“This was a pretty shameful day for Washington. But this effort isn’t over… I see this as just round one.” —President Obama
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 17, 2013
****
Gabrielle Giffords: Senators say they fear the N.R.A. and the gun lobby. But I think that fear must be nothing compared to the fear the first graders in Sandy Hook Elementary School felt as their lives ended in a hail of bullets. The fear that those children who survived the massacre must feel every time they remember their teachers stacking them into closets and bathrooms, whispering that they loved them, so that love would be the last thing the students heard if the gunman found them.
On Wednesday, a minority of senators gave into fear and blocked common-sense legislation that would have made it harder for criminals and people with dangerous mental illnesses to get hold of deadly firearms — a bill that could prevent future tragedies like those in Newtown, Conn., Aurora, Colo., Blacksburg, Va., and too many communities to count.
More here
****
****
NYT Editorial: For 45 senators, the carnage at Sandy Hook Elementary School is a forgotten tragedy. The toll of 270 Americans who are shot every day is not a problem requiring action. The easy access to guns on the Internet, and the inevitability of the next massacre, is not worth preventing.
….. Patricia Maisch, who survived a mass shooting in Tucson in 2011, spoke for many in the country when she shouted from the Senate gallery: “Shame on you.”
Newtown, in the end, changed nothing; the overwhelming national consensus to tighten a ridiculously lax set of gun laws was stopped cold. That’s because the only thing that mattered to these lawmakers was a blind and unthinking fealty to the whims of the gun lobby.
Full editorial here
****
Dana Milbank: …. Manchin gathered with the families after the vote and expressed his wish that lawmakers could show “just one ounce of the courage” the grieving relatives had shown.
There were moments of courage on the Senate floor. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), seriously ill with cancer, had traveled to Washington to cast his vote …. Bravest of all were Manchin and Toomey, both risking their “A” ratings from the NRA to follow their consciences…..
As the clerk called the roll, lawmakers on both sides gave Manchin consoling pats on the back. Toward the end of the vote, the doors parted and aides wheeled in the frail Lautenberg. Manchin walked over, leaned down, and planted a kiss on the cheek of his ailing colleague, who belted out a hearty “aye.”
In a chamber of the feckless, the embracing men cut a profile in courage.
Full article here
****
****
Washington Post: A cowardly minority of senators blocked a gun background-check proposal on Wednesday, in one vote betraying both the will of the American people and the charge voters gave them to work in their interest. But at least those senators avoided a rebuke from the National Rifle Association.
…. most Republicans and a handful of Democrats — Max Baucus (Mont.), Mark Begich (Alaska), Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.) and Mark Pryor (Ark.) — couldn’t locate enough backbone even to vote for the bare minimum…..
Full editorial here
****
****
Every strong political movement, besotted with the fragrance of its own power, hits the point of overreach, and the pro-gun movement hit that point yesterday in the morally repulsive Senate vote on the background-checks bill. We all know the old cliché that the National Rifle Association has power because its members vote on the guns issue, while gun-control people aren’t zealots. Well, Wayne LaPierre and 46 craven senators, that “majority” of the Senate, have just created millions of zealots, and as furious as I am, I’m also strangely at peace, because I’m more confident than ever that the NRA will never, ever be stronger in Washington than it was yesterday.
More here
****
****
Jonathan Bernstein: …. This is obviously a substantial setback for those who support stronger gun legislation, and for one of the president’s top agenda items. However, I think Greg’s long-term optimism from this morning is entirely appropriate. The bottom line about legislating in any system – let alone America’s convoluted Madisonian system – is that it’s really hard to do…..
That’s a good part of the story of why the Affordable Care Act passed in 2009 and 2010 while Bill Clinton’s initiative failed nearly two decades earlier. It just takes time, energy, and sustained effort to get things done in a democracy, especially in our system.
And so while today is clearly a crushing setback for proponents of tougher gun legislation, overall the effort has been a very solid step towards eventual passage. If, that is, the people who strongly supported today’s amendment keep working to reward Senators who supported them, to make life difficult for those who opposed them; and, most of all, to make it a must-support for future candidates…..
More here
****
****
****
****
****
Morning everyone
The Obama Diary 
https://twitter.com/deaconmill/status/324855295593545729
Corrected:
Morning Japa.
Morning queen of all she surveys.
Thank you young man, I’m sitting comfortably, ready for the day.
And with all that, a GM to all from extremely wet Chitown. HAve to work from home today due to some seepage we are getting. Have had 4.5 inches of rain and expecting up to 2 more today. And parts of the Midwest are getting more.
G’morning Chips, TOD, lurkers, everyone and congratulations japa on #1!
Morning Hopefruit, morning everyone.
Editorials and cartoons condemning the vote in the Senate yesterday are ok, except for the fact that in general they don’t emphasize that 90% of Democrats voted yes while 90% of the republicans voted no.
Look at the cartoons. People not paying attention will blame “the Senate” in general.
The details about the vote, where the opposition came from, have to be told again and again and again. Tweeted again and again and again. To friends, neighbors, co-workers. To local journalists. To everyone you know who is going to blame “Washington” or “The Senate”. President Obama mentioned the numbers yesterday. So should everyone.
That’s a good point Lovepolitics2008. I saw a tweet from Senator Gillibrand (D) of NY saying that “the senate is broken.” When 90% of Democrats (including some conservadems like Landrieu) voted “yes” and 90% of Repblicans voted no, it’s not the senate that’s broken. It’s the GOP caucus that’s not working for the American people and instead operating at the NRA’s behest. Time to call a spade a spade and stop enabling GOP obstructionism with this vague language about “Washington being broken” or “government not working.” It lumps all politicians together and is extremely unfair to those politicians who ALWAYS or usually do the right thing for the people who put them in office.
When Democrats don’t do the right thing, people seem to have no qualms about singling them out, saying that they are cowards, spineless, or that they CAVED. But when it’s the GOP, there’s always some hesitance to call them out. I’m glad that PBO said in his unscripted speech yesterday that 90% of the Republicans voted against the background check.
Good early morning folks. I don’t remember any other president attending so many memorials for mass-casualty events (and there will probably be another one after the tragedy in West, TX). I hope President Obama will continue to have the strength and grace to lead the nation through these events, but more importantly, that we eventually won’t need more memorial services like this.
I echo your sentiment and I hope he continues to know that there are millions who send him good wishes, blessings, and comforting thoughts every day.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO
Morning Joe made Mark Hackperin look like a fool for calling this a “complicated issue ” Hackperin mad no sense trying to explain himself. He started stuttering.
They are blaming both sides. Clearly both sides, once again, did not have equal footing on the matter.
And yet, the media tells us it did. 😦
Good Morning, TOD. Congrats Japa21.
Good Morning all. Couldn’t sleep last night due to Explosion in West. This is a small town mostly Czechoslovakian heritage and a huge Catholic presence. My husbands family lives there. We were suppose to go to the family reunion this next weekend there. My children grew up going every year. We have not been since we moved to Florida but, my mother-in-law goes with the rest of my in-laws. Stayed up most of the night watching MSNBC as they broke into Dallas network news and let it run for hours. I appreciated the service they provided.
Was up talking with my daughter at U of Tampa…she had contacted everyone by Facebook and was informing us family is fine.
Reply
Proud, glad to hear your family is safe. Did they suffer any property damage? Praying for the folks in West, TX.
Why do I get the feeling they are going to do this on immigration, as well?
I think the President should campaign on these issues, as the lead in 2014 election.
It sure would put an emphasis on that election.
The GOP will not pass anything supported by PBO – which is why 2014 is SO important
Preisely. Meeka just said this is not about President Obama.
Yes it is, to a large degree, as well as other things.
I had to stop watching MJ a few months ago – seriously damaging to the brain cells.
Good Morning Chips & Japa congrats on 1st. It’s been raining here all night too. I feel water logged. Supped to rain all weekend I guess, snow in Minneapolis today. Shsssssss. All have a wonderful day be bacj later.
Good morning everyone and Chips.
Republicans, Tea Baggers, and weak kneed Democrats are causing more deaths to occur.
Everyone of those 46 Senators should be targeted. It does not matter who they are.
Call 202 224 3121 and let those 46 Democratic and Republican Senators know it’s time to start packing.
How about that West Fertilizer Co.?
The fertilizer plant that exploded in West, Texas on Wednesday night was fined by the Environmental Protection agency in 2006 for failing to have a risk management plan that met federal standards, an EPA report shows.
http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/Documents-show-West–203543061.html
The lies these greedy jokers entertain and spin about tax cuts and deregulation are not true.
Tax Cuts And Deregulation Hurt The Economy
http://foldvary.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-deregulation-hurts-economy.html
Everyone have a nice day 🙂
45 Senators (41 Republicans and 4 Democrats), a minority, voted for the FILIBUSTER. The record shows 46 because the Senate Majority Leader switched his vote to NO so that he may be able to bring back the Bill. The majority of the Senators (51 Democrats and 4 Republicans) voted for the Bill. The vast majority of Democrats (93%) voted for the Bill. The vast majority of Republicans (91%) voted to FILIBUSTER and kill the Bill. While I deplore the four cowardly Democratic Senators who voted for the FILIBUSTER, it’s important to keep things in perspective. Even if all four voted the Bill, it would not have changed the outcome because 41 Republicans voted for the FILIBUSTER. To overcome the filibuster requires 60 votes. By continuing to focus on four Democrats we let of the hook 41 Republicans led by that evil man, Mitch McConnell, who thinks that he was elected to the Senate to obstruct everything.
Hello all, hello Ms Chips
Thank you thank you for the words from Gabby Giffords – every last congressperson should well know “there but for the grace of god go I” and they cry for her – and then completely ignore her.
I hope they well remember when their turn comes that they put guns above one of their own.
Yesterday was a sad day! 😦
CONGRESS IS BROKEN. IT IS ON THE BRINK OF UTTER USELESSNESS
=============================================================
Gun zealots winning in Congress despite national outcry for gun control
By Joy-Ann Reid
————————————
With so many failures to its credit, it is no longer sufficient to say Congress is “broken.” It is on the brink of utter uselessness.
How else to explain, even in the face of the unspeakable horror of the Newtown massacre of women and children, and searing, individual tragedies like Hadiya Pendleton’s drive-by murder and the thousands of equally senseless gun deaths since then, the inability of Congress to move forward on even the barest gun reform?
And how to explain why the same politicians who would demand an immediate clampdown on our civil liberties in the aftermath of terrorist attacks like the Boston Marathon bombing — and whose zeal for indefinite detention, surveillance, warrantless wiretapping and even torture post 9/11 — is matched only by their determination to halt any expansion of background checks for gun purchases, even to people on the terrorism watch list?
—————————————–
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/04/17/3349770/gun-zealots-winning-in-congress.html#storylink=cpy
Blame where blame is due
BY STEVE BENEN
—————————–
But let’s at least try to be objective about what happened. There was a Republican filibuster, which the vast majority of Republicans supported. Four Democrats broke ranks, but even if they had stuck with their party, the proposal would have come up short — because of the scope of Republican opposition.
That’s not opinion; it’s just what happened. I’m not even assigning a value judgment here — if you hated the legislation and wanted to see it die, then give Republicans credit, because they succeeded. If you backed the legislation and were disappointed, then blame the party responsible.
.
.
With all due respect to those in media who want to blame yesterday’s vote on Democrats, it seems pretty obvious to me the evidence points in the other direction.
————————————-
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/04/18/17808753-blame-where-blame-is-due
Tell Meeka?
I strongly agree with Steve Benen as I commented last knight about this. Even on this pragmatic site I’ve seen several comments obsessing about four Democrats who would not have changed the outcome of the Bill.
This Hedi of North Dakota?
😦
There really are no words:
Mitch McConnell has to be the #1 target in 2014. Let’s go after everyone, but put all of our effort on this guy. He is an evil and incompetent man and no effort should be spared to keep him out of the Senate in 2014.
Absolutely, Jackie. Imagine the mentality of posting that to his Facebook page? I presume it was done by a staffer, but it shows the ‘quality’ of people he employs. A hateful man.
I swear, I thought this was a joke when I saw it last night. Did he really post this? REALLY? Wow….
I couldn’t even bear to look at his Facebook page, Isonprize, just read it on Steve Benen’s blog. It would actually make you feel physically ill.
He took it later.
Isn’t PBO attending boston memorial today ? I read that somewhere that a teabagger uncle of that 8-year old boy was threatening to make a scene ‘if pols come to attend his funeral for a photo-op’.
Nothing surprises me anymore.
He is Amk:
11:0: President Obama delivers remarks at Healing Our City: An Interfaith Service dedicated to those who were wounded or killed in Monday’s bombing. Michelle Obama also attends
There will be pols there: Governor, Mayor and President. It’s not his decision who attends this service intended for all the people. His only place he could honestly object at is at the boys funeral which pols generally do not attend. Sounds pretty ignorant.
Why is landrieu being taken to task on twitter of gun control ? Isn’t she a yes ?
She was Amk, voted yes even though she knew it would lose – amazingly courageous for her. Can’t understand why people would be going after her on this??
She voted for Cruz bill too.
She voted against banning assault weapons and against limiting the size of the magazine clips. She only voted yes on the limited background checks.
John King has always been obsessed with skin tone—–almost solely obsessed.
Time thinks that Rand Paul is one of the 100 most influential people in the world and has Sarah Palin write about him ? The entire World ?
How pathetic. Even Joe wanted to know why.
Because, I am assuming, his little filibuster got him international attention?
Meh!
I think the reply sounded correct. Influential doesn’t always mean positive. Didn’t he also say that President Obama wrote the piece for Tom Coburn as most influential?
It’s is all some stupid dkos style voting that time peddles.
Time magazine has deteriorated into a tabloid rag, like much of the print media.
Does anybody actually read TIME anymore? It is so irrelevant, so wedded to right wing garbage that I doubt anyone would notice if it just disappeared. Personally I cannot fathom the reason for a “weekly” printed news magazine in 2013. The demographic for this has to be ancient.
Florida student files complaint against Allen West over online ‘threat’
linky
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/04/17/florida-student-files-complaint-against-allen-west-over-online-threat/
As the GOP are the first to scream that they are being “threatened” – good to see the other side using their tactics.
And just to add – why would any university want to name a stadium after a prison – guns and prisons – the big money people
I don’t think Immigration will pass either.
The President should just do stuff Administratively, executive powers and the like.
Still could make a big impact.
I just don’t see anything passing with this congress, at least until 2014.
Particularly, the debt limit show down is may 19th, boner wants another trillion in cuts, democrats want a clean bill.
Is this what the country voted for in 2012???
I respectfully disagree Jovie. The GOP can mess around with gun control bill because they pretty much have a lock on the White vote, which they don’t have with the Hispanic vote. And as they found out in 2012, having a lock on the White vote no longer translates to electoral victory – particularly because Hispanics are now voting for Democrats in significant majorities. That is why Harry Reid won Nevada despite tons of $$ being spent on the GOP side, and the polls consistently showing him with a 5-pt lag.
I hope you are right but I doubt it!
GM Jovie…
Process is very important here…the American People have to be led…they have to be shown what is truly happening…The American people understand the concept of Majority Rules …most organizations vote…using the concept of majority rules…they get that…but this filibuster requires a SUPER-majority…This filibuster is blocking majority decisions..to Americans that does not seem right…that is why the vote is necessagry….so that the filibuster can be exposed…each time something like this happens it sets the table for change…the forces against democracy have to be boxed into a corner…and each vote like this…shows the American People that their voices have to be heard at the ballot box…
Starting a new hash tag. May not be able to be here much today or on twitter, but will do what I can.
PBO and FLOTUS about to take off. A little late and looks like it’s raining.
http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
Thank you Melanie – yuck, what horrible weather.
Yes, the weather here in the DC area is gloomy – matches the mood of the nation all week.
It really does Hopefruit.
I also saw some nasty thunderstorms on the forecast for late afternoon/early this evening. Mother Nature is pizzed at the Republicans, John King, Wolf Blitzer, Morning Joke, the whole Goddamned bunch of them.
| Live | President Obama and First Lady depart for Boston: http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
Thank you JER!
Good morning everyone. I have been through West, TX so many times, as it’s between my brothers in Austin, & my mom at Lake Whitney. West is a popular stop for Czech pastries when you are doing the road-trip thing, and luckily my mom is up a bit farther in Dallas visiting my sister –
Also, Glen Rose is not too far from West – if you recall the murders by a vet that was receiving rehab at the gun range.
Thanks always for all the posts Chips 7 company!
with the corrupt msm shills giving them cover, will any of these rethug terrorists pay a real political price for their treasonous acts ?
Yes, because we won’t forget and there are more of us than them. The msm is worthless crap and young people know that. There will be a political price even if it’s exacted slowly.
http://blog.reidreport.com/2013/04/senators-who-voted-for-and-against-gun-safety-heres-when-theyre-up-for-re-election/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reidreport%2FbHvp+%28The+Reid+Report%29
Senators who voted for and against gun safety: here’s when they’re up for re-election
Plaster this all over the place, then let’s get to work!!! GM all…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/04/18/wonkbook-the-gun-bill-failed-because-the-senate-is-wildly-undemocratic/
The gun vote didn’t fail because a couple of red-state Democrats bolted, or even because too many senators are afraid of the National Rifle Association, or even because Sen. Pat Toomey couldn’t bring along more Republicans.
Those factors help explain why the gun vote didn’t clear the extraordinary bar set for it to succeed. But they’re not the main reason it failed.
The gun vote failed because of the way the Senate is designed. It failed because the Senate wildly overrepresents small, rural states and, on top of that, requires a 60-vote supermajority to pass most pieces of legislation.
The Manchin-Toomey bill received 54 aye votes and 46 nay votes. That is to say, a solid majority of senators voted for it. In most legislative bodies around the world, that would have been enough. But it wasn’t a sufficient supermajority for the U.S. Senate.
The Senate method of operating is broken, plain and simple. If it doesn’t get fixed and soon, the outlook for the future of the US is bleak. We can limp by for a few years with dysfunctional Senate, but we can’t do this on a sustained basis. Eventually it will lead to a dictatorship. When a legislature literally can’t act, somebody starts to fill the vacuum.
Yes….the thought is horrifying
Back to the long game
So its time – once again – to listen to our First Lady Michelle Obama.
Here’s the thing about my husband: even in the toughest moments, when it seems like all is lost, Barack Obama never loses sight of the end goal. He never lets himself get distracted by the chatter and the noise, even if it comes from some of his best supporters. He just keeps moving forward…
I find that the long game comes into view when I look at these events through the eyes of Republicans.
On gun reform, they may win the vote later today – but they lost the argument on December 14, 2012 when 20 babies were so ruthlessly lost. What they have to sell to the public is either the idea that we can live with that kind of carnage, or that the answer is more guns. How would you like to be the one running on that platform?
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2013/04/back-to-long-game.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FlpjFg+%28Smartypants%29
There is much despair out there – I’m not sure what to make of Pierce today – but I feel sad for those who were many times our allies and protectors. A people who could go so far as to elect PBO twice – yet they cannot protect their own from the violence within.
I hope you all have the stamina for the fight ahead – it may be your children – or your children’s children who will eventually decide they have given too much and the violence must stop.
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/our-violent-country-041813
Let me just say that If I see one more editorial that refers to Pat Toomey’s conscience on the background check bill, I’m going to scream. I think Manchin was genuinely touched by the Newtown tragedy. Much as I dislike the guy, I think he was operating from the heart. Toomey was coldly calculating in his action. He barely squeaked by in 2010 in a year when the Tea Party was riding a wave and Dem turnout in PA was low. He will run for re-election in a presidential year in 2016 and he’s scared witless (and rightly so) that he will lose in a landslide with high turnout in the Phillie area. Hilary Clinton is wildly popular in PA. If she runs, he loses. So..he’s tried to come up with some way to mollify the urban dweller, while still not totally turning off his Tea Party backers. He will now double down on right wing votes because he’s getting all these hero kudos from the press and thinks he can ride on them. So, yes, he worked with Manchin to save his own political skin, but let’s not assign him virtues he doesn’t have. He is an evil presence in the Senate and way out of line with moderate PA. He has to go.
Jackie, you should send this as an editorial to your local newspaper. It was really well said!
A judge in New Zealand has found a coal mining company guilty of safety breaches over a gas explosion in 2010 in which 29 men died.
The judge found there was a direct link between the safety breaches at Pike River Coal and the deaths of the miners at the South Island colliery.
At sentencing in July the company, now in receivership, could face fines of around NZ$2.25m ($1.89m: £1.25m).
The former chief executive Peter Whittall faces a separate trial.
He has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges.
Judge Jane Farish ruled that the company had failed to ensure the safety of its workers.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22196916
I want to hear what Rep Lewis has to say. I will tune in to his speech.
Thanks Hopefruit
Will be carried live on CSPAN one TV.
I just called to thank Sen. McCain…..Landmark day for me. I’ve never done that before. Credit when credit is due though.
The Boston memorial service will be carried live on CSPAN-3 TV. It will also be livestreamed on CSPAN.org
Heres a local link for Boston cbs too- on now: http://boston.cbslocal.com/live-video/
Thanks Hopefruit, have a ‘Heads Up’ ready to post with links
Good Morning Chips and my TOD Family. May the President and First Lady have the smile of the “Angels of Encouragement” center their loving cores this morning as our president and First Lady move amongst the city and the people of Boston. God Bless and Be with all of them this morning.
Have a beautiful day TOD Family, and do remember we are still on the battlefield amd we will prevail.((((Loving Hugs to all this day.))))HZ
{{{{{HZ}}}}}
John Lewis speaking live right now – CSPAN-1
He gave a very brief statement, not a speech.
Was he scolded for mentioning the Senate by name ? I just caught the end.
No, he didn’t mention Senate by name, he said “the other body.” So I think the comment was a general reminder to everyone present.
POTUS about to land in Boston: http://boston.cbslocal.com/live-video/
Thanks sherijr
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO
I wish I was in the Senate to ask your question to Ted Cruz. I would also have asked him this: every year I register my car, does that mean that the government can confiscate my car?
AF1 has landed.
Thanks JER
http://www.ustream.tv/cbsnews
chips, I leave it to you whether to add to your new post or not.
Victoria Kennedy is among PBO’s AF1 guests.
I saw Sen. Warren also.
I thought that was her. Thanks for verifying.
Just saw POTUS and FLOTUS get off Air Force One.
New post:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/04/18/110-president-obama-speaks-at-boston-memorial-service/
I see Mitt and one of his sons is there, where is Queen Ann? I shouldn’t have said that, I should have said where is Ann?