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Steve Benen: We talked earlier about Oklahoma’s junior senator, Republican Tom Coburn (R), announcing last night that he will only support federal disaster relief — for his own constituents — if it’s financed by comparable spending cuts elsewhere. But what about Oklahoma’s senior senator?
Republican Sen. James Inhofe, like Coburn, has opposed emergency aid in the recent past, including voting against a relief package for victims of Hurricane Sandy. This morning, however, the conservative senator said that was “totally different”.
More here
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Only on CNN: Wolf Blitzer: “You’ve got to thank the Lord for that split-second decision.” Woman, in OK: “I’m actually an atheist.”
— Josh Kraushaar (@HotlineJosh) May 21, 2013
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Now Obama has WEATHER WEAPONS? This is a million times worse than the last thing about Obama although I forget what that was.
— Thanks4 Sharing Jerk (@Thx4SharingJerk) May 21, 2013
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WH: As the Senate debates bipartisan immigration reform legislation, the President and the Vice President hosted a meeting today in the Oval Office with young immigrants, also known as DREAMers, as well as with the siblings and spouses of undocumented immigrants. The meeting was an important opportunity for the President and the Vice President to hear directly from people whose families are affected daily by our nation’s broken immigration system.
More here
President Obama and Vice President Biden meet with DREAMers who have received Deferred Action and U.S. citizen family members of undocumented immigrants, in the Oval Office, May 21 (Photo by Pete Souza)
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Socialist stock market soaring to new historic records. S&P 500 hits 1672, Dow at remarkable 15,400. #obamasfault
— Steve Weinstein (@steveweinstein) May 21, 2013
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It being Gallup, you know yourself, it’s probably a 96-year high:
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In case you missed it, SmartyPants on the, well, interesting background of Stephen Jin-Woo Kim:
….. The next place a little curiosity might take you is to wonder just who this Stephen Jin-Woo Kim is. As even I was able to find out from a simple look at Wikipedia, he was an employee of a federally funded research and development center that consulted with Rumsfeld via the Defense Policy Board – which was chaired by Richard Perle. In 2008 – just before the Obama administration began – Kim went to work for the State Department. One might be curious about that…..
More here
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Josh Marshall: ….. I’m a bit conflicted about this whole episode. I’ve spent a decent amount of money over the last decade paying for pricey legal advice to keep myself and other TPM reporters out of trouble. So the issues raised here are ones I’m quite familiar with …. but the DOJ didn’t indict anyone or seemingly make any effort to. They took a step I think they should not have taken. But they did so putting together a case against a government employee who more or less in plain sight (thanks to Rosen, in part) leaked what looks to have been highly classified information about US spy networks overseas. It’s difficult for me not to be more shocked by the self-interested preening of fellow journalists over a comically inept reporter and source than the arguable dangers this episode holds for press freedoms. Indeed, I’ve tried and failed. I can’t.
Full post here
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How Obamacare helps young adults — Hint: A lot of ways. ampr.gs/10IDBIq
— American Progress (@amprog) May 20, 2013
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Steve Benen: How do you know when congressional Republicans have gone around the bend on Benghazi? When their own staffers — usually a hyper-loyal bunch — are mocking GOP colleagues for pushing nonsense….
More here – and more at ThinkProgress
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Today, Dr. @ernestmoniz was sworn in as our new Secretary of @energy. Welcome him to Twitter with a follow. at.wh.gov/lgjjg
— The White House (@whitehouse) May 21, 2013
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Steve Benen: About a year ago, we discussed a measure signed into law by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, banning most abortions in the state after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Soon after, the 20-week standard became the new expectation for opponent of abortion rights in Republican-led states everywhere.
As of today, however, the law is no more….
More here
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I know, why should we be surprised, it’s another Michele Bachmann-ish subsidy story, but still, it’s spectacular:
ThinkProgress: Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-TN) agitated against food aid for poor Americans included in the Farm Bill during last week’s House Agricultural Committee debate, accusing the government of stealing “other people’s money”…..
Fincher invoked the Bible in his defense of the devastating cuts, quoting, “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
…. While Fincher interprets food assistance for the needy as “stealing,” he has not similarly condemned the Farm Bill’s massive agricultural subsidies … he has a great personal stake in maintaining these particular government handouts, as the second most heavily subsidized farmer in Congress and one of the largest subsidy recipients in Tennessee history….
More here
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Oh good grief…..
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New ‘commenters’ are always welcome here, but please, if possible, sign in with a non-private Twitter or Facebook account just to make the troll-weeding process a little easier. New people’s comments won’t go through until their non-trollness is confirmed – thank you!
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Ouch……
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Another teency, weency gentle reminder: please only post extracts (two or three paragraphs) from posts/articles from other sites in the comments, and make sure you include the link at the end – thank you!
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Yet again, I’m waaaaaaay behind on emails, there are a bunch of unanswered ones sighing in my inbox …. will reply in the next day or two, promise-ish.
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Oh……..
The Obama Diary 
Great roundup. Thanks!
Thank you Allison!!!
Congrats on 1st Allison.
WINNER Thread, Chips!!!!
Yes We Can
Thanks, Bobfr
Bob, I hope Elizabeth Warren does not retreat on this. She has a chance to rally college students around the country by taking this issue to campuses and telling students how important their vote is in making positive things happen. She should be relentless in pointing out that
the Republicans voted unanimously against the best interests of students and their families.
Warren is a powerful and persuasive speaker and could make the GOP rue the day they opposed her on this issue. There are parents across the country who are probably furious right now that Republicans blocked their college aged children from getting reduced loan rates. Let’s tap this anger. Talk to parents, connect with them on FB, write letters and make it clear that the only way to bring about people friendly legislation is to vote in a Democratic Congress in 2014. This Republican vote is an opportunity and I hope Warren and all of us make the most of it.
The GOP proved, once again, not only their core to be vapid but their political instincts to be non-existent. She set them up, big time, and the fools gave her an unprecedented platform on which to pulverize them. Will she. I have ZERO doubt.
#TrustBarack
I guess people are waking up to the fact that it takes more than just progressive speech-making to get stuff done in Washington. President Obama has exhausted himself to push bills through, and many rush to label him a failure when they don’t go through, or to lament at how he’s “caved” when Congress doesn’t bend to his will. Maybe people will realize that it takes a lot of work to get stuff done. Elizabeth Warren has the right intentions, but she’s going to have to figure out how to make Congress back her bills if she’s going to be successful in Washington – and that’s not easy, as we’ve seen.
Congrats, Allison, on #1.
Think you’re the person who posted some bizarro tweets from @SamYoungman the other day.
I follow him too, he seemed close to becoming unhinged. Hope he’s doing better now.
He’s lost it…..He posted a few tweets today as usual bashing Jay Carney and the President. I knew he was suspect when he was embedded with the Romney campaign. He’s become particularly unhinged since he no longer has a job. He worked for Reuters until a few weeks ago.
what an incredible day. Bravo to the first responders.
Good Evening Sweet Family Of Mine: TODville 😉
I am still one post or two away of finally catching up.
That video of the dear woman finding her dog during the interview …. wow … very touching …
Thank you, President Obama.
That’s efficient government.
Good Evening Chips, TOD…congrats on first Allison!
Evening LP!!!
Hey there Chips….been long busy day, everything good on your end?
All’s good LP, thank you, a bit of a bonkers day too, but got there in the end-ish!
Good to hear……..TOD urban dictionary: ish=caveats
Thanks, LP
A couple of posts on the military vs. sexual assault:
1) We’re have to rely on Joe “You Lie” Wilson to move this forward in Congress?
“A House panel is poised by pass sweeping changes in sexual assault prevention programs on Wednesday, with less command flexibility in reducing or dismissing rape and assault charges and wider support for victims.
The hot-button personnel issue will come up Wednesday afternoon when the House Armed Services subcommittee on military personnel passes its part of the 2014 defense authorization bill.
Draft legislation released Tuesday shows the committee chairman, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., has gathered a wide range of proposals from other lawmakers into a sweeping package of change that could, in some cases, alter the military justice system.”
http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130521/NEWS05/305210048/Lawmakers-prepare-sweeping-changes-military-s-sexual-assault-laws
Some amazing quotes in here….”Mr. Kerry is keeping things (close to) his chest. He likes to work very, very, very below the radar and grow things like mushrooms”
“He likes to work very, very, very below the radar and grow things like mushrooms”
Ah, what a great quote!
I love that Kerry is operating for the good in his own quiet way and without the twisted constant media scrutiny. If he can bring things to a good beginning there, it will be HUGE.
Sec Kerry will be able to accomplish some great things I think, and fortunately, the press isn’t obsessed with him, so they tend to ignore him. That’s all to the good and makes for better diplomacy.
I’m very proud of John Kerry. He’s a decent, intelligent, incredibly hardworking man and if something can be done to ease tensions in the ME, then Kerry will do it.
Totally agree. Hope it’s his first big accomplishment – to move this forward – not just for the sake of the two parties in the ME, and all their countrymen and women, but also because President Obama has shown strong leadership in easing tensions. After all, everything SOS Kerry does is under the direction of his and our President.
David Yganitius of the Washington Post was on Chris Matthews’ half-hour weekend show (which will end in July) said that Kerry is making substantial progess in these negotiations. I think he said with Russia (not able to confirm online because this show has a terrible online site, have never been able to view a video there, and the last transcript posted is from March)
It airs at 5:30 a.m in our market….and yes the site looks like its still in Beta format!
We have something in common!
It airs at 5:30 am on Sundays in the Los Angeles market too.
Wish I could be sure that it was Russia that Ygnatius referred to on Matthews’ show.
Agree with PrettyFoot that this would be HUGE results for our country and our President.
Does anyone know whether Ygnatius has written about this over at WaPo (there’s a couple of sites I avoid because I hate navigate through them, WaPo and HuffPo)?
This is the most recent column by Ygnatius from a couple weeks ago that references Syria:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/david-ignatius-for-syria-talks-a-beginning/2013/05/08/0cddce0a-b823-11e2-92f3-f291801936b8_story.html?wprss=rss_david-ignatius
I think the President has assembled an amazing team to work with him! VP Joe Biden, SoS, John Kerry, and SoD Chuck Hagel. The President and the three know each other very well from their Senate days on the Senate Foreign Relations committee. They are all very knowledgeable in foreign policy, and they are all men of impeccable integrity.
Wow…this could be HUGE!
Military vs. sexual assault, continued:
2) Report underscores Army’s ineffectiveness to prevent sexual assaults in Korea
“Failed leadership, easy access to alcohol and mixed messages about questionable off-post establishments have rendered the Army’s sexual assault prevention programs in South Korea largely ineffective, according to a military study.”
#USFK = US Forces Korea
http://www.stripes.com/report-underscores-army-s-ineffectiveness-to-prevent-sexual-assaults-in-korea-1.221886
This is a simple fix to me. Get rid of the concept of a military justice system (unless it’s war related). A crime is a crime. Period.
Think it’s tough to do for overseas crimes, which is what this report is referring to.
Of course, military behavior is one of the biggest reasons Japan wanted us out of Okinawa.
This one intrigued me, so I read the excerpts of Maureen that were presented, and the answer is clear as Gibbs’ glasses: Maureen is suffering an unrequited crush on the president.
In one column she compared him to Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice…..that says it all. Every woman of a certain age has a crush on Mr. Darcy…….and Maureen is of that certain age. She gave it all away with that statement.
Sorry Maureen…….we at TOD have known this instinctively, and you proved it by your analogy. I’m sure she was very affected by Colin Firth’s wet shirt scene in the 1995 TV version of Pride and Prejudice…..can’t get that out of her mind. I bet she looks at the rainy pictures of POTUS right here at TOD!!!
Good one, carolyn. I hadn’t read the Darcy reference, but it explains it all.
I don’t even pay that Dowd woman any attention. She is not worth it.
Good insight.
Another example of”white collar pimpin’ that really pisses me off. If certain folks do things to make money then it must be okay.
Sometimes I don’t know whether to cry or punch someone:
“According to an unnamed patron on the tour, one of the guides, Lynn Battaglia, from Pittsburgh, poked fun at impoverished areas, describing the South Bronx, in particular, as a crime-ridden neighborhood infested with poverty and violence….”
Don’t look at me. I prefer to dump ’em over the side in shark infested waters.
Best place for them Yardarm, the sneering pieces of shit.
Aye. I concur.
Chips, I am with you. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. This is so disgusting.
As Yardarm said, COS, “one goes to the zoo if they want to see animals” – and that’s exactly what this is like, it’s beyond disgusting, damn these people.
I’m casting my vote for punching someone–so much more satisfying. Lynn Battaglia needs to take the A train back to Pittsburgh. She is making an ass of herself in the Big Apple.
I’m with you Jackie, I’ll volunteer to throw the first punch.
Oh folks need to stop getting up in arms. Just start a bus tour to some trailer parks or something. Just go batshit crazy like everybody else. 🙂
The level of curiosity isn’t there. One goes to the zoo if they want to see animals.
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 !!!!!!!!
Well, here is another type of blatant racism in 2013…..at Walmart in VA. This time, a father went to Walmart with his 3 biracial kids and the Walmart security called the cops on him for In their minds, the children didn’t belong. VA borders MD. VA is right next to DC…..Heck, the DC territory was/is part of VA. In DC today, the POTUS is biracial and is the occupant in the WH…..yet, this family had to endure such fatuously wicked and cruel treatment. It simply makes my body boil.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/21/virginia-parents-walmart-biracial-daughters_n_3313143.html#comments
More stoopid. I think I’m going to bed tonite po’d.
Yeah, but remember: Illegitimi non carborundum.
Whatever!
This stuff happens more than you know. Had it happen to me at a Mickey D’s in Reading PA. Grandson was about 4 yrs old and was acting out; a couple of folks got out of their seat and started towards our table, it wasn’t until my GS yelled “Grandée, …” that they turned their butts around. It was only then that I noticed that I was the only AA in the joint and as it was winter, he looked like his maternal family; his other grandmother had a similar experience in the summertime. We joke that he’s white in winter, black in summer…
WTF?
Are people even human anymore, in some quarters?
How about if an entrepreneur from a “poor BLACK neighborhood” runs a bus tour of gated rich white folk neighborhoods? In fact, make it a walking tour. Wonder how that would go over. Never mind ~ I can guess.
This reminds me of growing up in a city which had several “ethnic” neighborhoods, as many do. When I got into high school and out of my own blind comfort zone and was old enough to learn what was going on, I heard that one of the white European ethnic neighborhoods was so intent that African Americans not move in there, that families would keep the old “rowhouses” in the family for decades. Some of the younger generation wanted to move to larger homes in the suburbs, but couldn’t because of family pressure, so they would also buy the house next door, open the walls, and live in a two-fer. It was widely known way back then that AAs should “stay out of their neighborhood.”
I moved away from that town almost 20 years ago, but I’ve heard that in recent years, while these bigots were watching out that AAs did not enter their Neanderthal campgrounds, keeping their eye on “them,” to make sure, most of the homes in that neighborhood – one by one, from the outskirts in – were bought out by … oops … Hispanic Americans. Wasn’t unique for my city, of course. Poetic justice? I think yes.
Either way it was bullshit. Hatred is a cancer with no cure.
“Hatred is a cancer with no cure.”
You are so right, yardarm! I used to think that hatred, at least racial hatred, was caused by ignorance, and thus could be cured by knowledge and education. I now know that that is not the case. Some psychologists have suggested that racial hatred should be treated as a mental disorder. But since I know zilch about psychology I will differ to those with expertise in the field.
The only known cure is the termination of breathing!
whaaaattt? SMDH
I hate those double decker buses that runs through Harlem. I try to divert my face if I am at a stop light and they pass by. They are not spending money in Harlem; just passing through. Take those buses to the single and double wide trailer parks, let them see that poor people are all over the United States.
I like the alertness and obvious respect those young Dreamers were displaying towards President Obama.
Their backs were straight, their eyes intent, they showed total respect. Maybe because they knew the respect was MUTUAL. Loved that photo.
Facts …
#TrustBarack
I think it’s a hoot that McConnell and others are coming out in defense of the administration with regard to the AP crap. My how things change. Obviously, they know when the story is finally told, it will point to Republicans.
“Obviously, they know when the story is finally told, it will point to Republicans.”
You betcha
#TrustBarack
Yes, it’s the only reason they “go along to get along” ~ their freaky vested self interests.
Interesting that the media support the GOP – but in this instance the GOP decline to support the media – something fishy in the midst of it all.
Also proves ya can’t put something like “trust” (as if) in either group.
Indeed – the media is learning is is not very smart to trust the GOP – who will attack anyone to achieve their single unachievable goal.
You nailed it, although the media haven’t learned that fast enough, if they ever fully do. In my mind, the beltway media is strictly in it for the money in their pockets, not the profession or to inform the public. President Obama realizes that, and I know he’ll continue to do more and more interviews with reporters from around the country, rather than those beltway bandits.
Why on earth they think their constant attacks will give them the access they crave makes one realize there is not much difference between the WH media and a series of tree trunks
I’m not a real outdoorsy person, but I prefer the tree trunks, in this case.
We need the trees a lot more than we need the media! When the latter talk about the former to the same extent as benghazi – the planet may just start to heal
I think you’re on to something!
🙂
Thanks Chips & TOD for all the news that Fits! Thanks for the Graphic of PBO, VP Biden, HSS Janet Napolitano, and FEMA DA Richard Serino, Chips! “You Will Not Travel That Path Alone”.
My pleasure Cha, hope all’s great with you!
“The U.S. has identified five men who might be responsible for the attack on the diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, last year, and has enough evidence to justify seizing them by militaryforce as suspected terrorists, officials say. But there isn’t enough proof to try them in a U.S. civilian court as the Obama administration prefers.”
http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130521/NEWS/305210045/FBI-identifies-Benghazi-suspects-no-arrests-yet
Damn, at first I thought I was going to read that McCain and his Lindsey girlfriend were 2 of the suspects. I guess they are talking about the OTHER Benghazi crime.
🙂
lmao @ teann and weather weapons tweets.
So limeys passed the SSM law. The brit rwnjs’ show they’re no lesser scums than their ‘murkan brethren.
What happened with the Brits, Amk? Did they vote today on SSM?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22605011
ireeeesh… don’t know what’s happening in their backyard /smh
😆
Wow, 161 MPs opposed it? Unfrigginbelievable. Actually, no, not really.
Hey old pard and unfaithful ex! I heard a rumour that first daughter amk did exceptionally well on her national entrance exam to med (grad) school – Good for her and Congrats! I bet you are bursting with pride that son and daughter take after their mom! 😉
pshaw… mom has got nothing to do with it.
Thanks. With daughter now in another city for a top private medical college interview. She has got many choices now.
Thank You to all The Teachers, Firefighters, EMT, Nurses, Doctors, etc who have performed extraordinarily in OK
I was already tired of the S.O.B……glad he was dismissed in shame, hope D’s don’t help to restore his hero status in the future…
Oh wouldn’t you know. Mr. Surge himself. And tomorrow we’ll find out that his autobiographer was the one who drafted the talking points for him; thereby, in the tiny minds of the hypocritical GOP, that he’s still their military god forevermore. This is still one of my favorite videos of Senator Obama.
And that the real reason he retired . Get away from this!
I’ve always been suspicious about the guy. Didn’t he have a lot of neo-con advisors in Afghanistan ? To be candid, I wonder if President Obama was in total control of what the CIA was doing in Benghazi, or if Petraeus had his own “agenda” ; did Petraeus give all the information to the President ? Did he follow the guidelines established by the White House ?
Turn volume down on time-lapse video via..Smithsonian
This amateur video is amazing….shows the actual formation, build-up, and final monster the tornado became.
this is awesome! I love TED talks. Ron Finley is inspiring! Enjoy – I sure did! 🙂
I’ve heard this guy awhile back. But I’m into gardening. Probably read in one of my mags. 🙂 Thanks.
THANK YOU FOR THIS
Reposting because there was no reaction here on having to rely on Joe “You Lie” Wilson for “sweeping changes in [military] sexual assault prevention programs” tomorrow.
I know we ALL hated the disrespect this jackass showed to the Office of the Presidency, and to this particular President.
“A House panel is poised by pass sweeping changes in sexual assault prevention programs on Wednesday, with less command flexibility in reducing or dismissing rape and assault charges and wider support for victims.
The hot-button personnel issue will come up Wednesday afternoon when the House Armed Services subcommittee on military personnel passes its part of the 2014 defense authorization bill.
Draft legislation released Tuesday shows the committee chairman, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., has gathered a wide range of proposals from other lawmakers into a sweeping package of change that could, in some cases, alter the military justice system.”
http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130521/NEWS05/305210048/Lawmakers-prepare-sweeping-changes-military-s-sexual-assault-laws
Thank you for this information. I think we were just all in shock that he’s still around ~ I know I was. Personally, my brain goes to idle mode when I see his face or read his name. Hope his term is over soon.
Also, I mentioned yesterday that if President Obama goes to Oklahoma, it will be his first visit to that state.
Clinton apparently visited Oklahoma five days after the May 3, 1999 destruction.
There’s something annoying about that tweet – like all journalists have suddenly turned into beancounters and comparison shoppers (think: Mark Knoller). (I’m way protective of President Obama, and I just do not like his being compared to Clinton or anybody else. Also realize I’m not alone!)
Agree with you, Jacqueline, fully. And, fact is, President Obama visited OK in late March, 2012. Be that is it may, my concern is that from a Secret Service perspective, visiting OK is likely not much of a different protection challenge as when he visits Afghanistan.
And I agree with you, Bobfr. Sad but true.
I’m with you, Jacq. Why do we need to compare everything President Obama does with those who came before. He stands head, shoulders and everything else above everyone who’s come before him. (And he’s cleaning up most of the messes they left behind).
Yep. It’s all so very annoying!
He visited Cushing, Oklahoma prior to the election.. I think it was an oil field…..I may stand corrected. Was during the Keystone B.S.
Yes, LP, in March of 2012.
OK cool…….only reason I remember is he did an interview w/ Kai Risdal (NPR Marketplace) at a solar plant that was part of the energy tour….and then they used the footage for one of his final campaign commercials.
President Obama has been to Oklahoma, in 2011, I think. It was in connection with the oil pipeline. Our governor Mary Fallin left and went to Puerto Rico for a family vacation when he came. She humiliated the state. I have no use for her. The Mayor of OKC greeted him….Fallin is weak and not terribly bright, but she is in the pocket of some rich teabaggers here who call her shots. I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t come this time.
Agree, Carolyn re: FAILin. It was March, 2012.
Being “not very bright” will be another disaster for those impacted by the weather disaster. It takes some intelligence to be able to organize a large recovery effort & those who are “not terribly bright” usually appoint staff at the same intelligence level.
Is the tribute to Carol King going on as plan? Maybe it will be postponed because of the tornado in OK.
No reason to cancel or postpone the tribute.
Okay, I just wanted to know.
New post, everyone.
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/05/21/night-owl-chat-alabama-shakes/
Apologies to everyone for including this guy in a post the other day – *never* again, I promise.
These people are exhausting.
He is a racist punk.
You said it, amk!
Thank you, Chipsticks, for including Smartypants analysis of President Obama’s commencement speech at Morehouse. With all due respect to the learned Black academics, Black pundits, like Ta Nahesi Coates, white academics, like Tim Wise, and learned progressive journalists, like Charles Pierce, President Obama’s speech was exactly what all African American young people graduating from college needed to hear. The President’s speech was deeply rooted in all the struggles that have been going on for centuries. It’s sad that the academics, preoccupied with analyzing everything, have no clue about that struggle. I wish Ta Nahesi and Tim Wise could get down from their intellectual sermonizing and seriously listen to the words of the Black National Anthem;: “LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING.” If they did, They would know where President Obama was coming from. I also wish they took time to listen to the words of other great black leaders such as: Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Mary McLeod Bethune, W.E.B. DuBois, Carter G. Woodson, Charles H. Houston, Dr. Benjamin Mays, Ella Baker, Dr. Martin Luther King and even the Rev. Jesse Jackson, at his best, when he talked about “I am some body…” And, if they prefer Black Nationalists, they should seriously read and listen to Martin Delany, Marcus Garvey, Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, Minister Farakhan, and Kwame Ture. All of these people urged us not stop striving for excellence because of the odds against us.
It’s utter nonsense to claim that the President was “talking down” to the Morehouse graduates. What the President did was to remind these young men that they have a responsibility, no matter the odds, to make history. And, in order for them to do that, they have to acknowledge the long and painful struggles of people who came before them and pretty much gave them a foundation from which to build to attain higher goals. In case people missed this part of his speech, he acknowledged that he would not be where he is without the past struggles led by people like Dr. King. It’s really sad that in this day and age, even very highly educated people do not take time to listen to President Obama. Rather, they are always ready to analyze to death everything he says. Fortunately, most of us ordinary people do take time to listen carefully to what the President says. As far as I am concerned, President Obama’s Morehouse commencement speech was absolutely fitting for the day and for our times. It was a speech deeply rooted in love and historical reality, and not in condescension as some of his critics are now alleging. I am glad President Obama challenged the Morehouse graduates, and by extension all the graduates, that they accomplish what they “WILL.” Just my two cents.
I meant to say: I am glad President Obama challenged the Morehouse graduates… “to believe” that that they “can” accomplish what they “Will.” (I think It’s time for me to go to bed.”
amen…
I have always thought that a lot of the so-called intelligentsia have not accepted PBO as a “real” Blk man…therefore he does not UNDERSTAND Blk Folks…that they are intimidated by his intelligence and stature….that they do not fully trust him because he is bi-racial and therefore does not have a true allegiance to the Blk Community…so they project their own insecurities on him…
however…the grads and their family felt every word that he uttered…and understood what he was saying…and took it to heart…